S2r 800 Suspension Adjustment...?

[nuggethead]

Hi Monsters,

I'm keen to get my bike setup rightio for my height/weight. After a few rides and getting a feel for my S2r 800 I reckon I could jack up the suspension to suit my ass height and adjust preload/rebound settings. I reckon the bike is sitting a bit low and is a bit soft in the corners.

I am hoping someone in here may have some knowledge on these procedures - I guess it's quite a common adjustment and I've read a bit on the ducati suite tutorials yet I am willing to take on some expert hands on advice advice from riders in here.

Will travel and pay for services.

[Betty]

If you are talking about adjustments there is only so far you can go with the stock 800.

In my, far from expert, opinion changing the ride height doesn't necessarily change your suspension ... but it will make the bike handle differently - turn in quicker, etc.

The advice I have received about the rear is that it is not worth playing with too much. By all means set the preload, etc ... but that won't do much for you if the spring is the wrong rate. How to do this should be in your manual (I think). But if you want to make noticeable changes the consensus is to chuck it and get a decent replacement.

The front ... your screwed. No adjustment in there - but changes can be made to springs and oil, etc before is starts to get real complicated and expensive.

There have been (relatively) recent posts by Suzyj, Goldfish and Two Dogs about the changes that they have made. Although they are all DSS bikes the stock suspension is the same as yours ... a search for those may help.

[madalf71]

Hi Nuggethead, welcome to the group.

Theres plenty on S2R800 suspension info on various threads.

Setting up the rear is easy, first set your sag and then adjust ride height, however...

Essentially the front end is the biggest drama, under sprung and under damped.
So tightening up the steering angle by raising the rear could create some problems, head shake etc.

On my S2R800 I have a set of reworked S2R1000 Showa forks. Even stock Showa's are a gaint leap ahead. They slot straight in with exisiting hardware, including brakes.
The standard Marzocci forks can be reworked depending who you talk to, but they still won't be as good as the Showas.

My rear shock is still standard. Depending on your height, weight and riding style it might be ok, I'm a lightweight 72 kg with gear on.

Changing the forks will be the single biggest improvement you'll ever make.

Cheers, feel free to message, help where I can.
Stopintime also has posted some great threads on this.

Cheers.

[loony888]

i have a good showa rear shock from my S4R, full range of adjustment and it's in very good nick, $200 + postage if you want it.

paul.

[suzyj]

Here's a post detailing my suspension fun on my 695 (which I believe has the same stock suspension as your s2r 800).

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=41414.0

In short, I replaced the rear shock with a Showa from a 999, and the forks with Showas from a 998.  In each case, I bought ohlins springs (from Mike at Desmo Clinic) to suit my weight.

Replacing my shocks and forks was a bit of a saga, but well worth it.  If you aren't up for quite as much quality shed time, then you can just replace the springs in your stock forks and shock with stiffer linear rate ones that suit your weight.  I found 5/8" washers were useful in my original forks to adjust preload as well.

Cheers,

Suzy

[Roaduser]

i have a good showa rear shock from my S4R, full range of adjustment and it's in very good nick, $200 + postage if you want it.

paul.

are these interchangable with the rear unit on a dss m800?

mine only has 5000kms on it but the way the bike handles isnt confidence inspiring. maybe its been sitting too long.

[techno]

Hi Nugget.

I know what you mean. My S2R800 has 30K on it and I am only just changing the suspension. I am 100kg with gear so the stock set up really doesn't suit.

I purchased a 999 shock from Ebay in the US and had a spring put on to suit my weight.

I also purchased front springs for my weight but haven't fitted yet (its a holiday project).

Here is my thread here which you should find useful.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40574.0

[loony888]

are these interchangable with the rear unit on a dss m800?

mine only has 5000kms on it but the way the bike handles isnt confidence inspiring. maybe its been sitting too long.

i'm not sure mate, i'd hate to lead you astray, probably best you look at one on a bike or ask a suspension shop,
sorry.

[Roaduser]

cheers mate