The open road beckons with enticing freedom and a call to adventure. A touring motorcycle is the perfect companion for such a venture, with its robust design and enhanced features all intended for long-haul travel. However, for an enjoyable ride, optimizing the motorcycle’s rear suspension setup is crucial. It determines the comfort you’ll enjoy on the seat, the bike’s performance, and your overall riding experience. This article will guide you in determining how to enhance this aspect of your trusty British touring motorcycle.
Understanding Suspension in Adventure Touring Bikes
Before delving into the specifics of the setup, it’s essential to understand what a suspension does for your bike. In simple terms, the suspension system absorbs the shocks from the road and keeps the motorcycle stable. This system comprises the front forks and the rear shock absorber. The front suspension affects your bike’s steering, while the rear influences the bike’s overall stability, weight distribution, and the seat height.
The rider’s weight significantly affects the rear suspension. It requires adjustments depending on the load it’s carrying — the rider, passenger, or luggage. If not set correctly, your motorcycle may lack stability, lower the seat height or even compromise your ride’s comfort and safety. Hence, understanding the basics of suspension is key when owning a touring bike, especially when you love exploring long roads on your adventure travels.
Setting the Suspension Sag
The term ‘sag’ relates to how much your suspension compresses under your weight and any additional load. It’s an essential component to check before setting out on a road trip. A well-set suspension sag will ensure that your bike is balanced, providing you with a smoother ride and more responsive handling.
Too much sag, and your motorcycle will feel sluggish and may bottom out on bumps. Too little, and you could be experiencing a harsh ride as the bike will likely feel stiff and unresponsive. Ideally, the sag should be set to around 30% of the bike’s total suspension travel. You would need a few tools and a friend’s help to measure and set the sag accurately.
Adjusting the Damping
Damping is another significant aspect of a suspension setup that needs attention. It controls the speed at which the suspension compresses and extends after absorbing a shock. An adventure touring motorcycle usually has two damping controls: compression damping and rebound damping.
Compression damping controls how fast the suspension compresses when it hits a bump, while rebound damping determines how quickly the bike returns to its original position. The right damping setup will enhance the bike’s stability, particularly at high speeds and on uneven surfaces. It will also reduce the chances of the bike bottoming out.
Optimizing Spring Preload
The spring preload is the force exerted by the spring in the suspension system when the bike is at rest. Adjusting this setting will affect the bike’s ride height and its responsiveness to weight changes.
A high preload will increase the spring’s resistance to compression, raising the ride height and making the bike more responsive to weight changes. Conversely, a low preload will make the bike feel softer and sink more under weight. It’s important to balance preload adjustment according to your weight and riding conditions.
Choosing the Right Suspension for Your Motorcycle
Lastly, it would be best if you considered the type of suspension that would optimize your bike’s performance on long rides. The market today is teeming with various rear suspension options, from traditional twin shocks to mono shock absorbers. For British touring bikes like the esteemed BMW series, the ideal choice is often a mono shock setup with a progressive damping system.
Choosing the right type of suspension goes beyond brand preference. Factors such as your weight, the bike’s weight, and your preferred travel and touring style will influence your decision. By understanding these concepts and applying them, you will optimize your British touring motorcycle’s rear suspension setup for long rides, promising a smoother, more controlled, and ultimately more enjoyable ride.
Fine-Tuning the Riding Modes
The rear suspension setup for your British touring motorcycle can be vastly improved by fine-tuning the riding modes. Modern touring motorcycles such as the BMW Motorrad or Harley Davidson come equipped with adjustable riding modes. These modes change the bike’s performance characteristics, including throttle response, traction control, and of course, suspension settings.
Adjusting the riding mode can alter your bike’s performance to match the road conditions and your riding style. For instance, if you’re traveling on a smooth highway, you might prefer a mode that provides a more relaxed, comfortable ride. On the other hand, if you’re venturing off-road or tackling challenging terrain, a mode that stiffens the suspension for better handling would be more suitable.
Adjusting your motorcycle’s riding modes isn’t just about comfort. It’s also about safety. The correct mode can enhance your control over the bike and reduce the risk of accidents. Therefore, before setting out on a long distance journey, ensure you understand your bike’s riding modes and how to adjust them according to your needs.
The Role of Weight in Suspension Setup
The total weight that your motorcycle carries, including your weight, the passenger’s weight (if any), and the weight of any luggage, affects the performance of the rear suspension dramatically. For instance, if your total weight (including gear and luggage) is 200 lbs, and your bike’s rear shock is rated for 150 lbs, the bike will sag excessively, compromising handling and comfort.
When adjusting the rear suspension, the weight lbs need to be factored into the adjustments. More weight requires a higher preload setting and perhaps more damping to control the suspension’s motion. Conversely, if you’re riding solo without luggage, you might need to reduce the preload and damping.
One common mistake riders make is setting the suspension when the bike is unloaded, and then going out on a ride fully loaded. This will undoubtedly lead to a less than optimal ride. Always adjust the suspension with the full weight that will be on the bike during the ride. This will help ensure a smoother and safer journey.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to motorcycle touring or an experienced rider, understanding how to optimize your bike’s rear suspension setup for long rides is crucial. It not only improves your riding comfort but also enhances your bike’s stability and performance.
By understanding and adjusting the suspension sag, damping, spring preload, and selecting the right suspension for your bike, you can ensure a smoother, more controlled ride. Additionally, adjusting the riding modes according to the road conditions and your riding style can also enhance your long-distance journey.
Gone are the days when the suspension was a ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ affair. With today’s modern British touring motorcycles like the BMW Motorrad or Harley Davidson, the suspension is a dynamic system that can be adjusted to suit your needs.
So, before you hit the open road for a long ride, spend some time fine-tuning your bike’s rear suspension setup. It’s an investment that will pay off in the form of an enjoyable, comfortable, and safe journey. After all, adventure awaits, and your British touring motorcycle is eager to deliver the best ride possible. Happy touring!
