The reasons and benefits of setting Motorcycle Sag. There are many tutorials on how to set sag, we thought we would take time to explain why you are doing it, and how to acheive the best outcome. Terry Hay, Shock Treatment
Such a good video Terry, have talked to you on the phone many times and the way you explain the technicalities is amazing, i know its a big ask but please continue with these videos!! Would be great to get more tips on basics of front and rear suspension setup, would be so good to see some vidoes of how to correct or reduce some of the most common chassis behaviours / misbehaviors, im sure there are so many people out there wanting some help on those topics and seriously i don't think there is one video in existence explaining these very basics, im sure so many people are looking for some guidance, hoping this sag explanation video is just the start !! Brilliant.
I subscribed to learn more about newer suspension, I've owned and raced Dist. 37 Desert on a 1969 400 Cross, 1989 390 OR, 1985 500 XC and now 2106 FE 350, all Husqvarna's. Looking forward to evening out the flow of the stock suspension for off roading in Idaho. Thank you Terry for your simple explanation. Scott - CHECKERS M/C
Watched this and the other two - not sure if you read comments or can reply here but do you have any tips for Supermoto sag? Not sure if I should just be cranking everything stiffer and quicker or not. It's tarmac only for me right now, so I am leaning into proportional sport bike settings with dirt bike measurements. Thanks for all the videos - very good.
Thank you for the video, you talk about getting the correct angle of the swing arm, would we be better off reading angles of the swing arm rather than sag then. For example we might want to aim for an angle of 78degrees
What we are trying to do is get the acceleration force driving through the centre of mass. Spring pressure will determine our angle for us and it should be governed by peak stability and forward motion. How much spring preload is required to achieve this ideal angle will also impact on suspension performance.....hence the need to achieve the ideal angle with the ideal spring / preload combination. The angle required will vary based more on riders height as opposed to weight. An 80 kg, 5'6" rider has a lower centre of mass than an 80kg 6'3" rider. Therefore a taller rider will require less sag in order to gain the same handling traits as a shorter one. I realise this adds another dimension to what has been an overly simplified concept from the suspension industry but if it is performance you are chasing, you really need to go the extra mile and test. These videos are to provide more information rather than greater convenience.
What kind of data collection happens on the bikes to allow tuners to dial in the ideal spring rates? I assume G, and throw distances can be measured in real time for each rider, then adjustments made for each track...
Yes....generally stroke position is a really good indicator as well as percentage of time spent in a particular travel range. Quite often people will use crude indicators such as zip ties or o-rings which will let you know how far the suspension has compressed, yet it fails to indicate "How Often".
I just answered "TwoWheelsInMotion"s question which will assist you with yours. Its not just weight but height that makes a difference to your requirements.
