Buell 2004 XB9S, Service Manual, Page: 80 / 597

2004 Buell Lightning: Maintenance 1-31
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SUSPENSION DAMPING ADJUSTMENTS 1.12
GENERAL
1
WARNING
1
WARNING
Before evaluating and adjusting suspension settings,
check the motorcycle’s tires. Tires must be in good con-
dition and properly inflated. Failure to check the tires
could result in death or serious injury.
Make all suspension adjustments in one or two click incre-
ments. Adjusting more than one or two clicks at a time may
cause you to skip the best adjustment. Test ride after each
adjustment. When an adjustment makes no difference, return
to the previous adjustment and try a different approach.
If both preload adjustments are correct, and you have the
rebound and compression damping set at the factory recom-
mended points, the motorcycle should handle and ride prop-
erly. If you wish to fine tune these settings they can be
changed according to the following procedures.
NOTE
Evaluating and changing the rebound and compression
damping is a very subjective process. Many variables affect
motorcycle handling under different circumstances. Approach
all changes carefully and consult
Table 1-9.
Table 1-9. Recommended Suspension Settings for Rider Weight (XB9S, XB12S)
RIDER AND CARGO
WEIGHT
FRONT FORK REAR SHOCK
LB. KG
PRELOAD
# OF
LINES
*COMPRESSION *REBOUND
PRELOAD
POSITION
*COMPRESSION *REBOUND
Less than 130 59 7 2 1.75 1 2.50 2
130-150 59-68 6.5 1.75 1.75 2 2.25 1.75
150-170 68-77 6 1.50 1.625 3 2 1.50
170-190 77-86 5.5 1.50 1.50 4 1.75 1.50
190-210 86-95 5 1.25 1.50 5 1.50 1.25
210-230 95-104 4.5 1.25 1.50 6 1.25 1
230-GVWR 104-GVWR 4 1 1.25 7 1.25 1
* Note all compression and rebound settings are number of turns out from maximum.
Table 1-10. Recommended Suspension Settings For Rider Weight (XB9SL)
RIDER AND CARGO WEIGHT FRONT FORK REAR SHOCK
LB. KG
PRELOAD
# OF
LINES
*COMPRESSION *REBOUND
PRELOAD
POSITION
*COMPRESSION *REBOUND
Less than 150 68 6 1.75 1.75 1 3 1.5
150-170 68-77 5.5 1.75 1.5 2 2.5 1.25
170-190 77-86 5 1.5 1.5 3 2.25 1.25
190-210 86-95 4.5 1.5 1.25 4 2 1
210-230 95-104 4 1.25 1.25 5 1.75 1
230-250 104-113 3.5 1.25 1 6 1.5 0.75
250-GVWR 113-GVWR 3 1 1 7 1.25 0.75
* Note all compression and rebound settings are number of turns out from maximum.