7
Setting the damping
The adjusting possibilities of Öhlins shock ab-
sorbers facilitate fine setting. You can optimize
adjustments to suit your own weight and equip-
ment, your individual way of riding and the con-
dition of the road. To be able to improve the road
holding qualities it is of the utmost importance
that you fully understand the functioning of the
shock absorbers. Then you can learn by trial and
error how they affect the motorcycle.
Depending on the model there are adjustments
for rebound damping, compression damping and
adjustment of the length of the shock absorber.
Damping is set with the knobs, they have a nor-
mal right hand thread. By turning clockwise they
increase the damping action and counter clock-
wise they reduce it. The knobs have definite po-
sitions with noticeable “clicks”, so it is easy to
count to the right setting.
Rebound damping action affects the character-
istics of the motorcycle most. The setting knob
is located at the bottom on the piston rod (Fig.9).
It can be adjusted in about 40 steps. The com-
pression damping knob is located at the end of
the reservoir (Fig.10). This can be adjusted in
about 25 steps.
Some models (PRX) have separate adjusters for
high speed compression and low speed compres-
sion (Fig.11). The low speed compression is ad-
justed in 25 steps.
The high speed adjuster has a wide range within
about 48 clicks
NOTE!
High and low speed referes to the shaft velocity
of the shock absorber. It is not necessarily re-
lated to the speed of the vehicle.
+
-
10. Adjustment of compression damping
9. Adjustment of rebound damping
= more damping
= less damping
+
+
-
-
+
-
High speed
Low speed
11. High and low speed compression damping adjusters
+
-
NOTE!
When making new adjustments it is easiest to go
back to fully closed, and then count forward to
the new setting. The adjusting knobs should not
be screwed in too hard.
NOTE!
If no ”click” is felt, the shock absorber must be
inspected by an authorized service workshop. It
could be due to incorrect or lack of gas pressure.
