8
12. Rebound damping
Reduce
Increase
Reduce
Increase
13. Compression damping
Setting your motorcycle
NOTE!
Always begin with the basic settings recom-
mended by Öhlins. Always make notes, adjust in
small steps and make only one adjustment at a
time. Adjustments should be made with two steps
(clicks) at a time. Adjustments should not be more
than four steps from the basic setting.
By utilizing the adjustment possibilities you can
test by trial and error, and learn how they affect
your motorcycle.
Always begin by test riding the motorcycle with
all adjustments at their i.e. delivery setting. Choose
a short run of varying character, ie, long and sharp
bends, hard and soft bumps. Keep to the same
run and adjust only one setting at a time.
Start with the rebound damping (Fig.12)
If the motorcycle feels unstable, loose and rather
bouncy then the rebound damping should be
increased. Begin by turning the adjusting knob 4
steps (clicks) clockwise. Test run again and adjust
two steps back if it felt too hard and bumpy.
If the motorcycle is hard and bumpy, especially
over a series of bumps, then the rebound damping
should be reduced. Turn counter clockwise 4
steps, test run and make any necessary correction
to 2 steps.
Compression damping (Fig.13)
The low speed compression adjuster affects ride
height, smoothness over small bumps and grip.
The high speed compression adjuster affects
stability, firmness in depressions and fast corners.
If the motorcycle has low riding position, the
low speed compression should be increased.
Screw clockwise four steps and test run again. If
this was too much then turn back two steps
(counter clockwise). If it feels unsmooth over small
continuous bumps or has bad grip, the low speed
compression should be decreased. Turn counter
clockwise four steps. Test run and make any
necessary correction in two steps at the time.
If the motorcycle feels unstable in fast corners
and has a tendency to bottom easily in depressions
and chicanes, the high speed compression should
be increased. Screw clockwise six steps and test
run again. If this was too much then turn back
three steps (counter clockwise). If it feels harsh
and too rigid or has a tendency to hop under
braking, the high speed compression should be
decreased. Turn counter clockwise six steps. Test
run and make any necessary correction in three
steps at the time.
When you have sufficient feel of the motorcycle
you can make further fine adjustments. It is feeling
and experience that counts.
• Unstable
• Loose
• Bouncy
• Hard
• Bumpy
• Unstable
• Soft
• Low
• Bottom
• Harsh
• Hard
• Bad grip
