250lb rider on a V4S - What suspension adjustments do I need to make?

Hey everyone,

I’m a big guy - 6’3’’ 250 lbs, and I’m loving my Panigale V4S, but pretty sure that the suspension - while electronic - is set for someone who weighs 170 as opposed to 250.

What adjustments should I be making? Do I need new parts? If so, which ones? Is it as simple as getting the suspension adjusted for my weight?

I’m not very well versed in the suspension game, so most of what you will reply with is going to be Greek to me. I.E. If you would be so kind to explain it like I’m 5… It would be a huge help.

Thanks!!

The very basic first step is setting the bike up for your weight which will require stiffer springs at your 250lbs.

But, you can improve what you have by adding preload to the front. These bikes are very soft in the front and stiff in the rear from the factory.

There's tons of Youtube videos for measuring static and rider sag which is where you need to start. Static sag is how much the suspension compresses under the bikes weight. Rider sag is how much it compresses under your weight.

At 250 lbs you need to get stiffer fork springs and shock spring for sure. From there dial it in like any other suspension. You can google search suspension setup, there is a lot of material out there.

Any recommendations on the spring replacement? I’m looking to track the bike next year so I’m willing to spend some cash if it makes the bike safer on the track given my weight.

appreciate any direction you could provide!

After you figure out how to measure sag, which on the front is easy to do by yourself, its easy to dial in some more preload. After unplugging the connectors, I used a large adjustable wrench with several pieces of electrical tape on the jaws to keep from damaging the fork caps. I couldn't find a nylon jaw wrench large enough.

In 2020 there was a linkage change with the rear suspension of the V4, so a lot of the charts and known recommendations don't apply unless the person giving said info makes that differentiation, that's its for a 2020 and up bike.

The newer rear comes with a 85nm spring. At my weight (210-215lbs street only) I was able to get good static and street rider sag numbers with a 95nm spring. For a track setup on the rear I'd consider a 110nm but I'm sure someone at your weight will chime up eventually.

The forks are 10nm IIRC. I'd think you'd be at a 11.5nm but I'd check with Ohlins or Ducati Omaha.

I haven't gotten to taking my Ohlins forks apart yet, so I'll stay in my lane on tool selection there...but for rear shock spring tools I used the below tool with great success. The straps won't mar up the spring either.

I tried the motion pro which I bought used and hated it. The two spring compressors which have the metal hooks are hot trash, avoid them.

bp_SFV4 said:

In 2020 there was a linkage change with the rear suspension of the V4, so a lot of the charts and known recommendations don't apply unless the person giving said info makes that differentiation, that's its for a 2020 and up bike.

The newer rear comes with a 85nm spring. At my weight (210-215lbs street only) I was able to get good static and street rider sag numbers with a 95nm spring. For a track setup on the rear I'd consider a 110nm but I'm sure someone at your weight will chime up eventually.

The forks are 10nm IIRC. I'd think you'd be at a 11.5nm but I'd check with Ohlins or Ducati Omaha.

Click to expand...

Appreciate it.
Was actually just looking at Ducati of Omaha for springs.

I might just check with my dealer Tuesday. Seems like a smart fix to really hone in how the bike should work for me. I always forget that I’m larger than the average planned rider size.

My best guess would be 11.5 nm front springs and 110nm rear spring but some of that will also come with preference.

The bike was built for a 165lbs Italian but for properly built men you have to do a little work.

I think it was brad8266's setup which I copied was the raise the front and lower the rear. Made a huge difference. I'm no MotoGP rider for sure and to hit a track I have to travel across one or two states. I tend to ride like I have to pay for it if I crash it. Adjusting the geometry made it feel SO much better. It was a matter of making the top of the forks flush with the clamp and changing the exposed thread on the bottom of the shock from 6mm to 4mm.

Now onto the heat...

ZiggySarsdust,



I'm a big guy too, and matter of fact, I'm the exact same size as you. So I needed to upgrade both front and rear spring rates to 1.1KG and rear to 1.05KG. It's perfect now.


Stan

ZiggySarsdust said:

Hey everyone,

I’m a big guy - 6’3’’ 250 lbs, and I’m loving my Panigale V4S, but pretty sure that the suspension - while electronic - is set for someone who weighs 170 as opposed to 250.

What adjustments should I be making? Do I need new parts? If so, which ones? Is it as simple as getting the suspension adjusted for my weight?

I’m not very well versed in the suspension game, so most of what you will reply with is going to be Greek to me. I.E., If you would be so kind to explain it like I’m 5… It would be a huge help.

Thanks!!

Click to expand...

stan1 said:

ZiggySarsdust,



I'm a big guy too, and matter of fact, I'm the exact same size as you. So I needed to upgrade both front and rear spring rates to 1.1KG and rear to 1.05KG. It's perfect now.


Stan

Click to expand...

This is great info. This is for sure my next adjustment. Just messaged the dealer last night about getting set up.

Appreciate The info - and always love knowing I’m not the only huge guy out there throwing it down!!

Me and you are the same height and weight…the Ohlins guys are telling me to use the heaviest rear spring they make which is 115….and recommending 11.0 front springs, though that last bit I’m awaiting confirmation on…11.0 strikes me as a bit light….though as I learn more I’d rather the spring rate be a bit too light than a bit to heavy, because I can adjust it stiffer with less air in the shock and via the electronics, whereas if the spring rate is too stiff in the front to adjust lower I’ll be permanently compensating for the oversteer that happens when it’s too stiff in the front.

Are they just setting up for your weight or weight and riding skill?

I would hope both. I ride B group in track days so I can spin it up a little, but I’m not consistent, or fast enough to ride in the A group. So I need it set for my weight, but also would want it set for my abilities as well.

how would you recommend differing between skill levels? I’m just getting into learning more about suspension so it’s still a bit Greek to me.

Buy a years worth and soak in as much as you can.

The first step is to set the bike up for your weight, then to adjust based on skill.

I'm an A-group rider, and the setup has the adjustments for B-Group rider. As a baseline, shoot for 35 mm rider Sag front and Rear 30mm of rider sag.

Plus with my setup, I have 20mm of static sag front and rear of 10mm of static sag.


Also, I own 2020 V4S, and believe linkage is different than the 2018-2019.. Which makes you run a lighter spring. I thought I needed a 11.0kg rear spring, but after working with my suspension guy, he recommended 10.5 KG rear spring, and he was spot on.




Stan

ZiggySarsdust said:

I would hope both. I ride B group in track days so I can spin it up a little, but I’m not consistent, or fast enough to ride in the A group. So I need it set for my weight, but also would want it set for my abilities as well.

how would you recommend differing between skill levels? I’m just getting into learning more about suspension so it’s still a bit Greek to me.

Click to expand...

See this pic, they are all taking notes. You're getting good advice here that I cant add to except this.

Just picked up a 21 V4S that will be exclusively for track use and trying to figure out what to do with the suspension.

I'm 6'3" 215lbs, but am an advanced track rider (10+ years of track/race experience) and on top of the springs needing to be changed not sure if I should invest in another cartridge or keep the stock electronic suspension.

Going to talk to my suspension guy here in SoCal in a few weeks and will let you know his thoughts. May just try the springs first and see how it feels versus my R6 and go from there

Upgrade the springs and just set your suspension to manual setting for track riding.

Ironman11 said:

Just picked up a 21 V4S that will be exclusively for track use and trying to figure out what to do with the suspension.

I'm 6'3" 215lbs, but am an advanced track rider (10+ years of track/race experience) and on top of the springs needing to be changed not sure if I should invest in another cartridge or keep the stock electronic suspension.

Going to talk to my suspension guy here in SoCal in a few weeks and will let you know his thoughts. May just try the springs first and see how it feels versus my R6 and go from there

Click to expand...

Called Dan Kyle and ordered some heavier springs. Gonna get them installed in the forks and reduce some of the compression. Also will adjust damping to see if I can get my front sag settings correct.