FREE Suspension Setup advice from an expert

Yes did the best I could with the stock suspension. I could get the SAG where I wanted but could not seem to make the dampening adjustments work for me. Mostly in the front.

roadracerx, in case you're still checking this thread ...

Have a 2013 base model 1199, equipped with Ohlins cartridges and TTX rear shock. Previous owner had set up the bike for a person about 30 - 40 pounds less mass than me (260 with gear, big boned ). First time at the track with the bike. I set sag, but left the other settings as is (aside from pulling one click out on compression front and rear as it felt harsh to me).

Additional details on the bike set up:

Chassis Set up

Front fork is showing 2.5 mm from top of stock triple clamp to top of the tube (as opposed to the top of the cartridge cap).

Rear shock length, eye to eye center is TBD until I can remove and measure. Appears to have about 10 mm of threads showing.

Linkage set to flat.

Springs

I don’t know what springs are in the fork, and the shock spring doesn’t seem to have a number (but appears to be Ohlins). Previous owner gave me a 95 rear spring, so I presume I have something a bit stiffer installed, based on sag numbers.

Preload (after general sag set up)

The front forks have 6 turns out of preload from fully turned in.

Rear shock spring measures 140 mm when the bike is sitting on the pegs and the rear suspension is fully unloaded.

Compression/Rebound Settings

Front compression 9 clicks out, rebound 12 clicks out

Rear compression 11 clicks out, rebound 14 clicks out

Sag Numbers

Bike only: front 10 mm, rear 14 mm

Rider/Bike: front 35 mm, rear 35 mm

Tires

Pirelli Superbike slicks (120/70, 200/65), SC2’s Tire wear seemed good, ran 31/25F cold, track air temps were 85F. Kept front at 32/33 hot, rear at 28/29 hot. No hot or cold tear.

Bike Ride Feel

In general the bike felt good to me over a range of speeds. Of course I’m comparing this to my old 1098 so some of this is simply a better machine overall. Thus far I’m not bottoming the fork compression tie during braking, but I’m still getting to know the bike (really haven’t gone deep on the brakes yet). Brakes work very well and the front feels planted when I do brake hard. Bike felt very planted going over bumps both on and off throttle.

Only thing that I noticed was a slight tendency to want to go a little wide on the exit of long fast corners with significant lean.

Any thoughts on geometry or other settings? I presume I’m likely one spring rate low on the rear, the front may be ok. Maybe pull a little preload out of the front to increase sag a bit?

AmpForE said:

I assume you set up the Ohlins, before you put them on did you set up the stock suspension?

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Yes I had done several track days on stock suspension and felt pretty familiar with it. Ohlins was a great enhancement. Heading to COTA this weekend for the first time with the suspension and looking forward to it!

Great weekend at COTA with my new Ohlins FGK cartridges and TTX rear shock. Transformed the handling, instilling a ton more confidence. Thanks to Matt @ CarrMoto Indianapolis Ducati for the set-up.

Headed to this beauty on the weekend to see how the new shock and settings work out,

Where is that?

Keith197 said:

Where is that?

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Auckland

Is this thread still alive??? Looks to be the single best thread on suspension set up. New to really dialing in and I need all the help I can get! Read all 17 pages, and there’s a lot I do not know what it means lol. Previous owner was 30-40 lbs heavier than I am so I’m trying to figure this thing out. Two simple issues I’m having. First, the front end is very light. Under 50% throttle it gets way too light and the front end feels loose under full throttle really no matter the speed. Second, the rear feels like it wants to buck me off. I’ve been really hesitant on making changes in fear of messing up and hurting the bike or myself lol.... here’s what I know:

Bike: 2013 1199S 8,8xx miles with stock suspension
Rider: 180lbs without gear
Tires: 200/55 Michelin Power 5’s
Pressure: front 32 cold / rear 29 cold
Current suspension settings: Front 11/11 rear 11/13.

I hope this page is still checked every once in a while, would love any help I can get!

Not sure what happened to Mr X. I was supposed to take a bike to him for a setup but he got back to me. Never heard from him again. Hope Covid didn’t get him.

cafecorseduc said:

Great weekend at COTA with my new Ohlins FGK cartridges and TTX rear shock...
View attachment 33553

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How often you go to COTA? I’ll be there April 3/4. Hit me up if you feel like it next time you’re there.

@endodoc I'm still around - don't check this forum often but happy to help.

@cafecorseduc Matt is a friend and all-around great guy - knows his stuff - probably one of the best Ducati dealers in the United States IMHO.

Does anyone know what rating the OEM Ohlins fork springs are in a 2021 Panigale V4S?

From the dealership the rear had 12mm static and 34mm rider. The front was 29mm static and 40mm rider. I maxed out the preload for the front and got static to 26mm and rider to 37mm. The front just seems soft compared to the rear.

bp_SFV4 said:

Does anyone know what rating the OEM Ohlins fork springs are in a 2021 Panigale V4S?

From the dealership the rear had 12mm static and 34mm rider. The front was 29mm static and 40mm rider. I maxed out the preload for the front and got static to 26mm and rider to 37mm. The front just seems soft compared to the rear.

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What is your goal, street or track setting. I’m no expert but I set my suspension to 40 front, 35 rear. I ride street and it’s bumpy here.

Mostly street with occasional track. I'd love it to be all track, but I don't live in a region where that's realistic.

I was going for a more balanced feeling as I don't like to feel too far canted forward.

Full in on front preload was only about 5 1/3 to 5 1/2 turns from factory. I was surprise how little that seemingly big of an adjustment effected sag. I won't re-spring it now until I get a track session or two in and see the need to do so. I was just looking to know what the factory fork springs were for reference.

bp_SFV4 said:

Full in on front preload was only about 5 1/3 to 5 1/2 turns from factory. I was surprise how little that seemingly big of an adjustment effected sag. I won't re-spring it now until I get a track session or two in and see the need to do so. I was just looking to know what the factory fork springs were for reference.

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I ran into this exact same thing on my Multistrada. The front springs are too soft, and bottom out under hard braking. I put in all the preload to compensate, hoping it would get the sag where I wanted it. I was also surprised at how little of a difference it made. Seems to be a common story with these things. The weird thing is that the rear spring on the shock is perfect. Got the sag right where I wanted it. Go figure.

In general the suspension on this thing rides stiff. If you all the way in, not much left you can do. Out of the box my sag was 50-24. It was unstable at speeds above 80mph. It also dove into corners to fast.

I'm sure I can change the Ohlin's brake support setting to help with the brake dive but I think the proper fix is to re-spring the forks.

Its interesting that the rear is near perfect. I thought for sure I'd have to replace the shock spring which isn't a job I'd look forward to with the factory exhaust. I never replaced fork springs before so that may be a fun project for next winter.

bp_SFV4 said:

Its interesting that the rear is near perfect. I thought for sure I'd have to replace the shock spring which isn't a job I'd look forward to with the factory exhaust. I never replaced fork springs before so that may be a fun project for next winter.

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It's really not hard. I rebuilt my forks last March. I only had to buy a $20 spring compressor to put them back together. There were some important steps involving the rebound clickers that were not in the shop manual for some reason, but overall a straightforward process.

Here's a link to write up I did on another forum. replacing fork seals