Rear Ride Height

Badlarry · Jun 28, 2015

Afternoon Fellas; is there a way to measure my rear ride height in which I'm talking the same numbers as people using the ride hight tools? I would like to convey my current numbers to my mechanic. I added 4mm to my rear shock shaft from stock but I didnt measure my ride height b4 that so Im not sure how much +4mm @ the shock brought the rear up.. Thanks guys..

bradp51 · Jun 28, 2015

Badlarry said:
Afternoon Fellas; is there a way to measure my rear ride height in which I'm talking the same numbers as people using the ride hight tools? I would like to convey my current numbers to my mechanic. I added 4mm to my rear shock shaft from stock but I didnt measure my ride height b4 that so Im not sure how much +4mm @ the shock brought the rear up.. Thanks guys..

Badlarry,
Its been a while since I adjusted it and I cannot remember the how many millimetres each turn of adjustment was. However it is easy to do. Just get a steel ruler of about 600mm is a good length or anything you can fine, scrap metal flat bar or even wood. Measure up from the top of the axle nut and mark an easy point with a thin black marker on the tail. Also mark the measuring device (ruler) at the same point. Now you have the baseline. Now turn your adjuster and re measure. The difference in the mark on the bike and the mark on the ruler is the amount you have either gone up or down.

You will find that even small amounts will make a big difference to the feel of the steering either quicker or slower. I found even 10mm rear ride height difference was noticeable. Measure 1 turn of the nut difference and that will give you a guide how to go.

Try riding the bike between settings to see if you can tell the difference.

I was aiming to lower my seat when I first got the bike as I am a short ass. But it made the steering way to slow and felt horrible so I put it back where it was.

I know this does not answer your 4mm question. At work and do not have access to my old notes. I am sure I wrote it all in the bike manual.

Badlarry · Jun 29, 2015

bradp51 said:
Badlarry,
Its been a while since I adjusted it and I cannot remember the how many millimetres each turn of adjustment was. However it is easy to do. Just get a steel ruler of about 600mm is a good length or anything you can fine, scrap metal flat bar or even wood. Measure up from the top of the axle nut and mark an easy point with a thin black marker on the tail. Also mark the measuring device (ruler) at the same point. Now you have the baseline. Now turn your adjuster and re measure. The difference in the mark on the bike and the mark on the ruler is the amount you have either gone up or down.

You will find that even small amounts will make a big difference to the feel of the steering either quicker or slower. I found even 10mm rear ride height difference was noticeable. Measure 1 turn of the nut difference and that will give you a guide how to go.

Try riding the bike between settings to see if you can tell the difference.

I was aiming to lower my seat when I first got the bike as I am a short ass. But it made the steering way to slow and felt horrible so I put it back where it was.

I know this does not answer your 4mm question. At work and do not have access to my old notes. I am sure I wrote it all in the bike manual.

Thanks, i dont have an issue measuring the difference in ride height. What I want to know is, are there points on the bike I can measure from and to that will tell me my current numbers w/out going back to stock, taking measurments, lengthening the rear shock then measuring again.. Know what I'm sayin?

Steve B · Jun 30, 2015

Badlarry said:
Thanks, i dont have an issue measuring the difference in ride height. What I want to know is, are there points on the bike I can measure from and to that will tell me my current numbers w/out going back to stock, taking measurments, lengthening the rear shock then measuring again.. Know what I'm sayin?

If I understand you, the answer is no. Without a baseline derived before changing anything, you won't have anything to compare to. However, the Panigale has a 2:1 motion ratio on the rear suspension, so 1mm of shock length change will change ride height by 2mm, whichever way you go (link in Flat, linear position). It's not exact due to some small progression in the curve, but it's within a few tenths of a mm so plenty close. The shock has 65mm of travel and the bike twice that at 130mm. So if you lengthened your shock by 4mm you should be looking at an 8mm increase in ride height, assuming nothing else changed (different tire, rear axle eccentric moved from chain adjustment, etc.).

Badlarry · Jun 30, 2015

Steve B said:
If I understand you, the answer is no. Without a baseline derived before changing anything, you won't have anything to compare to. However, the Panigale has a 2:1 motion ratio on the rear suspension, so 1mm of shock length change will change ride height by 2mm, whichever way you go (link in Flat, linear position). It's not exact due to some small progression in the curve, but it's within a few tenths of a mm so plenty close. The shock has 65mm of travel and the bike twice that at 130mm. So if you lengthened your shock by 4mm you should be looking at an 8mm increase in ride height, assuming nothing else changed (different tire, rear axle eccentric moved from chain adjustment, etc.).

Extreamly informative!! Thanks so much!! Would you happen to know what the oem ride height as delivered is on a the base model?

BROsiah · Jun 30, 2015

as for baseline why can you use the tech specs the owners manual?
it shows rear ride height.......

this is a 1299 but you get the idea

Ducati Superbike 1299 Panigale S - Technicali Specification

Steve B · Jun 30, 2015

Badlarry said:
Extreamly informative!! Thanks so much!! Would you happen to know what the oem ride height as delivered is on a the base model?

Sorry, can't really give you a comparable number as I just picked a spot on the tail (the lower front edge of the tricolor decal in my case) vertical from the rear axle and measured up to there with the bike up on jackstands before I made any changes. Due to variations in decal placement, etc. bike to bike, there's not much chance my number would be of value to anyone else.

bradp51 · Jun 30, 2015

Badlarry said:
Thanks, i dont have an issue measuring the difference in ride height. What I want to know is, are there points on the bike I can measure from and to that will tell me my current numbers w/out going back to stock, taking measurments, lengthening the rear shock then measuring again.. Know what I'm sayin?

Sorry, I did not answer the question very well. I should have said as Steve B says that you need to go back to OEM and start over,

Having read Steve B answer I looked up my notes in the back of my manual which I wrote in July 2012. I lowered the rear 12mm and in my notes measured the shock length difference at 5mm. so pretty close to what Steve B says. My measurment along the thread on the shock with texta marks I made was probably out by 1mm.

Bottom line though, it slowed the steering too much so I put it back. Good luck with it.

Badlarry · Jul 2, 2015

Thanks fellas, I've got a much better understanding now. Appreciate the help!!

Rear Ride Height

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