Rear shock absorber spring preload

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yellowbalt

yellowbalt

Joined
Jan 11, 2022
Messages
49
Location
Ontario, Canada
Hi Guys,
Just looking to lower the ride height of my 2022 V4. My weight is around 57 kg and cannot flat foot. Is it safe to adjust the preload double ring nut to go higher to reduce ride height?

Danny
 
Hi Danny,

I weigh 140 pounds, 30 inch waist and about 5 foot 4 inches (short) :)

I only have about 400km on my 2021 V4 Base but with the stock setup its definitely too high.

I have backed the preload off to the minimum and also reduced the preload on the rest of the suspension but the Weather is Crappy here so I haven't had a chance to ride it yet.

The 2021 Stock Seat is also a bit tall so I will want to change that but I think your 2022 at least has a flatter profile seat so that should help you.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results.
 
cavlino said:
Hi Danny,

I weigh 140 pounds, 30 inch waist and about 5 foot 4 inches (short) :)

I only have about 400km on my 2021 V4 Base but with the stock setup its definitely too high.

I have backed the preload off to the minimum and also reduced the preload on the rest of the suspension but the Weather is Crappy here so I haven't had a chance to ride it yet.

The 2021 Stock Seat is also a bit tall so I will want to change that but I think your 2022 at least has a flatter profile seat so that should help you.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results.
Click to expand...

Thanks Carm. From the specs, 2022 is even higher... and the wider seat didn't help to. Really have to spread my legs wide to settle on the seat. Was thinking on Brocks performance.

https://brocksperformance.com/window-link-kit-adjustable-panigale-v4-s-speciale-18-20/
But specs says not compatible with OEM exhaust maybe due to width. Looking at the stock window link gap with the exhaust, looks like it has enough gap for this item but i have to really confirm before buying it.

Danny
 
RickD996 said:
It is safe, but it will affect the handling and initial throttle response.
Click to expand...

Interesting... I will tread lightly. I don't plan on taking the Duc to the Track only use it on the street.

I have driven on the track with Sports Cars plenty but I don't have the Balls to go on those tracks with 2 wheels and no cage/harness etc :)
 
RickD996 said:
It is safe, but it will affect the handling and initial throttle response.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick. Will try it for initial riding and will just leave a marker to put it back once i get comfortable riding this beast... coming from CBR250 for 10 years.
 
yellowbalt said:
Thanks Carm. From the specs, 2022 is even higher... and the wider seat didn't help to. Really have to spread my legs wide to settle on the seat. Was thinking on Brocks performance.

https://brocksperformance.com/window-link-kit-adjustable-panigale-v4-s-speciale-18-20/
But specs says not compatible with OEM exhaust maybe due to width. Looking at the stock window link gap with the exhaust, looks like it has enough gap for this item but i have to really confirm before buying it.

Danny
Click to expand...
Hi Danny,

That is very interesting... I looked at those links too and they seem very simple but like you I wasn't sure about their point about not being compatible with the Stock Exhaust.

I have exchanged emails with a Motorcycle Shop I use regularly and they suggested they could get a lowering kit for it but I have not got the details yet and I am trying hard to avoid lowering it other then softening the suspension/pre-load and perhaps changing the Springs to match my weight.
 
cavlino said:
Hi Danny,

That is very interesting... I looked at those links too and they seem very simple but like you I wasn't sure about their point about not being compatible with the Stock Exhaust.

I have exchanged emails with a Motorcycle Shop I use regularly and they suggested they could get a lowering kit for it but I have not got the details yet and I am trying hard to avoid lowering it other then softening the suspension/pre-load and perhaps changing the Springs to match my weight.
Click to expand...

yes. Last resort on shock adjustment. I check the seat as well and there is certainly enough room for adjustment on that area.
 
yellowbalt said:
Hi Carn,
I actually inquire this product but from different vendor (hsbk racing) and was told that height is the same as the stock.
Click to expand...
The height is the same but the profile is flat near the fuel tank which is where I need to sit based on my short legs. The stock seat is raised at that same location so the aftermarket seat should (emphasis on should) help :)
 
cavlino said:
Interesting... I will tread lightly. I don't plan on taking the Duc to the Track only use it on the street.

I have driven on the track with Sports Cars plenty but I don't have the Balls to go on those tracks with 2 wheels and no cage/harness etc :)
Click to expand...

im convinced that the bikes are safer at track than my cars…most of the time you’re going to do a low side slide with no hard impacts and your gear keeps you from losing your skin.

in a car unless you have F1 level protection your going tumbling end over end while wrapped in metal that can destroy your body and multiple hard impacts
 
Steven31371 said:
im convinced that the bikes are safer at track than my cars…most of the time you’re going to do a low side slide with no hard impacts and your gear keeps you from losing your skin.

in a car unless you have F1 level protection your going tumbling end over end while wrapped in metal that can destroy your body and multiple hard impacts
Click to expand...

This makes a lot of sense indeed but still scary thinking about the velocity rate with this machine moving relative to your body. Then they change directions/speed on a crash.
 
cavlino said:
I am tempted :) and if I do go for it I will pick bike friendly tracks like Shannonville Motorsport Park – The Birthplace Of Champions Since 1974 versus https://lecircuit.com/ or Calabogie Motorsports Park
Click to expand...

have you taken any basic motorcycle riding classes?

If not step one should be doing that, the physics of riding a bike and driving a car at speed are completely different and counter-intuitive.

if you’ve already taken a class on basic motorcycle riding take a beginner track riding class….if you follow those steps you’ll stay pretty safe and build confidence quickly
 
Last edited:
yellowbalt said:
This makes a lot of sense indeed but still scary thinking about the velocity rate with this machine moving relative to your body. Then they change directions/speed on a crash.
Click to expand...

most of the time when you crash on a bike it’s when you are already leaned over in a curve, you are literally already close to the ground and then the bike just falls away underneath you, and you fall the last 2 feet to the ground while sliding and covered in leather and pads from head to toe, both of which make the 2 foot fall and slide not particularly damaging, and then you just slide to a stop wrapped in leather and pads….that’s 95% of motorcycle crashes on a track.

whereas in a car, you go off track a crash, (not just a slide off course) actually crash, the car is most likely going for a tumble with you in it, cause multiple violent impacts, and maybe catching fire with you in it….



Watch that and remember that you are not ever in your life gunna be going as fast as those guys if you crash at a track.
 
Those high sides though...

The big risk when crashing on a track is getting squished by another bike.

Watching the MotoGP guys crash, they tuck in their arms to protect them and their collar bones in case it becomes a tumble. Good skill there.
 
bp_SFV4 said:
Those high sides though...

The big risk when crashing on a track is getting squished by another bike.

Watching the MotoGP guys crash, they tuck in their arms to protect them and their collar bones in case it becomes a tumble. Good skill there.
Click to expand...

yeah my one actual FEAR is me taking a wrong line as a newb, or the right line too slow, and having a much faster riding plow into me through my own fault from the inside on a curve, but I think most of that can be avoided by riding in the right group.
 

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