V4 instability

the V4 as shipped (i will assume all are shipped with same suspension setting, i have the S) has a very nose down geometry.., making for a very nervous and unstable feel (unless glassy smooth asphalt).. if you feel headshake or tank slapper tendencies more often than you'd like, then read on.. these 2 adjustments will stabilize this chassis.. (ps, im 175lbs plus gear, race only)

unless you are light, the front springs are super soft, if you are over 170lbs, set the preload to max settings (turn clockwise till stops..) if over 200lbs, maybe consider stiffer front springs..

the rear spring rate is about right for 170-200lbs, but to fix the nose down issue , soften the rear spring entirely., like back the ring nuts off until you cant anymore.. do these 2 things and the bike is transformed into a much more stable chassis ..

lowering the fork tubes and shortening rear shock length among other things is preferred (among the more advanced) but for the sake of ease and technical simplicity, this is a very simple easy way to make a very stable V4..

as you tension the front springs (raise the front)
and lessen the rear spring pressure (lower the rear)
the forks change in rake will increase trail for a stable front end..
the price you pay, is that corner turn in will be less quick..

I agree on a lot of these points based on my experience.

I wouldn't necessarily call front springs as "super soft", but they are borderline for anyone who is moving. My 2018 V4S came with FL9460 serial number forks (you need to bend backwards to be able to see that stamp, but it is there facing the wheel). Ohlins USA came back with 10.5 spring rate for this serial number. Next up will be 11.

I kept adding preload on the front in 2 turn increments until I ended up with 6. Later I backed off to 5. I can't be sure on the maximum number of turns that can be put in, but I am personally not in favor on maxing stuff out (mechanically) in generally. I have been running "brake support" on maximum +5 though as I use Custom Dynamic mode.

On the rear I took out all the preload, but later on added 2 turns in from fully out. So I have been running with less pre-load on the rear than stock.

Just my exerience, and I am happy with the handling as times keep improving, so I am leaving it largely alone without drastic changes.

No issues with tire wear front or rear.

I am 165-170 lb, no gear, and run quicker pace than most in advance group.

So the 2018 V4S shipped with 1.05kg springs in the front? I thought all Ohlins Panigales shipped with 1kg springs.

And any concern about damaging the spring during use by maxing out preload? Seems like preload adjustment is limited (so max isn't actually max) in order to keep us from damaging the spring, but want y'alls opinion.

rja4z3 said:

So the 2018 V4S shipped with 1.05kg springs in the front? I thought all Ohlins Panigales shipped with 1kg springs.

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They specifically asked for serial number on the fork to tell me what spring was installed. So who knows.

rja4z3.., you cannot damage the springs no matter what you do.. unless you have an M1 Abrams..

On my 2018 S, using fork serial number, Ohlins confirmed the 10.5 N/mm springs were installed stock.

For track use I turned fork preload to 13 turns and softened the shock preload by 4 turns and it made a huge difference in braking and acceleration stability. Prior to that, I used to lift the rear frequently on the brakes, and experience more rear tire pump and front head-shake on acceleration. Even still, I was bottoming the forks on max braking and ordered 11.5 fork springs, but never got a chance to have them installed. I'm 190 lbs with full gear and run A group pace.

Fry said:

On my 2018 S, using fork serial number, Ohlins confirmed the 10.5 N/mm springs were installed stock.

For track use I turned fork preload to 13 turns and softened the shock preload by 4 turns and it made a huge difference in braking and acceleration stability. Prior to that, I used to lift the rear frequently on the brakes, and experience more rear tire pump and front head-shake on acceleration. Even still, I was bottoming the forks on max braking and ordered 11.5 fork springs, but never got a chance to have them installed. I'm 190 lbs with full gear and run A group pace.

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Are you running in dynamic DES mode or no? Also curious if anyone has a tutorial on replacing front fork springs on these. Seems like it would be more complicated than popping off the cap due to the electronics.

Bumping this. Anyone with real race/track pace running Custom Dynamic DES or simply Custom Fixed?

rja4z3 said:

Bumping this. Anyone with real race/track pace running Custom Dynamic DES or simply Custom Fixed?

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I tired custom dynamic DES for 2 sessions on the track and didn't like it. So I used custom fixed damping ever since. It's more predictable in my opinion and felt better to me..

so about DES fixed or dynamic for racing..

so ducati,
raced 1199S
racing 1299S
racing V4S

my pace is approx 3% from the track record.. at 2 different tracks .. and all using Dynamic suspension.. Won many many races and spent the prize money where they had some.. most dont .. i still have lots to learn to get me quicker that has nothing to do with suspension.. my point is, obviously this system works.. find it hard to imagine that i could figure out a suspension setup that would equal a team of engineers at Ohlins.. ive been riding since 4 years old on thousands of machines, so suspension clearly isnt new to me.. anyway, i absolutely love the Dynamic suspension.. improved with each version 1199S to 1299S to V4S, this system is near impossible to beat.. to get within 3% from track record id say is proof.. ., dynamic setup has worked for me beautifully.. then play with softer soft hard hardest to balance feel preference and tire wear.. (i miss the days of 1 rear tire all weekend.. ) .. always important is preload, get the correct spring rate for your weight.. dont forget about geometry, every bit as important as suspension setup.., like raise/lower forks, raise/lower rear ride height., little changes make a huge handling difference.. (for guys maybe 7% of track record)
if you are 15% behind track record, set to default frt /rr, set preload to match your weight and then focus all your attention on your riding skill.. which is the most fun.. spend money on training first. .. hope thats helpful ..

I run 2:29 lap time in COTA and I've only used Dynamic thus far. I think it works great.