What preload setting do you use on your stock shock?

[[]V[]addog]

So I just got my bike, and because I read all the reviews on how shitty the stock shock was, I got very scared and already sourced a 2009 fz1 shock with more adjustment options.. I'm not even sure i will know what to do with the extra options, lol.

I will probably keep my stock shock in until the winter, or once i find I'm pushing the bike past the limits that the stock shock can handle. I will be carrying a passenger so... that might happen quick.

I thought it would be beneficial to have peoples weights and what preload setting they have.

I weight 210 and have my preload right in the middle, whatever level that is.
I find it very comfy and perfect for around town, although I have not pushed the bike hard.

What riding do you do, what is your weight and what do you find works?

 

[alexk]

240 lbs geared on a 2013:

Stock preload (5)
Stuck just fine, though probably not stiff enough given my mass

Up one (6)
Instant difference. Squirrely when turning over the same tar snakes as before. I also stiffened the front from stock by 2.25 flats at the same time, so I may need to further stiffen the front to remove that squirreliness. Still new at bike suspension.

 

[socal]

im 215 bump it up 2 notches

 

[[]V[]addog]

is 5 the middle? like comes in the middle from the factory?

 

[alexk]

The 2011 and 2013 have the same preload adjustment - page 3-20 in the owner's manual.

Spring preload setting:

Minimum (soft):

1​

Standard:

5​

Maximum (hard):

9​

5 being the from-the-factory setting. I'm currently running 6.

 

[randyka]

unless you're really heavy (riding 2 up all the time), you shouldn't mess with the preload too much because it does change the bike's balance and geometry a bit. if you want stiffer rear suspension, get a stiffer shock instead. i was playing around with the preload settings when i first got the bike from 5 to 7, and the bike became a lot more tail happy during very hard braking. so i went back to 5, and it became a lot harder for me the lift the tail up. just my 2 cent

 

[[]V[]addog]

should it be at 9 for two up?

 

[randyka]

depends on the weight. i put mine at a 7 for prolonged 2 up rides (~250 combined weight). right now i put mine at a 6 since usually i ride by myself with the occasional 2 up rides.

 

[[]V[]addog]

Since I'm 200 by myself, I'll probably put it up one or two and see how I like it.
Even if most people think it is not good, it is still better than my stock ninja 650 shock

 

[master paper clip]

The pre load is used to adjust the sag, cause I'm a big guy a have mine 1 down from max, before I was bouncing all over the blace... Now she just feels great, planted and responsive

 

[pigdog]

im 160lbs with all gear. have shock preload on 4.

 

[randyka]

145 lbs...at a 6 for sport/ track purposes...still dragging my exhaust sometimes.

 

[MikeC]

4 for me on FZ1 shock (this is what I felt was closest to FZ8 shock at 7.)

 

[Levek]

185lbs - Preload 7

 

[DaKow]

155lbs, set at 7. 5 was too squishy for me.

 

[RoadKill]

i had mine set to 7 when i was using the stock shock. i am 179 pounds.
At 7 the preload is similar to the shock that was selected for my weight.
It gave me about an inch of sag.

 

[F3NIX]

So your suggestions....I weight 240lbs and have mine set at stock setup. Should i go up 1 or 2?

 

[DSmith]

Im 155 and have mine set on 4 sometimes 3. Is that way too soft?

 

[Trooper]

Aim for around 35mm of sag in the rear, and you should be good.

 

[RoadKill]

So your suggestions....I weight 240lbs and have mine set at stock setup. Should i go up 1 or 2?

at 240 pounds i think the stock shock is inadequate. the spring is at least.