Advice on Suspension Setup - Hornet 900

I'm finally biting the bullet, and buying a brand new bike, hopefully
later this week. I've settled on a CB900 Hornet, for a plethora of
reasons, but that's another post altogether...

I am a burly lad, weighing in at a hefty 120Kg. I know I'm going to
need to play with the suspension (specifically the preload) to get the
thing behaving "right", but I don't know enough about suspension, and
what exactly "right" feels like to be confident with my adjustments.

Does anyone know of a good guide that I can read or can anyone offer
any meaningful advice (other than "lose some weight, you fat bastard")?

I seem to remember reading that preload should be adjusted so free sag
(weight of bike + me) should be 1/4 of total suspension travel. How
does one gauge an appropriate setting for rebound damping? (I'm pretty
sure the '06 Hornet has preload and rebound damping on forks, whereas
earlier models, pre '05?, did not - though I will be checking this
before I lay down my cash).

Any advice appreciated.

 

There are plenty of articles available on the internet on how suspension
works and how to set it up. Google is your friend.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

I'm a bargearse as well. Getting the suspension setup is tricky to say
the least.

What you really need to do to get decent handling is to buy a stiffer
springs and get the forks/shocks re-valved to suit.

It will cost more up front, but your riding will be better with more
confidence in corners. Especially if you have a pillion.

 

Try http://p196.ezboard.com/bhornetsnest56467 and google forums for
Hornets. Before you spend money on aftermarket stuff find yourself a bit
of road and have a bit of a play with the settings.
Zero everything, ride, tune a bit harder, ride, tune softer, ride, see
what felt better and hone in etc etc. I'd recommend working from the
rear suspension first.
It's not rocket science and what's 'right' should be what feels right to
you. If you're getting major hip cramps, wrist cramps and back pain then
obviously it isn't right.
Alternatively I've been told of people who can adjust your bike to your
dimensions; height, weight etc using kit that's usually used for
surveying. I can't remember any names off the top of my head but seek
and you shall find.
Cheers

TB

 

bargearse? - you know Clem?


Johno

 

Hiya Rob.
Check out www.hondahornet.co.uk , Prob the best site out there dedicated
to the Hornet, 250, 600 & 900. If you can't find out what you want or
nobody there can help you, then it's probably not wearth knowing.

Aido. >

 

The bike you're buying is setup for a generic 75Kg guy, "Super grover"
has the right line - get it sprung for you and it will handle
significantly better.

JL

 

Get it revalved and respung for your geared up weight and riding style.
It's the best thing you can do to any bike you have. You're about 40kgs
over who the springs were built for.

justAL

 

All fair comments, and thanks for dancing around the fat guy subject (I
notice Clem has been conspiciously silent to date...).

One of the other bikes I was (am?) seriously considering is the CB1300.
I'm guessing that this would this be a better "factory" choice, given
it's inherent design for 2-up riding?

I also REALLY love the XJR1300. While I've _always_ wanted one, I don't
think an air-cooled 1300cc tractor is particularly well-suited to daily
commuting.... sigh... commonsense can be your enemy I guess...

 

If you think the XJR1300 is unsuitable for daily commuting, then think
again. It is a very easy bike to handle in or out of town. The clutch
is reasonably light, and the balance is very good. The engine is as
solid as they come - it should be after all these years, and is so
lightly tuned, it will run forever. Reasonable running and service
costs means it's practical to run as a day to day bike. Plenty of
couriers use them - that says enough.

Mark

 

I've just put the XJR back on the table, actually. In addition, the
GSX1400, which apparently eats the XJR in the handling stakes. It's
ironic really... I've spent the past few years trying to scrape
together the funds to buy a new bike. Now that I have the cash, I can't
decide what to buy.

 

Not sure about the comparative handling of the XJR & GSX1400. The XJR
often gets slated in the press, but I find it fine for my riding. I use
it to commute and tour - it suits me. I looked at a GSX1400 before I
bought the XJR, and from a distance it looks great. However, up close I
thought the GSX1400 looked tacky. The CB1300 is really a different ball
game. Much better handling, and more up to date. Still think the XJR
looks better though. I also looked at a Hornet 900, but I didn't like
the riding position. I'm a similar weight to you, and find the XJR is
fine with the preload up'ed a little at both ends. It was really bouncy
before I did that. I'm not a fast rider though, so I'm easy on my bikes.

Good luck with whatever you get - just make sure you get something.

Mark

 

I have ridden all 3 of the bikes you are considering XJ1300, GSX1400 &
CB1300. For a heavier rider I found the CB1300 the best out of the box,
but limited by no compression damping. But it is water cooled and less
of a pig in the heat. Comfy seat too.

The GSX1400 has a fantastic torqey engine and is bulletproof. The
suspension is a bit on the soft side straight out of the box, but is
fully adjustable for compression, rebound & preload so with the right
springs & valving would be a piece of piss to tune on the fly for
different conditions. It also has the most amount of aftermarket bits
and support on online forums. They Turbo really well.

The 1300 had the best ergonomics, but I found it mediocre imho.

Just remember then when you start pushing these bike hards in corners
like they are sportsbikes they will all get frame flex and wander
around. Also I found the bars start to weave when you reach silly
speeds on them because of the wind.

HTH

 

I'd be surprised if that was really the case.

The XJR handles quite nicely.

JL

 

I've ridden the CB900 1 up and the CB1300 2 up. The 1300 handled a
combined 145kg easily. That'd be my personal preference if I was
choosing between the two.. or maybe it was just the beautiful note the
staintune pipe made which won my vote.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX
....and if this is like any other bike you've bought I'll open the
bidding now at $1000 for when you sell it in three months time

 

C'mon Nev, I've seen your girlfriend and I'm sure she weighs more than 25Kg

JL

 

I think that's the most polite "just fucking google it you lazy
prick" that I've ever seen! Are you feeling OK Nev?

GB

 

Yeah, the 145kg was Jo _and_ her bike.

-----sharks

 

You're too fat. Give the bike to me.
(I hope it's black--I already have a maroon one...)

Postman Pat,Bike Slut
04 XL650V Transalp
05 CB900 Hornet
06 CB900 Hornet (soon?)

 

Heh heh - I told him we already got one...

big