[gp637]

So, I've never been much of a suspension guy, never really learned too much about it. I'd done numerous track days on sport bikes at Loudon, and more recent on a 690 at NJ. I knew the 690 didn't feel great, but I seemed to be going around the track pretty fast, so I assumed it was just the nature of the beast, so to speak.

I'm doing a track day this monday in NJ, and thought I'd check the threads and look for some suspension settings. This is what I found on my bike:

The compression damping screws (at the bottom of the forks), were turned in all the way, totally bottomed out. The rebound settings were back 10 clicks, or sport mode as the manual calls it. The rear was set to Sport mode (5 clicks).

I set the damping to "comfort", or 20 clicks back, and the rebound to 15 clicks, which is what the manual suggests for comfort. I left the rear as it was, Sport. I also took Paab's advice and dropped the forks 15mm.

One think I did notice right away is that when I sit on the bike, the front forks compress a little bit. This was not the case before. When I sat on the bike before, the front forks didn't move. So Paab, what kind of difference do you think I'll feel, especially considering I went from 0 clicks on the compression to 20? Do you think I should set them somewhere in the middle first and see how they feel, or is "comfort" the best setting for this bike?

Thanks for your input.

 

[gp637]

Paab,

I didn't see a preload adjustment on the front forks. Is there one?

Also I'm a little nervous about going 20 clicks back on the compression. I tend to do a lot of wheelies, is this going to cause the forks to bottom out when I come down?

 

[gp637]

WOW! I just took it for a short ride and it felt totally different, in a good way. It will be interesting to see how it reacts on the track.

Paab, I will be there on Monday and will look for you. I assume you will be on the KTM?

I'm not sure what the "blue" group means. Several of my friends who have done track days with us in the past, signed up months ago and they are in the intermediate group, which is where I usually am. Two of us signed up a week ago and the only spots left were in beginner, so that's where I'll be. I was kinda hoping that I'd get bumped up to intermediate after a couple of sessions, but no big deal if I don't. What group is blue? I would like to follow you around for a couple of laps, if at all possible.

And thanks for the knowledge! Bike feels great.

 

[gp637]

Paab, what tire pressures do you run?

RD16RR, do I need to post the video of the beat up ktm, with the suspection out of whack, passing the desmo? Cuz I'll do that.

 

[gp637]

gp637.....refer to passing rules for TonyTrackDay as they state clearly....."beginners group - no passing in the turns".... :laughings

ps. no wheelies :rofl:

As the forum name suggests, this is for supermoto riders. I'm sure there are plenty of "I have a 200hp bike to make up for the size of my penis" forums. Go find one of those.

 

[gp637]

It was great meeting you and thanks very much for showing me the way around Thunderbolt. You're a great rider and amazing how fast you can get the 690 around that that track. I was watching some of the video I took of that day, and it was amazing how different my lines were before and after we did that sesssion together. Thanks again, and I look forward to the next track day.

 

[gp637]

I will be there in September!

I have a great picture of both of us going through turn 5, but can't seem to upload it. I'll try again later.