Fully Adjustable Forks?

D

Desert507

New member
I did a search and couldn't find anything that i could understand on a "noob" level. So im going to ask,

"What is the benefit of having fully adjustable forks?"

I'm almost sure my past bikes have not had them, but i am just curious to whether it is something i should invest with my next bike purchase.
Is it only applicable to people who race/track?Does it have some relevance for the everyday rider?Does it pertain to where the triple clamp rest?Does it lower the front end? Is it noticeable?How do you adjust the dial at the top of the fork? Simultaneously right?
I have an array of "noobish" questions, so ill try to answer them myself before posting.

Thanks all
 
Sure. Sorry Brooks but I was just having a bit of fun with yer.

The front forks on most sports bikes are indeed fully adjustable. The more $$$$ you spend the more adjustability and control you get.

The basic adjustments as the bike comes standard are:

1. Spring Pre-Load. This is at the top of the forks and when screwed in gradually "squashes" the spring inside to make the forks feel a bit stiffer. Or if unscrewed it "unsquashes" the spring to make the forks feel a bit softer.

2. Compression Damping. This a little screw at the bottom of the forks that controls how fast, or at what rate the front forks will compress when they hit a bump. Turn the screw in and the forks will compress more slowly. Surn it out and the forks will compress more quickly.

3. Rebound Damping. This is a little screw at the top of the forks that controls how quickly or how slowly the forks will extend back to their original position "after" they have hit a bump.

The damping screws on the forks actually control some little valves inside the forks that have oil flowing through them. Yes....there is actually oil inside your forks!

That is the absolute basics and things just get WAY more complicated after that. Trust me...you don't need to know any of that shit just yet.

Just buy your 848 when you get back home and then you can actuall have a play with the screws and dials and knobs and you will see how it feels.

Cheers,
 
Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to answer that, that's exactly what i was looking for.

And don't worry i don't plan on getting to into that stuff so soon anyways, just thought it would be good to know the basics.
 
Brooks - Go to the Sportrider Mag homepage. In one of the sidebars there's a great tech section where they explain the purpose/point/effect of each of the suspension parameters. It's as good an introduction to the subject as you're likely to get anywhere.....


jdw
 
Back
Top