suspension settings for dirt?

[SauceSquatch]

Total newb question... but here goes anyway.

I've been researching a bit and quickly finding that any topic on suspension quickly becomes a rabbit hole of technical information. I am trying to fully understand it all, I would like to get to the point where I can be very calculated in my suspension setup, but I'm still learning this bike and it's capabilities, while trying to have some fun.

I've been going by the manual and tuning the suspension for all three recommended settings, comfort, standard and sport (full load out). So I'm getting the feel for each... What I'm wondering is what are the best settings are for dirt?

Can I just set it to "comfort" and that will give me the most play and control for off-road? Or do I want something stiffer like the standard setting?

[henryroten]

Originally Posted by SauceSquatch

Total newb question... but here goes anyway.

I've been researching a bit and quickly finding that any topic on suspension quickly becomes a rabbit hole of technical information. I am trying to fully understand it all, I would like to get to the point where I can be very calculated in my suspension setup, but I'm still learning this bike and it's capabilities, while trying to have some fun.

I've been going by the manual and tuning the suspension for all three recommended settings, comfort, standard and sport (full load out). So I'm getting the feel for each... What I'm wondering is what are the best settings are for dirt?

Can I just set it to "comfort" and that will give me the most play and control for off-road? Or do I want something stiffer like the standard setting?

What I have always done on my bikes is to note the settings then go out and ride. If you find it is too soft and bottoms easily over small bumps, make it stiffer. Likewise, if it is too harsh on small bumps, try softening it up. Suspension is very personal so I don't believe that there is an exact answer to your question as we are all different, and terrain is different. Hard pack and rocks are one thing, sandy loam is another. I keep a screwdriver in my tank bag as I tend to change settings often.

I will say that a soft front end (spring rate) is a common complaint on the ADV. For my tastes, I had Superplush revalve both ends, and respring the front from a .48 spring rate to a .64 and then to a .70. I have heard some guys go to .74, depending upon the situation and the speed.

Good luck, you'll figure it out.

[mousitsas]

Start with a setting that you are very happy with on the road.
Then just add a bit compression dampening front and back (and maybe reduce rebound) when you're off it.

[SauceSquatch]

That makes complete sense and kind of the answer I thought I would get, I'm sure it will just take time to figure out what's working for me.

[bigkuri]

Originally Posted by SauceSquatch

Total newb question... but here goes anyway.

I've been researching a bit and quickly finding that any topic on suspension quickly becomes a rabbit hole of technical information. I am trying to fully understand it all, I would like to get to the point where I can be very calculated in my suspension setup, but I'm still learning this bike and it's capabilities, while trying to have some fun.

I've been going by the manual and tuning the suspension for all three recommended settings, comfort, standard and sport (full load out). So I'm getting the feel for each... What I'm wondering is what are the best settings are for dirt?

Can I just set it to "comfort" and that will give me the most play and control for off-road? Or do I want something stiffer like the standard setting?

Personally, and this is very much a individual thing - comfort settings in the back, and sport settings in the front (with a little more preload).

You're going to have to play around and see. Make a day of it on a simple offroad loop (it's not exactly a chore finding what suits you! ride a circuit, couple of clicks, ride again...)