I've never really messed with the pre-load yet. I'm just curious what you guys recommend. I am ~180 and she's ~120 lbs, I don't even know what it's set to from factory but like I said, I haven't touched it. Any ideas?

I've never really messed with the pre-load yet. I'm just curious what you guys recommend. I am ~180 and she's ~120 lbs, I don't even know what it's set to from factory but like I said, I haven't touched it. Any ideas?

GAWR is 360lbs, iirc. So 4 or 5. Set it, ride it for a bit to test it and adjust accordingly.

I had the bike at the factory setting of 2 for a while and had my girl come along for a short ride. I knew i should have adjusted the preload, but we weren't going out for long and i was taking it easy. But i still felt the bike wallow pretty badly in a few turns. It was a little unnerving. Since then i've put it to 3 for my own personal riding, and will probably go to 4 for two up.

Oh, and i'm 155 and she's 130 and i'm on a 919, not a 599. (Anyone know if these bikes use the same rear spring??)

I would say go to at least 4.

Hhhmm....I keep mine on 6 at all times. I weight about 170 with full gear. I like it to feel really stiff though...(no jokes please)

Most people never even touch the pre-load and I hate to tell them that they are probably missing out on a much better ride and a much better handling bike if they leave it at the factory setting Im only 130 lbs so even little old me needs it to be stiffer

Most people never even touch the pre-load and I hate to tell them that they are probably missing out on a much better ride and a much better handling bike if they leave it at the factory setting Im only 130 lbs so even little old me needs it to be stiffer

What is factory setting? I was under the impression that the stiffer the rear suspension is set, the better the handling. Is this incorrect? It just feels to me like the more plush (more sag?) the suspension is, the worse the handling is...am I wrong?

Standard setting is 2. As far as stiff vrs soft, you got me. I think that people who want a more sporty feel, and if you're into some serious performance riding, stiffer seems to be better. But it also seems like trying different settings to find which feels best for you is a good idea.

Well I took the gf on a ride to pick up her car from the bar yesterday (don't ask) and everything went well. All that extra weight up high means you have to really be balanced at lower speeds. I also had to put my feet down a bit earlier than I normally do. The suspension seemed fine but even at 7 it feels soft to me. When I was adjusting it in the garage I almost couldn't tell a difference between 7 and 2. I thought it would be a more pronounced change.

When i adjusted mine from 2->3 i could tell a noticeable difference in both ride and handling. A little rougher, but much better in the sweepers.

(But again the disclaimer of riding a 919, not 599. Still don't know whether or not the springs are the same. Seems like they would be since the 599 is only about 25lbs lighter...but you never know.)

I agree Moto



crikey you cant feel a difference between 2 and 7? man... on mine that would be a huge difference

I agree Moto



crikey you cant feel a difference between 2 and 7? man... on mine that would be a huge difference

To be honest it feels softer. I thought the higher number meant the stiffer the spring. I'll play around with it some again but I was just sitting on it and bouncing and it seemed the same to me.

Ah...well there ya go. You can't really tell by bouncing on it. Take it for a ride...you'll notice a difference. And if you don't, there's something wrong with your bike.

I agree Moto



crikey you cant feel a difference between 2 and 7? man... on mine that would be a huge difference

To be honest it feels softer. I thought the higher number meant the stiffer the spring. I'll play around with it some again but I was just sitting on it and bouncing and it seemed the same to me.

Pre-load isn't stiffening the spring. It's setting the point where you sit in the spring/shocks stroke. Higher settings mean the bike is sitting up a bit higher to start. You do this so to get the suspension set for your weight so it doesn't bottom out and so it's balanced front/rear.

I knew this thread was going to end up pointing out how I'm an idiot eventually.

I knew this thread was going to end up pointing out how I'm an idiot eventually.

:lol: Nah. It's all good. :D

correct you cant stiffen a spring

Sure you can, by cutting it you make it stiffer.

dont cut the spring on ur bike dude :shock:


talking about stiffening the spring by adjusting pre load

I wouldn't cut my shock, but cutting the springs in the front end is a common practice. With a longer spacer, to make up for what you cut out, you can safely stiffen the spring by about 5%.

IMO I'd rather just replace them.

Yeah...i wouldn't even *suggest* even mentioning cutting your shock. R U crazy!?!? :crazy

IMO I'd rather just replace them.

Same here!

yeppers ditto

So why don't you guys go get some RaceTech stuff and let us know how you like it...

I put Race Tec springs in my 500 because it badly needed it. The stock springs were .54 and I went up to a .85 spring. I believe a stock 599 is about .75 so it's not that bad.

Maybe if you're a fat guy.

Do you happen to know the stock spring rates for the 919? If anyone knew it'd be you...

I wish I knew but I'm not sure what they put in the 919.

To me the front end feels pretty good. I may mess with the clickers in the spring to see what I like best.

I wish I knew but I'm not sure what they put in the 919.

To me the front end feels pretty good. I may mess with the clickers in the spring to see what I like best.

Looks like you get pre-load and compression adjustments on the 919 front. Nice.

That we do, damnage. One of the big selling points for me as i'd heard that was pretty much the only complaint a lot of reviewers had about the bike. I didn't even know until i went to look at the bike that they had added preload and rebound damper adjustments to the '04 (or was it '05?) and up models (as all reviews seem to be of the '02 models).

SSS: I've put my front at 1/2 turn firm from stock on both the preload and dampers. I also just adjusted the rear preload to 3 and gave it a half turn stiffer on the damper as well. So far this seems like a good all around setup for me. It's noticeably stiffer on the road without jarring you, but feels much better through the turns. Anyways, just thought you might be interested. Post up on the 599/919 suspension thread if you make any adjustments and tell us how they felt.

hmmmwas re reading this post and realized from Moto's response after my first post that my words came out wrong

"Most people never even touch the pre-load and I hate to tell them that they are probably missing out on a much better ride and a much better handling bike if they leave it at the factory setting Im only 130 lbs so even little old me needs it to be stiffer
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Meant to mean that people are probably missing out if they leave at factory setting


I just think people should go ahead and get familiar with their bike and attemp different suspension setting and most likely you will like something better then the factory setting

What do you suppose this guy should set his preload at?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Fatchickonbike.jpg

...........am I the only one who finds this funny? :?

I feel so bad for that poor ninja.

I don't know if I feel worse for the bike or for the man. They both got it pretty bad but one has to sleep with her.

I wan't sure initially if the count for 1-7 goes from bottom to the top or vice-versa. But anyways now I have it at 4 from the bottom and there is a noticable difference in the way it runs on the street and especially on the curves.

I'm 6'2" and 220, what is a good setting for me?

I'd say start near the middle (four-ish), ride for bit, then move it up to 6, ride for a bit, back to four, ride a bit, then down to two. That will at least give you an idea if you like it hard or easy. (I hear the jokes already) From there, fine tune it to the exact number you like the best. Only you will know which setting is best for you and the way you ride.

Speedy -- I'm, 6'1"ish and a hair over 200lb (closer to 220lb fully suited). I ride on setting 6. I found anything less than this soft/bouncy. I stopped at 6 as the static sag numbers fell into the desired range based on various suspension set-up guides. I have yet to try 7.

thanks 599 Toronto.......Go Leafs.. (well next year)