Understanding the Basics of Suspension: A Beginner's Guide - K-Tech

A highly under valued element of the motorcycle is the suspension but there is so much jargon and tech that it can seem overwhelming. Here I chat through why suspension is so important but in a way that hopefully every motorcycle rider can understand, even those less mechanically minded. Consider it the suspension for dummy's, breaking down suspension:
1. Correct weight spring
2. Compression and rebound damping
3. Inner suspension functions
4. Sag

I spent the day with Michael from K-Tech suspension getting my Honda CRF 450 RX set up ready for my new rally riding adventures.

#mechanics #suspension #thegirlonabike

Please follow my adventures on:

Timestamp:
0:00 Please hit subscribe
0:26 Why suspension
2.50 Spring weight
3.35 Suspension oil
9.05 Compression and rebound
10:00 Hit Like
13:00 Shims
15:15
17:00 Front suspension
18:30 Hit subscribe
21:35 K-Tech suspension
23:25 Sag
24:00 Please comment
25:00 Find me on socials TheGirlOnABike

If you made it this far, comment #suspension

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[PatSavage]

Good suspension set up is key for sure! You are one of a kind and can't hardly wait to ride with you on my own series! Vroomin

[gregjetnikoff]

Vanessa does it again. My fav awesome rider /mechanicly competant woman also pushes the same prime interest in motorcycle mech. Suspension. I have always spent my money and time in the very first instance on suspension and getting it as right as possible. Biggest bang for buck of all mods you can do to a bike ( or a car or MTB for that matter).

Your vids are always worth watching.

[FREE_PUREBLOOD]

That guy's great..wealth of knowledge n experience..seen him on Bennetts vid before.

[mikep.]

Top upgrade Vanessa.
It's amazing some don't know that fork oil wears out and sag matters.
The bull bucking the rider off is a great analogy too.

[daveo]

Great video 😎. If only people invested in suspension instead of bling. They might even spend more time riding instead of the parked outside the cafes 😂

[seankruger]

My first bike (moped) 40 years ago was a Honda SS50, nearly crashed into an oncoming car after a compression and tight left - mostly my inexperience but maybe a little bit crap suspension. Great video as always. Brilliant to hear about your challenge- Dakar.

[thailandmopedadventures]

Great Explanation - thanks for sharing!

[BlackThor]

What an awesome video Vanessa, well done, thank you for sharing it!! 👍👍

[ridelife_motorlifestyle]

Nice bridge topic to give you the latest update on my trip.
I'm back and an upgraded suspension did help me to do it a bit safer. In fact i had some oops moments and at least 3 of them didn't went beyond oops due to the upgrade.
I have Hyperpro suspension on both bikes and it kept me grounded on every terrain. As you can imagine over 16 countries i had to concur quite a variety of roads, if there where any. In Moldova i would ride on the shoulder if it was not to low to get back on the "road" again.
And off course smooth twisties with or without some nasty surprises where just around the bend or in the middle of a hairpin the nice new asphalt ran out.
It was a great adventure and already looking forward to the trip to North Cape in July.
One important add to the topic of suspension. When doing it yourself do NOT overtighten the pinchbolts on the forks. People tend to be afraid that they wont stay in place and overtighten the clamps but doing that will deform the tubes making them "sticky" or even get a blockage.

[TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Only ever ridden stock suspension out of the box. I needed this video and eye opening knowledge. Thanks for posting & keep it up.

[lewisatlas]

Thanks for the great explanation of shocks and other suspension parts.

[pollekepmtb]

Good infotainment, like a masterclass big thumbs up👍👍🇳🇱

[alancamilleri]

Hi Vans a very interesting video as usual. The problem is hard to concentrate on what you saying 🤣🤣while looking at you. Stay safe and good luck 🤞

[richardhartman]

Thank you for another very informative video

[miles-thesleeper-monroe]

Ichiban does a brilliant fork refurb demo where he sorts that Compressurised area with 200 drops and nitrogen, defo worth checking out

[jimscycleandautotn]

Bout dam time hahaha thanks for sharing and stay blessed miss 🙏🙏🙏

[charlottemagnuson]

The valving is where the difference is felt. Just swapping springs is a bandaid yes it will feel softer or stiffer depending on which way you went. Find a shop that is willing to do revalves after the initial revalve. Yes you will pay for new oil and time but it's worth it. You have to know where in the stroke you don't like it and communicate that with the shop. Remember a revalve is just like a factory setting the shop will get a spec sheet based on rider skill, weight and discipline (MX, Enduro desert etc) so having a shop that is willing to change a shim or two based on your needs is gold. Some shops stick to the spec sheet and that's it or make you pay for another spec sheet (say a different skill level). So I've found they will be to stiff 1/4 to half stroke and the mid to bottom out will be good. They also like to slow down the rebound. So there will be sections that you feel like your riding a bike with no shock because the suspension is just sitting there. This is where you need a shop that understands the shims placement, diameter and thickness in the stack and how it relates to the feel of the bike and make changes in house until your happy with it.

[amandarowe]

Hi Vanessa, very interesting video but would be great to know how much all that would have cost you if you hadn't been sponsored. I weigh 62 kilos and have a new crf300l on order. Am now worried I will be bucked off if I don't alter the suspension!!!

[richardhartley]

Great content correct suspension set up is key 👍

[gregjetnikoff]

One thing everybody neglects about suspension oils is that the advertised "weight" is NOT equal between different oils. Suspension oil viscosity is measured properly in cSt and the 5w nominal grade in one brand is not necessarily the same as another brand. At the very least stay with the same brand (AND type if the brand has different oil "types) so you can have consistant changes when experimenting. Also synthetic oils last much longer, as mineral oils actually oxidize much quicker than synth, and synth maintain their viscosity across temp better.