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Motocross & Enduro Suspension Adjustment - How to do it properly!
Correctly adjusting your MX and enduro suspension is one of the most important factors to consider to hit the tracks fast and safe. We'll show you how to get your suspension in the right basic setting, from which you can customize your suspension to your individual riding needs. In addition, you will get more valuable tips to help you set up your suspension.
Have fun tweaking!
Some useful advice in advance
- Different dirtbikes have different suspensions. First, you should inform yourself about your bike and check which type of suspension (air spring / steel spring) is installed on your bike. The manual will definitely help you.
- Whether your suspension works well doesn't only depend on the right adjustment, but especially on the maintenance condition of your suspension. Check when the last suspension service of your bike was done. Dry fork seals and old damping oil can be reasons your suspension doesn't work as desired.
- Use the right tools so that your adjusting screws don't get worn unnecessarily.
- It is advisable to take notes of the fine tuning of your suspension. This way you can start from your basic setting and adapt your bike to different track conditions (hard ground, sand, mud, etc.) without losing track.
You have read that? Then we can now start with the adjustment!
Adjusting the suspension
1. Adjusting the compression or "compression level"
The pressure level ensures that the fork compresses at a certain speed (so-called spring rate).
Generally, the compression adjustment screw is located at the upper left side of the lower legs (in the riding direction). Adjust this screw to the middle position by doing the following:
Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise until you reach the stop (careful!). Now turn the adjustment screw o the right stop and count the posible "clicks" (revolutions). Divide the possible clicks (turns) by two and turn the adjustment screw back until you reach the middle setting.
Example: Turn 10 clicks to the right - then turn 5 clicks back.
To understand:
Clockwise rotation (+) - Compression gets "stiffer" (fork / shock absorber compresses more slowly)
Counterclockwise rotation (-) - Compression gets "softer" (fork / shock absorber deflects quicker)
2. Adjusting the spring preload (SAG)
The spring preload determines how much your suspension is compressed when you sit on your bike with your protective gear (clothing, motocross helmet, boots, etc.).
In the case of air forks, the so-called negative spring deflection is regulated by the air pressure. Check the air pressure of your fork and adjust it to your riding weight with the help of a suitable air pump. Specifications for the appropriate air pressure of your MX fork can be found in the manual.
If a conventional steel spring is installed, you must first check whether the correct spring hardness is installed (see manual). If so, proceed as above and set the middle spring preload.
To understand:
Clockwise rotation (+) - Spring is under more tension (less sag)
Counterclockwise rotation (-) - Spring is under less tension (more sag)
3. Adjusting Rebound
The rebound regulates how quickly the fork decompresses. It is located at the lower left end of the suspension fork (in riding direction).
Set the rebound to the middle setting, proceeding as described above.
To understand:
Clockwise rotation (+) - Rebound is getting harder (fork / shock absorber decompresses more slowly)
Counterclockwise rotation (-) Rebound is getting softer (fork / shock absorber decompresses more quickly)
Adjusting the shock absorber
1. Adjusting the pressure level
The pressure level of the shock absorber can be adjusted on the expansion tank. Turn the adjusting screw to the middle setting, while counting the number of possible clicks, like before, and determine the center.ingestellt. Drehe die Einstellschraube auf die mittlere Einstellung, in dem Du (wie schon vorher) die Anzahl der möglichen Klicks (Umdrehungen) zählst und die Mitte auswählst.
Tip: Newer suspensions have several adjustment options (so-called high-speed / low-speed compression)
2. Adjusting the rebound
The rebound clicker of the shock absorber is located at the lower end of the damper. Turn the adjusting screw to the middle setting, while counting the number of possible clicks, like before, and determine the center.
3. Adjusting the spring preload (negative travel / SAG)
Here, too, check if the spring hardness is suitable for your riding weight by measuring the "sag". If there is too much sag, you can reduce it by tightening the shock absorber spring.
Tip: If you have significantly increased the spring preload already, but the slack is still too big, your spring is not suitable for your riding weight and must be replaced with a harder spring.
If you have made these settings, you're finished with the basic setting of your suspension! Now you can easily tune your bike to your needs and different track conditions. Have fun fine-tuning!
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