1100s ohlins suspension !!!

Ron1000 · 03-08-2020, 11:35 AM

I’ve got my evo settings I can post up but probably totally useless info as it’s non-ohlins.

The front is very good in the twisties and over bumps…only slight issue is it’s a tiny bit slow to initially turn in … this has only been a recent development so I’m putting it down to either the front tyre getting older and or running it slightly too soft (33).

I also use ty-wraps on the forks to get an idea of travel…an ohlins specialist once told me you should be using all of travel but not hitting the bump stops…my Ty-wraps are probably 10mm off the stops.

I’m 12st for reference

Luddite · 03-08-2020, 03:58 PM

Ron's suggestion to use tie-wraps is a good one. The stock 1100S springs are 7.5N/mm, which might be a tad soft for your weight. So, rather than being due to overly firm springing or damping, the jarring you feel on bumpy roads might be caused by your forks bottoming out and hitting the bump stops. The tie-wrap trick will tell you if that's the case. Öhlins springs are available from 6.5 - 11N/mm (part numbers are 04744-65 to 04744-11 - the last two digits are the spring rate).

Also, although the 1100S forks are quite softly sprung, the rear shock, in contrast, is overly firm at 130N/mm. For reference, the aftermarket Öhlins shock comes with a 115N/mm spring as standard and I replaced that with a softer 105N/mm spring, which is perfect for my 12 stone. Sometimes, an overly harsh rear spring will affect the feeling of the front end.

There's also the option to experiment with the weight and quantity of oil, if you still can't get the feel you want. Standard oil is 7.5w with a 140mm airgap without spring and sleeve. (My preference is 5w.)

03-08-2020, 11:35 AM	#1
Ron1000 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Livingston Bike: M1100evo Posts: 863	I’ve got my evo settings I can post up but probably totally useless info as it’s non-ohlins. The front is very good in the twisties and over bumps…only slight issue is it’s a tiny bit slow to initially turn in … this has only been a recent development so I’m putting it down to either the front tyre getting older and or running it slightly too soft (33). I also use ty-wraps on the forks to get an idea of travel…an ohlins specialist once told me you should be using all of travel but not hitting the bump stops…my Ty-wraps are probably 10mm off the stops. I’m 12st for reference

03-08-2020, 03:58 PM	#2
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Ron's suggestion to use tie-wraps is a good one. The stock 1100S springs are 7.5N/mm, which might be a tad soft for your weight. So, rather than being due to overly firm springing or damping, the jarring you feel on bumpy roads might be caused by your forks bottoming out and hitting the bump stops. The tie-wrap trick will tell you if that's the case. Öhlins springs are available from 6.5 - 11N/mm (part numbers are 04744-65 to 04744-11 - the last two digits are the spring rate). Also, although the 1100S forks are quite softly sprung, the rear shock, in contrast, is overly firm at 130N/mm. For reference, the aftermarket Öhlins shock comes with a 115N/mm spring as standard and I replaced that with a softer 105N/mm spring, which is perfect for my 12 stone. Sometimes, an overly harsh rear spring will affect the feeling of the front end. There's also the option to experiment with the weight and quantity of oil, if you still can't get the feel you want. Standard oil is 7.5w with a 140mm airgap without spring and sleeve. (My preference is 5w.)