1100s ohlins suspension !!!

vince53 · 03-08-2020, 10:57 AM

Hi guys , so front forks iv been playing with the set up for a yr or so ! , at the moment iv , 1/2 turn down from all off on preload , 12clicks out from all the way in (factory standard) on rebound , 12clicks out from all the way in (8 factory standard) on compression ….!!! ? , im 14 stone the sag's about right , still find it a bit jarring on our good old west country roads , HAS ANYONE ? got there's set up a peach and if so what have you done how are you set ? many many thanks in advance , hope everyone is having a good as can summer * ) look forward to your feedback thanks vince .

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.)

vince53 · 03-08-2020, 04:06 PM

umm ! maybe someone's already changed front springs then ? it's not bottoming out and like I said only got a half turn down on preload … ? it's using most of the travel .. maybe a bit more out on compression then ? umm? thanks for your insight though guys

Luddite · 03-08-2020, 05:27 PM

Just a quick thought - the 1100S bars are 20mm lower than the Evo. If you raise the bars, you'll have less weight on your wrists so any road bumps won't feel so harsh.

vince53 · 03-08-2020, 10:35 PM

thx Lud yep already done the evo riser swap , I'll keep playing see how I go to be honest our roads are a disgrace but this is where I live so got to try and make the bike cope until they fix them but I don't think that's any time soon !!

03-08-2020, 10:57 AM	#1
vince53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: taunton Bike: M1100s Posts: 41	1100s ohlins suspension !!! Hi guys , so front forks iv been playing with the set up for a yr or so ! , at the moment iv , 1/2 turn down from all off on preload , 12clicks out from all the way in (factory standard) on rebound , 12clicks out from all the way in (8 factory standard) on compression ….!!! ? , im 14 stone the sag's about right , still find it a bit jarring on our good old west country roads , HAS ANYONE ? got there's set up a peach and if so what have you done how are you set ? many many thanks in advance , hope everyone is having a good as can summer * ) look forward to your feedback thanks vince .

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-08-2020, 11:35 AM	#2
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	#3
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.)

03-08-2020, 04:06 PM	#4
vince53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: taunton Bike: M1100s Posts: 41	umm ! maybe someone's already changed front springs then ? it's not bottoming out and like I said only got a half turn down on preload … ? it's using most of the travel .. maybe a bit more out on compression then ? umm? thanks for your insight though guys

03-08-2020, 05:27 PM	#5
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Just a quick thought - the 1100S bars are 20mm lower than the Evo. If you raise the bars, you'll have less weight on your wrists so any road bumps won't feel so harsh.

03-08-2020, 10:35 PM	#6
vince53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: taunton Bike: M1100s Posts: 41	thx Lud yep already done the evo riser swap , I'll keep playing see how I go to be honest our roads are a disgrace but this is where I live so got to try and make the bike cope until they fix them but I don't think that's any time soon !!