After the preload and damping have been set to the recommended settings, additional adjustments can be made to enhance the comfort, control and handling characteristics of the motorcycle. These adjustments may be based on personal riding style, desired ride quality, and varying road conditions.

Set the front forks and shock absorbers to the recommended settings. Properly inflate the tires.
Determine the ride quality of the motorcycle. Ride the motorcycle on a familiar road with a variety of bumps and turns. Ride over different surfaces at varying speeds. If the suspension is set properly, the vehicle suspension will feel controlled and comfortable.
Refer to Table 1. Adjust the rebound and compression damping according to the motorcycle behavior experienced during the ride.
After adjusting the suspension, ride the motorcycle again to check for comfort and response.

NOTE

When tuning the suspension, make all adjustments in small increments. Radical setting changes may overshoot the best adjustment setting.

Table 1. Suspension Damping Adjustment Guidelines: XR 1200X

MOTORCYCLE BEHAVIOR	SUGGESTED REMEDY
Soft or unsettled feeling around corners or after bumps	Increase rebound damping.
Leaping feeling or topping after large bumps	Increase rebound damping.
Harsh/sharp feedback over bumps	Decrease rebound damping.
Feels like motorcycle drops down over chatter bumps	Decrease rebound damping.
Excessive bottoming through potholes	Increase compression damping.
Excessive dive when applying front brake	Increase compression damping (forks).
Hard feeling or inadequate absorption over bumps	Decrease compression damping.
Feels excessively stiff or busy around corners	Decrease compression damping.