Dual Shocks
Identify the Preload Dot
Park your motorcycle on the jiffy stand without any luggage or load.
NOTE
The total of rider weight and passenger plus cargo and accessories cannot exceed the maximum added weight allowed. Refer to Specifications.
1Rubber boot
2Upper locking ring
3Lower adjustment ring
4Dot one (count down)
Figure 1. Preload Adjustment Arrow (Rubber Boot Raised for Clarity)
1. Add the weight of the rider and riding gear to get the rider weight.
2. Separately, add the weight of the passenger, their riding gear, intended cargo and any accessories.
3. In the table, locate the preload dot number corresponding to the rider, passenger, cargo and accessories calculations.
a. Under RIDER WEIGHT, identify the row that includes the total weight of the rider.
b. In the row of PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES, identify the total weight column for any passenger, cargo and accessories.
c. The number at the intersection of the RIDER WEIGHT row and the PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES column is the recommended preload dot.
Table 1. Shock Preload
Shock Preload
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
LB
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
KG
0
5
9
14
18
23
27
32
36
41
45
50
54
59
64
68
73
77
82
87
92
97
100
104
109
113
118
RIDER WEIGHT
PRELOAD DOT (BOTH SHOCKS)(1, 2)
LB
KG
150
68
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
14.0
160
73
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
14.0
14.0
170
77
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
-
-
180
82
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
14.0
-
-
190
86
2.0
2.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
-
-
-
-
200
91
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
-
-
-
-
210
95
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
-
-
-
-
-
220
100
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
14.0
-
-
-
-
-
230
104
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
240
109
3.5
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.5
14.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
250
113
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
260
118
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
12.0
12.5
13.0
13.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
270
122
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
280
127
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
13.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
290
131
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
300
136
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0
12.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Note: Do NOT exceed GVWR for any loading condition.
(1) Set BOTH left and right shocks to the same preload dot per the above chart.
(2) Adjust the Lock Nut (upper) so the top surface is in-line with the target dot.
Shock Adjustment
WARNING
Adjust both shock absorbers equally. Improper adjustment can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury. (00036b)
NOTE
To prevent damage to the adjustment and locking rings, do not use any other wrench than the one supplied with your motorcycle.
  1. Lift seat. See Service Procedures → Seat.
  2. See Figure 2. Lift the latch (2) and slide the spanner wrench (3) from the retention pocket.
  3. See Figure 1. Raise rubber boot (1) above upper locking ring (2).
1Seat
2Latch
3Spanner wrench
Figure 2. Spanner Wrench Retention Pocket
NOTICE
Avoid shock damage. Make sure shock threads are clean and free of debris before loosening or tightening shock adjusting nuts. (00646b)
  1. If necessary, clean the threads on the shock absorber.
  2. See Figure 3. Use the spanner wrench to turn the upper locking ring counterclockwise (1) to unlock the ring.
    3. NOTE
    See Figure 1. Rotate the lower adjustment ring (3) clockwise to increase preload. Rotate the lower adjustment ring counterclockwise to decrease preload.
  3. See Figure 3. Use the spanner wrench to turn (2) the lower adjustment ring below the recommended dot.
    4. NOTE
    See Figure 1. Count down from the top dot (4) on the shock dot scale to identify the recommended preload dot.
  4. See Figure 3. Rotate the upper locking ring to align with the recommended preload dot (3).
  5. Cover one-half the recommended preload dot (4) with the upper locking ring.
  6. Use the wrench to hand tighten the lower adjustment ring against the upper locking ring (5).
  7. See Figure 1. Install rubber boot (1) in position.
  8. Adjust the opposite shock absorber to the same preload dot.
  9. Return the spanner wrench to the retention pocket under the seat.
  10. Install seat. See Service Procedures → Seat.
1Loosen upper locking ring
2Turn lower adjustment ring below recommended dot
3Rotate upper locking ring to dot
4Align upper locking ring to dot
5Tighten lower adjustment ring
Figure 3. Preload Adjustment
Mono Shock
General
Damping is set at the factory for the average solo rider under normal riding conditions. The rider may make adjustments to compensate for load, individual riding styles and varying road conditions.
Evaluating and changing the rebound and compression damping is a subjective process with many variables and should be approached carefully.
NOTICE
Compression and rebound adjusting valves may be damaged if too much force is used at either end of the adjustment range. (00237a)
NOTE
Do not force adjusters beyond mechanical stops.
Rebound and Compression Damping
Rebound Damping Adjustment
NOTE
Rebound adjuster is marked as TEN (Tension) on the lower left side of the shock absorber.
1. See Figure 4. Use a flat blade screwdriver to turn rebound adjuster clockwise in the H (hard) direction until it stops. This is the maximum rebound damping setting.
2. Turn rebound adjuster counter-clockwise in the S (soft) direction the recommended number of turns. Refer to Table 4.
Figure 4. Rebound Adjuster
Compression Damping Adjustment
1. Remove left side cover. See Service Procedures → Side Covers.
NOTE
Compression adjuster is on upper left side of shock absorber.
2. See Figure 4. Use a flat blade screwdriver to turn compression adjuster clockwise in the H (hard) direction until it stops. This is the maximum compression damping setting.
3. Turn compression adjuster counter-clockwise in the S (soft) direction the recommended number of turns. Refer to Table 4.
4. Install left side cover. See Service Procedures → Side Covers.
Table 2. Rear Preload Suspension Settings
RIDER WEIGHT
REAR SHOCK
kg/lb
Clicks from Minimum(1)
<68 kg (150 lb)
0
68–77 kg (150–170 lb)
0
77–86 kg (170–190 lb)
0
86–95 kg (190–210 lb)
11
95–104 kg (210–230 lb)
22
104–113 kg (230–250 lb)
33
113–122 kg (250–270 lb)
Maximum(2)
122–132 kg (270–290 lb)
132 kg (290 lb) to GVWR
(1) Minimum is defined as fully turned out counter-clockwise.
(2) Maximum is defined as fully turned in clockwise.
Table 3. Rear Preload with Passenger or Cargo
PASSENGER or CARGO
REAR SHOCK
kg/lb
Additional Clicks(1)
0–23 kg (0–50 lb)
+22 or maximum(2)
23–45 kg (50–100 lb)
Maximum
45–68 kg (100–150 lb)
68 kg (150 lb) to GVWR
(1) Add to preload setting for passenger or cargo weight.
(2) Maximum is defined as fully turned in clockwise.
Table 4. Rear Fork Compression and Rebound
RIDE
SETTING
REAR SHOCK(1)
Compression
Rebound
Standard
2.75
1.75
Comfort
2.75
3
Sport
1.5
1.5
(1) Damping adjuster settings are done by turning adjuster clockwise until it stops at the maximum setting, then counting the turns counter-clockwise to the desired setting.
Preload Adjustment
Figure 5. Preload Adjuster
1. See Figure 5. Rotate the preload adjuster knob clockwise in the HIGH direction to increase preload setting, or counterclockwise to decrease preload setting until desired setting is reached.
2. Calculate rear preload settings.
a. Rider: Refer to Table 2 for preload clicks required for rider. Note clicks required.
b. Passenger or cargo: Refer to Table 3 for additional preload clicks required for passenger or cargo. Note clicks required.
c. Add rider and passenger/cargo preload amounts together to get final adjustment setting.
3. See Figure 5. Adjust preload adjuster knob to the desired number of clicks.