Suggested Sportbike Suspension Settings

These tables show suggested suspension settings for each bike. You can also use the tables to find which issues of Sport Rider each bike was tested. For more information on suspension, check out the Sportbike Suspension Guide.

Suggested Suspension Settings - Suzuki

motorcycle	issue	front preload	front rebound damping	front comp. damping	rear preload	rear rebound damping	rear comp. damping
GSX-R750 ('96)	12/96	2 lines showing	.5 turns out	1 turn out	65 percent of max.	stiff	1.5 turns out
note:
GSX-R600 ('97)	4/97	4 lines showing	.5 turns out	n/a	24mm down threaded collar	.5 turns out	1 turn out
note:
GSX-R600 ('97)	12/97	4 lines showing	.5 turns out	n/a	24mm down threaded collar	.5 turns out	1 turn out
note:
GSX-R750 ('97)	12/97	2 lines showing	.5 turns out	1 turn out	65 percent of max.	stiff	1.25 turns out
note:
TL1000S ('97)	6/97	4 lines showing	1 turn out	4 clicks out	15mm from top of threads	.5 turns out	3.5 turns out
note:	raise fork tubes 4mm in clamps
GSX-R1100 ('97)	10/97	3 lines showing	2 clicks out	10 clicks out	70 percent of max	stiff	8 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('98)	8/98	4 lines showing	stiff	1 turn out	1.125 in. sag	2 turns out	1.25 turns out
note:
GSX-R750 ('98)	4/98	5 lines showing	1.25 turns out	1.5 turns out	42mm	1 turn out	2 turns out
note:
GSX-R750 ('98)	12/98	4 lines showing	1.25 turns out	1.5 turns out	42mm from top of threads	1 turn out	2 turns out
note:
TL1000R ('98)	10/98	8 lines showing	4 clicks out	8 clicks out	1.25 in. sag	stiff	fulll soft
note:
TL1000R ('98)	12/98	2 lines showing	4 clicks out	8 clicks out	1.25 in. sag	stiff	6 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('99)	6/99	4 lines showing	1 turn out	1 turn out	15mm from top ring	.5 turns out	2 turns out
note:
TL1000S ('99)	10/99	stiff	1 turn out	2 turns out	20mm from top of threads	2.25 turns out	1.5 turns out
note:	raise fork tubes 4mm in clamps
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('99)	8/99	5 lines showing	3 clicks out	8 clicks out	15mm from top of threads	5 clicks out	7 clicks out
note:
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('99)	12/99	5 lines showing	3 clicks out	8 clicks out	15mm thread showing	5 clicks out	7 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('00)	10/00	1 line showing	.75 turn out	1 turn out	12mm thread showing	.5 turns out	2.25 turns out
note:	with Michelin Pilot Race tires
GSX-R750 ('00)	8/00	2 lines showing	1 turn out	1 turn out	23mm from top of shock threads to top of spring	1 turn out	1 turn out
note:
GSX-R750 ('00)	12/00	2 lines showing	stiff	1 turn out	28mm from top of shock threads	1 turn out	1 turn out
note:	set fork tube height to 14mm from top triple clamp, with Metzeler Rennsport tires fitted
TL1000R ('00)	6/00	5 lines showing	7 clicks out	10 clicks out	5mm thread showing	5 clicks out	21 clicks out
note:
TL1000R ('00)	10/00	1 line showing	2 clicks out	10 clicks out	17mm from top of spring to top thread	5 clicks out	fulll soft
note:	set fork tube height to 13mm above top triple clamp, with Dunlop D207 GP Star tires
GSX-R600 ('01)	2/02	3 lines showing	.75 turn out	1.75 turns out	12mm thread showing	.75 turns out	.25 turn out
note:
GSX-R600 ('01)	6/02	3 lines showing	.75 turn out	1.75 turns out	11mm thread showing	.75 turns out	.75 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 8mm above top triple clamp, with Dunlop D208GP tires fitted
GSX-R600 ('01)	12/02	3 lines showing	.75 turn out	1.75 turns out	12mm thread showing	.75 turns out	.75 turns out
note:	set fork tube height 6mm raised from stock, with Metzeler Rennsport tires fitted
GSX-R1000 ('01)	6/02	3 lines showing	4 clicks out	4 clicks out	21mm thread showing	8 clicks out	5 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 4mm from top triple clamp
GSX-R1000 ('01)	12/02	2 lines showing	3 clicks out	4 clicks out	24mm thread showing	6 clicks out	5 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height 6mm raised from stock, with Metzeler Rennsport tires fitted
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('01)	10/02	4 lines showing	2 clicks out	9 clicks out	15mm thread showing	9 clicks out	10 clicks out
note:
GSX-R1000 ('02)	8/02	3 lines showing	5 clicks out	10 clicks out	20mm thread showing	6 clicks out	8 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 5mm above top triple clamp, 11mm with Michelin Pilot Race 2 tires fitted
GSX-R600 ('03)	6/03	4 lines showing	1 turn out	1 turn out	32mm from top of spring to top of threads	full stiff	2 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 5mm showing above triple clamp
GSX-R1000 ('03)	8/03	5 lines showing	6 clicks out	10 clicks out	26mm from top of threads to preload ring	12 clicks out	6 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 7mm showing from top of triple clamp
GSX-R1000 ('03)	12/03	5 lines showing	6 clicks out	10 clicks out	26mm from top of threads to preload ring	12 clicks out	6 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 7mm showing from top of triple clamp
SV1000S ('03)	8/03	6 lines showing	.5 turns out	1.5 turns out	12mm thread showing	1 turn out	2.25 turns out
note:
GSX-R600 ('04)	6/04	4 lines showing	.75 turn out	1.75 turns out	9mm thread showing	1.25 turns out	1.5 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 5mm showing above triple clamp
GSX-R600 ('04)	8/04, 10/04	5 lines showing	.5 turns out	1.75 turns out	9mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	1.5 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 8mm above top triple clamp, with Dunlop D208 GP-A tires fitted
GSX-R750 ('04)	8/04	3 lines showing	.75 turn out	2 turns out	9mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	2.5 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 10mm showing above triple clamp
GSX-R750 ('04)	10/04	4 lines showing	.75 turn out	2 turns out	9mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	2.5 turns out
note:	set fork tube height to 10mm showing above triple clamp with Pirelli Dragon Evo Supercorsa tires fitted
GSX-R1000 ('04)	6/04	5 lines showing	6 clicks out	10 clicks out	22mm thread showing	12 clicks out	7 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 4mm thread showing above triple clamp
GSX-R600 ('05)	3/05, 4/05	6 lines showing	.75 turns out	1.75 turns out	10mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	1.5 turns out
note:	set for tube height to 400 above triple clamp
GSX-R1000 ('05)	5/05, 12/05, 8/05	4 lines showing	1 click out	13 clicks out	14mm thread showing	8 clicks out	13 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 8mm showing above triple clamp
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('05)	10/05	4 lines showing	2 clicks out	8 clicks out	20mm thread showing	10 clicks out	7 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('06)	7/06	8.5 turns out	1 turn out	1.75 turns out	14mm thread showing from top of threads to top of spring	1 turn out	Low Speed: 1.75 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:
GSX-R750 ('06)	12/06	8.5 turns out	.75 turns out	2 turns out	3mm thread showing from top of spring collar	1.5 turns out	High Speed: 3 turns out ; Low Speed: 1.75 turns out
note:
GSX-R1000 ('06)	6/06	4 lines showing	2 clicks out	13 clicks out	16mm thread showing	9 clicks out	13 clicks out
note:	set fork tube height to 8mm above triple clamp
SV1000S ('06)	11/06	3 lines showing	1/4 turn out	1 turn out	23mm thread showing from top of spring to top of threads	1/4 turn out	1/2 turn out
note:
GSX-R600 ('07)	5/07	8 turns out	.75 turns out	2.5 turns out	6mm thread showing	1 turn out	Low Speed: 2 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 5mm fork tube showing above triple clamp.
GSX-R1000 ('07)	7/07	3 lines showing	5 clicks out	Low Speed: 13 clicks out ; High Speed: 2.5 turns out	6mm thread showing	15 clicks out	Low Speed: 16 clicks out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 6mm fork tube showing above triple clamp.
GSX-R1000 ('07)	11/07	5 lines showing	5 clicks out	Low Speed: 15 clicks out ; High Speed: 2.5 turns out	8mm thread showing	15 clicks out	Low Speed: 15 clicks out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 6mm fork tube showing above triple clamp.
Bandit 1250S ('07)	7/07	3 lines showing			Position 4 of 7	1.25 turns
note:
GSX-R600 ('08)	7/08	8 turns out	1 turns out	2 turns out	8mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	Low Speed: 1.5 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 5mm fork tube showing above triple clamp.
GSX-R750 ('08)	7/08	9 turns out	.5 turns out	Low Speed: 2.5 turns out ; High Speed: 2 turns out	8mm thread showing from top of spring collar	1.5 turns out	Low Speed: 4 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 10mm fork tube showing above triple clamp
GSX-R750 ('08)	10/08	9 turns out	.25 turns out	Low Speed: 2.5 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out	8mm thread showing	1.75 turns out	Low Speed: 4 turns out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 5mm fork tube showing above triple clamp.
B-King ('08)	3/08	3 lines showing	8 clicks out	8 clicks out	15mm thread showing	2 turns out	1.75 turns out
note:	Ride height: set top of fork tubes flush with triple clamp
DL650 V-Strom ('08)	5/08	11 clicks from full stiff on remote hydraulic preload adjustment knob	1 turn out
note:
GSX-R1000 ('08)	6/08	1 line showing	4 clicks out	Low Speed: 12 clicks out ; High Speed: 2.5 turns out	6mm thread showing	14 clicks out	Low Speed: 15 clicks out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:	Ride height: 7mm fork tube showing above triple clamp
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('08)	4/08	6 turns out	4 clicks out	7 clicks out	6mm thread showing	10 clicks out	8 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('09)	6/09	11 turns out	.5 turns out	1.75 turns out	10mm thread showing	.5 turns out	High-speed: 1.25 turns out; Low-speed: 1 turn out
note:	Ride height: 7mm from triple clamp to fork tube cap top
GSX-R1000 ('09)	8/09	full soft	4 turns out	3.75 turns out	7mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	High-speed: 2.5 turns out; Low-speed: 2.25 turns out
note:	Ride height: 8mm from top fork cap to triple clamp
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('09)	9/09	5.75 turns out	7 clicks out	8 clicks out	10mm thread showing	10 clicks out	8 clicks out
note:
GSX-R600 ('11)	8/11	9 turns out	4 turns out	4.5 turns out	10mm thread showing	2.5 turns out	1.75 turns out
note:
GSX1250FA ('11)	8/11	3 lines showing	n/a	n/a	Position 4 of 7	1 turn out	n/a
note:
GSX-R750 ('11)	9/11	15 turns out	4 turns out	5 turns out	10mm thread showing	2 turns out	1.25 turns out
note:	Ride height: 7mm from triple clamp to fork tube cap top
GSX1300R Hayabusa ('12)	6/12	6 turns out	6 clicks out	7 clicks out	10mm thread showing	7 clicks out	7 clicks out
note:
GSX-R1000 ('12)	9/12	4 turns in from full soft	4 turns out	5 turns out	5mm thread showing	2.75 turns out	High-speed: 3 turns out; Low-speed: 2.25 turns out
note:	Ride height: set fork tubes flush with top triple clamp

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Community Comments

dandrino (07/01/09 06:54 AM)

hello again
I forget to say my weight. I´m 90kg
thanks

daniel_andrino@hotmail.com

dealmarktech (09/22/09 11:38 AM)

Are these recommended suggestion settings for the track or the street?

kento1 (09/23/09 08:54 AM)

They can handle both. If too stiff for the street, you can back off the rebound damping settings a bit.

dealmarktech (09/24/09 08:30 AM)

^ Cool. Would the suggested suspension settings for the 06 R6 be the same for the 07 R6? Also, what tires were used in the setup?

kento1 (09/29/09 06:24 PM)

Metzeler Racetec tires were used in the '06 test. Bridgestone BT-002 Pro was used in the '07 test.
We'll get the '07 R6 suspension settings up as soon as we can. You can post the question in the forum and I can get you the settings. Not enough room here in the comments section.

dandrino (03/02/10 03:06 PM)

my question is: in the fork tube of 06 rsv aprilia hollins, each line is the fringe view that lies between two lines, or each line? serial order comes with 3 finges, four lines, and I am not sure about how to set it,

jaxxon (04/22/10 02:57 PM)

On the 08'600RR -With the Sport Rider suggested front preload of 10 turns out from full stiff... the front rebound damping suggested of 2.5 turns out from full stiff (stock setting) seems to be WAY soft on rebound damping.

According to SR's suggestions in their "Suspension Tuning Guide" the forks should return back [when fully compressed] in about 1 sec. They fly back (on my bike at those settings) and seem way too bouncy.

One (1) turn out on front rebound seems to be work much better with that much preload.

What's up SR? Did you prefer very little rebound damping during testing? Did the suspension perform better? I mainly do track days.

kento1 (04/23/10 09:31 AM)

When stock suspension gets some mileage on it, it tends to lose damping capability because the oil gets contaminated with wear particles from the fork, which gets lodged into the shim stack of the damping cartridge. This forces you to continue firming up the rebound damping in order to get the proper setting.

Also, because of production tolerances, every setting will be different to obtain the same characteristics.

jaxxon (04/29/10 10:11 AM)

Thanks Kento! I have about 1200 miles on the 08 600RR clock, and yes you are correct, it has loosened up the the point where 1/2 turn out from full stiff is perfect. I supposed when I run out of rebound damping an Ohlins or Racetech cartridge kit is due. ...Then I suppose I'll have to do a shock too.

I used your 08 1000RR settings for a base point on my 1000 too. It seems to be sprung heavier and damped stronger is this the case? By the way, I weigh about 220 w/gear.

kento1 (04/30/10 07:51 AM)

If you mean heavier springs and damping than the 600, yes, the 1000 is definitely set up stiffer due to the higher loads it will encounter.

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Suggested Sportbike Suspension Settings

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