I want my F6B to ride like My GOLDWING !!!! HELP

[Travelor]

Please explain.

Based on my understanding, the spring controls the shock. With the preload minimal, the spring is not "pre"-compressed, allowing the shock to have its full stroke. By increasing the preload, the spring becomes compressed, controlling the motion of the shock, and preventing the shock from easily extending and compressing its full travel.

This, in turn, creates a firmer ride with the shock less "free" to use its range of motion.

Actually, no, the spring doesn't control the shock, the shock controls the spring (it restricts the free movement, the natural frequency, of the spring), dampening or restricting the movement but not restricting the distance the spring can move. The adjuster that is provided on the F6b is a spring preload adjuster, not a shock damper adjustment. With the preload set at minimal, the spring is not pre-compressed (it actually is, but for the discussion here we will assume that it isn't) and as soon as someone sits on the bike, the spring sags (compresses). With minimal preload, the spring compresses more - therefore leaving less travel to absorb bumps. In other words, it bottoms out the suspension sooner. If you crank up the preload, the spring now doesn't move as far when initially loaded with the rider, leaving more travel to absorb bumps.

As an example, if we have a total of 4 inches rear suspension travel (not spring travel, the suspension itself as limited by the shock travel), and there is no preload dialed onto the spring, the rear suspension may sag 2 inches with a 200 pound rider. That leaves only 2 inches (like a Harley) of travel left out of the 4 inches total to absorb bumps. Then crank up the preload so the same 200 pound rider only compresses the spring 1 inch, there are now 3 inches of travel left to absorb bumps. This is a very simple example, and assumes that the spring is a straight rate spring as opposed to a progressive rate spring (which it probably is), but the action is similar.

[Steve 0080]

Travelor's explanation is the understanding that I have. I also heard there were two springs used from day one.

[shooter]

Get 2 tire gauges and make sure you only have 40 lbs in the tires. I've seen gauges be off by 20 lbs or more.

[53driver]

Actually, no, the spring doesn't control the shock, the shock controls the spring (it restricts the free movement, the natural frequency, of the spring), dampening or restricting the movement but not restricting the distance the spring can move. The adjuster that is provided on the F6b is a spring preload adjuster, not a shock damper adjustment. With the preload set at minimal, the spring is not pre-compressed (it actually is, but for the discussion here we will assume that it isn't) and as soon as someone sits on the bike, the spring sags (compresses). With minimal preload, the spring compresses more - therefore leaving less travel to absorb bumps. In other words, it bottoms out the suspension sooner. If you crank up the preload, the spring now doesn't move as far when initially loaded with the rider, leaving more travel to absorb bumps.

As an example, if we have a total of 4 inches rear suspension travel (not spring travel, the suspension itself as limited by the shock travel), and there is no preload dialed onto the spring, the rear suspension may sag 2 inches with a 200 pound rider. That leaves only 2 inches (like a Harley) of travel left out of the 4 inches total to absorb bumps. Then crank up the preload so the same 200 pound rider only compresses the spring 1 inch, there are now 3 inches of travel left to absorb bumps. This is a very simple example, and assumes that the spring is a straight rate spring as opposed to a progressive rate spring (which it probably is), but the action is similar.

Great explanation! Thanks!

[VStarRider]

Actually, no, the spring doesn't control the shock, the shock controls the spring (it restricts the free movement, the natural frequency, of the spring), dampening or restricting the movement but not restricting the distance the spring can move. The adjuster that is provided on the F6b is a spring preload adjuster, not a shock damper adjustment. With the preload set at minimal, the spring is not pre-compressed (it actually is, but for the discussion here we will assume that it isn't) and as soon as someone sits on the bike, the spring sags (compresses). With minimal preload, the spring compresses more - therefore leaving less travel to absorb bumps. In other words, it bottoms out the suspension sooner. If you crank up the preload, the spring now doesn't move as far when initially loaded with the rider, leaving more travel to absorb bumps.

As an example, if we have a total of 4 inches rear suspension travel (not spring travel, the suspension itself as limited by the shock travel), and there is no preload dialed onto the spring, the rear suspension may sag 2 inches with a 200 pound rider. That leaves only 2 inches (like a Harley) of travel left out of the 4 inches total to absorb bumps. Then crank up the preload so the same 200 pound rider only compresses the spring 1 inch, there are now 3 inches of travel left to absorb bumps. This is a very simple example, and assumes that the spring is a straight rate spring as opposed to a progressive rate spring (which it probably is), but the action is similar.

Thank you. I had it backwards. That makes sense. The spring is the one that needs to be controlled as it would want to bounce all over the place.

On snowmobiles, we crank up the preload if the suspension is bottoming out too often...the additional preload buys more travel, as you said.

[moosedog]

You don't understand the concept. You need to raise the preload up to halfway and it will ride better.

+1 mine rides much better set up this way and running tires at 40lbs - even on the stock seat.

[SoCal Rich]

If you want an F6B that rides more like your GW, take the trunk and backseat off your GW!

[BIGLRY]

Actually, no, the spring doesn't control the shock, the shock controls the spring (it restricts the free movement, the natural frequency, of the spring), dampening or restricting the movement but not restricting the distance the spring can move. The adjuster that is provided on the F6b is a spring preload adjuster, not a shock damper adjustment. With the preload set at minimal, the spring is not pre-compressed (it actually is, but for the discussion here we will assume that it isn't) and as soon as someone sits on the bike, the spring sags (compresses). With minimal preload, the spring compresses more - therefore leaving less travel to absorb bumps. In other words, it bottoms out the suspension sooner. If you crank up the preload, the spring now doesn't move as far when initially loaded with the rider, leaving more travel to absorb bumps.

As an example, if we have a total of 4 inches rear suspension travel (not spring travel, the suspension itself as limited by the shock travel), and there is no preload dialed onto the spring, the rear suspension may sag 2 inches with a 200 pound rider. That leaves only 2 inches (like a Harley) of travel left out of the 4 inches total to absorb bumps. Then crank up the preload so the same 200 pound rider only compresses the spring 1 inch, there are now 3 inches of travel left to absorb bumps. This is a very simple example, and assumes that the spring is a straight rate spring as opposed to a progressive rate spring (which it probably is), but the action is similar.

I could not have said it any better and why with my 400 lb carcuss I set mine all the way up and get the softest ride ever with all the travel