Front suspension set-up V-Strom 1000XT

Gert said:

I noticed that this is your first post, so welcome to the Forum.
You neglected to say the type of riding that you are planning on doing or the year model that you have. Nothing about luggage or two up. Both front and rear suspension need to be set up correctly
Perhaps a good place to start, The Science and Black Magic of Suspension Setup, Advice on setting up suspension preload, https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads/suspension-101-for-dumbies-x1f917.425465/ and Quizzler on spring tension settings for Sag ?
There are many more threads on the subject but I think that the linked threads should give you a good starting point on what you are look for wrt the suspension setting. Remember each rider's suspension requirements would be specific to their riding style. You need to find what works best for you.

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Gert said:

I noticed that this is your first post, so welcome to the Forum.
You neglected to say the type of riding that you are planning on doing or the year model that you have. Nothing about luggage or two up. Both front and rear suspension need to be set up correctly
Perhaps a good place to start, The Science and Black Magic of Suspension Setup, Advice on setting up suspension preload, https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads/suspension-101-for-dumbies-x1f917.425465/ and Quizzler on spring tension settings for Sag ?
There are many more threads on the subject but I think that the linked threads should give you a good starting point on what you are look for wrt the suspension setting. Remember each rider's suspension requirements would be specific to their riding style. You need to find what works best for you.

Click to expand...

bryan_h said:

Check your owner's manual. The factory settings for suspension adjusters are listed. Use that as a starting point, and over the course of days/weeks make one adjustment at a time and go ride your favorite route. Make a note of how the handling of the bike changed each run.

Eventually you'll arrive at settings that suit your riding.

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Bazooka Joe said:

I own a 2018 DL1000XT and I mostly ride two up on rural blacktop roads which are often rough and hacked out. I've ridden dirt bikes for 45 yrs and I'm pretty fussy on suspension performance. I hated the front stock suspension- it didn't work well, either solo or two up. It's simply much too harsh on compression and too quick on rebound.

Yourself, coming from a cruiser, the DL1000 suspension will feel really good and you may not be as critical as I was. The DL1000's rear suspension works pretty well after you adjust the rebound control correctly. The main thing for you to know, is that the stock fork clickers are effective for only the first 3/4 turn out from fully seated. Any further open, and you may as well turn to full open.

If you are wondering what I did, I installed an Andreani fork kit, (a replacement cartridges for the stock forks), plus SKF fork seals to reduce the stiction. My front suspension now works very well. I would suspect that other brand replacement cartridges would be a considerable improvement as well.

Best luck with the tuning and welcome to Stromtrooper!

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