Newbie: Why do I need to adjust the rear shocks, and how do i do it?

[HTCneil]

any help would be appreciated.

[Hoolander2]

Hey, HTCneil.  Welcome and congratulations on a fine choice of scooter.  I haven't been on here that long myself but there's some really sharp guys and gals here who have answered a lot of my questions.  I just got a '07 Xciting myself about 3 months ago. 

There's a owner's manual you can download and I'll try to look it up and tell you exactly where to look.  Also a service manual. 

The manual says #1 position of the shocks is for smooth roads and light load.  Adjust upwards as load increases -- such as a passenger on the back or luggage box heavily loaded.  Though, I think you could get away without doing it for short hops. Says the standard is to have them on #3.  Remember to adjust both shocks to the same number and DO NOT go past #5 trying to jump the adjustment back around to #1 again.  I think the previous owner did that on mine and I had a heck of a mess for a while. 

By the way, the right hand shock is a devil to turn since it's between the muffler and the rear disc.

To adjust, you need a spanner wrench or similar.  They're usually cheap things that look like a C with a handle on it.  I went into a local Honda/Kawasaki shop asking about one and they poked around in their junk box --found one that fit and GAVE it to me. 

Oh, and to adjust em, you put the spanner into one of the series of holes at the bottom of the shock and turn.  Takes a good bit of force, then it'll like snap into the next position. 

[Bryan]

Hi Guys, that pretty much covers it nicely. I'm about 100kg (a bit more on Fridays) and like the shocks set up tight and I ride it very hard. Had mine on 3 to start with went to 4 for awhile then tried 5. I truly think that the higher (harder) I went the more the weaving/slapping was occuring. I'm back down to 2 now and although it's soft it seems more stable at speed. I have another concern in that I can adjust mine by just grabbing onto the chrome setting ring with my hands and twisting it. Don't even need to use the spanner. Maybe these shocks are shot. I have just ordered the gas shocks from the local dudes and asked them to airfreight them in. So when those are on I'll let you know how they feel and handle. Regards from Durban RSA.

[zombie]

(a bit more on Fridays) tHIS IS THE SAME ANSWER i POST all THE TIME. The higher you raise the rear the steeper the attack angle of the front tire. Kymco built in the max for their adjustments...But if you are not used to a hi rear vs shallow front end? Imagine running shocks that measure MORE than the factory! I think that is called a Hi side~

[winginman]

So are we saying that firmer more efficient shocks are better but not something that will raise the rear of the scooter? Bryan at what warp number does the weaving and slapping occur? 

[Bryan]

Hi Jim, Apologies HTCneil for hijacking your post, it’s still in line with the suspension settings issue. I’m definitely not an engineer or a mechanic just a DIY tinkerer. My understanding is that these original shocks that are on the X500 which only have the pre-load setting, work in such a way that on setting 1 the spring is at its least compressed static state and at 5 at its maximum compressed static state. So I think that at 1 the back of the scoot should stand a bit higher and at 5 a bit lower.  If I hit the same bump at the same speed whether on 1 or 5 the springs should reach the same maximum active compressed state when the force is fully absorbed. The difference between the two settings being the length of the stroke and the time taken to reach this maximum point. On 1 the springs are less compressed and would therefore travel a longer stroke and take longer while on 5 the springs are already more compressed and will travel a shorter stroke in shorter time to reach the same point. Thus I should feel a softer more cushioned ride on 1 and a harder firmer ride on 5. The softer ride will not be as stable in the corners as the harder firmer ride. The internals are the valves and fluids which dictate how fast it allows the springs to compress and likewise in the opposite direction to decompress. The internals are factory set and unfortunately we cannot adjust this.

  That’s my understanding so far and I can understand that the height of the back will affect the way the front will turn into the corners but how the softer or harder setting on the back affects the front I don’t know. I felt that with shocks set on 3 it was still a bit too soft for the corners that’s why I set it up to 4 and then tried 5. The ride was very hard on 5 and it cornered well, up until 150 km. when at that speedo reading or over it started to do this weave oscillation thing and I would have to take some action to break the rhythm before I lost it. That’s when the next words out of my mouth would likely be “Oow don’t touch me, I want my Mommy!”.

 I found by placing my feet forward and leaning forward it would break the rhythm and reduce the weave. But it scared me silly. Generally I don’t scare too easy, I ride a Suzuki GSX R750 and I ride it hard and scrape a bit now and then to keep up with the big boys. So I decided to reset the shocks to 2 and give it a try that way. I now think that at 150 km and over it is not so prone to develop that weave although it still feels unstable. The ride is softer and not so firm in the corners. I know that suspension setup is a complicated thing and have had the Suzi at the racing shop where they did all those sag and other strange settings to suite me and my style so I’m hoping that if I get those gas shocks I can get a better setup on the Scoot. When I have them fitted I will also insist that they open the front shocks and check the fluid levels to make sure they are balanced and working right and also check the steering head setup and wheel balance at the same time. I may even consider new tyres. Maybe I’m crazy but I would like the scoot to feel firm and stable at the top end where I occasionally take it especially when in the company of those big shiny Harleys. Regards from Durban RSA.

[winginman]

Bryan I guess I haven't seen the problem cause 90 mph (144kph) is all I can get out of mine with the tall Givi windshield.  Lots of wind resistance.  I run my shocks on 2.  Not crazy about the hard ride at higher settings.  But I do bump them up when carrying a passenger.

[zombie]

Hi Bryan, I really liked your post. Very straight forward, and well explained. The biggest problem I have ever had in setting up a suspension is finding the correct parts. You can buy 5 pairs of shocks,, and they will all have benefits, and shortcomings. The two most consistent  improvements I have found have been in the front suspension. Trial, and error testing w/ various weights of shock oil, and adding/subtracting the pre load collars in the forks. As a general rule I have found Heavier oil combined with a higher pre load will make the front less prone to collapse, and MOSTLY eliminate the oscillation on high speeds. The rear suspension is much harder to dial in because as you pointed out all that can be adjusted is the preload, unless you go w/ a HI $ adjustable rate gas shock, and even then it may not suit your needs. Bottom line for ME is spend the time, and money tuning the front for the best response, and anything you do for the rear from there may be a bonus.

[Bryan]

Hi Z, Yep I hear you and it makes a lot of sense to me, thanks. I've ordered those gas shocks through Kymco SA but who knows, with the current level of service from these guys it may take a while or perhaps never happen. It's crazy when there is such a potential commuter market out there, and yet they are so unresponsive. Anyway, I don't want to start fiddling with the front until the warrenty has expired then if I'm still not happy I'll try the route of spacers and oils like you suggest. Alternately I may just be tempted to move to a Bergman although right now I love and enjoy the X500 and the Bergman costs almost as much as my GSX-R750, maybe if I hint enough the wife may surprise me for my birthday, (a guy can dream can't he). Regards from Durban RSA.

[zombie]

(a guy can dream can't he).    Maybe she'll get me one too?

[Bryan]

Ok, so I dropped the hint about OUR dreams and initially there was no response so I tried again a bit later, asked if she'd like a nice cup of tea and slipped the hint in at the same time, being very suttle mind you, and the response was "Mm that would be nice and by the way, dream on". Sorry, guess we'll have to find another way I'll let you know if anything changes. Regards from Durban RSA.

[zombie]

Try that wife swap show! She would freak if it was reversed! SOOOO WOULD YOU! I have a wife that is for sale tho! should I put her in the classified? Or The free section?  Ok ALL JOKES ASIDE>>>   ~