Gen 8 VFR Deluxe shock question

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by SPWRider, Nov 6, 2017.

  1. SPWRider

    SPWRider New Member

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    Hi VFRers--

    I recently purchased a holdover 2014 VFR Fi Deluxe. When I buy a new bike or a new to me bike I always go through it, making sure that the initial set up matches the manufacturer's recommendations and is road ready. As part of going over the VFR I checked the front and rear suspension settings which leads me to a question about the VFR's shock preload adjuster. The owner's manual states that the normal or delivered preload setting is 7 clicks or turns out from the minimum preload setting. I backed the adjuster out to the minimum preload position and as I turned the adjuster there was rotational drag and then, after about a 1/2 turn the drag disappeared and the adjuster freewheeled out the remaining 6 clicks (turns) to the minimum preload position. When I turned the adjuster in from minimum preload, the adjuster freewheeled in until it’s about 6.5 turns where rotational drag reappeared. The drag continues as I rotate the adjuster in toward the maximum preload position. I've found that the rotational drag disappears and reappears around 6 1/2 clicks whether the bike is on the side stand or the center stand. If you continued to rotate the adjuster CW, past the seventh click, the rotational drag continues the rest of the way in to full preload. Looking at the preload cylinder on the shock you can see the cylinder extend and retract until about 6.5 turns. As you turn the preload toward minimum past 6.5 turns the cylinder stops retracting.

    Because I was concerned about the adjuster I contacted the dealer where I purchased the bike. Although this was the first and only Deluxe they'd sold (they ordered it by mistake), they said that the adjuster's travel and rotational drag change was normal. I've been around Honda motorcycles for a long time and I've never seen Honda, or any other manufacture do something like the no drag/drag situation. Can someone with a Gen 8 VFR Deluxe check their preload adjuster and see if it has rotational drag and cylinder movement operates all the way to the minimum drag position. Does your preload freewheel during the initial travel gaining drag around the 6th click?

    Thanks,

    --SPWRider
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I have a 6th Gen & it, off the top of my head has 30 clicks. Now mine only has 28... lol

    I understand that the adjuster needs a touch more oil to be added. Now for me 28 or 30 - who really cares that much - I'm not racing it !
    I suspect thats why you only have 6.5 turns...

    Personally I wouldn't worry about it too much as its like saying i need 36psi in my front tyre or 34.
     
  3. fink

    fink Member

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    Wouldn’t worry about it.
     
  4. PetePower

    PetePower New Member

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    I gather you are talking rear? I also adjusted mine a couple of times after I got it, and I do recall very little pressure when turning the Pre-Load knob near minimum setting. I ended up at 9 clicks on the rear. So must be how they are.
     
  5. SPWRider

    SPWRider New Member

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    Thanks for the feedback Guys--

    When I noticed the lack of drag as I was setting up the bike, my thought was the shock cylinder or the adjuster must be seized, after all the bike is a '14, manufactured in '13 and has been sitting for 3 or 4 years. The adjuster does add preload so if there's a problem, its only when reducing the preload past setting 7. I was/am hoping that it loosens up and I have the ability adjust the shock preload above and below Honda's recommended setting. If the preload at position 7 is at minimum, I guess my only choice is increasing the preload.

    PetePower--

    You mentioned that you've set your preload at position 9. How much do you weigh and how agresisvely do you ride?

    Thanks,

    --Papermaker
     
  6. PetePower

    PetePower New Member

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    Gday Papermaker, I'm a lightweight at 70kgs with my riding gear on. I do a lot of commuting but on the weekends give it a reasonable ride, definitely not a racer though. I have mine set so a nice equal rebound front to rear and the sag from memory is at 30-35mm .
     
  7. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    Wow, You can adjust shit on this bike! #$%&(*&($##&)($*&) I just learn to ride it as is. Son of &$)(*$&##)(*&%)( bitch!
     
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  8. fink

    fink Member

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    :chaingun: Moment was it Bubba ???
     
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  9. SPWRider

    SPWRider New Member

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    Guys, thanks for ALL of the responses.

    PetePower--

    Thanks for the info, I weigh 215 lbs. (97.5 kgs) and find that the shock is stiff (may be damping), with barely noticeable free sag (I haven't checked loaded sag yet). The bike is new and the suspension may break in as I put more time on it, but over the years I've found that new bike stiction is much less then the good old days . You mentioned 30 - 35 mm sag, it sounds like you are checking sag loaded, is that correct? Winter is closing in here in Wisconsin with a forecast high today of 35 F so it will be a while before I can work with the suspension settings.

    Diving Pete--

    You mentioned that the adjuster may have leaked or may be slightly low on fluid. Both of those things explain the preload adjusters load position. I looked the adjuster over and didn't see any signs of leakage so I'm defaulting to the low oil level as delivered. If the fluid level is low and my shock's spring is now at the minimum preload position it follows that the preload should be turned in to Honda's suggested preload of 7. It will be interesting to see what loaded sag is.

    Thanks again,

    --WSPRider
     
  10. PetePower

    PetePower New Member

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    Correct, I increased preload so that only 30-35mm sag from unloaded bike, to with me on the bike.
     
  11. fink

    fink Member

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    Whilst fiddling with the back did you alter the front as well?
     
  12. Corrugated

    Corrugated New Member

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    When I had my suspension setup at RMR this summer, the tech noted that with my riding weight (200 lbs), the stock suspension couldn't be adjusted enough to properly control travel as he would have wanted. His suggestion was to upgrade the internals or go a full Ohlins setup (of course lol). The bike does feel and handle better after the setup, though its definitely maxed out now and a bit unnecessarily stiff.
     
  13. PetePower

    PetePower New Member

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    Yes.
    Adjusted front preload 2nd ring and 9 clicks rear and rebound by about 1/2 turn front & 1/4 turn rear more from std,
     
  14. SPWRider

    SPWRider New Member

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    Thanks for the responses!

    fink--

    I'm not sure whether you're asking PetePower or me about front suspension adjustment. As a starting point I'm setting up the bike as Honda intended so the forks are at the recommended settings. After I get more time on the bike I'll start setting it up for me. Do you know of any links that mention fork/stock spring rates and after market replacements? I'd also like to hear from those that have revalved their suspension, especially the Gen 8.

    Corrugated--

    My riding weight will be be north of 225 lbs. (102 kgs.). Going on memory my off-road geared up weight was about 233 lbs. It sounds like I'll need stiffer spring rates but those decisions are down the road.

    PeterPower--

    Based on your comments it sounds like you went lighter on the fork preload and heavier on the shock preload then Honda specs to balance the bike. More info on suspension upgrades would be appreciated.

    The forecast Monday mentions a high of 45 F. I plan to ride as long as possible, around 90 miles although it will be at lower speeds (45 mph max).

    Thanks,

    --WSPRider
     
  15. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    I can understand getting accustomed to a new bike, but setting the correct sag should be the first thing anybody does when getting on a new to them bike regardles of bike age.
    Damping settings is something that is done once you learn how your suspension is behaving, and you experiment.
    But setting sag is both easy and important to have the suspension working within its proper range for your weight.
    There is no point keeping the manufaturer settings when it comes to sag, unless you happen to be the exact weight they set it for.
    It is the first thing I do on a new bike, and usually I do it before I ride off on it.
    But I also think that if you're 100kg, the stock springs will be too soft.
     
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  16. fink

    fink Member

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    I was referring to you post. I can understand where you are coming from re settings to give you a base line feel. On a whole however those settings are usually for a 75kg rider(I cant remember when I last saw that weight), so its usually best to set the bike sag first, then set the rider sag for yourself. Once you have that then go out for a ride and adjust the compression/damping to your preference. I'm at the present above 110kg and have no probs with the suspension as it is set up for me.
     
  17. SPWRider

    SPWRider New Member

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    Hi OZVFR and fink--

    I usually set sag right after break in, including the suspension. Either way I set sag early on which brings me back to my original issue, the preload adjuster turns freely below position 7. I'm still looking for someone with a Deluxe that can check their adjuster, verifying whether the first 6 turns freewheel or if they actually adjust the preload as described in the owner's manual.

    Both of you mentioned that you set sag immediately, what unloaded and loaded measurements do you use? Also, do either of you know the stock spring rates and, if stiffer springs are required, where did you purchase them?

    Thanks for the feedback,

    --WSPRider
     
  18. fink

    fink Member

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    Mine is 5 from hard out.

    35-50mm front rider sag road.
    30- 45mm rear rider sag road. I prefer my suspension set up towards the harder side of range (lower numbers)

    Don't know have info about aftermarket suspension or spring rates for the new bike i'm afraid.
     
  19. PetePower

    PetePower New Member

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    Gday SPWRider.
    No I have increased Preload front and rear and pretty much in the same range as Fink. I did this after about the first 100kms and the difference was incredible.

    I have just gone out to the bike and YES there is no pressure on the Rear Preload adjuster knob from about 5 clicks to softest setting. Nothing wrong with yours. Try it on 10 from soft and see how much sag you have.
    Do you know how to measure sag?
     
  20. mario01

    mario01 New Member

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    interesting[​IMG]
     
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