Tuning assistance / Ergonomics on Gen8

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by razedinabarn, Nov 13, 2019.

  1. razedinabarn

    razedinabarn New Member

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    Looking for someone to assist with tuning in the Atlanta, Georgia Metro area. Any recommendations? Will travel a few hundred clicks in the Southeast if needed.

    I picked up my Gen8 used, so it's probably not in factory default config. I'm a big guy, so even stock would need adjustment. I've been out of the saddle for a while, thus taking in a lot of new info from riding technique to maintenance. Frankly, I just want a babysitter to get my ergos dialed in properly and quickly so I can get out and ride in between my other data uploading sessions, focus on my technique training. I stopped in at a couple of shops to inquire, but got the sales pitches of all the farkles I can add, and felt slimed instead of advised. Hoping to find a local Dave Moss type, who is motivated or compensated by riding success, and not getting 20% off the top for adds. Not looking for competition grade tuning, just general fit for joy riding. Thanks for any guidance. Make it a great day
     
  2. fink

    fink Member

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    Congratulation on your new purchase.

    Setting the suspension is no big deal. Pencil, paper, tape measure and an extra body for 10 minutes. its been discussed on here several times.
     
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  3. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    If the adjusters on the suspension have been tweeked, set them all to the middle of the range then go from there
     
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  4. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I suspect you are best advised to contact Jamie D. Certainly you will be under sprung and under damped if you are over about 160ib's - lol
     
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  5. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    If you find the ergonomics a bit aggressive, you can raise the handle bars with the MotoPumps (member here) risers (2 sizes) and the Knight Designs lower pegs. These two changes made my bike much more pleasing to ride for my old carcass. Both easy to install.
     
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  6. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    https://gmdatl.com/index.html

    You are lucky to live near one of the best chassis and suspension setup shops in the country, I suggest giving them a call.
     
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  7. razedinabarn

    razedinabarn New Member

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    Thank you for the leads gentlemen- especially norcalboy. I contacted Kent and am going to his shop today. His skill far outclasses my capabilities at this time, but his insight and help will get me as tuned in and safe as the machine can be. he is going to sit down with me and work over the bike, soup to nuts. Priceless confidence building session. He already spent some time on the phone with me. Top notch outfit, individual, and customer service, and I haven't even paid for a service yet. Never would have found them or reached out without your rec. I'll update after the consult.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  8. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    That is fantastic. You are very fortunate to have those guys in your area. I have used the GMD Computrack system on my last three motos and it is a huge benefit to saving time with suspension and chassis setup. It completely transforms the machine. You also have the added benefit, in that, they are a full service shop and don't only do the GMD chassis measuring. Having a "go to" local shop is something that is dying out in this era of multi line pump and dump dealerships and the demise of small local shops. Best of luck.
     
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  9. razedinabarn

    razedinabarn New Member

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    amen to that. it seems like their primary focus is way above my skill level ( race pedigree and frame straightening within imperceptible margins.... very detailed capabilities....) but they are down to earth folks that spent a couple hours with me, just because they love bikes, riders, and are just cool people.... walking me through adjustments, feeling it out, suggesting mods to properly fit the bike for my size, weight, and purposes. I left with more knowledge than I had gathered in weeks prior about setup, as well as some excellent regional class recommendations. Since they have so much world class race and crash experience, Kent's casual observations about my bike's behavior were well informed and insightful. Do this, here's what will happen. Here's why this is the way it is, etc. Most of the local pump and dump shops were pretty much "just ride it and if you wanna change it, we'll change it. you tell us. "

    I found it difficult to get any kind of focus from the mainstream shop folks in the metro area. There are some really good shops, but they are so busy they just can't do drop in visits or "teach" a rook like me. A lot of riders are "self taught" wrenchers and riders, and many are great, but for guys like me for whom it isn't second or third nature, but still love it- getting hands on community support is huge. David Hough makes a lot of good points in "Proficient Motorcycling" about short riding careers and crashes being predominantly rider error, and anything you can do to increase comfort and efficient control use is gonna extend your riding life, by virtue of ensuring that you are able to respond properly when an incident occurs. GMD gave me a huge step up. Hope to work my way into some track days and advanced rider courses soon, so please keep posting recommendations if you have them. Kent recommended a place in Charlotte, NC for control training- sounds like a dirt bike weekend wherein you can throw the bike around, slide it out, explore control loss situations and learn to master them: Cornerspin.net. There's probably a better place in the forum to put this stuff, and I'll be sure to migrate it there when I stumble across it.

    Well, Kent and GMD computrak are top tier customer care and knowledge, and I hope to be a frequent customer. Back soon to replace the front spring. BUT....

    The initial consult made adjustments to all my factory equipment, and the bike is a different animal. more responsive, dialed in- easier to connect and bond. a priceless confidence building visit. I wanna go back just to hang out with those guys. Whetever your budget or skill level, if you are in the area, I cannot recommend a visit strongly enough.
     
  10. razedinabarn

    razedinabarn New Member

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    Been looking at those motopumps bar risers. can you offer any insight about sizing? for example, your height, inseam, and the riser height you selected? all things equal I'll start at the .9" middle of the road. too much good stuff!
     
  11. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I tried the lower ones, but ended up with the 1.5” risers. I have arthritis in my neck, it makes my ride much more comfortable. 6’ tall, 32” inseam. I had lowered the pegs on my 2003 6th gen, so I did the same on the 8th gen. I could hardly ride it when I bought it.
     
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