HP2 Sport Suspension

[Haggis]

Hi folks,

I know that the subject has been discussed before and I have read through the various posts.
I am a bit confused about the preload set up as the Handbook is a little unclear.
It says 33mm front and 36mm rear but my question is; is that measurement from a fully unloaded / extended suspension, or from a point where the bike is sitting unladen on its suspension?

I weigh around 93Kg (204lb) and reckon I need more preload than the standard out of the box setting.

Appreciate any feedback.

Regards, Haggis
PS The bike is magic, just getting used to it still.

[throttlemeister]

For sag, these numbers appear way off. Normally, sag should be set about 35-40mm front, and 25-30mm rear, with rider on the bike in riding position. So I have no idea where those numbers you mention are based at. But thankfully we have some members that a pretty darn good idea how suspension works, and I am sure they'll be around shortly to help you out.

[shreddr]

the unladen sag numbers in the manual are from a fully extended state. The HP2S has less travel front and rear than the R12S so it's sag numbers are lower. I found the stock settings to be pretty good, I am probably about 200lb in all my gear.

[roger albert]

I'll take a position between Shreddr and throttlemeister.
Yes, the short travel does change things a bit as shreddr mention. (but TMs number are exactly what we aim for on most telescopic forked modern sporty bikes) Otoh, the factories run generally very conservative geometries, most often obviously tweaked by legal after leaving the engineering department.

You wouldn't be far off by just reversing those book recommendations. I'd go for about 35F/30R in this case.

Sidebar, as anyone looked over the new aftermarket Ohlins mechatronic stuff. Basically the very good stuff such as on the Ducati Multistrada S, with further tweaks to track up and down from baseline with roadspeed variance. Not ultimate, but true active suspension.
I think so far, announced for the R12GS and the ZX10, but more sure to follow. I have 3 guys nibbling about getting a setup, but haven't actually played with them myself yet.

It looks like we'll also have TTX for telelever bikes now. Not convinced it will be the best for all beemer riders, but in the case of the front shock on all models, or the models that were emulsion-only on the rear, it'll be a big step up. Will be interesting to see how they're valved.
My prediction is that they'll initially come with too much compression for many beemer guys.

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by roger albert

Sidebar, as anyone looked over the new aftermarket Ohlins mechatronic stuff. Basically the very good stuff such as on the Ducati Multistrada S, with further tweaks to track up and down from baseline with roadspeed variance. Not ultimate, but true active suspension.
I think so far, announced for the R12GS and the ZX10, but more sure to follow.

Very cool, I hadn't seen that yet. I don't suppose this is retrofittable to a bike that doesn't have EAS already?



http://www.ohlins.com/About-the-company/News-new/EICMA-2011-Ohlins-first-aftermarket-TTX36-EC-for-Hypersport-/

[SergioK]

Neat! Now I need to buy a bike with ESA.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Neat! Now I need to buy a bike with ESA.

Sergio, I haven't explored all the ESA modes available on my GS yet; but, what I have used to-date is very good. It's nice to have the options at the push of a button. I better start putting some $$'s aside for the cost of replacement.

My XJ-8 is already having air suspension problems in below freezing temps.

[roger albert]

The previous factory BMW ESA is a joke. Performs in most cases, worse than the stock.
The problem is, a mode that works well for one end of the bike, works poorly for the other.
It's something that was clearly designed to feel good and reassuring to folks who don't know traction well, but for a given mode, the front is way too lose compared to the rear (or, the rear very overdamped compared to the front) What feels good to many, vs what is optimal are unfortunately not the same.

[jaytee]

Roger, can this be really addressed in the aftermarket right now? (say if someone was to buy a k1300s and want a decent suspension for canyon running?)

[oalvarez]

Originally Posted by roger albert

The previous factory BMW ESA is a joke. Performs in most cases, worse than the stock.
.......

completely agree. i just had Ohlins installed on my '11 GS with ESA and the difference in handling/damping was night and day compared to stock. then again, i knew there would be a difference given how many Ohlins equipped bikes i have owned.

the stock ESA shock units are really just ok in my opinion, but they do get the job done.

[Dr. Curve]

Are you kidding, the stock suggestions work quite well for me on the HP2. I set them with me on the bike ready to ride and they are from the fully extended postition. The damping and rebound also are close but I found that on the roads I use most the bike was a little stiff so I softened it up some on both damp and rebound. Leans good, handles the ripples and bumps at speed, and still is steady up top.

[Guest24]

Curve, you're so light the bike doesn't even know that you are aboard.

[roger albert]

Are you kidding, the stock suggestions work quite well for me on the HP2

Well, I run into literally hundreds of people a year that thought their bikes handled well.
Then they learn something.

To be fair, the HP2Ss DO handle well out of the box. Doesn't mean that can't be better.

I've ran into quite a few people who thought the R12S with OEM Ohlins handled well too, and those are terrible. (though can easily be made pretty good)

[Dr. Curve]

I have talked to hunderds of people over the years who would find any reason they could as to why the bike was "wrong" and would go looking for people who could assure them that "they" could fix the factory mistakes. To each their own, especially when it comes to handling, aftermarket, and experts. My HP2 handles very well and I simply followed the directions in the book to reach a starting point and then simply adjusted a few clicks here and there. Perhaps Haggis will find likewise now that his simple question has been answered.

[Haggis]

Thanks for your help fellas,

I am looking forward to having a fiddle with it. In comparison to my 12S with standard showa shocks it feels different. Just got to ride it to get used to it I guess. It feels like it is softer in the front.

I ran my 12S on basic off the handbook settings and found it brilliant.

Compared to my mates one which has Ohlins no worse, however his felt plusher and soaked up the minor road surface imperfections better, and we have heaps of them round here.

Cheers, and all the best for the festive season.

[SergioK]

When BradZ helped me adjust the shocks on my HP2S using his shock 'dyno', this is what we came up with:



Adjustment ---------------Total Clicks --------Factory Recommended Settings----------BradZ tuned
Rebound (Front Top) -----------24---------------------8-----------------------------------7
Compression (Front Bottom) ----22---------------------14----------------------------------10
Compression (Rear Top) --------20---------------------14----------------------------------10
Rebound (Rear Bottom) ---------48---------------------16 ---------------------------------24


Total clicks= number of clicks from seated adjuster at the full clockwise position.
Settings represent number of clicks 'out' or counter-clockwise from fully seated position - minus the first CCW click which is position 0. But, I'm at around 180lbs geared up.

[Dr. Curve]

Hey Serg, thanks for the post of your adjustments and I was taken as to how close they are to mine here in Florida. I have both my rebound and compression just a little softer..........but perhaps that is because my weight ready to ride is only 167 or so now that I am starting to shrink with old age. Hope you engine is still running like a sewing machine like my number 32 is still running.

[shreddr]

Very interesting Sergio, so you firmed it up all around except for the rear rebound. Are you running the stock sag numbers?

[SergioK]

Like I mentioned in the mirrors thread... everything is stock.

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Like I mentioned in the mirrors thread... everything is stock.

got it

so your bike is totally stock, right down to the sag numbers, but you have adjusted the shock settings to something other than the manual states.

am i missing something