Rear suspension

[aussiebikerdave]

Yes, strange as it may sound!

Probably correct because the suspension seems to operate best further into its stroke than at the bottom of its stroke, even though this may seem counter productive.

 

[JPHDT]

I had a ride today with the wife. It was incredible, the shock absorber was working better. It seems that valves in the shock were a bit working while there is more load on the rear wheel. Then I had 100 miles ride alone on the same road and there was more rebound

 

[R3RM]

Despite everything is on softer position (preload, compression and rebound), it is quite harder than any of my other bikes with öhlins. Unfortunately Showa was chosen ... and öhlins are not available yet for R3 R/GT.

"Ultimately", it is always possible to have custom made Ohlins for our R3 by the Ohlins French importer (PFP-Racing Ohlins France).
PFP is used to do it for cafe racer motorcycles and cars including for racing. Their reputation is excellent.
It is a small company (14 employees) created in 1983 but who delivers thousands of rear shock absorbers and hundreds forks each year !

Their catalog includes 19,000 references (!) but they still explain on their site that if we don't find a reference for our motorcycle, we'd just need to contact them as they've been used to custom made since 1983 !
"Parmi nos 19000 références, si vous ne trouvez pas de produit adapté à votre moto ou à votre usage, contactez-nous car nous réalisons des produits ÖHLINS sur-mesure depuis 1983... "

They've developed rear shock absorbers for the previous Rocket model and recently for the Triumph Bobber (as well as the fork).

Moto - Produits

 

[R3RM]

Do you mean that adding 9 clicks from minimum preload position, small bumps or holes on the road have less impact on your back ?

Yes, strange as it may sound!

so the opposite of what the manual describes !!!???

 

[R3RM]

I had a ride today with the wife. It was incredible, the shock absorber was working better. It seems that valves in the shock were a bit working while there is more load on the rear wheel. Then I had 100 miles ride alone on the same road and there was more rebound

Meaning that rebound should be adjusted to a lower value (2 or less ?) than the standard (standard = 3 as per the manual) ?

 

[JPHDT]

"Ultimately", it is always possible to have custom made Ohlins for our R3 by the Ohlins French importer (PFP-Racing Ohlins France).
PFP is used to do it for cafe racer motorcycles and cars including for racing. Their reputation is excellent.
It is a small company (14 employees) created in 1983 but who delivers thousands of rear shock absorbers and hundreds forks each year !

Their catalog includes 19,000 references (!) but they still explain on their site that if we don't find a reference for our motorcycle, we'd just need to contact them as they've been used to custom made since 1983 !
"Parmi nos 19000 références, si vous ne trouvez pas de produit adapté à votre moto ou à votre usage, contactez-nous car nous réalisons des produits ÖHLINS sur-mesure depuis 1983... "

They've developed rear shock absorbers for the previous Rocket model and recently for the Triumph Bobber (as well as the fork).

Moto - Produits

I sent them an email and they answered me that they can do nothing. I was quite disappointed as I had their previous ones on my older R3.

 

[JPHDT]

I sent them an email and they answered me that they can do nothing. I was quite disappointed as I had their previous ones on my older R3.

Meaning that rebound should be adjusted to a lower value (2 or less ?) than the standard (standard = 3 as per the manual) ?

Except "preload", all other suspension adjustments are at maximum comfort. Increasing more than one inch the thickness of the seat was the efficient improvement until now.

 

[Larry_M]

Meaning that rebound should be adjusted to a lower value (2 or less ?) than the standard (standard = 3 as per the manual) ?

The damping adjusters work like faucets, opening them up counterclockwise increase the oil flow/decrease the damping.

 

[Tal]

...and they click every half turn im told....

 

[bloodnut]

If the new R3R has an Archilles heel, IMO, it is the rear suspension.
If find that unless the road surface is smooth it is hard, even life threatening to unleash its full power in the lower gears! Furthermore the harshness of the rear end is always the limiting factor in trying to maintain a good pace on a bumpy but flowing back road and I struggle to maintain pace with other well ridden dual sport type bikes.
I fully understand the difference between the rear suspension on a dual sport v a “cruiser” however despite playing around with the rear suspension adjustments, I cannot get any sort of suspension compliance that is even half acceptable.
I would love to know if there are any alternative rear suspension alternatives on the market yet or if anybody has a secret formula of adjustment that they would be willing to share.

Just to make it clear, there is no problem if the roads you ride are smooth and your ride pace is gentle to even brisk. But if you are charging around bumpy back roads at speed, the limitations become painfully obvious!

friend has the same issue from my understanding the problem is the weight of wheel , bevel box etc , he is looking at carbon fiber wheels , will keep you posted . just a heads up check your oil as per the manual there is a good chance it will be low !