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griso - suspension softening possibilities?

Y

yanto

Just got it firing!
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
15
I would still consider buying a griso if I thought it was possible to significantly soften the suspension. I don't mean like 10% softer more like 30-40% softer. Being a mechanical dullard why is the griso so friggin hard set up wise? Anyone know what are realistic problems to change the suspension? I would happily give up some of its handling prowess for a softer ride.
 
The bike is stiffer due to it's intended "sportier" purpose. I personally like the Griso ride, and think the Breva/Norge is far too soft IMO. On the Griso, the Showa forks are easy to adjust, and I think you can get them easily into a range you can be happy with (depending on your weight).
The rear should be decent with proper sag set to your weight... though the best solution would be to replace it of course.
 
I don't think it is that hard stock. In fact, I added some preload to the front and rear from stock along with backing off the compression adjusters and the ride is very smooth. For my 200 lb weight the stock setup bottomed occasionally, making the bike feel hard when in fact it was riding too low in the stroke. Adding the preload stopped that but stiffer springs would be better. Backing off the adjusters allowed the springs to absorb bumps better.
 
Hi you can get the FEELIN of bein softer by extra sag (does not change spring stiffness) and like guzzimoto says back of some compression and rebound but i only weigh 68kg and ive had to upgrade fork oil to keep it from wallowing .I would agree it can seem harsh but with some test runs you can find a setting to suit.Nice to know you still want a griso.GuzziMoto wrote:
I don't think it is that hard stock. In fact, I added some preload to the front and rear from stock along with backing off the compression adjusters and the ride is very smooth. For my 200 lb weight the stock setup bottomed occasionally, making the bike feel hard when in fact it was riding too low in the stroke. Adding the preload stopped that but stiffer springs would be better. Backing off the adjusters allowed the springs to absorb bumps better.
Click to expand...
 
hi guys. Well I had a 1100 griso for a year and 20k miles and whatever i did with the suspension it just hurt! Oh well stick to me lovely soft breva 11:cheer:
 
I test road a Breva and could not believe what a marshmallow it was. Yes it was comfy, but trying to ride it fast was.... well, let's say it was not what the bike does best.
Different strokes for different folks.
 
There are some recommendations from an ealier thread... I used them as a guide to setting up for me (Im 200lbs) but what a difference, much softer rear suspension and turns easier - its like having a different bike :)

Here is the original post, I used slightly modified settings, based on my weight and riding style, but these will get you in the ball park and are far, far better than the stock settings...

After having Jim Lindemann adjust my front and rear suspension, I spent some time doing some fine tuning to get it optimized for me. Lindemann's initial adjustments made a big improvement in plushness compared to the original harshness over high speed bumps, but it was still a bit shy of my Lindemann revalved and tuned VFR gold standard. After experimenting with incremental changes to both ends, I've settled on final settings which is now very good for me, so much so that I've decided I no longer need the full revalve/respring treatment, it's just about as good as my VFR. Here are my settings:

Front
compression: 1/4 T (stock: 1 T)
rebound: 2 1/4 T (stock: 1.5 T)
preload: 5th mark (stock: 4th)
sag: 37mm (stock: 35mm)

Rear
compression: 1/4 T (stock: 1.5 T)
rebound: 40 clicks (stock: 17)
sag: 25mm

The front compression and rebound settings actually raised the dynamic ride height of the front end by a couple mm, which caused the steering to become heavier and moderately reluctant to lean. To compensate, I reduced the front preload by 2mm which restored the normal ride height and steering response.

Bottom line is that stock settings have too much rebound and not enough compression damping at both ends. Now that the suspension is where I like it, I no longer grimace when hitting bumps at speed, the harshness is pretty much gone. I weigh about 165 lbs so if you're in this range, you might give these settings a try and see how you like it.
Click to expand...
 
Have you tried backing off the adjusters? The factory sets them up absurdly hard. Back 'em off to your liking.
 
Cripes, I'm more of a tourer than a racer and my G11 certainly hasn't done enough miles to soften things up yet. I'd have to say that compared with my old Bandit 12 and a high mileage Speed Triple I love the fact that the Griso feels somehow so expensively suspended.

I'm 84kg and ride solo with only minimal luggage btw. (Er I think that's around 185 lb for the benefit of our cousins from the colonies).
 
excuse me for being dumb to suspension set up, but what are the actual procedures of what you had done to accomplish the right ride for you. Is it in the manual
 
Hi RacerX,
I have a question for you about the forks on you machine. You had mentioned that your bike has Showa suspension? Mine came thru with the Super Bike Marzocchi front suspension and a Sachs rear unit.
Which is a better suspension suspension Showa or the Marzocchi's? It is not a question to be little either one of us, it is just a question on why 2 different systems and which offers the better adjustments?

Thank you kindly.

Doug
 
Are you sure you have a Griso? Not a 1200 Sport?

All Griso's come with USD Showas. Brevas, Norges, Sport 1200's etc use 'Conventional' Zocchis. The only way you'd get a Griso with 'Zocchis is if someone had swapped them over, perhaps after an accident.

The Showas are vastly superior and more tuneable than the 'Zocchis.
 
Griso Guy wrote:
Which is a better suspension suspension Showa or the Marzocchi's? It is not a question to be little either one of us, it is just a question on why 2 different systems and which offers the better adjustments?
Click to expand...
Doug, per what Pete posted, all Griso's come with Showa forks. Why do you think yours has Marzocchis?

There's only one Marzocchi that I would consider "better" then the stock Griso Showa units... their 50mm "Race" versions:

usd50rac.jpg
 
This is really the best place to go its easy to understand and setting your bike up is great fun all that test riding .I always use the same route so any changes can be feltRacerX wrote:
Griso Guy wrote:
excuse me for being dumb to suspension set up, but what are the actual procedures of what you had done to accomplish the right ride for you. Is it in the manual
Click to expand...
Sportbike Mag's guide to Suspension Set-up
Click to expand...
 
you know, i had the same feelings.

As it turns out, the suspension being too hard is an illusion. it's not too stiff, it's too slow.

The problem is that the rebound is WAY overdamped at stock, both front and back. or at least mine was. So you would hit a bump, the fork would not extend rapidly enough on the backside and you hit the level ground really hard.

I actually increased compression damping (because it would bottom out if i hit a driveway going 15 or so when it was stock) so i only have about 3/4 turn out on the front, and i added at least a turn of rebound (reducing damping), and i can say it made a huge difference in handling, and the bumps dont bust your nuts anymore.

as far as the rear, i made adjustments in the same direction but i dont remember what they were.

Dispite the fact that my dynamic ride height is now effectively higher, it actually corners easier because it responds to the forces put upon them.
 
The salesman at the shop where I had purchased my Griso from stated that those on mine are the Marzacchi units. Not real certain now, I will have to investigate a bit further.

Thanks
 
yanto wrote:
I would still consider buying a griso if I thought it was possible to significantly soften the suspension. I don't mean like 10% softer more like 30-40% softer. Being a mechanical dullard why is the griso so friggin hard set up wise? Anyone know what are realistic problems to change the suspension? I would happily give up some of its handling prowess for a softer ride.
Click to expand...


Softer - WTF!?

Mine is like riding a pogo stick in bumpy corners and I've wanting to stiffen it up. Damping hasn't solved it... looks like stiffer springs will be needed...
 
RacerX wrote:
Griso Guy wrote:
Which is a better suspension suspension Showa or the Marzocchi's? It is not a question to be little either one of us, it is just a question on why 2 different systems and which offers the better adjustments?
Click to expand...
Doug, per what Pete posted, all Griso's come with Showa forks. Why do you think yours has Marzocchis?

There's only one Marzocchi that I would consider "better" then the stock Griso Showa units... their 50mm "Race" versions:

usd50rac.jpg
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... the dealer that I bought my 07 Griso from said it had Marzocchis...

But they're actually Showas?

I went looking for markings that might indicate what they actually are and couldn't find any. Where should I look?
 
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