Thank you. You have totally changed my harsh ride on my Z400 to an extremely pleasurable one. Suspension was set on number 3 from new and after searching several you tube videos to change the suspension all I could find was with measurements and weights etc and overcomplicating it. I watched your video and it made it sound so easy. I dropped it down one notch as easy as you described, and it is a completely different bike. Also never knew about the tool kit too haha. Great video! Ride safe!
Helpful video, thanks. And you're correct, that the lower the shock is set in the back, the more painful some of those road bumps will feel. I think Kawasaki sets it lower by default on the Ninjas I've rode over the years. The higher up the shock goes, the more the shock absorbs the impacts for a smoother ride. I have to adjust mine. For the kickstand, I'll often put a block of wood under it to stand it upright, and then place the Rear or Front stand lift.
just the opposite of that is true. Clicking in the direction she did makes it softer (absorb bumps better) it would only be more harsh if you were bottoming. I made the same adjustment and I am 200 lbs and it was near perfect for me. To do this scientifically you measure the height with no one on the bike, then sit on it and get an assistant to take the exact same measurement. For the street it shouold be between 35mm and 40mm difference. Also the front travel should match the rear.
@@smoke05s Thanks for the details. You may be right. I had the 250R, which is probably different than this bike. The 2008 250R had a softer shock setting from the factory to where the bumps were rough and the bike would bounce more, but switching the notches made it firmer, for a more comfortable, less bumpy ride.
Hi, just came in here to say two things after changing this myself, you can keep the bike on the sidestand, if you're just turning and not pushing or pulling like crazy the bike is gonna stand just fine, if you're still unsure you can knee next to the bike and put your body against it to prevent it from falling over And second it's not as difficult to turn as it seems in the video, my bike is 4 years old at the time of writing this, and you can turn it with one, if you're a little weaker you probably need both hands, but getting a seperate tool is a bit overkill for turning the preload adjuster
Thanks for your input.. this was my first time ever doing this so I wanted to be safe as possible but turning it back (because it rode better one higher) was not as difficult as turning it the first time.
Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on rear shock adjustments. Can you tell me ? I have a 1996 Kawasaki ZX6. Apart from the preload adjuster I have a circular nob at the base of the shock with numbers on it from 1-4. For a firmer ride do you have any idea what number should that setting be ?
How did it work out for you, you must be a very lite weight person being that you made your shock extreemly soft, the softer the shock the greater your swing arm movement to the up position and the stronger the stretch on your chain at factory spec of 30mm chain slack. The higher you go on the notch the less stretch on your chain, the shock adjustment isn't for height it is a preload adjustment to limit your swing arm to protect your chain acording to your weight.😮
what's your weight? I'm 57kg and the setting is currently in the middle which is 3, I'm thinking of lowering it to 2 but if I have a backride I'm worried it will be too soft.
I literally just got off using a hammer with a screw driver banging on the rear shock and it didnt move an inch. But who knew that the tool was under my butt the whole time 😂😂😂
You need a toring bike with an air suspension.I love the fact you can adjust it for You only, or (You and Passenger) or( You and a Passenger and logigge.). I have have a used Yamaha touring bike, 😃 I can sell you and your Husband. Just now started leaking antifreeze this afternoon. God Bless you and your Husband.
Yesterday we went for a ride the weather was so nice. These bikes are so easy to ride think we’re going to stick with them for a while. One day though He wants an Indian dark horse. Have a great day my friend
Literally the only useful video I found for adjusting the rear shock, had no idea I was sitting on the tool I needed. Thank you!
the only video i could find on how to do this. thank you!
I’m glad I could help
I absolutely love her. She explained it so well to me and it was simple. So recommending it to others if they need help
Thank you. You have totally changed my harsh ride on my Z400 to an extremely pleasurable one. Suspension was set on number 3 from new and after searching several you tube videos to change the suspension all I could find was with measurements and weights etc and overcomplicating it. I watched your video and it made it sound so easy. I dropped it down one notch as easy as you described, and it is a completely different bike. Also never knew about the tool kit too haha. Great video! Ride safe!
Glad I could help 😁🏍️
Such a pleasant and adorable video. Thanks for making it simple for us beginners. Exactly what I was looking for.
I just got my ninja 400 3 months ago and wanted to lower my bike I had no idea how and also had no idea about that hidden tool kit 😂 thank you!
Helpful video, thanks. And you're correct, that the lower the shock is set in the back, the more painful some of those road bumps will feel. I think Kawasaki sets it lower by default on the Ninjas I've rode over the years. The higher up the shock goes, the more the shock absorbs the impacts for a smoother ride. I have to adjust mine. For the kickstand, I'll often put a block of wood under it to stand it upright, and then place the Rear or Front stand lift.
just the opposite of that is true. Clicking in the direction she did makes it softer (absorb bumps better) it would only be more harsh if you were bottoming. I made the same adjustment and I am 200 lbs and it was near perfect for me. To do this scientifically you measure the height with no one on the bike, then sit on it and get an assistant to take the exact same measurement. For the street it shouold be between 35mm and 40mm difference. Also the front travel should match the rear.
@@smoke05s Thanks for the details. You may be right. I had the 250R, which is probably different than this bike. The 2008 250R had a softer shock setting from the factory to where the bumps were rough and the bike would bounce more, but switching the notches made it firmer, for a more comfortable, less bumpy ride.
Great video thanks I didn’t know I had tools in my 400
Very useful, thanks Betty!
Should I go the opposite way if I’m trying to adjust for a passenger’s weight?
Hi, just came in here to say two things after changing this myself, you can keep the bike on the sidestand, if you're just turning and not pushing or pulling like crazy the bike is gonna stand just fine, if you're still unsure you can knee next to the bike and put your body against it to prevent it from falling over
And second it's not as difficult to turn as it seems in the video, my bike is 4 years old at the time of writing this, and you can turn it with one, if you're a little weaker you probably need both hands, but getting a seperate tool is a bit overkill for turning the preload adjuster
Thanks for your input.. this was my first time ever doing this so I wanted to be safe as possible but turning it back (because it rode better one higher) was not as difficult as turning it the first time.
@@NotamechanicBetty you are also right, but thanks for the video explaining how to do it
HI BETTY...I AM FROM Indonesia....the Short test but still use the helm and hand glove....Safety riding.....Nice betty....
The extension for the spanner is in the tool kit, its the tube with the flat end.
Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on rear shock adjustments. Can you tell me ? I have a 1996 Kawasaki ZX6. Apart from the preload adjuster I have a circular nob at the base of the shock with numbers on it from 1-4. For a firmer ride do you have any idea what number should that setting be ?
Number 1 being the weakest 4 the strongest.The standard setting is 2. So 3 would give a firmer ride
@@NotamechanicBetty thank you Onelove.
Outstanding video. Ty!
How did it work out for you, you must be a very lite weight person being that you made your shock extreemly soft, the softer the shock the greater your swing arm movement to the up position and the stronger the stretch on your chain at factory spec of 30mm chain slack. The higher you go on the notch the less stretch on your chain, the shock adjustment isn't for height it is a preload adjustment to limit your swing arm to protect your chain acording to your weight.😮
Thanks for the information, I just did it to see, I put it back to the original settings
Great video
Does adjusting mono shock can decrese the seat height?
Yes
what's your weight? I'm 57kg and the setting is currently in the middle which is 3, I'm thinking of lowering it to 2 but if I have a backride I'm worried it will be too soft.
After I made this video I rode it around for a while then felt like the original setting was better for me. I weigh just the same as you.
@@NotamechanicBetty thank u
Can we increase the ground clearance a bit by adjusting the rear shock?
I had to check and see so I made a video. Just posted, but simple answer yes
Thank you!!
I literally just got off using a hammer with a screw driver banging on the rear shock and it didnt move an inch. But who knew that the tool was under my butt the whole time 😂😂😂
😊👍
How do you adjust the front?
you cant
You need a toring bike with an air suspension.I love the fact you can adjust it for You only, or (You and Passenger) or( You and a Passenger and logigge.). I have have a used Yamaha touring bike, 😃 I can sell you and your Husband. Just now started leaking antifreeze this afternoon. God Bless you and your Husband.
Yesterday we went for a ride the weather was so nice. These bikes are so easy to ride think we’re going to stick with them for a while. One day though He wants an Indian dark horse. Have a great day my friend