UPDATE: I made a slight error RE: Adjusting FRONT PRELOAD! You can adjust the top gold Hex Nuts (clockwise = more preload) so I will try to update you with a video in the near future!
For the rear shock before you take the measurement you need to lift the bike up off the ground. Then lower back to ground, sit on it and then do your 1/3 preload. You don't take the first measurement with the bike weight compressing the spring.
Good pickup! Working on an update to this video, but the nut does apparently adjust preload, but it’s only covered in some workshop manuals (post 2022 I think) so it’s unclear if that’s across all year models or not. Best bet is to mark where it is, and try turning it to see how it affects your suspension. Try putting a zip tie around the fork lower, compress the shocks and it should slide down and stay in place. Then turn the nut and compress them again - if they push it down further you’re reducing preload, if it stays put then you’re likely increasing preload!
I just got my Scrambler 1200 XE and this tutorial is super helpful in 1.) Getting to know the bike setup in general and 2.) Preparing for future adventures. It was fairly clear and explained well with good visualizations. Thank you very much!
No. That's how you would measure the total compression or the total suspension travel. We know the be and xc models have front/back 250/250 and 200/200 respectively. Then you determine 33% of that total travel. That's the 83 number. 66 on the xc.
The fork adjustment makes so much sense now 🤣 Say we're taking a pillion in an on road situation, would we be adjusting the rear springs or could we just adjust the compression to take into account the extra weight?
If you take on a pillion or any luggage weight you need to add preload, especially to rear, to bring back the proper sag of the shocks. Of course, that is considering you already had set the proper sag to account for your weight fully geared up sitting on the bike. Typically 30-33% of total suspension travel
Brilliant videos - might be worth a mention to undo the plastic locking grubscrew in the top collar of the shocks to adjust rear preload. Great explanations, certainly helps me understand the suspension settings a bit more. Thanks again for mentioning the potential faults, such as the bolts being tight enough and spring wear on the shock(if not adjusted).
You might add for your veiwers how important it is to not get your chain too tight. I took the shocks off to compare the manual recomended slack measurement and found that setting to be too tight when wheel travels toward full compression. Great vids!! Thankyou!
I actually made my own tail tidy, using a plasma cutter, because it just needs to slide up and bolt on to the tail. The turn signals are Kelpi Custom moto and are awesome I have a Mods video you should check out - goes into detail and shows how bright they are!
Flat out amazing video and so, so helpful. Thank you! Echoing a question from before - when working with measurements for the sag, should you measure vertical distance between two points or should you measure length of travel of the suspension arm?
Thanks! Great question, I believe it is the vertical distance between two points, not the suspension arm itself. I’ll need to make a clarification at some stage 😅
@@lifeofascrambler great stuff! I just returned from what should have been a 10,000 mile ride cut short at 6,000 miles. 50% off road. Brace holding the radiator fan failed and the fan pierced the radiator.
@@steves6614 no way that sucks! I’ve never heard of that happening but it’s definitely not something that should ever happen. I guess the vibration wouldn’t help but still…
@@lifeofascrambler I am aware of that problem in another scrambler in Brazil. The radiator support broke and then some other part of the radiator’s support punctured the radiator. I am not sure if after 2021 they changed the design for supporting the radiator…
The plastic type film showing wear marks on the outside of the shock body is a wear item and easily replaced. Can happen from mud and grit getting on the shock body and then the black plastic sleeve between the 2 springs moves it up and down on the shock body during compression. Glasshouse would be a shocker for that kind of wear when it's a bit damp. :)
Hello, You mention at 08:30 springs you can buy adjusted to your weight. I would like to know where you can buy them? I searched on internet since last 2 years for these springs without success. Thanks and cheers from Canada!
They’re usually available from custom spring / suspension places, I haven’t done it myself but have heard from mechanic buddies who have done it with diff bikes, and I think I was referring to the front forks, because the rear is a dual stage spring I think the only people that do the rear springs are TEC bike parts?!
When adjusting the rear compression, the clicker doesn’t appear to have a stop, when rotating the clicker clockwise. Right or left side. Any help would be appreciated.
UPDATE: I made a slight error RE: Adjusting FRONT PRELOAD! You can adjust the top gold Hex Nuts (clockwise = more preload) so I will try to update you with a video in the near future!
Increased rebound SLOWS rebound. You said it back wards. Slow is not soft. Soft or “less” rebound is faster release.
Thanks that’s a great clarification!
For the rear shock before you take the measurement you need to lift the bike up off the ground. Then lower back to ground, sit on it and then do your 1/3 preload. You don't take the first measurement with the bike weight compressing the spring.
On the front forks there is a place to adjust with a screwdriver, there is also a nut you can adjust with a socket.
What does the nut adjust ?
Good pickup! Working on an update to this video, but the nut does apparently adjust preload, but it’s only covered in some workshop manuals (post 2022 I think) so it’s unclear if that’s across all year models or not. Best bet is to mark where it is, and try turning it to see how it affects your suspension. Try putting a zip tie around the fork lower, compress the shocks and it should slide down and stay in place. Then turn the nut and compress them again - if they push it down further you’re reducing preload, if it stays put then you’re likely increasing preload!
@@lifeofascrambler : thank you
They made these bikes for skinny guys that don't eat and don't lift weights. Gotta buy new stiffer springs.
I just got my Scrambler 1200 XE and this tutorial is super helpful in 1.) Getting to know the bike setup in general and 2.) Preparing for future adventures. It was fairly clear and explained well with good visualizations. Thank you very much!
Glad I could help! There’s plenty more coming out every week - probably going over camping gear next week!
I'd like to have the XC version, which unfortunately is no longer in production. I have better bikes for more hardcore off road.
Shouldn’t the preload first measurement be taken with the wheelOff the ground fully unloaded?
No. That's how you would measure the total compression or the total suspension travel. We know the be and xc models have front/back 250/250 and 200/200 respectively. Then you determine 33% of that total travel. That's the 83 number. 66 on the xc.
I agree, the Ohlins rep will tell you take the weight off for the 1st measurement.
Thanks for the work you put into this video. Steve S is correct the gold hex nuts on the front forks adjust preload.
Thanks Robyn! I will make sure I update the next suspension video with some more info!
The fork adjustment makes so much sense now 🤣 Say we're taking a pillion in an on road situation, would we be adjusting the rear springs or could we just adjust the compression to take into account the extra weight?
Great question! You can do both but yeh I would recommend maybe winding on a bit more preload too - I forgot that because I never take pillions 😂
If you take on a pillion or any luggage weight you need to add preload, especially to rear, to bring back the proper sag of the shocks. Of course, that is considering you already had set the proper sag to account for your weight fully geared up sitting on the bike. Typically 30-33% of total suspension travel
Tanks for PT-BR
Hey , I just spoke with a Ohlins rep and they will sell you the “wear sticker” as a stand alone item. Cheap and easy fix!
Wow I love that idea! Thanks, I’ll let people know!
Great tutorial. Suddenly suspension adjustment makes sense. The moving graphics are a great help.
Well done 👍👍👍👍
Thanks! Glad it was helpful, and I plan to do more in the future!
grazie for my scrambler 1200xe.... from Roma italy
Awesome thanks! Glad I could help 🤙🏼 how long have you had your scrambler?
Brilliant videos - might be worth a mention to undo the plastic locking grubscrew in the top collar of the shocks to adjust rear preload. Great explanations, certainly helps me understand the suspension settings a bit more. Thanks again for mentioning the potential faults, such as the bolts being tight enough and spring wear on the shock(if not adjusted).
Thanks! Yeh that’s a good point, I did forget that!
Thanks for the great video. At the front suspension what is the diference between the yellow and black screws?
Correct! That was a test 🤔😅
Hi! Wonder what tail-tidy do you use? Looks good!
Thanks! It’s a custom tail tidy I designed and cut myself actually 😅 the indicators are Kelpi Custom Moto and they’re super bright
Another top video. I really appreciate your content 👍👍
Thanks mate!
You put out good content: useful and well structured & edited. Cheers mate!
Thank you!
You might add for your veiwers how important it is to not get your chain too tight. I took the shocks off to compare the manual recomended slack measurement and found that setting to be too tight when wheel travels toward full compression. Great vids!! Thankyou!
Cheers cobber
Great explanation.. please tell me the tail tidy and rear turn signals that you are using. Looks great!
I actually made my own tail tidy, using a plasma cutter, because it just needs to slide up and bolt on to the tail. The turn signals are Kelpi Custom moto and are awesome I have a Mods video you should check out - goes into detail and shows how bright they are!
@@lifeofascrambler thanks! I'll head over and check out the video!
Thank you for this video!
No worries! Hopefully it helps
Flat out amazing video and so, so helpful. Thank you! Echoing a question from before - when working with measurements for the sag, should you measure vertical distance between two points or should you measure length of travel of the suspension arm?
Thanks! Great question, I believe it is the vertical distance between two points, not the suspension arm itself. I’ll need to make a clarification at some stage 😅
My 2020 XC has front preload adjustment. I think you use a 19mm socket to adjust. Or am I wrong?
Nope you’re right! I completely missed that part so I’ll have to update it!
@@lifeofascrambler great stuff! I just returned from what should have been a 10,000 mile ride cut short at 6,000 miles. 50% off road. Brace holding the radiator fan failed and the fan pierced the radiator.
@@steves6614 no way that sucks! I’ve never heard of that happening but it’s definitely not something that should ever happen. I guess the vibration wouldn’t help but still…
@@lifeofascrambler I am aware of that problem in another scrambler in Brazil. The radiator support broke and then some other part of the radiator’s support punctured the radiator. I am not sure if after 2021 they changed the design for supporting the radiator…
The plastic type film showing wear marks on the outside of the shock body is a wear item and easily replaced. Can happen from mud and grit getting on the shock body and then the
black plastic sleeve between the 2 springs moves it up and down on the shock body during compression. Glasshouse would be a shocker for that kind of wear when it's a bit damp. :)
Hello,
You mention at 08:30 springs you can buy adjusted to your weight. I would like to know where you can buy them? I searched on internet since last 2 years for these springs without success.
Thanks and cheers from Canada!
They’re usually available from custom spring / suspension places, I haven’t done it myself but have heard from mechanic buddies who have done it with diff bikes, and I think I was referring to the front forks, because the rear is a dual stage spring I think the only people that do the rear springs are TEC bike parts?!
@@lifeofascrambler yes, I am talking about the front springs. Rear are fine.
Thanks a lot. Very well done !
No worries! I’ve got plenty more content coming soon too, so stay tuned! 🤙🏼
@@lifeofascrambler Great news. Cheers from Lisbon, Portugal.
When adjusting the rear compression, the clicker doesn’t appear to have a stop, when rotating the clicker clockwise. Right or left side. Any help would be appreciated.
That’s strange? So what happens when you keep winding the clicker?
@@lifeofascrambler nothing, keeps turning, not sure how the compression is affected. No reference point either side
Cobber! 😂
No worries m8!