Standard Fork settings for 2003 FZS1000

[robbits]

Does anyone know what the stock settings for fork preload, compression and rebound damping on a 2003 Fazer 1000, please? I've replaced the seals and fork oil and set them up as it says for factory settings in the Haynes manual but they seem a little "choppy" over bumps, almost have the bars out of your hands.

[Falcon 269]

Stock settings will do that.  Unfortunately the damping adjustments on the standard forks are pretty crude.  Forget a click or two here or there ... you basically have 'on, off and somewhere in the middle'.

The choppy ride is due to harsh high speed compression damping and that's not something you can affect much - if at all - with the adjuster.  It's due to the basic design of the valves inside the forks.  Lighterweight fork oil (2.5w - 5w) can help a bit.  Depends, though, on how heavy you are.

I got best results with Silkolene RSF 2.5w oil, preload on 2 rings showing.  Compression adjuster 12 clicks out, rebound 4 clicks out.  I'm about 14st in kit.

[shrekster]

As Mike says the standard set up is pretty limited in what you can do, i tried lighter oil but found the rebound setting even on max wasn't enough. The only real option is to have them revalved by the likes of Maxton or K-Tech but it'll cost you (£600 ish).

Jim.

[robbits]

Thanks for the replies. I don't fancy changing the fork oil again just yet, I think it might be 5W in there now, but I will try the settings for compression and rebound you suggest as I'm around about the same weight as you kitted up.

[gixersix]

Mike, is this with the standard forks? Haven't you got R1 forks on your bike?

Stock settings will do that.  Unfortunately the damping adjustments on the standard forks are pretty crude.  Forget a click or two here or there ... you basically have 'on, off and somewhere in the middle'.

The choppy ride is due to harsh high speed compression damping and that's not something you can affect much - if at all - with the adjuster.  It's due to the basic design of the valves inside the forks.  Lighterweight fork oil (2.5w - 5w) can help a bit.  Depends, though, on how heavy you are.

I got best results with Silkolene RSF 2.5w oil, preload on 2 rings showing.  Compression adjuster 12 clicks out, rebound 4 clicks out.  I'm about 14st in kit.

[Falcon 269]

Yes, those settings are for the standard forks, not the R1 forks I have on mine.

[kakabus]

It's an older post, but you can try to set softer compression damping - as others advised. It will dive deeper on breaks, but on the other side, it will lean into corners a little quicker. And it will not want to kill you on the bumps. I ended up on 18 clicks (cruising bad roads more often).