2005 GasGas 300DE - Suspension

[john_hinton]

I recently purchased a 2005 GasGas 300DE and had to change the front and rear springs back to stock.

The springs were setup for a +200 lb rider and I am 160. I rode the bike one time with the heavy springs and was very disappointed in the ride. I then changed out the front springs and the ride was better. A couple of weeks ago I changed the rear spring from a .46 to the stock .52. I then changed all of the Ohlins settings to recommendations on the suspension setup on this site.

Settings for Ohlins (Rear)
Rebound – 15 clicks
Low Speed Compression – 18 clicks
High Speed Compression – 1.75 turns
Spring .52
Bike on Stand (27 inches)
Bike on Ground with me and gear (23 inches)
Race Sag = 4 inches

I went for a 4-hour ride in Las Cruces, NM (Dona Ana Mountains) and found that the rear was much better, but when climbing the rear jumped around over sharp edges. I thought that my settings were pretty good, but this was not going to work for me, because there are lots of hill climbs with step-ups that will cause me to be bounced around.

Today I decided to make some additional measurements and found that the static sag was – 2 inches. According to the setup guide this is way too much.

Bike on Stand (27 inches)
Bike on Ground (25 inches)
Static Sag = 2 inches

I then adjusted the pre-load (increased the pre-load) and got the static sag to 1 inch. I then rechecked the race sag and found it to be 3 ¾ inches. Besides the pre-load change I also changed the low speed compression from 18 to 20 clicks, and the high speed from 1.75 to 1.5 and rode for an hour today.

The suspension seems to be much better and did not have the kick outs that I was experiencing before. Normally I do not mess with suspension; I just get on the bike and ride (I think this works well for me because stock bikes are setup for 160-180 pound riders).

Current settings for Ohlins (Rear)
Rebound – 15 clicks
Low Speed Compression – 20 clicks
High Speed Compression – 1.50 turns
Spring .52
Bike on Stand (27 inches)
Bike on Ground with me and gear (23 1/4 inches)
Race Sag = 3 ¾ inches
Bike on Ground (26 inches)
Static Sag = 1 inch

Ok, now time for the questions.

1. Do these settings look good from a numbers perspective?
2. Do you think that adjusting the low speed compression from 18 to 20 would keep the back in from hopping around?

Any other suggestions on how to improve the suspension would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to the video of today's ride. http://www.VholdR.com/node/56244

Thanks,
John

 

[AZRickD]

You might wish to try a few more mm of static sag and some more race sag. Set sag first. Everything else second.

Lots of GG owners like more race sag than spec. I might also try less compression as long as the rear end isn't "packing."


The best thing for you to do is to have someone video tape you going over your bumpy hill climb and over a long whoop section -- maybe a rock garden as well.

That will be very instructive as to what your bike is doing.

 

[john_hinton]

appreciate your response!

Thanks for the post. You confirmed what I have been reading for GasGas motorcycles. I am going to start from scratch on my pre-load and then set it for 10-12mm and then check my sag. What would be a good number for this? What would be ideal?

Also I will reduce the low speed compression from 20 clicks to 18 and see how that does.

As I mentioned in my first post I normally don't mess with my suspension, but since I had to replace the springs front & rear I thought it would be a good time to adjust back to stock and see how the suspension would react.

Thanks,
John

 

[AZRickD]

I cranked my pre-load to 10mm.

Dang, I wish I could find where I put my fork/shock specs.

Anyway, geez. From memory: static at 33mm (?). Race sag at 120mm (?)

 

[john_hinton]

put pre-load at 10mm. sag = 38mm. I did not check race sag tonight.

 

[hudson_hollow]

Riding in rocks, you need more like 3 to 4 inches of rider sag. I prefer closer to 4. If you are talking 2" of RIDER sag, not Static sag, then you truly will be bouncing the rear around!

 

[hudson_hollow]

Never mind! I see you have the rider/race sag at 3.75". That should be right in the ball park.