Motorcycle Shock Absorbers: 4 Settings to Know

How to adjust the rear shocks of your motorcycle

Properly adjusting your motorcycle's or Café Racer's suspension is imperative. While many riders often focus on engine maintenance and improving their bike's performance, the chassis is often neglected.

While the frame and swingarm don't require constant attention, the same cannot be said for your café racer's rear shocks. These elements, essential for handling and thus safety, are used daily and are subject to inevitable wear and tear.

With the integration of YSS brand shocks into our online store and in response to the many questions asked through our contact section, we are taking this opportunity to explain how to adjust your motorcycle's rear shocks.

What are shocks for?

Suspension plays an essential role in handling. The front fork and the rear shock(s) ensure constant contact between the wheels and the ground by absorbing shocks to maintain the motorcycle's attitude, maintain its trajectory, and guarantee its braking. Thus, they must respond optimally according to road conditions, your speed, cornering angles, and, of course, the power of your braking.

On the motorcycle side, a good suspension protects the engine and frame. On the rider and passenger side, it offers safety and comfort. It is therefore essential to check your shocks and make different adjustments to increase their performance and your riding comfort.

How to adjust the rear shocks?

The front and rear of the Café Racer must be adjusted intelligently. The fork and shocks must react simultaneously and in identical proportions. By pressing on the middle of the motorcycle, it should go down and up symmetrically.

1. Preload adjustment: Place the motorcycle on a center stand so that the rear wheel does not touch the ground and measure the height of the motorcycle. Put it back down so that the wheel is in contact with the ground this time and measure again. The difference should be about 10 mm. Sit on the motorcycle and measure again. It should lower by approximately 3 cm. The basic spring compression responds to the weight carried (rider, passenger, luggage). If the preload is too strong, the motorcycle does not sink enough, and the rear wheel does not effectively absorb bumps and other unevenness encountered. In the case of too little preload, the motorcycle lowers, and the suspension bottoms out (the shock absorber hits its stop on bumps). The idea is that the motorcycle, once loaded, should lower by one-third of its travel.

2. Rebound adjustment (at the bottom of the rear shock): Rebound represents the time it takes for the shock absorber to return to its initial position after compression. Make your adjustments gradually (two clicks) and test the result. If the motorcycle seems to sink on acceleration, and corner entry is difficult, you will need to reduce the rebound. If it tends to bounce and you feel a decrease in handling, increase the rebound. (Tip: remember to note the initial values to return to them in case of unsatisfactory results.) Rebound should be closed enough to prevent the motorcycle from being thrown upwards when the spring rebounds, and compression should be low enough to allow the bump to be absorbed.

3. Compression adjustment (at the top of the rear shock): Reduce compression damping if your motorcycle doesn't grip properly during acceleration, or if it doesn't have enough traction on bumpy roads. If you find it too soft or unstable, increase compression. When going over a speed bump, if your motorcycle tends to rise too abruptly, it means the shock absorber cannot absorb the unevenness: the compression is too closed. If, on the other hand, you feel a bouncing effect when going over it, the rebound and compression are too open.

4. Speed adjustment: some shocks, such as the RG-CB-362 TRWL, allow you to adjust the shocks to "low speed" and "high speed" positions. Again, you need to make changes gradually and test the result.

Good to know: adjusting the oil passage diameter affects the shock absorber's movement:

• by tightening the adjustment screw, the oil circulation is slowed down, and the movement is dampened (closed hydraulic system, perfect on smooth roads and at high speeds);
• by loosening the screw, the effect is reversed, the oil flows more easily, and the movement is accelerated (open hydraulic system, ideal for poor road conditions).

Note, clicks and screws do not necessarily have similar effects on the front fork or rear shocks. One turn of a screw or two clicks on one does not produce the same result on the other!

Examples of YSS shock adjustments

Preload adjustment

1-Unlock spring preload

2- Adjust preload (right/soft, left/hard)

 Rebound adjustment

right/increase, left/decrease

 Compression adjustment

On the external reservoir: right/increase, left/decrease

 Length adjustment

each turn = 1 mm (do not exceed the mark)

Adapt your settings to your riding style

There are no standard settings, but depending on your choice of shocks, you will have the possibility to make adjustments to match your riding style as well as the driving conditions and the road conditions you usually encounter.

The weight carried will have a significant impact, whether it's luggage, a passenger, etc. If you are used to solo rides, your settings may not be suitable and may negatively affect your motorcycle's handling. That's why, if your shocks allow it, don't hesitate to make adjustments.

If, despite your adjustments, your motorcycle still gives you a few scares and your back painfully absorbs potholes and other speed bumps, it may be time to take a closer look at your shocks and replace them if necessary.

The YSS solution: Blackpines Workshop's offer and advice

Discover our range of products from the YSS shock absorber manufacturer. Depending on your Café Racer's displacement, weight, adjustment possibilities, and aesthetics, we offer you the best choice from entry-level to high-end, such as the "racing" series shock absorbers.

We are here to help and advise you, so please send us your questions via our contact form. We will respond as soon as possible to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Take advantage of Blackpines' sales conditions, free delivery from €70 of purchases, and our dedicated after-sales service. YSS shock absorbers, accessories, and all the necessary parts and accessories for your motorcycle or café racer are available in our online store.

Take advantage of our offer on the entire YSS shock absorber collection: 10% off with code YSSBPCR

To go further

If you wish to learn more about the world of Café Racers and Scramblers, do not hesitate to regularly consult our news and advice through our articles published on our blog.

For example, our topic on rewiring your motorcycle could be useful. Other examples, found on our blog, include our tips and information on LED headlights and our installation guide for LED turn signals.