Finally adjusted suspension on my fj 09

[@mrjmjonesey]

I know this is necro-ing the comments, recently purchased an FJ-09 and even more recently came across your channel. I just have to say thank you so much for putting this out there. I put 1000 miles on my bike and had sort of resigned to the overall sloppiness of the suspension, the diving front end, the weak return on the rear. After following your advice it feels like a night and day difference! The front end wobble is all but gone now, corners way more solid. Feels planted like a freight train now. I have graduated to the "fine tuning" stage all thanks to you. Ride safe!

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I've learned so much from other youtubers, so I'm happy to pay it forward and I'm glad to have been some help. Thank you for your comments. Stay Safe!

[@wales2wheeler686]

The first thing I did when I got my Tracer was slacken the chain to 25mm slack, removed the large amount of play in the throttle, made sure my tyres were 42 rear 36 front then took her for a ride. After 12 miles I set my front suspension to full preload and 2 lines showing making sure they were equal on both sides. I set my rear preload on 5 and 1 full turn out from fully left on rebound. I am 186cm tall + 110kg with all my gear including sidebags and tools. I agree that unless you are a spirited rider and hit the twisties every week or track the stock adjusted correctly is more than adequate for the majority of Tracer owners. I made sure that when I practice emergency braking the front does not dive rediculously or bounce around when the ABS kicks in. 6k miles later and still on same settings. Like your videos and good tip with the zip tie. Riding for a week or two with a zip tie on the front forks and checking it every ride is a great indication of whether or not the front suspension is too soft. If that zip tie gets anwhere near the bottom then I would suggest increasing the front preload and/or rebound. If someone is unsure on how to set thier suspension then I would recommend take your bike to a pro and have it set as it will make a world of difference to your ride.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I think I thought it was like a car and didn't need adjusting, but of course I was mistaken. I don't think I'll ride on a track or ride really hard. It would be nice to upgrade to a great suspension, but now that I got it tuned, it seems to ride much better. I didn't like how tight the chain was, so right away, I adjusted it to 20 -25 mm slack and it runs perfectly.

[@Mab7n]

How did you remove the play in the throttle? My tracer seems to have a lot brand new.

[@chrisboling2852]

Thanks for the insight on adjusting the suspension.

[@bryang4323]

Added the preload to 3 lines showing and 8 clicks from full rebound. Wow what a difference!!! Thanks again!!

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

Optimal settings are going to be different for everyone, glad you found what works for you. Some changes can make you smile, proper suspension setup is one of those. Thanks for watching and ride safe out there...

[@mikes2270]

Helpful and interesting video as usual. Dealers should set sag for every customer when they buy a bike as a matter of course.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I agree, but it seem like all they want is to get your money and send you out the door as quick as they can. When I bought a full suspension bicycle a few years ago, they offered to adjust and set it up for me. As a kinda new rider, I assumed it was set up.

[@mikes2270]

Sadly, too true.

[@elitetileandstone]

Chuck,that's gotta be your best opening sequence, to date. it would make Nutnfancy proud.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I liked doing it too. Been watching Nutnfancy for a long time, we're both retired Air Force. Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@elitetileandstone]

Big fan of him,too. He's got all sorts of cool toys.👍

[@PapaC-ej3kz]

Good video! I opted for a ZX10 rear shock to gain compression adjustment. I have it dialed in reasonably well, now I will be turning my attention to the fork. I too use zip ties when tuning my suspension. Ride safe!

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

That's just one of the great options out there. I don't have the income I used to, or I'd probably upgrade some suspension parts, but then I really don't ride very hard anyway. Be careful out there...

[@PapaC-ej3kz]

chuckasaki I lucked out and scored a shock for $100

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

PapaC2000 Nice! :-)

[@Teh509]

Their isn't really a typical Japanese rider for this bike it's too tall. The Tracer 900 was designed for the Euro and American market but Yam don;t bother setting up the suspension, even for a moderate 170ibs person. I'm 196ibs without kit. My settings are Front: 2 rungs showing preload and setting 11 tight on rebound. Rear: 6/7 tight preload and 180 extra clockwise on the rebound. Ride's a lot better than stock and still comfy for commutes which is what I primarily do. I good upgrade would be linear springs and slightly thicker shock oil. Around £250ish. Great bike. Love from UK.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I'm 6ft 230lbs and now have the pre-load maxed out and it rides very well. I may upgrade the springs at some point, but no hurry since it's good like it is. Stay safe...

[@geena8414]

Remember, adjusting the preload will not make the suspension 'firmer', or 'softer'-it only changes the ride height. Adjusting the compression rate will make a difference in feel. If you want the suspension to feel firmer or softer, you will need to change the spring rate. Thanks for your videos! Keep up the good work, and be safe out there

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

You're right, my suspension doesn't have any adjustment for compression damping, just rebound. The softer feel I got going over the rain gutter was a result of the suspension doing what a properly adjusted suspension should do. A too heavily sprung suspension would be rough ride tho. Yeah, there's a little increase in ride height, but I prefer the better ride to being able to flat foot at a stop. Thanks for your comments and for watching. Stay safe...

[@NiekkieNick]

This is confusing. Preload and spring rate: isn't it the same?

[@sciencebiker9519]

I think you've got an awesome intro there. I like both loud and quiet "pipes". Each have their purpose.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I agree completely. Quiet has it's uses, especially when you need to take care of something without causing the neighbors to get alarmed. On the loud side, I love the sound and feel of my M1A. As for motorcycle pipes, I'm not changing them on my fj-09.

[@okie-rider]

Good tips - might have to adjust mine soon!

[@RobertMacCready]

Some motorcycle dealer might get smart and "tune" the suspension for you. That would be a nice selling bonus. But as someone else mentioned that only seem to be focused on taking your $$ and getting you out the door. Thanks Chuckasaki for the video.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

They may have doe it if I asked them. Thanks for watching.

[@Danaconda1988]

using the zip tie as a telltale. great tip.

[@BigDaddyBetke]

Loved your intro, Mr. Chuck!

[@rotterdamrider2332]

Hi Chuck, love your video's en reviews.

[@hamzaturan5871]

Very cool!

[@DunePanda]

nice pea shooter! the bike looks comfy! ride safe!

[@ForfeitureLawyer]

I put the Ohlins inserts in the forks for compression and rebound adjustment and the rear shock. Best money I have spent on the bike besides putting the XSR900 slipper clutch which is AWESOME $500 installed!!

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I may go with the Ohlins inserts at some point. Many of the owners on fj-09.org speak well of it.

[@ForfeitureLawyer]

Jim over at PROPILOT suspension is really helpful and it is and upgrade you can bolt on yourself! My only advise is toremove the rear foot peg support to get the bottom bolt loosened on the rear shock - it took a few beers and a couple of hours trying to work around it and about 5 minutes to remove the support! everything else, he will walk you through and probably the removal of the rear foot peg support if I would have asked! Ha! BTW I think your handguards are stronger with the aluminum frame on the bark busters. The KTM has real good wind protection though. But what about your wind screen. How tall are you? I am only 5'9" and the second tallest parabellum at 22" I think is still a tad to short for a real quiet ride. I bought 2 and they threw i the fly screen which is great on a cool summer ride (San Diego but I am from AZ) but I wish I had the tallest one. I love my FJ and you are right, it is way lighter than it looks and sitting upright is the only way for us old moto crossers. :)

[@Strappodeath]

Hey mate. Thanks for the video and feedback on your suspension. What is that windscreen? What height are you? Do you like that screen?

[@thekitchenpro]

Great vid, very informative

[@bryang4323]

Thanks for the video! I have been waiting for this. Can you tell us your weight and the mm you chose for the preload on the front forks? And also the rebound you chose from full rebound? Ex 2 clicks out from full.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

Fully dressed, I'm 240lbs, the front fork preload has one line showing, (almost max) and the rebound it 9 clicks, from lowest setting. It feels perfect to me.

[@bryang4323]

chuckasaki Thank you sir! I am around 200 fully dressed. I'm going to try a similar setting. Thanks again for your videos and your information! As always ride safe!

[@jordanclarke2996]

@@bryang4323 Me too How did you go?

[@OswaldoLafee]

HI chuck thanks for the video. I love the FJ-09. Have you thought about an aftermarket cruise control for your bike? i believe it's the big bar from competing vs. other great touring bikes.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

Cruise control would be nice, but I've not really looked for one, but I may become more interested one at some point. I recently took a kind of long trip and really need to upgrade to a more comfortable seat.

[@Me-yh4uc]

Wake me up when it over 😭😭😭

[@rclines001]

Bit of an off topic question. Now that you have owned a Versys and FJ, I had a couple questions. Is there a significant difference in engine and handlebar vibration between the two? Do you think the FJ would be much better for light touring than the Verysys? I own a FZ07 which supposedly has similar power to the Versys and would love to tour a little bit but the lack of wind protection kinda stops that. I'm not looking for ridiculous power, just something I can cruise comfortably on and do a couple hundred miles in a day doing speeds around 80-85mph constantly. Your thoughts?

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

There's some handlebar buzz on both bikes, but it was less noticeable to me on the Versys, I think because the twin has a different frequency and the front and rear engine mounts are rubber. With the stock hand guards, the fj-09 handlebar buzz was a bit annoying, but the Barkbuster hand guards have weighted end caps, that seem to absorb and remove nearly all vibration. The triple is a smoother engine and the revs are lower at highway speeds than the Versys. The stock windshield on the fj-09 was terrible, the wind buffeting was very annoying, but I think any aftermarket windscreen is an improvement. They both ride pretty much the same, but the fj-09 has a lot more torque and power which seems to make it easier to ride on the street. It doesn't stall as easily if you mess up on the clutch and there's less need to down shift to accelerate. Both are great bikes and are very similar, but the fj-09 cost's more. Biggest noticeable difference is the torque and power. For sustained 75 mph cruising, I prefer the fj-09, but sometimes the power is a bit intimidating and even scary, so unless you've got good throttle control in muscle memory, I would say, go for the Versys.

[@rjeezy.5746]

I might have missed it but what did you end up with as far as preload goes in the rear? I got almost full max on preload in front. 9 clicks out for rebound. And #6 in preload in rear...and rebound? We are about the same height/weight so I would like to use your settings for a baseline.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I'm at six clicks preload in the rear and the factory rebound was okay for me, but I increased it only by one click. I also lowered my tire pressure to 33 front and 40 rear. It's not much of a difference, but 36 and 42 were pretty hard. I've got about 400 miles or so on the new setup and I'm liking it.

[@rjeezy.5746]

Thank you sir! Ill give it a shot.

[@ForfeitureLawyer]

How do you like your windscreen and what kind is it? I have the parabellum 22" and still would like more!!

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

National Cycle VStream and I'm very happy with it, the OEM windscreen was terrible at highway speeds. www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/national-cycle-vstream-sport-touring-windscreen-yamaha-fj-09-2015-2016

[@ForfeitureLawyer]

Sorry, I just asked you again without looking for your reply. How tall are you? and how tall is the Vstream?

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I'm 6" and I bought the medium Vstream, not sure of the exact size, but it's about 3" taller than the OEM windscreen. I run it at the lowest level and the wind breaks at the center of my helmet visor, which I prefer, but if I raise it all the way up, the wind doesn't hit my helmet. Vstream does make a taller windscreen and a shorter one, but the medium works best for me.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

Daniel Smith My medium Vstream is 21 inches tall, the OEM windscreen is 18 inches tall. I hope this answers your question...

[@Cleanin83]

Is it difficult to get suppressors where you are? Arizona, right?

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

A lot of local gun stores sell them and they're not terribly expensive, but the store holds them until your paperwork comes back approved from the ATF. The last one I got took 9 1/2 months. It's kind of nice to shoot without needing ear protection and it's a great way to introduce new shooters to the sport since the loud noise and recoil is mostly gone. Arizona is right, but silencers are legal in most states.

[@Cleanin83]

Cool man.. thanks for the info

[@andrasgregor9992]

Where did you get your cup holder? I want one too :)

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

It's a bicycle water bottle holder that I got from a bike shop.

[@pythonman8103]

Nice windscreen. What is it?

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

Thanks, I've been really happy wit it. www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/national-cycle-vstream-sport-touring-windscreen-yamaha-fj-09-2015-2016

[@byn1975]

Does Yamaha side case fits full face helmet size L?

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

The side cases for the fj-09 is too narrow to fit a full face helmet, but fjr-1300 cases fit the fj-09 and will hold a helmet.

[@ginoliotto1404]

Loud pipes.