HOW TO - MEASURING AND DISCUSSING SUSPENSION SAG

[@thomastthai]

@4:32 For those who are still confused about how they got the sag percentage: the Honda CRF300L suspension described in the video has 250mm travel. For static sag: (75 mm / 250 mm) * 100 = 30%. For rider sag: (155 mm / 250 mm) * 100 = 62%.

[@folsomfisher]

Thanks! I was wondering how the calculation was determined. Since I have the Level 1 suspension, and it has 210mm of travel, I assume I would replace the 250 with 210 in the calculation.

[@jackle842000]

So they're saying the sag with no rider whatsoever and only the bikes weight is the amount of sag it should have with a rider on it. Guess it's one weak suspension

[@amando96]

@@jackle842000 Super weak

[@DormanDiaries]

Very informative, thank you sir. Much easier to follow than I’ve seen elsewhere

[@michiganmoto7687]

Good info. Solid presentation. It seems most bikes sold in the US are under sprung for the average male rider. I’m 6’2” and weigh 230lbs so the CRF300L is essentially unrideable out of the box and needs immediate upgrade. Probably the same goes for the CB500X which is what I was looking to get next.

[@motomitchuk4384]

The cbx is not as bad in terms of spring rate out the shop at it needs to be able to take a passenger ( all be it small) plus the type of riding done on the cbx is not as reliant on full travel suspension

[@Dundertaker1]

Conveniently RR makes CB500x suspension. I have a 13 with a full set up and it's amazing.

[@blancolirio]

Thanks Adam!!

[@mallardhouse5429]

Hi Adam/Rally Raid. I have recently purchased a 2022 crf300l. It has a what looks like a white rally raid rear suspension kit (no reload adjuster. I an not sure if it's a 250 or 210, how do I find out? The spring as 90-235 TT 11/23 stamped on it if that helps?

[@reteptetep5078]

I'm confused. CRF300L shock spring-rate recommendations for 83kg rider: Ohlins - 70 n/mm Nitron - 74 n/mm Rally Raid - 90 n/mm YSS - 95 n/mm K-Tech - 95 n/mm Who is right?

[@marcochavane3124]

It looks like 3/5 recommended firmer rates. If you aren't riding the bike hard a softer rate will be fine for touring and light ADV work. If you'll be hitting single track, Enduro trails, or rough roads a firmer rate may better. I'm 117kg so I went with the firmest spring available from Rally Raid at 100N/mm as I'll be riding it quite hard.

[@declanmcevoy]

It's got to do with the differing spring characteristics used by differing manufacturers for that weight category. From the figures you present a Rally Raid spring requires a 20N greater force to compress it 1mm than does the Ohlins. When you researched it were they all 250mm travel shocks?

[@frankbedson4879]

Hi Alan, I just installed the Rally Raid Level 2 front suspension kit. Is the process exactly tne same for the front suspension as what you show in the video? Also, what I am looking for to adjust fork compression?

[@sandwolf11]

Thank you for this video! SAG measurment explained very clearly, thanks a lot :)

[@jasonduckworth1525]

Hi what about fork sag ? Is that the same ?

[@theregisters2365]

Awesome, great information guys. Thanks

[@superwag634]

What’s your recommendation for dialing in compression and rebound settings on the shock? Spring rate is one part of the equation, but it’s not the whole equation

[@lindsayfinger4262]

What about setting the front forks. Do they come into it when setting the sag.?

[@ericweber1969]

Yes, but the suspension needs to come apart, and you have to dial the rear in first. You measure it the same way, then adjust the spacer lengths to preload appropriately. I’d suggest talking to your suspension expert to get the correct springs for your weight, and then you’ll be close enough to make spacer adjustments. He mentioned fork preload adjusters they’ve added to this bike, that would be a good aftermarket addition if they’re available. You still want to dial in the spacer length, and then use the preload adjusters for fine tuning.

[@richardcullingworth4093]

At which stage in the calculations of SAG do you include the weight of extras (such as racks) permanently fixed to the bike and the weight of the luggage which will be variable?

[@anxiousappliance]

Once you have all the settings s described - when you put on luggage, adjust the compression to match the static sag you had without the luggage.

[@timothym2241]

Very well done. Thanks.

[@AKARACIK]

I have a question. On paper, US version CFR300 Rally has 10.2 inch travel suspension which translates 259.08 mm in metric system. Does 9 mm of difference may have any effect on sag calculation?

[@kimmyflies2332]

Hi, When the bike is on the side stand, what is the seat height with the level 1 suspension?

[@thevinceperspective9506]

Hello cool video 👍, im 5,7 (94kg) and I don't know if I should get the 210mm or the 250mm I like to ride fairly rough trails, just wondering which you think I should lean towards. Cheers!

[@xtdrew]

Excellent resource. One question - in order to express the sag as a percentage you need to know the suspension travel so how did you measure the suspension travel?

[@yodapig]

The shock travel is usually listed in your bike's specification - in this instance [CRF300L] the OEM shock travel is 250mm* (as is the Rally-Raid LEVEL 2 shock), the shorter LEVEL 1 shock is 210mm travel. *note if you're being pedantic, the published 10.2" travel is actually 259mm - however, in reality the OEM shock only has 250mm actual measured swept travel before the rubber bump-stop.

[@xtdrew]

@@yodapig thank you very much. I'm due to get my 300l in June (allegedly!) but I know that I'm much too heavy for the stock suspension and I'm trying to understand the setup now so I can deal with it quickly then.

[@yodapig]

@@xtdrew yes, if you look at their website there is a chart showing suggested rider weights and corresponding spring rates, and you can choose the one closest to your own weight at the time of ordering (it doesn't have to be exact, as there is a range of preload adjustment of course) - and if you're going for the 250mm travel option then the preload is simple enough to calculate - 25mm (1") static [10%] and 75mm (3") rider [30%] sag.

[@robertbarel896]

great video only if there was no annoying music during explanations . next time when someone is talking you should lower music level and than when he stops talking you increase in . adobe premiere has auto tuning function that does this for you .

[@koshtie]

Hi do you make a progressive rate spring for these bikes ? ATB Wayne UK.........

[@rallyraidproducts1927]

Hi Wayne, no we don't recommend using progressive rate springs in general. When you can have a correctly damped shock and correct spring rate there's no real pros only cons. Especially on a bike with a rising rate linkage

[@koshtie]

@@rallyraidproducts1927 Thanks for that, i did wonder............

[@Kyrodan022]

I am adding the level 2 to mine. Leaving the front stock for now. Hope I don’t regret it for now on front end.

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

You will regret it if you do much off-road riding.You will find the bike to be very unbalanced and the front end will deflect off of every small rock root or rut in the trail. It made mine do some vicious tank slappers.

[@reggydunlop5770]

So its 10 and 30.percent?

[@krisdieber9459]

Conveniently forgot to mention the static sag once rider sag was dialled in 🧐

[@motomitchuk4384]

You are right I did forget to film that part, it was 23Mm

[@T30-z5w]

I think 30% rider sag is fine for the track but it’s too stiff for trails and general adventure riding. The 40% feels much better to me.

[@TheZakkmylde]

so higher percentage or longer the distance means softer? eg, less pre load adjustment?

[@superwag634]

Yeh, 30% results in a ride which is fine for hitting obstacles fairly hard, but it also results in quite a harsh ride over general terrain not at high speed if the damping settings are too resistive

[@dougschneider5948]

I’m 6 feet tall and 220 pounds without riding gear. I completely agree with the 40% figure. I ride my bike on all types of terrain at intermediate speeds. My question is this; if you order a new shock and spring for my weight, does it allow you to adjust the race sag from 30% down to 40% without making the spring loose on the shock?

[@yamahasuperbike2202]

That chain needs to be loosened up. Way too tight.