GAS GAS FSR 450 2008 Betriebsanleitung Seite 119

TUNING THE SUSPENSION
No area of machine adjustment is more critical than proper suspension
tuning; an incorrectly tuned suspension will keep even the best rider
from attaining the full benefit of his machine's ability Check the
suspension according to the pilot and the conditions of the terrain.
When tuning the suspension don't forget:
- If the machine is new, break-in the suspension with at least one
hour of riding before making any setting evaluations or changes.
- The major factors which must be considered in suspension tuning
are: rider weight, rider skill and the track conditions (as well as
the rider's style and positioning on the machine)
- If you have a problem, test by changing your riding posture or
position so that the cause of the problem can be deduced.
- It is a wise practice to adjust suspension settings to suit the rider's
strong points. If you are fast through the corners, adjust the suspension
to allow fast cornering.
-Make setting changes in small increments; a little bit goes a long
way, and it is very easy to over adjust a setting.
- The front and rear suspension should be balanced; when one is
changed, the other should be changed similarly.
When evaluating suspension performance the rider must make
every effort to ride consciously and recognize the effects of his
changes;
such things as changes in rider position and increasing fatigue may
lead to incorrect judgments about required setting adjustments.
- When the proper settings have been determined for a particular
track, they should be written down for reference when returning to
that track.
- Lubricate the bearings of the swinging arm, rods, rocker and joints
before making changes and every 5 refills to prevent excess friction
affecting the operation of the suspension.
Front forks
The fork oil level is adjustable. A change in the oil level will not affect
the lower part of the stroke, but it will affect the upper part.
- When the oil level is raised:
The spring effect becomes more progressive, and the front fork
action feels 'harder' in the later stage of travel, near the bottom of
the stroke.
- When the oil level is lowered:
The spring effect becomes less progressive, and the front fork action
feels softer near the bottom of the stroke.
- Change the fork oil level correctly to make the forks work more at
the end of fork travel.
- If fork bottoming is experienced, raise fork oil level in 10 mm
increments. This increase will cause a change in the upper stroke
of the spring.
Adjusting the oil level
Adjust the oil level of the front forks (see the maintenance chart).
Force
Suspension stroke
46
- -
High
levelStandard
level oil
Low level
End of
stroke