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Your bike’s rear sag is very important. Too much and you increase the rake of your forks causing your bike to push to the outside of the corners or “hunt” for a berm. Also, excessive bottoming may occur if you have too much sag. Not enough and your bike will under-steer, possibly headshake and seem harsh in the back. Also, once you have the correct race sag set on your bike you can tell if your rear spring rate is correct by the amount of static or free sag the bike has under it’s own weight. More than about 1.5” your spring rate is too stiff, Less than ¾” of free sag is an indication that your rear spring rate is on the soft side. Setting your race sag is easy, here is my procedure;

#1. Put your bike on a stand so your rear wheel is off the ground. And mark your fender straight up from your rear axle. Measure this distance from the axle to your mark. This is L1
#2. Take the bike off the stand and get on board in riding position with full gear on. Standing on your pegs. Have your bike close to a wall so you can lean on it for balance. Have someone push down on the back of the bike slowly and let it return up slowly, DON’T BOUNCE, measure this distance. This is L2.
#3. Now have someone lift the rear of the bike an inch or so and let it down very slowly until it stops. Measure this distance. This is L3.
L2 and L3 will be a little different because of friction in your linkage.

#4. Your race Sag is calculated by averaging L2 and L3 and subtracting this average from L1. Race Sag = L1 – (L2+L3)/2.

For most bikes 95-100mm is about right but you should check your manual for the exact #.

Remember, it doesn't hurt to try different sag levels to find what works best for you. You can always go back.

Greg Chapel
 

#1. Put your bike on a stand so your rear wheel is off the ground. And mark your fender straight up from your rear axle. Measure this distance from the axle to your mark. This is L1

#2. Take the bike off the stand and get on board in riding position with full gear on. Standing on your pegs. Have your bike close to a wall so you can lean on it for balance. Have someone push down on the back of the bike slowly and let it return up slowly, DON’T BOUNCE, measure this distance. This is L2.

#3. Now have someone lift the rear of the bike an inch or so and let it down very slowly until it stops. Measure this distance. This is L3.

L2 and L3 will be a little different because of friction in your linkage.

#4. Your race Sag is calculated by averaging L2 and L3 and subtracting this average from L1. Race Sag = L1 – (L2+L3)/2.

For most bikes 95-100mm is about right but you should check your manual for the exact #.

Send mail to greg@pro-designs.net with questions.