Preload importance; Factory Knows Best

[Ben Barkow <dr.ben@xxxxxxxxx>]

As I said, except for extreme settings, preload has little consequence  
for riders off the racetrack. Certain people with a poor grasp of high  
school physics may not agree.

But compression finesse matters a lot. But having compression damping  
adjustment is too pricey for BMW to include. Therefore, if you want  
really good handling, I think Tom's advice is to ask BMW what your  
correct weight should be and then diet accordingly ("Factory knows  
best"... eh).

However preload can have important consequences for a non-handling  
issue: parking. It influences the height of the bike so when you are  
dismounted it can change the ease of getting your machine up on the  
centerstand (and correspondingly, the ease of tipping over on the  
centerstand when all your wheels are touching the ground on irregular  
terrains) and likewise influences stability on the sidestand too.

The astute reader will quickly recognize the possible need for raising  
rear preload when parking a heavily loaded bike.

Cheers.

Ben                                                                      
                                               
Ben Barkow, Toronto... 40 seasons on Beemers, 45 as a biker

1999 R1100S, 2004- Leo Vince exh, JetHot coatings, Techlusion 1031,
   large sticky foam filter, TB balance tube, debaffled crossover, 26  
inch windscreen, air horns, Diablo Stratas

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