You're not likely to damage anything that is adjustable on the bike (unless you use the wrong torque settings on some of the bolts). You should be able to get the tool from a Kawasaki dealer, or (cheaper) from any motorcycle parts / tool store. Make sure you get the extension arm as well.
That's not a dumb question. Essentially the heavier you are the more 'bouncy' the bike will feel as you will be able to make the suspension travel more than a lighter person. You can reduce that overall 'bouncyness' by making the suspension firmer. On the Kawasaki Vulcan S the only option we have to make the suspension firmer is to increase the setting on the Pre-Load (the instructions in this video). However, that is a very simplified solution for those of us who are heavier riders, and the proper solution for dealing with increased weight is to replace the spring for a stronger spring, or uprate the rear shock completely (I'll be doing that in a future video). I hope that helps. Feel free to ask more questions if you need more detail. Ride Safe!
Very well demonstrated thank you, one question I have is generally would you need firm or soft suspension when carrying a passenger, also would this help with preventing me getting a sore bum after along trips, many thanks.
This is adjusting pre-load to stop it being 'bouncy' so it won't help with the sore bum (you need an aftermarket seat or get it reupholstered to solve that issue). I would set it firmer for riding with a pillion to stop it rising and falling so much.
Will a lowering kit affect the suspension and cause the bike to bottom out more, can you counter act that by increasing the suspension to a harder setting?
'Bottoming out' refers to hitting the maximum extent of the suspension travel, and the lowering kits just change the fixing position of the suspension rather than shortening the suspension components. So there will be difference in the suspension travel, you don't need to compensate for anything by adjusting the pre-load. Hope that helps. 😎
I'm curious, is there a way to tell what setting you're in by looking at it or is it solely based on the feel of the ride/handling? Thanks for the video!
Yes, when you look at the ring at the top of the spring, you will see that it is stepped, so you can count the notches (steps) that you can see on the top of the ring. if you see no steps then you are on setting 1, if you can see 6 steps then you are on setting 7. However, which setting is right for you can really only be done by feel, so you'll need to adjust, then go for a ride, and repeat until you get it how you want.
Yes, look up how to set 'SAG' on your bike. It's all to do with rider (with your gear on) and loads etc, hence why the setting in the bike is called pre-load
Hi, factory setting ( 2 out of 7) on my KVS causes a lot of "rubbing issues of cathalitic convertor" on speed breakers.. will tuning to 'firm' side minimise this issue.
It will definitely result in less bottoming out over bumps, but if I'm not sure what would be rubbing on the catalytic converter even in that case. There may be a more significant issue with the bike that needs to be looked at.
Yes, the tools are under the seat, so you’ll need to remove the seat to get to the tools. However, you can do the adjustment with the seat on, so when you’re making your adjustments (go for a ride, adjust, go for a ride, adjust, etc) keep the wrench (and handle) out of the toolkit (just don’t forget to put it back under the seat when you’re done) 😎
I'm not sure where you're located, but the part number is 92110-0558. If you put that into google there will be lots of places you can get it from. Alternatively, you might want to get an adjustable C-Spanner, like this one -> amzn.to/48Yml8y
As heavier riders, there is no benefit for us leaving it on a soft setting as it will compress significantly as soon as we sit on it. But for lighter riders setting it correctly will give a good balance between 'not too bouncy' and 'enough travel left to smooth out the bumps'.
Hi, did you ever upgrade your rear shocker? I find I would like something a little better than stock, as I get bucked of the seat on rougher roads, it feels like it could do with more travel or possibly a shocker that had a more progressive travel rate and damper adjustment. Thanks for the vid.
If you adjust the suspension to the softest will that make the bike ride a bit lower too? Or will it just compress more while going over bumps. Thanks!
Not really. The spring has a defined amount of possible travel, if you set it to the softest setting it will allow the full range of 'springyness' making the bike a bit more bouncy (soft), if you set it to the hardest setting it will pre-compress the spring and only allow a short range of movement, making the bike feel firmer (hard). The bike might sit a bit lower on the hardest setting, but I doubt it will be noticeable because of the angle of the shock.
The shock is exactly where it should be. It's where Kawasaki put it and I think they know what they're doing.... Maybe the video makes it difficult to see the exact position of the shock. Have a look on your Vulcan S to get a better idea of its position.
You can watch more of our How To videos in this playlist -> czcams.com/play/PL1046cmwEkWSWDTe5kr7k4FQT7ZvIe5Mp.html
You can also see more of our playlists here: czcams.com/users/TreesAndWheelsplaylists 😎
I'm 110 kg and I have adjusted my shock to 7... result... a great ride.
Excellent 😎
cheers, I'm 260 and I think the kawasaki guy recommended 5?
@@cumsteak 260kg ? wowsers... can you get on a bike ?
Jeez I didn't know such a concise video could be made! Well done, and thanks.
Thanks 😎
Excellent video 👌👌 clearly explained and delivered in a way that’s easy to understand. Thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thank you.
Thank you ! Didn’t know it’d be this easy ! Let me give it a try on my 2018 Vulcan S !
You're welcome
A surprising easy job. 😉
Yeah, it takes longer to get the toolkit out than it does to adjust the suspension 🤪
Brilliant. Thank you. Looks simple.
Glad it was helpful!
Very useful, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. Thanks mate
Glad you enjoyed it
Great vid
I was worried about damage if the shock was wrong.
Now I just gotta find the tool.
Bought mine used and the kit is missing
🥴
You're not likely to damage anything that is adjustable on the bike (unless you use the wrong torque settings on some of the bolts). You should be able to get the tool from a Kawasaki dealer, or (cheaper) from any motorcycle parts / tool store. Make sure you get the extension arm as well.
Ok, dumb question, but if you are heavier, you should set the suspension to be firmer? And if lighter, you can set it softer?
That's not a dumb question. Essentially the heavier you are the more 'bouncy' the bike will feel as you will be able to make the suspension travel more than a lighter person. You can reduce that overall 'bouncyness' by making the suspension firmer.
On the Kawasaki Vulcan S the only option we have to make the suspension firmer is to increase the setting on the Pre-Load (the instructions in this video). However, that is a very simplified solution for those of us who are heavier riders, and the proper solution for dealing with increased weight is to replace the spring for a stronger spring, or uprate the rear shock completely (I'll be doing that in a future video).
I hope that helps. Feel free to ask more questions if you need more detail. Ride Safe!
Very well demonstrated thank you, one question I have is generally would you need firm or soft suspension when carrying a passenger, also would this help with preventing me getting a sore bum after along trips, many thanks.
This is adjusting pre-load to stop it being 'bouncy' so it won't help with the sore bum (you need an aftermarket seat or get it reupholstered to solve that issue). I would set it firmer for riding with a pillion to stop it rising and falling so much.
any chance you could do a how to adjust brake pedal height on the Vulcan
I'll be adding more videos soon, so I'll add this idea to the list, but possibly not in time for when you need it.
it s great to see the video. thanks. anyway is it the key adjuster available on the bike originally?
Yes, part of the original tool kit under the seat.
It's a C spanner for suspension adjustment. Nearly every bike comes with one.
👍😎
Will it increases the ground clearance I we made the suspension settings to the firmest
It won't improve the ground clearance because you are adjusting the pre-load but ti will reduce the amount of 'bounce' going over bumps.
Will a lowering kit affect the suspension and cause the bike to bottom out more, can you counter act that by increasing the suspension to a harder setting?
'Bottoming out' refers to hitting the maximum extent of the suspension travel, and the lowering kits just change the fixing position of the suspension rather than shortening the suspension components. So there will be difference in the suspension travel, you don't need to compensate for anything by adjusting the pre-load. Hope that helps. 😎
I'm curious, is there a way to tell what setting you're in by looking at it or is it solely based on the feel of the ride/handling? Thanks for the video!
Yes, when you look at the ring at the top of the spring, you will see that it is stepped, so you can count the notches (steps) that you can see on the top of the ring. if you see no steps then you are on setting 1, if you can see 6 steps then you are on setting 7.
However, which setting is right for you can really only be done by feel, so you'll need to adjust, then go for a ride, and repeat until you get it how you want.
It is all in the manual
Yes, look up how to set 'SAG' on your bike. It's all to do with rider (with your gear on) and loads etc, hence why the setting in the bike is called pre-load
Bum grapes🍇are more of a problem at our age, so nice and soft please 😂👍
No! Set it on 7 and squash them out of existence 🤪😳
@@TreesAndWheels 😭🤣😅
Have you ever used a 160/70 - 17 rear tire? Can it fit on a Vulcan S650?
Sorry, I have no idea. I've never tried and I don't know anyone that has.
Is there any marks that indicate what your current setting on the suspension is?
I'm not sure without going and looking at the bike, but I think it's a case of counting the clicks.
What is the size of the spanner that you used?
It is the spanner designed specifically for the spring adjustment, included in the tool kit that comes with the bike.
Hi, factory setting ( 2 out of 7) on my KVS causes a lot of "rubbing issues of cathalitic convertor" on speed breakers.. will tuning to 'firm' side minimise this issue.
It will definitely result in less bottoming out over bumps, but if I'm not sure what would be rubbing on the catalytic converter even in that case. There may be a more significant issue with the bike that needs to be looked at.
Just got this bike today. Do you actually have to remove the seat to do this, or am I correct in assuming that the tools are under the seat?
Yes, the tools are under the seat, so you’ll need to remove the seat to get to the tools. However, you can do the adjustment with the seat on, so when you’re making your adjustments (go for a ride, adjust, go for a ride, adjust, etc) keep the wrench (and handle) out of the toolkit (just don’t forget to put it back under the seat when you’re done) 😎
Anyone know where I can find that tool? I didnt get it as I bought the bike used
Under the seat
I'm not sure where you're located, but the part number is 92110-0558. If you put that into google there will be lots of places you can get it from. Alternatively, you might want to get an adjustable C-Spanner, like this one -> amzn.to/48Yml8y
Thank you so much I was looking for something like this!@@TreesAndWheels
Why not just leave it on 7? I am a heavier rider & carry passengers from time to time. Is there any real benefit to having it set lower?
As heavier riders, there is no benefit for us leaving it on a soft setting as it will compress significantly as soon as we sit on it. But for lighter riders setting it correctly will give a good balance between 'not too bouncy' and 'enough travel left to smooth out the bumps'.
Is it possible to change out the vulcan's stock shock for an aftermarket shock?
Yes it is, but there are limited options. Yss and Hagon are two that I know will fit, I will be upgrading mine soon 😎
Hi, did you ever upgrade your rear shocker?
I find I would like something a little better than stock, as I get bucked of the seat on rougher roads, it feels like it could do with more travel or possibly a shocker that had a more progressive travel rate and damper adjustment.
Thanks for the vid.
If you adjust the suspension to the softest will that make the bike ride a bit lower too? Or will it just compress more while going over bumps. Thanks!
Not really. The spring has a defined amount of possible travel, if you set it to the softest setting it will allow the full range of 'springyness' making the bike a bit more bouncy (soft), if you set it to the hardest setting it will pre-compress the spring and only allow a short range of movement, making the bike feel firmer (hard).
The bike might sit a bit lower on the hardest setting, but I doubt it will be noticeable because of the angle of the shock.
😊
👍
The rear suspension should be in mid center why the suspension is on rear right ?????????????????????????????
The shock is exactly where it should be. It's where Kawasaki put it and I think they know what they're doing.... Maybe the video makes it difficult to see the exact position of the shock. Have a look on your Vulcan S to get a better idea of its position.
Because there are two of them i think. One on each side if i saw it correctly on another video.
@@mirekkudzia7052 no, just a single rear shock.