Setting the Damping
The adjusting possibilities of Öhlins shock absorbers facilitate fine setting. You can optimize adjustments to suit your own weight and equipment, your individual way of riding and the condition of the road. To be able to improve the road holding qualities it is of the utmost importance that you fully understand the functioning of the shock absorbers. Then you can learn by trial and error how they affect the motorcycle.

Depending on the model there are adjustments for rebound damping, compression damping and adjustment of the length of the shock absorber. Damping is set with knobs and screws with a normal right-hand thread. By turning them clockwise the damping action is increased, and by turning them counter clockwise it is reduced. The knobs have definite positions with noticeable "clicks", making it is easy to count to the right setting.

Rebound damping action affects the characteristics of the motorcycle most. The setting knob is located at the bottom on the piston rod (Fig.9). It can be adjusted in about 40 steps.

NOTE!
If no "click" is felt in the rebound adjuster, the shock absorber must be inspected by an authorized service workshop. It could be due to low gas pressure or lack of oil.

The compression damping knob is located at the end of the external reservoir (Fig.10). This can be adjusted in about 25 steps.

Some models (PRX) have separate adjusters for high speed compression and low speed compression (Fig.11). The low speed compression is adjusted in 25 steps. Use a slotted head screw driver.

The high speed adjuster has a wide range within about 48 clicks. Use a 14 mm key.

NOTE!
When making new adjustments it is easiest to go back to fully closed, and then count forward to the new setting. The adjusting device should not be turned too hard.

CAUTION!
The hexagon of a two way compression valve is naturally anodized aluminum. The high speed adjuster has a key width of 14 mm and a range of 48 steps (clicks). The low speed adjuster (slotted head screw) has a range of 25 steps.

The one way compression adjuster is gold anodized. The adjuster (slotted head screw) has a range of 25 steps. Do not turn the hexagon as this will allow for the oil to spurt out of the shock absorber.

NOTE!
High and low speed refers to the shaft velocity of the shock absorber. It is not necessarily related to the speed of the vehicle.

Setting your Motorcycle
NOTE!
Always begin with the basic settings recommended by Öhlins. Always make notes, adjust in small steps and make only one adjustment at a time. Adjustments should be made with two steps (clicks) at a time. Adjustments should not be more than four steps from the basic setting.

By utilizing the adjustment possibilities you can test by trial and error, and learn how they affect your motorcycle.

Always begin by test riding the motorcycle with all adjustments at their delivery setting. Choose ashort run of varying character, i.e. long and sharp bends, hard and soft bumps. Keep to the same run and adjust only one setting at a time.

Start with the rebound damping (Fig.12):
If the motorcycle feels unstable, loose and rather bouncy then the rebound damping should be increased. Begin by turning the adjusting knob 4 steps (clicks) clockwise. Test run again and adjust two steps back if it felt too hard and bumpy.

If the motorcycle is hard and bumpy, especially over a series of bumps, then the rebound damping should be reduced. Turn counter clockwise 4 steps, test run and make any necessary correction to 2 steps.

Compression damping (Fig.13):
The low speed compression adjuster affects ride height, smoothness over small bumps and grip. The high speed compression adjuster affects stability, firmness in depressions and fast corners.

If the motorcycle has a low riding position, the low speed compression should be increased. Turn clockwise four steps and test run again. If this was too much then turn back two steps (counter clockwise). If it feels unsmooth over small continuous bumps or has bad grip, the low speed compression should be decreased. Turn counter clockwise four steps. Test run and make any necessary correction in two steps at the time.

If the motorcycle feels unstable in fast corners and has a tendency to bottom easily in depressions and chicanes, the high speed compression should be increased. Turn clockwise six steps and test run again. If this was too much then turn back three steps (counter clockwise). If it feels harsh and too rigid or has a tendency to hop during braking, the high speed compression should be decreased. Turn counter clockwise six steps. Test run and make any necessary correction in three steps at the time.

When you have sufficient feel of the motorcycle you can make further fine adjustments. It is feeling and experience that counts.

NOTE!
Ensure that the springs are properly pre-loaded before attempting to make any adjustments. A simple rule is that increased pre-load of the spring should be followed by an increase of rebound damping by two steps.

When you feel that you have achieved an improvement, go back to where you started and check once more. Be observant of other relevant factors such as tyres, temperature, etc. Test run to make sure whether further fine adjustment should be made.