What does the damping knob do?

[Pasta Burner]

87VR has the damping positioner knob…what’s it supposed to dampen?  I feel no difference in any of its four positions.  Should it make the ride more firm or soft?  Should it take away the spinal tap when hitting a bump too hard?  How to I check if it’s working?

[cowpuc]

43 minutes ago, Pasta Burner said:

87VR has the damping positioner knob…what’s it supposed to dampen?  I feel no difference in any of its four positions.  Should it make the ride more firm or soft?  Should it take away the spinal tap when hitting a bump too hard?  How to I check if it’s working?

What it does is slows the oil flow thru the shock as you increase in numbers which dampens  movement of the shock, very similar to using different weight oils in your front forks. Higher weight oils (thicker) flow slower thru the fork valving so dampen more, lower weight oils are thinner so dampen less = same principle as adjusting the Dampener only the dampener works thru valving/orvice change . In other words it makes the shock more of a slower shock at higher numbers. I am not sure if it works both  compression and rebound but I have a hunch that it does just by the feel I get when riding 2 up and fully loaded and my MK1's. Each "click" upward or downward is quite noticable on mine BUT, it does not add support of weight, that is basically Spring tension and Air Pressure. I run 70 pounds of air in my rear MK1 mono's so it is at full weight support. Then adjust my dampener as needed.  Way to check? With bike suspention warmed by riding it some, centered and off stands so the suspention is carring the weight of the bike, put the damper on 1 and bounce on the seat and feel the rear shock movement. Now put it on 4 and do the same thing, you should notice a pretty good difference in how the shock dampens/responds. Also remember that the damper nob adjustment will not change ride height or weight carrying ability. If you let the air out of the rear shock, bounce on it a couple times and put it on the side stand and then push 70 psi of air in it you will see the bike actually rise, thats because adding air actually works like increasing spring tension. Ok, you got my opinion,, hope it helps lol

[cimmer]

One other hint is to NOT move from position 4 directly to position 1  or vise-versa as this will screw up the dampening.  Always go up or down in numerical order, ie 1 2 3 4 3 2 1. Mentions it in the owners manual for the bikes.

Rick F.

[videoarizona]

Agreed... Only turn the knob in direct sequence and do so slowly..... Then you will notice a big difference in ride.. As @cowpuc mentioned in his post. Great info there!!!

[Pasta Burner]

Thanks for bumping this back up….unfortunately I haven’t been riding nearly as much this summer as I’d like to.  I’ve been up for promotion so dressing more professional plus it’s been so hot it just isn’t fun.  Just found out I got the promotion   I’m gonna have to try this out once the sun subsides.  101 in the shade tomorrow.