2019 V4S - I am having trouble trying to find a softer replacement rear spring. Ohlins dealers seem to be in the dark. Standard spring is 95kg/mm. I want a 90Kg spring. Also are there any good threads regarding suspension set up on the V4S? Thanks....
If you haven’t already tried I’d adjust the rear spring preload so there’s only one thread showing, then back off the compression damping and add a little more rebound. You will need to take it off dynamic and go into custom fixed! Massively improved mine. I’m 71kgs without gear on
OK - According to Ohlins UK the V4s spring 2018/2019 is unique, and there are no other springs available from Ohlins with the same free length of 175mm. They have a spring which is 160mm length and available in 85 N/mm or 90 N/mm. So I need to do some measuring and see whether between additional preload (raising the ride height) and the ride height adjuster at the base of the shock, can get me back to thereabouts of the original ride height. Also going to ask K-tech if they have a spring. Dave Dunlop - thanks for the info, very useful. I am not sure however that increasing the sag by reducing the preload is going to solve the problem, once the suspension is loaded with the weight of the bike and rider, and you hit a bump the feeling thro your arse will be v similar, as the spring rate remains constant irrrespective of the amount of sag. I have tried that this afternoon, reducing preload by 4 full turns, not too much difference. Anyway will keep you posted in my search for a softer spring.
I just had my 2020 V4S set up by my local Duc tech. He loaded a set of Fixed and Dynamic settings into each of the 3 modes with Sport being my normal road riding mode. I'm 73kg +10kg with gear on. Transformed my bike - previously the rear end was a cricket bat smashing me with every tiny bump. I specifically have Sport mode set up for road riding and for a smooth riding style so my front end has softer compression and rebound than more aggressive riders would choose. But my rear settings (for FIXED) are now identical to what Dave Dunlop suggested with both comp and rebound softened (to 32 and 18) and preload reduced similarly. (My initial preload showed 11 threads and it is now backed off to 6.) I think the rear spring on the 2020 is a 90? I actually use Dynamic mode (better for inconsistent road conditions) where my shock is fully backed off to -5. Brake Support is left at the standard 0 so things firm up when brakes are applied. But thought it interesting that my tech's Fixed settings agree with Dave Dunlop to make the rear more pliable.
The rear spring on the 2020 V4S is 85KG and 160mm free length, compared to 95KG and 175mm free length on the 18/19 model. It is set up with more preload from the factory. The TTX 36 shock body is the same. The tie rods are different (2 of flat plates linking the base of the shock to the mounting boss on the swingarm). Ducati say they are 5mm shorter which rotates the swingarm to give a higher ride height. The remaining 2 other parts in the linkage are identical with the same part numbers. So I think if you want a softer spring there is an option to change to the 2020 setup by changing to a 21040-26/85 spring which u can buy from Ohlins direct approx £80. This spring is available in a series of different spring rates, I think upto 110KG. Then buy the 2 tie rods part number 37212211AA - £50, and you have the same setup as the 2020 model. However will need to check revised rear ride height v standard....... Alternatively Maxton suspension will provide a spring and make a new cup to support the spring if required, as the spring bore diameters maybe different between Maxton springs and Ohlins springs - approx £120. Also noticed the forks on the 2020 model protrude 4mm less thro the top yoke, ie 4mm higher ride height on the front. Comparing the 2 bikes in the shop side by side the 2020 bike has softer springs, both front and rear. Anyway ime going to buy the shorter tie rods and 85kg spring and go from there ........
I fitted the the 2020 tie rods, and measured the difference with the ride height adjuster on the shock unchanged. Taking a measurement from the centre of the rear wheel spindle to the edge of the rear tail unit the difference was + 18mm with the shorter 2020 tie rods. Funny though that Ducati in their sales brochures say the seat height is unchanged, which if is true means the bike must have more sag. Anyway Ive now got the 85 Kg spring fitted and standard tie rods, just wait for some good weather now to test the new set up. I hope this has been useful to all you lightweights who want to fit a softer spring or those that want to raise the C of G on the bike as per the 2020 model. Removing the shock is very straight forward, I will try to put some photos up of how I supported the bike at the rear.
Tested bike today - brilliant - best and cheapest mod you can do to your bike, its now as it should have been, with a rear suspension that keeps the rear wheel in contact with tarmac !! Just to recap I only changed the spring. I've also raised the rear ride height by 5mm too. Might have a look at front suspension now.......
Thought you said you changed the tie rods too. Did you or didn’t you? I have changed the spring to a 90 (from the OEM 95) on my 2018 bike and the rear is now much more compliant.
I bought the tie rods, and changed them then measured the ride height, it was +18mm - a lot, way too much without raising the front ride height too, so stayed with the standard ones.
No because the 2020 bike may have more static sag (less preload) which would lower the ride height. For all given variables the same, when you swap to the 2020 tie rods it raises the rear of the bike by 18mm as I measured on my bike (135mm centres v 140mm centres), because you are changing the geometry on the linkage system. However Ducati state in their marketing blurb they have raised the C of G on the 2020 model and the only way they can do that practically and cost effectively is to raise the ride height front and rear, because they haven't changed anything else ( ie re-positioned the motor for example). Hope this helps, its not exact science just me playing in my garage.....
i think you've got your numbers wrong there some how.. what eye to eye length do you have on your shock?
the rear ride height would still be plus 18 in your scenario regardless of where you put the front...
