Ever ridden a bike that just doesn't feel right?
Maybe it feels twitchy through corners, wallows over bumps, feels ridiculously harsh, or makes you tense up every time the road gets a bit rough.
If you're a new rider, you might assume that's just what riding feels like.
Maybe you need more practice, maybe you're not confident enough yet, or maybe everyone else knows something you don't.
But here's something worth considering: your suspension might not be set up for you.
And if you're new to riding, you might not even know it needs to be.
Your Bike Can Affect Your Confidence More Than You Realise
Learning to ride is already a lot to process. You're managing your throttle, clutch, brakes, gears, road position, traffic and approximately 17 other things your brain is trying to remember at once.
The last thing you need is a bike that feels unpredictable underneath you.
Suspension helps your tyres maintain contact with the road and controls how your bike responds to bumps, braking and changes in direction. When it's working properly and set up appropriately, your bike should feel more predictable and controlled.
When it isn't, the bike can feel harsh, unsettled or harder to manage.
And when your bike feels unpredictable, it's pretty hard to relax and trust it.
You might start riding stiffly, hesitating through corners or avoiding roads you don't feel comfortable on. You might even decide you're just not a confident rider.
But what if part of the problem isn't you?
But How Are You Supposed to Know If It's Wrong?
This is the tricky bit.
If you're a newer rider, you probably don't have years of experience to compare one bike against another. You might not know what properly set-up suspension feels like, let alone what to look for if it's not right.
You might think your bike is supposed to bounce around like that. Or that feeling every bump in the road is just part of owning a motorcycle.
Not necessarily.
I spoke with Adam, Sales Manager at Suspensions R Us, about what riders should know. He says correctly set-up suspension can make a huge difference, taking a bike from feeling unpredictable to feeling much more planted and controlled.
That's a pretty big deal when you're trying to build confidence!
Some Things Worth Paying Attention To
- You're bouncing around more than expected. Your bike feels unsettled after bumps rather than controlled.
- The ride feels very harsh. Small bumps feel much bigger than you'd expect.
- The bike bottoms out. You feel the suspension run out of travel over bumps or under certain loads.
- It doesn't feel planted through corners. Something feels off, and you find yourself fighting the bike rather than riding naturally.
- Your suspension is leaking oil. That's a good reason to get it inspected.
None of these automatically means your suspension is the problem. Tyres, tyre pressures, riding technique and other mechanical issues can also affect how a bike feels.
But they're worth investigating rather than assuming you just need to get better.
Bought a Bike? It Might Need Setting Up for YOU.
Here's another thing new riders don't always realise: a bike isn't necessarily set up perfectly for every person who rides it.
Suspension setup can depend on your weight, the bike, how you ride and what you're using it for.
A bike that worked well for its previous owner might not feel the same for you.
And if you've bought a used bike, you might have no idea when its suspension was last serviced, whether it's been modified or whether the factory settings have been changed.
Adam says it's not unusual to see older bikes with plenty of kilometres on the clock still running their original suspension without ever having been serviced.
So, no, you can't assume everything is fine just because the bike starts, stops and looks shiny.
What About Shorter Riders?
If you're struggling to feel comfortable at stops, suspension and ergonomics are worth considering alongside seat height and bike choice.
Lowering can be a useful option, but Adam's approach is to lower a bike only as much as necessary to preserve suspension travel.
The best solution depends on the bike and the rider. It's worth getting proper advice before making changes, rather than assuming a lowering link is always the answer.
Because confidence isn't just about reaching the ground. It's also about feeling comfortable and in control once you're moving and when you come to a stop.
So, What Should You Actually Do?
You don't need to become a suspension expert. That's what the experts are for.
If your bike feels harsh, bouncy, unsettled or harder to ride than you think it should be:
- Check the basics. Look for visible damage or oil leaks, and make sure your tyre pressures are correct.
- Ask about the setup. Has the suspension been adjusted for your riding weight and intended riding?
- Find out its history. Particularly if you've bought a second-hand bike.
- Get it assessed. A qualified suspension specialist can help identify whether it needs adjustment, servicing or new components.
You don't necessarily need expensive upgrades. Sometimes the answer is getting the existing suspension working properly and adjusting what's already there.
A Quick Suspension Tip: Use a Zip Tie
Here's a handy tip from Adam at Suspensions R Us that you can try on a newly acquired bike.
Put a zip tie around one of the fork legs and, if accessible, the rear shock shaft.
After a ride, check how far the zip tie has moved to get an idea of how much suspension travel you've used.
If it's reaching the end of the available travel, the suspension may be bottoming out. If it barely moves, it may not be using much travel at all.
And here's the tricky bit: suspension that feels really stiff or harsh isn't necessarily too hard. It could actually be too soft and bottoming out.
It's a useful little clue to help you understand what your bike is doing, although it won't diagnose the problem on its own. If something feels off, get a suspension specialist to check it out before you start making adjustments.
The Bottom Line
When you're learning to ride, it's easy to assume every uncomfortable experience is a skill issue.
Sometimes it is. We all start somewhere and need practice.
But your bike needs to work with you, too.
You can't build confidence on a bike that feels unpredictable and assume the problem is always you.
If something doesn't feel right, it's worth asking the question. You might be surprised how much difference the right setup can make.
Thanks to Adam at Suspensions R Us for sharing his expertise and helping us understand what riders should be looking out for.
Want to know whether your suspension is set up for you? Speak with a qualified suspension specialist about your bike and riding needs.
Expert insights provided by Adam, Sales Manager at Suspensions R Us. Any commercial or referral relationships will be disclosed where applicable.
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