Ohlins 07235-01A5L.p65 - Manual (Page 5)

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Therefore it is extremely hard to recommend
specific settings. The best recommendation is to
proceed by trial and error.
However, good understanding of suspension
design and function will give you the best chance
to take advantage of the adjustment possibilities.
This is why we only give basic and simple advice
on how to set the dampers/shock absorber.
Read the manual carefully and start your work.
The Öhlins shock absorber will give you all possibili-
ties for fine adjustment to fit you personal desire.
WARNING!
1. ATVs are extremly depending on which kind of
tires are beeing used. Soft versus hard tires can
completely alter the road holding abilities. The
suspension must be tuned in after each change
of tires.
2. Every change in suspension geometry, i e
change of a-arms etc, must be followed by new
settings of the shock absorbers.
Settings
Basic settings
Always ensure that the basic setting made by
Öhlins is correct. It is adapted to the specific make
and model (in its original state) and for a rider of
average weight.
These adjustments are made to
optimize the suspension: (Fig.9)
1. SPRING PRELOAD is when you adjust the
spring to match your body weight and weight
of your equipment.
2. COMPRESSION DAMPING controls how fast
the shock absorber compresses when you hit
a bump.
3. REBOUND DAMPING controls how fast the
shock absorber returns to its normal position
after it has been compressed.
As an ATV has a rear axle without differential it is
forced to turn mostly by sliding (Fig.10). There-
fore excessively good road holding capabilities
is undesirable. The rear end must be able to eas-
ily break loose to slide and the front wheels must
not have too sharp turning radius, as this could
cause the ATV to flip over.
The tires are also a very important factor to the
ATV's road holding capabilities. Pattern, sidewall
flexibility and air pressure affects these characteris-
tics. Changing the dimensions of A-arms, swing
arm and linkage will also affect the vehicle's
abilities.
Because of this it is vital that the suspension is
adjustable. Any change of components will
demand different settings.
To complicate the situation, the technique and
skill of the driver will affect the perfomance of
the machine.
Steering by
sliding rear end Normal vehical
steering by
turning the
front wheels in
the intended
direction
9. Adjustment possibilities 10. ATV, steering by sliding
1. 2. 3.