The Hazards of Overly Soft Motorcycle Suspension
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When encountering poor road conditions or excessive load, the suspension travel may bottom out, leading to severe impacts and component damage; traction is reduced by half, making the bike prone to drifting during cornering; at high speeds, even on straight roads, slight drifting may occur; rear wheel braking force is diminished. Below is additional information about shock absorbers: 1. Shock Absorber (Absorber): Used to dampen the oscillation from spring rebound after absorbing shocks and impacts from the road surface. Widely used in automobiles, it accelerates the attenuation of frame and body vibrations to improve ride comfort. When traversing uneven surfaces, while the suspension spring can filter out road vibrations, the spring itself still undergoes reciprocating motion, and the shock absorber is employed to suppress this spring oscillation. 2. Function: The primary role of a motorcycle shock absorber is to provide cushioning. Without it, even minor road bumps would generate significant impacts on the rider, not only causing discomfort but also potentially leading to operational errors, endangering personal safety.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade, and overly soft suspension is a major hazard. The bike wobbles severely during turns, and when encountering curves, the rear tire loses grip easily, making skids and falls likely. During rapid acceleration, the body sinks too much, causing the headlight to misalign with the road ahead, which is especially dangerous at night. It also tends to bounce excessively on bumpy roads, like speed bumps, leading to unstable tire contact and increased wear or blowouts. In the long run, it takes a toll on the body, worsening back and waist pain. Safety comes first—check the suspension springs and damping settings, and consider upgrading to stiffer components if necessary to avoid costly accident repairs.
