Photo: Ohlins.com
If you’ve ever walked past the suspension tent and thought, “I don’t even know what to say,” you’re not alone. Every rider starts there.
Even though I was a full-time certified motorcycle mechanic at the time — and had ridden everything from street bikes to dirt — stepping into the world of sport bikes and track riding was a different universe. I didn’t know how to explain what the bike was doing. I knew engines, I knew chassis work, I knew how a bike should feel on the street… but translating that into track language? That was new to me.
So when I walked up to a suspension tuner for the first time, there was zero ego. I was just another rider trying to figure out why the bike felt unsettled and why my inputs didn’t match what the bike was doing. And honestly, that’s exactly where most of us start.
And here’s the truth: suspension tuners have seen every kind of rider, from first-timers who don’t know what sag is, to racers chasing tenths. They’re not there to judge you. They’re there to help your bike feel like it actually wants to work with you instead of against you.
TrackDNA Safety Note
Riding motorcycles on track is inherently risky and can result in serious injury or death. The ideas in this article are shared for general information only — they’re not formal coaching, professional instruction, or a guarantee of safety or performance.
Always ride within your limits, use proper safety gear, and practice only in a controlled, closed-course environment that follows all rules and regulations. Before trying any new technique, talk with a qualified coach or instructor and use your own judgment about what’s right for your skill level, your bike, and your body.
The best place to explore and apply these ideas is with a qualified coach or at a dedicated motorcycle or racing school. Treat what you read here as background context and conversation fuel for your own training — not as a step-by-step guide or a substitute for in-person instruction.
By choosing to ride, you accept the risks that come with it.
Why Suspension Tuners Matter More Than You Think
When you’re new to track days, suspension sounds like one of those “advanced topics” you’ll deal with later — after tires, after technique, after confidence.
But the thing is: a proper suspension baseline gives you confidence to build everything else on.
A tuner can spot issues you’d swear were rider mistakes:
- Bike dropping too fast on the brakes
- Rear stepping out on exit
- Mid-corner bounce you thought was “just you”
- Front that refuses to settle no matter how smooth you try to be
Tiny tweaks can dissolve problems you’ve been fighting for months.
What You Should Bring to the Table
Think of talking to a suspension tuner like talking to a doctor. The more honest and specific you are, the better the result.
A. The Bike Basics They Actually Need
- Your weight with gear on
- Bike year/model
- Tire type (brand, compound)
- Any recent changes (fork service, shock replaced, springs, etc.)
B. Your Riding Level — Human Language, Not Lap Times
Tuners don’t need to know your best lap. They need to know what your bike feels like.
Examples that help:
- “It dives hard on the brakes.”
- “It stands up when I trail brake.”
- “It keeps bouncing mid-corner.”
- “It runs wide on exit.”
These cues tell a tuner more than any number ever will.
C. Your Goal for the Day
Give them your mission:
- “I want more stability on braking.”
- “I need the bike to feel planted on initial turn-in.”
- “I’m trying to get smoother mid-corner.”
- “I just want it to stop feeling like it’s fighting me.”
This tells them whether to go conservative or aggressive with your setup.
What to Say — Simple Phrases That Actually Help Them Help You
Here’s the cheat sheet riders wish they had on Day One:
- “The front feels too soft on braking.”
- “I feel like I’m blowing through the forks.”
- “The rear rebounds too fast on exit.”
- “It won’t settle mid-corner.”
- “It feels harsh over bumps.”
- “Turn-in feels vague.”
You don’t need to get the vocabulary perfect. Tuners speak “rider.”
If you can describe the feeling, they’ll translate it into clicks.
What NOT to Say
(Delivered with a bit of paddock humor, because we’ve all heard these.)
- “Can you set it up like the fast guys?”
Tuners know the fast guys weigh 40 pounds less and brake like they’re trying to bend physics. Not helpful. - “Can you make me faster?”
Suspension helps confidence. Speed is a side effect, not a setting. - “I don’t know… something feels weird.”
“Weird” could mean 400 different things. Pick one sensation — braking, turn-in, mid-corner, exit — and start there.
Suspension tuners don’t need a perfect explanation — just a direction.
During the Adjustment — What’s Actually Happening
Most riders don’t know what’s going on under the tent, so here’s the play-by-play:
- Set static sag (how much the bike compresses under your weight)
- Check fork travel to see if you’re using too much or too little
- Adjust compression (controls movement into the stroke)
- Adjust rebound (controls movement out of the stroke)
- Send you out for 2–3 laps
- Fine tune based on your feedback
It’s faster and simpler than you think.
And yes — going back for a second adjustment is normal.
Your Job After the First Adjustment
When you go back out, don’t try to “test” the bike. Just ride normally and notice:
- Does the front feel supported on initial braking?
- Does the bike settle or bounce mid-corner?
- Does it run wide when you get back on the gas?
- Does the rear squat too much?
- Does the bike feel more “connected” to the ground?
You don’t need to evaluate everything — two or three clear sensations are enough.
When to Go Back for a Second Adjustment
Don’t hesitate. Tuners actually prefer when riders come back because it means the setup is working toward something.
Return when:
- The bike improved but still needs one more notch
- You feel a new issue once the old one is fixed
- The track temperature changes
- You switched sessions and are riding harder
Suspension is a living thing. It evolves with your pace.
How Much Should It Cost?
Most track-day suspension tuners charge $60 to $80 for a full-day setup. That usually includes:
- Sag
- Baseline adjustments
- Follow-ups between sessions
For what it does to your confidence, it’s the best money you’ll spend at the track. Hands down.
And one more thing — have cash with you.
It makes everything easier, faster, and tuners always appreciate not having to deal with card readers or spotty Wi-Fi at the track.
Closing — Your Bike Should Work With You, Not Against You
Talking to a suspension tuner isn’t about sounding technical.
It’s about understanding what your bike is doing and giving yourself the best shot at a confident, stable lap.
When the suspension is right, everything else — your lines, your body position, your trust in the bike — starts to fall into place.
And that’s what TrackDNA is all about: Real riders, real progress, and the craft behind every lap.
