Most e-moto owners never touch their suspension settings, and most of them are riding a bike that's set up for someone else. Ten minutes with a tape measure and a few clicks can make a stock E-Ride Pro, Sur-Ron, Talaria or 79Bike feel like a different bike. Here's how to do it in the right order.
The basics: springs and damping
- Springs hold the bike and rider up. Preload sets where in the travel the bike sits. Spring rate (how stiff the spring is) can only be changed by swapping the spring.
- Compression damping controls how fast the suspension compresses on bumps and landings.
- Rebound damping controls how fast it extends again.
Adjusters vary a lot between bikes and forks. Some stock e-moto shocks have only preload and rebound; aftermarket units add compression clickers and sometimes separate high- and low-speed adjustment. Check what yours actually has before you start.
Step 1: set rider sag
Sag is the foundation. Adjusting clickers before sag is right is wasted time.
- Put the bike on a stand so the rear wheel hangs. Measure from the rear axle straight up to a fixed point on the fender or subframe. That's your fully extended measurement.
- Take the bike off the stand. With full gear on, stand on the pegs in your normal riding position while a friend measures the same two points.
- Subtract the second number from the first. That's rider sag.
- A common starting point is about a third of total rear-wheel travel. Check your bike's manual or shock maker's recommendation.
- Too much sag? Add preload. Too little? Take preload out.
Then check static sag (the bike settling under its own weight, no rider). If you need a lot of preload to get rider sag right and the bike barely sags on its own, the spring is too soft for you. If you need almost no preload and the bike still sags a lot unloaded, it's too stiff. Either way the fix is a different spring rate, not more clicks.
Step 2: set rebound
- Too fast: the bike feels like a pogo stick, kicks after jumps and skips over braking bumps.
- Too slow: the suspension "packs down" over repeated bumps, the ride gets harsh and traction drops.
- Start in the middle of the range, then adjust 1–2 clicks at a time on the same section of trail.
Step 3: set compression (if you have it)
- Bottoming hard on landings: add compression a couple of clicks (or you need a stiffer spring).
- Harsh on small bumps, not using full travel: take compression out.
Step 4: balance front and rear
The fork matters just as much. If the front dives hard under braking or the bike wants to run wide in corners, look at fork settings, air pressure (if it's an air fork) and oil level. Fork height in the clamps also changes how the bike steers. Use a suspension pump for air forks. Write down every setting before and after.
Tuning rules that save time
- Change one thing at a time.
- Test on the same section of trail every time.
- Count clicks from fully closed (gently turn clockwise until it stops) so you always know where you are.
- Recheck sag after big weight changes, like a different pack or added gear.
Talaria Sting tips
Heavier and aggressive riders often run out of stock rear spring and damping first. Before buying a shock, set sag properly. If it's still bottoming, look at an upgraded shock such as the TECH Talaria Sting rear shock. Sting R / MX4 owners should also look at the Heavy Hitter reinforced suspension triangle. More parts in our Talaria Sting R/MX4 collection.
Sur-Ron Light Bee X tips
The same sag-first process applies. If you're outside the stock spring's range, upgraded rear shocks like the TECH Sur-Ron LBX shock and forks like the Sirris F43 CMX fork (which also fits E-Ride Pro S / SS 2.0) are popular next steps. Browse the Sur-Ron Light Bee X parts collection.
Keep it maintained
- Wipe fork seals and the shock shaft after every ride.
- A weeping fork seal is often just dirt. Try a Motion Pro Seal Mate before replacing seals.
- Check linkage and swingarm bearings for play and grease them with waterproof grease.
- Have fork oil and shock service done on the schedule your suspension manufacturer recommends. Do it sooner if you ride in mud or dust a lot.
When to go pro
External adjustments only go so far. If your spring rate is right and the bike still feels wrong, a revalve from a suspension tuner tailors the internals to your weight and riding. If you're shopping for an upgrade, see our forks, shocks and brands like EXT Racing and Fastace.
Not sure what spring rate or shock fits your bike and weight? Email support@tbelectricmoto.com with your bike, year and riding weight, and we'll point you in the right direction. Our Talaria Boys YouTube channel also has setup videos.
