i know you said you're strapped for cash, but i highly recommend getting a mechanic to set up your suspension. i just got mine done a couple days ago it cost me $30 and made a world of difference. it's literally the best money i've spent on the bike since i got it.

 

Forget what this guy above me says. You pay a mechainc if you don't know how to do it yourself but that links explains everything. Your problem is the front springs are only .68kg/mm, if you use racetechs calculator you'll see you need about .95kg/mm springs. If you loose some weight [about 40lbs lol] you'll be able to set sag correctly.
Set the front and rear sag independently. When my bike was all stock I actually had way more sag then perfect in front [no choice as you've found] and less sag then normal for the rear [I think I have like 15-20mm, which I've kept since upgrading the front].

 

Well I went out for a ride today w/ sag set at 50mm/front and 29mm/rear. I have to say w/ these setting all I have to do is think about turning and the bike dives right in. It's a little freaky, any movement w/ the bars or just a little bit of a lean (left or right) and the bike starts its turn. I'm not sure if I should leave it as is and learn to ride it like that or just go ahead and set it back to stock settings.

Ty
Moses

 

There are no "stock settings" when it comes to suspension... A bike's suspension should ALWAYS be set to the rider. If 50mm is the least amount of sag you can set in the front without upgrading fork springs, I would leave it there until replacing springs. I certainly wouldn't increase front sag anymore to go back to your so-called "stock settings"

 

Thx for the replies guys.


What I was referring to by "stock settings" is by what the owners manual states on pages 120-126.

Thx Again
Moses

 

I know the f4i doesn't turn for crap even when the front end is dumped and the rear is raised up with shims so deffenatley learn to ride the way it is now, its just getting started as far as fast turn in is concerned

 

While you guys are talking suspension.....I know absolutely nothing about it. But I'm a bigger guy, 6ft 215lbs, so stock is not working well for me. What springs would you recommend for me?

 

Street I'd go .95 and track I'd go 1.0kg/mm. One thing for people who are only planning spring upgrades to consider-

Stock the springs are much much too soft. To cope with this honda used very weak rebound valving [not much spring force to overcome] and very stiff compression valving. If you put stiffer springs in your not going to have enough rebound adjustment [its almost maxed out stock to being with] and much too much compression valving. I did not change my compression valving at all and I've got it setup right but its only 1 1/8" turn out from full soft, not ideal. At the very least you need to upgrade the rebound valve with the springs.