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Re-Learning Motorcycle Suspensions and Geometry: How a Small Change Transformed My Ride
After decades of riding and building motorcycles, I thought I had a pretty solid handle on how bikes work. This experience proved there’s always more to learn. And honestly, that’s what makes motorcycling so rewarding. It’s not just about the ride — it’s about understanding the machine, the physics, and the craft behind it.
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of buying a new (or new-to-you) motorcycle. For me, that thrill never gets old — even after years of developing bikes like the Derbi Terra 125 and DRD 125 R/SM at Piaggio and riding everything from trail bikes as a teen to sport bikes in my twenties.
Recently, I picked up a used Honda CRF 300 Rally and, as always, couldn’t resist making a few tweaks to make it mine. But here’s the thing: what started as a fun project turned into a deep-dive lesson in suspension and geometry — one that I hadn’t anticipated.
The bike didn’t feel quite right. It wasn’t bad, but something was… off … or it was me after many years without riding?. The previous owner assured me it was due to a new rear shock he’d installed. He even threw in a supplement for the kickstand to “compensate” for the higher ride height. Sounded logical enough, right? Well, not so fast. It turns out the real issue had nothing to do…
