Intro to rebound
When it comes to motorcycle suspension tuning, riders often hear a lot about compression damping. While compression certainly plays a huge role in controlling how the suspension absorbs bumps, its partner—rebound damping—is equally important, yet often less understood. Rebound is what governs how quickly your suspension extends back after being compressed, and it has a huge influence on comfort, stability, and traction.
Think of rebound as the “reset” of your suspension. Every time your wheel hits a bump, the suspension compresses to absorb the impact. But the story doesn’t end there—your spring stores energy during that compression and then releases it, trying to push the wheel back down to its original position. Rebound damping controls the speed at which this happens.
If rebound damping is too light, the suspension will extend too quickly, creating a “pogo stick” effect that unsettles the bike and makes it feel bouncy. If it’s too heavy, the suspension will extend too slowly, causing it to “pack down” over consecutive bumps, leaving the suspension riding too low in its stroke and reducing comfort and grip.
Rebound is critical because it directly influences:
Traction: Too little rebound can cause your wheels to lose consistent contact with the road, especially over uneven surfaces.
Stability: Too much rebound can make the bike feel harsh and sluggish, reducing confidence in cornering.
Comfort: Properly tuned rebound allows the suspension to recover naturally, smoothing out road chatter and reducing fatigue on longer rides.
In short, rebound is what ties together the delicate balance between control and comfort. It doesn’t just change how the bike feels—it changes how the bike behaves.
Most modern motorcycles feature adjustable rebound damping, often via a small screw or knob located at the top or bottom of the shock and sometimes on the fork legs. Here’s what happens when you adjust it:
Opening (less damping): The suspension extends faster. This can make the bike feel more plush and responsive, but if taken too far, it can feel unstable and bouncy.
Closing (more damping): The suspension extends slower. This improves stability and control, especially at high speeds or during aggressive cornering, but can also make the bike harsh if set too firm.
The key to tuning rebound is finding the balance between too fast and too slow. Riders often start with the manufacturer’s recommended settings and then fine-tune based on riding style and conditions. For example:
On a track bike, slightly slower rebound can help keep the bike stable in high-speed transitions.
On an adventure bike, slightly faster rebound allows the suspension to reset quickly when riding over rough terrain.
For commuting, a balanced mid-point often provides the best blend of comfort and control.
Rebound is often overshadowed by compression when discussing suspension setup, but in reality, the two work hand-in-hand. Think of rebound as the “breathing” of your suspension—without it, your bike can’t properly recover from every hit the road throws its way. By taking the time to understand and adjust rebound damping, you can dramatically improve ride quality, making your motorcycle not only more enjoyable to ride but also safer and more predictable in all conditions.
