Öhlins Spring Weight Calculator
Enter your rider details and bike setup to get a practical starting spring rate for both front and rear suspension.
How this Öhlins spring calculator helps
Picking the right suspension spring is one of the biggest upgrades you can make for confidence, grip, and comfort. Many riders spend money on premium shocks or fork cartridges but keep a spring that is too soft or too stiff for their real rider weight. This calculator gives you a strong baseline for selecting an Öhlins-compatible spring rate.
The tool estimates both front and rear spring requirements using rider mass (including gear), motorcycle weight, bike category, and riding style. It then suggests target rider sag numbers so you can verify setup in the garage before your next ride.
Why spring rate matters more than most riders think
Damping controls how fast suspension moves. Spring rate controls how much it moves under load. If your spring is wrong, damping adjustment alone can’t fix balance problems. Typical symptoms include:
- Bike running wide on corner exit
- Harsh front end over small bumps
- Rear squat under acceleration
- Excessive brake dive or instability on corner entry
- Poor tire wear due to inconsistent contact patch load
A matched spring gets you into the proper suspension operating window. Once that foundation is correct, clicker adjustments become meaningful and repeatable.
Inputs explained
1) Rider weight + gear
Always include full riding kit. A rider who is 80 kg off the bike may be 88-92 kg fully equipped. That difference is large enough to move one full spring step.
2) Bike wet weight
Use realistic running weight: full fluids, fuel level you normally carry, and any luggage or accessories that remain on the bike.
3) Bike type and riding style
Track riding generally needs firmer support than commuting. Adventure bikes may use softer front baseline rates for compliance, but still need adequate rear support when loaded.
Target sag: the real-world validation step
After selecting springs, measure rider sag. This is the quickest way to confirm whether your spring choice is close:
- Comfort street: more sag for compliance
- Spirited street: balanced support and bump absorption
- Race/track: less sag for higher chassis support
If preload is nearly maxed out to hit sag, spring is likely too soft. If preload is almost fully backed off and sag is still low, spring is likely too stiff.
Practical tuning process after installing springs
- Install spring and set preload near the calculator baseline.
- Measure static sag and rider sag front/rear.
- Set rebound and compression to manufacturer starting clicks.
- Ride and assess braking stability, mid-corner support, and traction on exit.
- Make one change at a time and log your settings.
This method keeps your setup decisions objective and avoids “chasing feel” with random clicker changes.
Common mistakes when selecting Öhlins springs
- Using bodyweight without gear
- Ignoring added load (top box, passenger, tools)
- Confusing spring rate units (N/mm vs kg/mm)
- Assuming one setup works for both track and touring
- Buying by internet guess instead of measuring sag
Unit conversion quick reference
Suspension springs are often listed in N/mm. Some shops and forums also discuss kg/mm:
- 1 kg/mm ≈ 9.81 N/mm
- 90 N/mm ≈ 9.17 kg/mm
- 10 N/mm ≈ 1.02 kg/mm
Always verify spring dimensions and fitment for your exact fork or shock model before ordering.
Final note
This calculator is designed as a high-quality starting point, not a substitute for professional setup. Small geometry differences, linkage ratios, tire construction, and riding pace all influence final spring choice. Use the result to narrow your options, then confirm with sag measurements and real test rides.