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How To Adjust the Suspension on a Vsett Scooter

Nely Hayes
20 September 2021
Nely Hayes
20 September 2021

 

Established in 2019 after the rebranding of the popular Zero brand, Vsett is an exciting series of high-performance electric scooters which are unique, safe, and incredibly powerful.

 

At the time of writing this article, Vsett has six scooter models that are targeted at both beginners and experienced riders. Its lineup includes the Vsett 8, Vsett 8R, Vsett 9R, Vsett 9+, Vsett 10+ and Vsett 11+.

Some of the key features you’ll find on every Vsett electric scooter include:

  • NFC key lock immobiliser and card reader security technology
  • Top-deck mounted charging ports
  • Reliable LG batteries
  • Upgraded QS-S4 Vsett control throttle display
  • Rear footrest
  • Turn signal indicators
  • Foldable handlebars
  • IP54 water resistance rating
  • Adjustable suspension

In this post, we delve deeper into the last feature above, looking at ways to adjust the suspension on a Vsett scooter. Today, most modern electric scooters, including all the Vsett models, come fitted with top-quality suspension systems to improve road handling and ride quality.

But Why Do Electric Scooters Require Suspension?

electric scooter tyre

A lot of urban and suburban roads are not exceptionally smooth – blame the government. Some are filled with bumps, dips and even potholes.

The ridges and dips keep thrusting the electric scooter wheels up and down when riding on such terrains. The resulting sudden forces can sometimes be too much for the rider, leading to a loss of control and even causing nasty accidents.

Suspension helps absorb these forces, ensuring that the electric scooter is perfectly balanced and the rider doesn’t feel the full impact when they hit a bump or pothole.

Three Common Vsett Scooters Suspension Systems

 

As with most brands, the Vsett line of electric scooters comes with different suspension types depending on their cost and class. The Vsett 8, 8R, 9R and 9+ all have Polyurethane + spring suspension on both wheels. On the other hand, the pricier and more advanced Vsett 10+ and 11+ are fitted with a combination of front spring suspension + rear hydraulic suspension.

Understanding how the three suspension types work is crucial if you’re to adjust each of them properly.

Polyurethane Suspension

Since Polyurethane is soft, malleable and naturally supportive, it makes an excellent material for shock absorption. Apart from reducing noise and vibrations, this suspension type stores more energy per unit, thereby helping to reduce the weight of the electric scooter considerably.

Spring Suspension

This is one of the most common suspension types on electric scooters today, and for a reason: it works exceptionally well and is relatively inexpensive compared to hydraulic suspension. How this suspension works is that the spring travels up and down, setting your ride height, holding your weight and finally reducing the impact of your machine when coming out of a pothole or bump.

Hydraulic Suspension

Hydraulic suspension is the most advanced and comprises a series of components that work together to absorb and dampen the shock once the scooter hits a bump or a dip. When you go over a ridge, the hydraulic actuator expands and forcefully gets filled with a liquid. The actuator then pushes the suspension components upward, causing them to spring away and absorb the shock.

A hydraulic uses the same principle as an individual jumping off the ground. First, you exert force against the ground using your legs and then generate the power to move upwards.

Your Vsett Electric Scooter Suspension Will Wear Out

Vsett 8 electric scooter tyres

Electric scooters may be rugged machines that can withstand lots of tension, friction and abuse, but they also experience wear and tear over time. Before you adjust the suspension, you need to check whether all parts are performing optimally. You don’t want to follow the steps outlined below, only to realise that nothing much has changed in the performance due to damaged or worn-out components.

To avoid headaches and disappointments, be sure to first check the suspension components for wear and tear before making any adjustments. Inspect the seals, the preload, limiter straps, shocks and springs. If you discover any damaged parts, get them fixed first. Remember, adjustment won’t compensate for damaged suspension components.

Key Suspension Terms You Need to Know

Before starting any adjustment work on your Vsett suspension, it’s crucial to learn the following suspension vocabularies:

Travel

Travel refers to the length of the wheel’s full range of motion, from the moment it’s fully extended to when it’s fully compressed.

Sag

This is a measure of how far the suspension squats when the scooter is sitting still. When there’s no rider standing on the machine, the plunge length is known as the free/static sag. On the other hand, the squat length when the rider is on the scooter is known as active/rider sag.

Preload

Preload adjusters alter the tension on the shock springs and can be used to change the suspension’s position when it’s in the full range of travel. Once you increase the preload, you force the electric scooter to sit higher. Conversely, reducing preload lets the shocks ride lower.

Damping

When you hit a bump, the control of how the suspension springs move is what is known as damping.

Compression

Also known as compression damping, it helps you alter how swift the suspension compresses when you’re loading on bumps. If your scooter has low compression damping, it feels soft and bouncy. On the other hand, your machine will feel more rigid and precise with high compression.

For excellent results, you need to find a perfect balance between high compression and low compression.

Rebound

Rebound is what helps keep the wheels on the ground. It regulates the promptness of the suspension returning to its natural state when you hit a dip, pothole or bump.

Bottom Out

This occurs when the suspension has attained its lower limit and can’t compress further.

Topping Out

This is where suspension attains its upper limit. Experiencing bottom-up or topping out indicates that your electric scooter isn’t optimised for the terrain you’re on or for your weight.

A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Adjust Vsett Suspension

Vsett 9+ Dual Motor electric scooter front

Although the Vsett line of e-scooters comes with different types of suspension systems, the process of adjusting them follows the same principle. The only notable difference is that adjusting the hydraulic suspension may require more work and technical know-how. Here are the steps to follow when setting your Vsett scooter suspension:

Set the Recommended Sag

For this first step, lift your Vsett scooter off the ground and place it on a stand such that the suspension is fully topped out. Using a tape measure/ruler, measure the distance between the wheel axle and the top part of the fender. Write this figure down and put the scooter on the ground.

Step on the deck and have a friend measure the distance from the axle to the top of the fender. Again, note this down and step off the scooter.

The difference between the two measurements is what is referred to as the rider sag/active sag. Most manufacturers usually include this in the manual.

If the rider sag matches the recommended figure in your electric scooter manual, then you’re good to go. However, if it falls short or is above the recommended level, you need to adjust it by moving to the next step.

Adjust the Preload

If your sag is above or below the required standard, this step will help you get it back into spec. Find the preload adjuster at the top or below the shock, depending on your scooter model.

For standard spring suspension, you’ll need a shock punch or spanner to spin the preload adjuster and attain the required ride sag. Winding it in will compress the spring, increase the preload and reduce the rider rag. On the other hand, if you wind the adjuster out, it will decompress the spring, decrease the preload and increase the race rag.

The preload adjuster can be found below the shock for hydraulic suspension. To wind it out, you will need a spanner or a flathead screwdriver.

Once you’re done adjusting the preload, you can now repeat the measurement and see if you have attained the appropriate rider sag on your rear suspension.

Set the Rebound Damping

Experts warn against trying to adjust the rebound before setting the sag properly. Essentially, the rebound damping determines the speed at which the suspension will re-extend once it compresses after hitting a bump. If your scooter doesn’t have enough rebound, the suspension will be stiff and wild when you load on big bumps or obstacles. On the other hand, if the rebound is too much, the suspension will pack down and result in harsh rides. Take caution when completing this step to avoid compromising the scooter’s handling or its geometry.

When setting the rebound, the goal is to make sure that you attain a middle ground where the trampolining effect is moderate. Start by dialling the clickers to the standard factory setting. Then hop onto the scooter and take a five-minute ride trying and try to master how the ride feels.

If the suspension doesn’t feel great, dial the rebound twice on both the shock and fork and take a ride test. Repeat the process carefully until you achieve the best results.

Adjust the Compression Damping

While not all Vsett scooters come with adjustable compression damping, this setting affects how your suspension compresses. Inadequate compression damping may result in suspension that curtseys and descends through its travel or under braking. Conversely, too much of it lowers the suspension’s shock absorption capabilities making the rider feel the impact as they ride.

Since there is no standard for compression damping, how you adjust your e-scooter will depend on your preferences. If you like feeling your hands and knees tremble when cascading through off-road terrains, turn in the compression dampening until it feels too harsh.

Riders who relish comfortable and confident-inspiring rides should find the middle ground between too much and too little compression damping. The secret is to rotate the clickers to one side and then adjust slowly to the opposite side until you find an ideal setting.

However, the rule of thumb is to toggle around with the compression and rebound settings simultaneously. You should kick in the compression damping twice and rebound once. Then take a test ride and repeat the sequence until you realise a positive change.

So, Why Do You Need to Adjust Suspension?

electric scooter wheel

Suspension can transform your electric scooter’s riding quality and handling. However, you need to understand how to do it correctly to get the best out of your Vsett scooter. For those wondering if playing around with the suspension setting is crucial, here’s why:

The standard suspension settings aren’t optimised for your unique needs

All Vsett electric scooters come with standard suspension configurations based on the averages for riders. In most cases, these settings don’t consider your weight, riding style and preferences.

Adjusting the suspension helps you tailor the e-scooter to your individual needs and preferences, thereby improving your overall riding experience. 

Adjusting the suspension makes your rides smoother and more comfortable

Suspension systems are meant to make your Vsett scooter stable and comfortable. However, when you make adjustments based on your riding experience, weight and terrain, the riding experience becomes even more enjoyable.

Adjusting the suspension allows you to have maximum control

When you ride a scooter without modifying the suspension, handling it can be such a challenge. When set up correctly, it may end up improving other areas of your machine, such as braking, acceleration and taking corners.

Common Mistakes Riders Make When Adjusting Vsett Scooter Suspension

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With all the craze about adjusting scooter suspension, most riders are swayed to do it without understanding the basics. It’s worth noting that if you get it wrong with your adjustments, you may turn your e-scooter from a stable and high-performance machine into an unsafe and poorly performing toy.

Here are a few costly mistakes we see many riders make when adjusting their e-scooters suspension:

Adjusting all suspension settings at once

This is probably the most common mistake that riders make, thinking they need to keep modifying everything all the time. The best approach is to systematically adjust the suspension setting one at a time and conduct test rides to see how your machine responds.

Setting up one feature and forgetting about it

You’ll also find riders who think that adjusting suspension is a one-time thing. Rather than making changes and trying to test them out and familiarise with the whole process, they adjust one part, such as the preload, and leave it. They don’t know that changing the suspension is a gradual process that includes several steps, as we saw earlier.

Failure to conduct thorough suspension maintenance at the required service intervals

As with all other parts of your scooter, the suspension system needs servicing and sprucing up at given intervals. A lack of this leads to components degrading and deteriorating quicker than they should.

Regular maintenance will improve the scooter’s longevity and also enhance the overall quality of your rides and experiences.

Suspension Maintenance Tips to Prolong the Life of Your E-scooter

Vsett 8+ scooter

Check the screws regularly

Since most parts of the suspension system are fixed onto the scooter using screws, be sure to check if they are loose or too tight routinely. If you notice any strange noises coming from the shock absorbers, check the screws before anything else. 

As a general rule of thumb, avoid tightening them too much and ensure they are not too loose. Tightening the screws can make your suspension stiff, thereby making you feel every pothole or bump on the road.

Lubrication

The work of the shock absorbers is to move up and down as you tackle bumps or rough terrains. To reduce friction, manufacturers lubricate these parts using grease.

When you get yourself any Vsett scooter, be sure to lubricate it regularly. Without proper lubrication, the moving parts tend to rub each other and cause significant damage that ultimately affects the suspension.

Get rid of dust and debris

For improved efficiency and durability, ensure that you clean all dirt particles and debris on the shock absorbers.

Conclusion

Suspension is ranked among the most advanced technologies to have found its way into the electric scooter industry. It’s helped to convert these mini-vehicles from commuting devices that could only be used on paved, city roads to off-road beasts that can traverse virtually any terrain.

Even so, some electric scooters still do not come with reliable suspension technologies, while others lack them altogether. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about this if you’re going for Vsett scooters, as all of them are fitted with high-quality suspension.

To get the best out of your Vsett’s suspension system, though, you must understand how to adjust it to your liking. While this whole process may feel intimidating at first, we hope that with the steps we’ve provided in this article, you should be able to improve your Vsett’s riding experience significantly.

Good luck!

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Author:
Nely Hayes

BIO: 

Nely is an adrenaline junkie and one of her life goals is to sky dive, but until that day she gets her kicks from testing fast electric scooters. Part time scooter fanatic & part time SEO analyst. Nely’s favourite scooter is the Dualtron X.