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CourseMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Preload, compression and rebound adjustment course

Online course of 300 hours in preload, compression and rebound adjustment. 6 modules covering damping principles, preload, compression and rebound adjustment and a structured setup methodology, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the physical principles of damping.

02

Measure and adjust sag through preload.

03

Adjust high- and low-speed compression.

04

Adjust rebound according to symptoms.

05

Apply a structured setup methodology.

06

Interpret suspension travel data.

07

Produce a complete setup sheet.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Suspension technicians who set up road and track motorcycles.
  • Race mechanics responsible for trackside setup.
  • Riding instructors who want to understand and explain suspension settings.
  • Track engineers working with data acquisition.
  • Motorcycle mechanics expanding into suspension work.
  • Track bike builders and preparers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter suspension workshops.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability: vocabulary)
  • ISO 2631-1 (evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration)
  • ISO 9130 (motorcycles: measurement of centre of gravity location)
  • ISO 6725 (motorcycle dimensions: terms and definitions)
  • FIM technical regulations (technical rules for motorcycle racing)
  • AiM Race Studio 3
  • 2D Datarecording
  • MATLAB
  • BikeSim
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Sprung and unsprung mass
  2. 1.2Natural frequency of the system
  3. 1.3Spring rate
  4. 1.4Damping coefficient
  5. 1.5Critical damping and damping ratio
  6. 1.6Step and bump response
  7. 1.7Low- and high-speed compression
  8. 1.8Rebound and recovery
  9. 1.9Interaction between front and rear
  10. 1.10Workshop: calculating the natural frequency of the suspension
  1. 2.1The role of preload
  2. 2.2Measuring sag
  3. 2.3Static and rider sag
  4. 2.4Choosing the spring for the rider's weight
  5. 2.5Common preload mistakes
  6. 2.6Fork preload
  7. 2.7Shock preload
  8. 2.8Remote hydraulic preload adjusters
  9. 2.9Effect on geometry
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: measuring sag with two operators
  1. 3.1Compression hydraulics
  2. 3.2Low-speed adjustment
  3. 3.3High-speed adjustment
  4. 3.4Feel under braking
  5. 3.5Behaviour over bumps
  6. 3.6Excessive suspension dive
  7. 3.7Excessive harshness and loss of grip
  8. 3.8Wet-weather settings
  9. 3.9Compression in off-road riding
  10. 3.10Lab: effect of compression on the force-velocity graph
  1. 4.1Rebound hydraulics
  2. 4.2Adjusting rebound
  3. 4.3Fast rebound and its symptoms
  4. 4.4Slow rebound and loss of contact
  5. 4.5Front-to-rear balance
  6. 4.6Rebound on corner exit
  7. 4.7Rebound over successive bumps
  8. 4.8Interaction with compression
  9. 4.9Fine-tuning on track
  10. 4.10Case study: correcting fast rear rebound
  1. 5.1The manufacturer's baseline
  2. 5.2One change at a time
  3. 5.3Recording clicks and turns
  4. 5.4Testing on a familiar circuit
  5. 5.5Rider feedback
  6. 5.6Using travel sensors
  7. 5.7Data analysis
  8. 5.8Setup sheet
  9. 5.9Methodology mistakes
  10. 5.10Case study: complete setup during a track day
  1. 6.1Choosing the motorcycle and rider
  2. 6.2Measuring the initial situation
  3. 6.3Defining objectives
  4. 6.4Preload adjustment
  5. 6.5Compression adjustment
  6. 6.6Rebound adjustment
  7. 6.7Validation on track
  8. 6.8Final setup sheet
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AiM Race Studio 3, 2D Datarecording, MATLAB and BikeSim, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for measuring sag in the workshop, setup during track days and suspension travel analysis. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 8855, ISO 2631-1, ISO 9130, ISO 6725, FIM technical regulations.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 8855, ISO 2631-1 and ISO 9130 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:AiM Race Studio 3, 2D Datarecording, MATLAB and BikeSim, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete suspension setup for a specific motorcycle and rider, validated on track, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Initial assessment
Measure the initial sag and settings of the chosen motorcycle and rider.
Setup objectives
Define the target behaviour based on rider feedback and data.
Hydraulic adjustment
Adjust preload, compression and rebound one change at a time.
Track validation
Validate the setup on track using travel sensor data.
Final project
A final setup sheet with report and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Suspension technicianRace mechanicRiding instructorTrack engineerMotorcycle mechanicTrack bike preparer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with AiM Race Studio 3, 2D Datarecording, MATLAB and BikeSim, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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