ADV bike suspension mods

[cruza]

Wheres one of the better places in chch to get a respring and valving mods for adv bike? Be interested to know what others have found.

[warewolf]

Linton at DAS Moto (http://dasmoto.co.nz/). Comes highly recommended by Robert Taylor. I've discussed my KTM suspension with him and he seems to know his stuff. Bought parts from him but not yet had any work done.

[thepom]

2nd that ;)

[Crim]

3rd that ;)

[cooneyr]

4th that. However - be clear on turn around time frames!

[thepom]

Yeah,dont spend too much time talking or you ll be there all day.......drop off and arrange a turn around time and when you come to pick it up tell him you cant stay long as you need a liver transplant or you,ve just discovered cold fusion and get out pronto.....

[NordieBoy]

Just do it yourself, I mean, how hard could it be?




Well someone had to say it.

:facepalm:

[Night Falcon]

Maybe some of you guys who are more knowledgeable on these things can help me on this one....

I hear people talk about getting their suspension "dialed in" so that its "plush" and "floats" over the bumps, but does it really make a huge difference for adventure riding? I suppose if ya springs arn't that flash to begin with (my old XR 2fiddy "springs" to mind) then you'd probably notice a big improvement if spent some money on upgrading them. Am I missing out on riding nervana by not getting the 690's suspenders looked at? Or am I not likely to notice any difference? I've never riden a bike that has had anything more than stock suspension so is it a case of I don't know what I've been missing?

[warewolf]

Exactly. Two Robert Taylor quotes come to mind: "most of the work we do is for road riders not racers", and "the best you've ridden is the best you know".

Once you start dialling in suspension and critiquing it, you're never happy!! because you are thereafter noticing what the suspension is doing and not doing. But it also lets you consciously work around the shortcomings, too.

Springs are the primary suspension component; these must be right before you do anything else. So go measures your sag :-) Ummm, the bike's sag. Going up one rate in fork springs totally transformed the front end on my bike without touching the damping...I'm hoping going down one on the shock will do similar to the rear.

[HANGMAN]

Maybe some of you guys who are more knowledgeable on these things can help me on this one....

I hear people talk about getting their suspension "dialed in" so that its "plush" and "floats" over the bumps, but does it really make a huge difference for adventure riding? I suppose if ya springs arn't that flash to begin with (my old XR 2fiddy "springs" to mind) then you'd probably notice a big improvement if spent some money on upgrading them. Am I missing out on riding nervana by not getting the 690's suspenders looked at? Or am I not likely to notice any difference? I've never riden a bike that has had anything more than stock suspension so is it a case of I don't know what I've been missing?

Ah good question young padwhen tell me when you find out .HA you told me KTM ready to race:killingme::headbang: na he got sag warewolf and not on bike

[Night Falcon]

Ah good question young padwhen tell me when you find out .HA you told me KTM ready to race:killingme::headbang: na he got sag warewolf and not on bike

ktm ready to race for 85 to 90kg cloned rider with regular Gym membership so only just ouside my specs cookie boy :bleh:

[Night Falcon]

Exactly. Two Robert Taylor quotes come to mind: "most of the work we do is for road riders not racers", and "the best you've ridden is the best you know".

Once you start dialling in suspension and critiquing it, you're never happy!! because you are thereafter noticing what the suspension is doing and not doing. But it also lets you consciously work around the shortcomings, too.

Springs are the primary suspension component; these must be right before you do anything else. So go measures your sag :-) Ummm, the bike's sag. Going up one rate in fork springs totally transformed the front end on my bike without touching the damping...I'm hoping going down one on the shock will do similar to the rear.

That would be static sag your talking about? Last time I checked it was within spec but when the bike is loaded up with panniers etc it wants to tip over off the stand if not on dead flat surface. Loaded up also adds to rider sag and you definately notice it in the handling with its bum hanging down. I guess that means the rear spring is a bit light? but would a bigger spring be too strong for the 80% riding done with out panniers etc ? Dont have any problems with the front suspension though, its amazing as is under any conditions :yes:

[warewolf]

ktm ready to race for 85 to 90kg cloned rider with regular Gym membership so only just ouside my specs cookie boy :bleh:Wheredya get that figure from? I thought it was 75 kg.

[warewolf]

That would be static sag your talking about?Both: the spring is correct when both static and rider sag are correct.


Last time I checked it was within spec but when the bike is loaded up with panniers etc it wants to tip over off the stand if not on dead flat surface. Loaded up also adds to rider sag and you definately notice it in the handling with its bum hanging down. I guess that means the rear spring is a bit light?You definitely have a weak spring for the load you're carrying. More preload will help, but an over-preloaded weak spring is not very nice either.


but would a bigger spring be too strong for the 80% riding done with out panniers etc ?Aye, there's the rub. If the load varies wildly then you may not get acceptable performance from a single spring rate. The KTM dirt bike manuals suggest a different spring for every 10 kg change in load (body weight). The bigger bikes are not as sensitive, but as you say, it makes a difference. You could run two springs, and swap in the stronger spring for the longer fully-loaded trips.

[CrazyFrog]

Speaking of ADV bike suspension mods, I'm swapping over my 2006 EXC WP 48mm forks to 2008 SX WP 48mm forks, which have nicer preload adjusters and heavier springs (cos I'm a large unit). Haven't done a test ride yet, but they have been set up for my weight already, so here's hoping all good.

My next question is; I'm gonna sell the EXC forks, what does anyone reckon market value would be? Recently serviced, 4.4Nm springs, good seals.
Good upgrade for someone perhaps? I am parting out a complete KTM SX-F roller, so brakes, wheels, suspension etc etc all up for grabs.

[warewolf]

The valving in the SX will be set up for landing big jumps; it won't be as good at soaking up slippery tree roots as the EXC. Lotsa suspension shops do a roaring trade making MX suspension more supple for trail use. If they are the same series fork (4860MXMA?) then you can probably drop the SX springs and pre-load adjustable fork caps into the EXC forks. You might have to check the length of the cartridge and rebound adjuster tube if the fork caps are different heights below the fork tube tops. If they are different, then you might also have to swap the EXC rebound (mid?) valve into the SX cartridge. Assuming the fork springs are the same length...

I was able to use 2005 640 valves & cartridge for the damping and travel length, 2003 200EXC fork tubes for the 200's axle & wheel, and 2004 950S springs that matched my weight, all together on the 640. Three cheers for modular builds! :clap: