MX bike suspension perfomance.

[crazyxr250rider]

Was reading a bike magazine the other day and noticed that most of the updates from each year were mostly focused on suspention and egros plus half a horsepower on some bikes by raising compression or changing cams ect... so, am i right to think that the average club level rider would be better to buy a 2-3 year old bike and spend 2-3g on suspention, better bars, Tall/lower seat too make the bike suit them better than to buy a new bike and ride it as it came off the floor??

[Robert Taylor]

Was reading a bike magazine the other day and noticed that most of the updates from each year were mostly focused on suspention and egros plus half a horsepower on some bikes by raising compression or changing cams ect... so, am i right to think that the average club level rider would be better to buy a 2-3 year old bike and spend 2-3g on suspention, better bars, Tall/lower seat too make the bike suit them better than to buy a new bike and ride it as it came off the floor??

Suspension should be ''tailored'' to each individual riders height and weight / application, speed etc irrespective of whether the bike is brand new or otherwise. That very often involves changing springs as a very first step if you fall out of the range that the oem fitted springs are suitable for. A second step is revalving to suit our style of tracks and predominantly loamy surfaces. Standard settings seem to be for the US market where they are preoccupied with doing big jumps. If you want further improvement its then down to fitting aftermarket piston kits with tailored valving or replacing the suspension units completely. The very fact such products exist and sell in huge quantities worldwide is clue in itself.
When manufacturers state in their advertising ''race ready'' its a lie akin to Bill Clintons initial denying of having had sexual relations with one of his White House interns.

[crazyxr250rider]

So am I right in thinking I would be better to spend my money on suspention for my 05 (springs to suit me,possible re-valve or catridge conversion) and a pipe and fresh engine (can rebuild my own engines), than to spend it on a 09 and deal with the borderline set up.
If i was old enough to get h.p. I would get a 09 kxf and get the suspention done a little bit later but its not an option at the mo...
I only ride the kxf at barret park if that helps.

[Robert Taylor]

So am I right in thinking I would be better to spend my money on suspention for my 05 (springs to suit me,possible re-valve or catridge conversion) and a pipe and fresh engine (can rebuild my own engines), than to spend it on a 09 and deal with the borderline set up.
If i was old enough to get h.p. I would get a 09 kxf and get the suspention done a little bit later but its not an option at the mo...
I only ride the kxf at barret park if that helps.

If every part on that bike is not worn out and in light of what you said yes. MX bikes more than ever have a finite life because of stress hours, bear that in mind.

[crazyxr250rider]

The bikes in realy good nick so thats good to hear supose you guys charge buy the hour so no chance of a quote? I weigh 80kg 17y.o. and im a C-B grader a for my first season, the jumps I find realy easy and am fast for most of the race, im just not as fit as i could be...or it could be the bad set up thats wearing me out!
if that gives you an idea of my skill level/what works needed.
Some decent track sutable tyres might help too...

[Robert Taylor]

The bikes in realy good nick so thats good to hear supose you guys charge buy the hour so no chance of a quote? I weigh 80kg 17y.o. and im a C-B grader a for my first season, the jumps I find realy easy and am fast for most of the race, im just not as fit as i could be...or it could be the bad set up thats wearing me out!
if that gives you an idea of my skill level/what works needed.
Some decent track sutable tyres might help too...

We do charge by the hour but we have pretty standard charges for various levels of mods. Best to contact us by phone or regular e-mail etc and quote your kitted up weight and height etc

[Robert Taylor]

We do charge by the hour but we have pretty standard charges for various levels of mods. Best to contact us by phone or regular e-mail etc and quote your kitted up weight and height etc

That is to say we can come back to you with a menu of options mindful of your budget.

[crazyxr250rider]

Cheers great help.

[soundbeltfarm]

ask what they can help you with when you buy a new bike.
when i got mine i had already had an ohlins on my 07 that robert resprung and jimmy revalved and re sprung the front .
when i got my 08 i asked about the work already done on my 07,
the rear was a straight swap ( which reminds me it needs a service so will give you a ring robert.)
and they said they would swap my springs and revalve it all for no charge.
and i could get whoever i wanted to do it.
rennie changed the springs and repleced the oil i said i would try it with out any valve work and i was pretty suprised by how hard the front feels so will get jimmy to revalve it.
so my bike dealer was primo to me.
and that was after i had agreed to upgrade so no other cost was involved.
they also changed the standard tires to whatever i wanted so went with my
S12s. at no extra cost.
I'm shithouse rider and my oath did i notice a huge and i mean huge difference from stock, i weigh 108 kg with gear so the poor standard springs were no show.
My mate on here quicker with age is a kightweight, never had suspension work done before, raced for years and never gave a thought to suspension and he is truely amazed with the difference it made.

[dirty89]

I feel ya on spending money ya buy these new MX bikes 12k and then get told ya gotta spend over a grand on the suspension to get it to work right !
I've riden MX for 11 years now but started late (36) so I knew bugger all back then , my advice is your on the money with do your suspension,the stock spring is OK most of the these bikes are set up for 70-80kg pilots forget about ignition maps,after market pipes etc for now,not buying a spring will save ya $300 odd new, get it revalved (cheapest option), your front forks and also your rear shock (if real tight leave the back shock but it will be heaps better if ya can afford it), you will instantly enjoy your riding and you will go faster and crash harder ! but thats the sport, get some high rise front bars,get ya elbows up,when ya can afford it get a trainer if your getting the fever it will help you heaps !I started out on a 89YZ250,98YZ400/426/450's ETC then in 2001 went back to a 1999CR250 two stroke got Jimmy from Crown Kiwi (I THINK HES MOVED ON AND NOW Robert Taylor is there)to valve her up front and rear and it has been the best handling bike I've owned,kept her till 2007 I knew the owner and it spent most of it's life garaged, so older bikes will save ya dosh but ya must get a goodie,they do take a pounding but there are a lot of cheapies round at present, suspension is the answer I've revalved every bike I owned and have sent many a mate to Crown Kiwi and none of us have been disappointed !!! happy riding.