DR200SE suspension

[DR650gary]

Ok, my wife finally got on her DR200 for a quick trip to the beach and back to test out the Keintech jet kit. She found the bike a lot more responsive and felt that it threw her back on gear changes, something that didn't happen before. Top speed for her is about the same @ 130 kph although there may have been a little bit left.

I do have a suspension question though. I lowered the rear as much as possible through the preload and dropped the forks about 20mm through the triple clamps which enables my short wife to move the bike around quite comfortably. When I rode it I thought it was very twitchy on the cornering and also felt light when changing gear up. Has anyone played with the front suspension to stiffen it a little and would anyone recommend that I did this? My wife is 49kgs plus gear. She also thought it was wobbly at the front, but her normal bike is a 650 Raptor so she is used to firm front suspension.

Thanks

[warewolf]

Raising the forks in the triple clamps 20mm as you have done will steepen the fork rake angle, making the steering faster/twitchier/less stable.

If you firm up the suspension, you could get it to ride higher in the stroke, which will keep the front raked out more (and raise the seat). But that could make the front handle worse. If the front is supple it will absorb any irregularities better, despite riding lower and being twitchier. ie stiffening the suspension to remove the twitchiness may remove it's ability to soak up any twitches that do develop. With the small amounts involved, it may be a case of experiment to see if you get a sweeter compromise.

[DR650gary]

Thanks. So, forks back to stock setting and maybe a spacer on the top of the springs at the front and tighten preload a smidgen at the back?

What do you think?

[gav24]

Not sure if this helps... but...
If you want lower but stiffer forks, then I would cut the fork springs shorter - say 10mm to start. This has the effect of stiffening it, you can always add a spacer again to raise the height, or even add more spacer than you cut off to gain preload if you need it, and the stiffness will remain.
To cut the spring use a cut off wheel in an angle grinder, then heat the cut end with a Blow torch til red hot, then bend the coil end until a "flat - section" of spring is achieved. I'm sure this does something to the spring rate at this section of the spring, but it seems to work anyway...
I know it will open a huge list of claims and counter claims but preload does nothing to soften or stiffen the suspension, only make the bike ride higher or lower in the stroke.

[warewolf]

Thanks. So, forks back to stock setting and maybe a spacer on the top of the springs at the front and tighten preload a smidgen at the back?

Forks back to stock should be enough for the front.

The suspension should be balanced front/rear. If you've reduced the preload at the rear, then think about doing the same at the front.