Fork setup?

C

capulin overdrive

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2010

1,342

478

83

• Jul 26, 2015

• #1

Sending my forks off this week for springs and valving.


I know everybody says stiff on the front.


But question is, can I set them up to be softer in the first half of the stroke, or is that a no no?


Current bike done by White Power years ago is set up that way, and like it for dirt. Plush on the trails, and won't bottom on a big hit.

 

Wheel House Motorsports

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

29,933

5,968

113

34

SW MT

• Jul 27, 2015

• #2

What kit are you running it with? SX or a setup with TSS??

I know on the SX kit's due to the increase plushness of the rear the forks take less abuse, so the new TSS setups should act similar. That being said, stiff stiff stiff. I have yet to ride a set that seemed "harsh" like they do on dirt. I enjoy jumping mine quite a bit and stock YZ valving and fork springs with higher oil levels and clickers maxed out I can still hit bottom fairly easily when goofing around and I am only 155#.

 

C

capulin overdrive

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2010

1,342

478

83

• Jul 27, 2015

• #3

New 500XCW with LT TSS is the plan. Got the bike and slowly getting stuff together now, and/or done up.



Weight = double you, plus 10 more pounds! Played around on Race Tech site, and they don't even have springs that would go as high as they recommended. Think they said I'd need 57, and they went to 54.

 

T

teal_210

Free Member

Feb 26, 2009

802

514

93

42

Post Falls, Idaho

www.instagram.com

• Jul 28, 2015

• #4

I wouldn't want them to be soft through the first half of the stroke. You would end up using that "soft" portion of the suspension just pushing the ski through the snow.

 

R

Rush44

Well-known member

Nov 26, 2007

2,135

1,041

113

Flathead Valley, MT

• Jul 28, 2015

• #5

I'm going at least .62 up front on my new Husky. I should probably go stiffer.

 

D

DenverSnowBike

Active member

Feb 4, 2015

105

33

28

Denver, CO

• Jul 28, 2015

• #6

I'll be running KX450f w/ 2016 SX 137 w/ TSS...I run about 185#s without gear...recommended fork springs?? Aggressive rider

 

L

leeee

Free Member

Jun 26, 2008

128

15

18

44

• Jul 28, 2015

• #7

i weigh 180 and run .54's on my 500xcw, seems about right. ive got a buddy that found some really stiff springs for the open cartridge ktm forks, in the 6 range, think they are for a 950 adventure application. might work for you?

 

Wheel House Motorsports

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

29,933

5,968

113

34

SW MT

• Jul 28, 2015

• #8

leeee said:

i weigh 180 and run .54's on my 500xcw, seems about right. ive got a buddy that found some really stiff springs for the open cartridge ktm forks, in the 6 range, think they are for a 950 adventure application. might work for you?

Click to expand...

Its not purely spring rate as well. more aggressive valving makes a big difference. Super stiff springs wth an XCW fork setup is still gonna be fairly soft as its all springs and no oil. I rode a husaberg 570 that is super mushy in summer that we swapped .56 springs into and I hit the bottoms fairly easy still. Not like stock but still easy, it was just more like a pogo stick as the valving didnt slow the big hits down.

 

P

philsummers21

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

2,437

486

83

41

Big Horns, Wyoming

• Jul 29, 2015

• #9

Stillwell suspension just did mine. For snowbike and mountain singletrack they set me up with 54s I think, Id have to double check. On a 15 450 XCF and 240# rider. I think a lot has to do with valving

 

C

capulin overdrive

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2010

1,342

478

83

• Jul 29, 2015

• #10

philsummers21 said:

Stillwell suspension just did mine. For snowbike and mountain singletrack they set me up with 54s I think, Id have to double check. On a 15 450 XCF and 240# rider. I think a lot has to do with valving

Click to expand...

Did you get to talk to Stillwell about what they thought would work with the Mountain Horse and single track?


Found a guy I'm liking, he's a little gun shy about the snowbike part, but very confident I'd like his single track setup.

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2015

P

philsummers21

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

2,437

486

83

41

Big Horns, Wyoming

• Jul 29, 2015

• #11

Yeah I talked with Stillwell. They set me up with a .50. Just checked. Then when snowbiking I adjust compression and rebound from what I singletrack with. So far I like it on the dirt only time will tell on snow

 

C

capulin overdrive

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2010

1,342

478

83

• Jul 29, 2015

• #12

You keeping the stock seat?

Holy baby Jesus, my butt hurt after 2 one hundred mile days of single and fire roads!:face-icon-small-sad

 

P

philsummers21

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

2,437

486

83

41

Big Horns, Wyoming

• Jul 30, 2015

• #13

Nope stock seat is still in plastic against the wall. Seat concepts is on mine and love it.

 

C

capulin overdrive

Well-known member

Apr 25, 2010

1,342

478

83

• Jul 31, 2015

• #14

My seat concepts went on yesterday, butt still in bad shape, butt seems better!:face-icon-small-ton


Next time i'll learn to double check everything from the dealer before riding, I knew they had too much air in the tires, but didn't have a gauge with me in the hills.

Checked yesterday and they had 28 in the front and 30 in the rear, not good for rocky trails!

 

P

philsummers21

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Nov 27, 2007

2,437

486

83

41

Big Horns, Wyoming

• Jul 31, 2015

• #15

Holy crap. Double the pressure