Posts
378
Joined
1/17/2014
Location
Marietta, OH
US
Edited Date/Time
7/12/2017 6:38am
Sending my suspension tomorrow out to FC for a service and a revalve. (have a fork seal pouring at 16.5 hrs) not particularly happy about that but thrilled with the rest of the bike. My question is what are you guys doing and how did you like the results? Sticking with the air forks and revalving or doing the spring conversion? I don't hate the air forks but I'm still looking for a more planted, plush feel. I'm a mid pack B rider, 6'2 165-170 lbs. Any opinions are welcomed, thanks! 
Bro, ya gotta make sure your sprocket bolts are torqued to spec. You don't want to be causing chaos and carnage out there on the track.
Seriously, I've never owned a KX, so can't give you any real advice. I've used FC before, but I find I prefer our own Slipdog. He just does a better job, and it is noticeable. Whatever you do, good luck with it and have fun!
The Shop
They also installed their Low Speed Valve, a different high speed compression spring in the shock, and I sent them a inntek SKF glide kit to throw is as well. I'd do it again.
Good luck with the upgrades and have only used local people in the past.
2015 KX450f = 247lbs claimed wet weight
1987 KX500 = 220lbs dry + fuel + add ons = 230-240lbs proven weight wet for the past 30 years.
Welp that settles it. The KX450 would would definitely have more boat holding power over a KX500. May as well bring up the fact that in a HP contest the KX450 also looses. How sad. Good thing for Kawi sales the AMA was bribed into banning big bore two strokes from racing, pro riders are paid to ride what they ride and magazines are paid to write favorable reviews of modern MX boat anchors.
I like my FC equipped bikes suspension better
If I could find an affordable and trustworthy place that could revalve them, I would go through with it.
I don't think you will be disappointed with the FC set up! I feel I can hold my own as a Vet Int rider and I am pretty anal when it comes to my suspension and I cant say enough good things about how it works. Now the BS of setting pressures in the morning and readjusting in the afternoon is still a pain in the ass, but I don't think it is enough to make me drop the 600 on the spring conversion!
I had TBT Racing in Arizona tune them for a mix of off-road (Utah desert) and MX. I'm amateur speed in the desert and novice speed at the track. He set me up with a "GP setting". I've been very, very happy with the results. The front end grips through the turn, especially at turn-in. No more push. Tracks straight in the chop and is plush in initial stroke. Also, I have only ever bottomed once ... and thought it was going to be much, much worse than it was. Johnny at TBT offered great support after I got them back.
Off road, the forks are plush over rocks and do not deflect. It tracks very well through sand whoops. I can back the compression way out if I go to the canyon and ride single track, which includes rocks and roots. Does well there too.
My only frustration, is with the bars in the forward-most mount position, I cannot easily adjust the compression, as the bar is directly over the adjuster and doesn't allow a screwdriver to get access.
Pit Row
As an off road revolve it was as good as anything else I've ever had...I've bottomed it several times...but its better at not deflecting on rocks while also absorbing the big whoops than stock and better than any other suspension I've ran in the past.
I like the air forks.
- I am also 6'3" 190lbs, a lot of other taller guys complain it want to push through the corner and is hard to get into ruts. I dropped the forks down 1-2cm and this made a worlds differnce for conrnering.
- outside of that i have a yoshi slip-on cause the stock exahust sounds horendous, gripper seat cover, arc levers, and some other comfort item. all in all these bikes are very good in my opnion, you just need to get out there and test out what works best for your style (which should be done with any new bike anyway). Don't be afraid to try out some different setting, rather than spending big bucks on trick parts.
Front:
SKF Glide kit (almost eliminates the stiction, highly recommend)
RaceTech Gold Valve
Valving for Intermediate 185lb rider
Inner Pressure: 180psi
Outer Pressure: 12psi
Balance Pressure: 190psi
Damper side oil volume: 350cc (340cc is stock)
Forks 6mm up in the triple clamps
Compression damping dialed so that i'm using all but 1-2" of stroke on big hits.
Rear:
Stock spring
Rebuilt
RaceTech Gold Valve
Valving for intermediate 185lb rider.
Race Sag: 104mm
Both front and rear, run the rebound damping the least amount you can handle.
Gearing wise, i'm running a 13/51 sprocket setup with a 116 link chain to slide the rear tire back a bit. Otherwise the bike wheelies too easily.
Stock front brake was terrible IMO. I upgraded to a stainless front line and EBC MXS front pads and it made a significant difference.
Upgrade to a high pressure radiator cap or else the bike will overflow coolant on hot days.
Get rid of the stock chain guide asap. It will break apart on you and ruin your day.
Have used Dunlop MX3S and MX52 on the bike. Recently moved to a set of Bridgestone Battlecross X30 front and X40 rear and love the combination.
Sent it to FC before I even rode it. I'm really happy with it.
Plus, anytime I needed advice on adjustments they always were happy to help. Their customer service is top notch.
Yes - chain guide sucks on them, replace that.
Running 174, 14.5, 203 on the TAC. I'm 200 lbs and 6'3", with stock suspension (for now). I run close to stock settings on clickers, but "in" 2 on the round on the rear shock and on the front fork for a more plush feel. I'm just out there having fun and enjoying going 1-1 at practice for now. Sag is at 105.
Kept the stock Renthal's (Actually like them now) and put the bars all the way up and pegs lowered, since I'm a lanky goon. I run the forks low in the front too for cornering.
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