Best company to upgrade new YZ450F suspension

mj731
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164
Joined
12/24/2011
Location
Mount Horeb, WI US
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:26am
I need my forks rebuilt so I figure this is a good time to get them revalved. Does anyone have any experience with Enzo, Factory Connection, or ProAction on a newer YZ450?
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mxb2
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22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD US
12/26/2011 1:52pm
All you mentioned are good, depends on your budget?,weight, skill level, type of riding.pro circuit,rg3, mb1, stock with correct springs, set sag.
captmoto
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5804
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4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
12/26/2011 5:31pm
All are good but you need to be honest with whoever you use so they can tailor the set-up to fit you. You also need to set the sag and learn how your clickers work. It may take a little adjusting to make it feel right. It also may need a little break in after a revalve.
mj731
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164
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12/24/2011
Location
Mount Horeb, WI US
12/26/2011 5:57pm
The nice thing about the one guy is that he's at the track all the time and can make changes right there. I just wonder if a bigger shop like FC would have more experience and be able to get a better baseline to work with.
jrunge612
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11
Joined
6/10/2010
Location
Alton, IL US
12/26/2011 6:58pm
I spent all of 2010 and the first half of 2011 dialing in the suspension on my YZ450F with the help of a guy from Nashville, IL and am still using that same setup so, here's my 2 cents on what you should do...btw, Im 5'10" 175 pounds and a local A/+25 rider... My biggest complaint with the stock suspension was that the rear end would kick around coming into rough and rutted corners and made it very hard to keep decent corner speed and stay in ruts. Here's my theory on what the stock setup's issues are: The front fork springs and valving are too soft which causes the front end to ride low in the stroke and be kinda harsh especially when coming into rough corners. The rear is just the opposite, its sprung ok for me but rides too high in the stroke and when coupled with the soft front end, the rear end of the bike becomes unweighted when braking and thats when it starts being unpredictable. The solution: stiffer front fork springs to keep the front end up and a better (stiffer) valving set up. The rear end is a little trickier, you really need to do one of two things to make the rear end ride a little lower. The first is a llinkage arm from Ride Engineering, Pro Circuit, etc. which is not cheap, or what we did which is install a 3?mm spacer in the shock to essentially lower the rear shock just a tad. By stiffening the front and lowering the rear just a bit, the bike rides straight and level and is waaay more balanced. We've had at least 6 other new YZ450 riders with skills ranging from vet novice to Pro License holding riders use this set up and everyone seems to really like it. The name of the guy is Frank Bartolotta from Smart Suspension, he's a good dude and won't try to sell you a bunch of gimmicky stuff and is pretty reasonably priced and is very easy to deal with if you have an issue. Other than him, I think Pro Circuit and Enzo use a similar set up. Again, just my 2 cents. The other suggestion I have to anyone looking to have their suspension revalved is to know what you want to gain. And by that I mean you should really know what you want improved, what it does that you like and dislike. You'll be much happier in the long run if you have a goal of improving a certain aspect of the suspension instead of just going to someone and saying "here, make it better".

The Shop

12/26/2011 8:35pm
Just to muddy up the waters you left out Joe Gibbs Racing.
Craze
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1410
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4/1/2008
Location
Sin City, NV US
12/26/2011 11:01pm
Get the right springs (Front & Rear) for your weight to start
mj731
Posts
164
Joined
12/24/2011
Location
Mount Horeb, WI US
12/27/2011 5:55am
Thanks Jrunge. Do you know what spring rates you're running? I've got a friend who's selling his '11 and is going to give me the link to lower the rear end so that will help. The reason I listed the three companies I did is because they have offered me some discount. I'm sure that JGR would be good but the price is more than I want to spend.
kippy450
Posts
151
Joined
11/24/2009
Location
WA US
12/29/2011 4:25pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 4:25pm
I am more of a fan of local then Socal companies. I have had two suspension done for Socal and they were really poor for the dirt I ride in. Did fine in the dry, square edge. I now have a guy that is in the same state and does his own valves....much more suited for my terrian. I just read in the gossip boards about a new engine mount by lightspeed (I think) that helps with push...of course, there was some arguing over how well it works...but they argue over everything in that forum!
jsmx97
Posts
205
Joined
12/28/2011
Location
NH US
12/29/2011 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 8:20pm
Factory connection, their testing is unmatched and their service is second to none
1/3/2012 7:29am Edited Date/Time 1/3/2012 7:32am
G-force suspension has the yz450 figured out.rear is very stable even at 102 race sag.and not lowering the shock.
jleews6
Posts
2304
Joined
8/3/2008
Location
Hardy, VA US
1/3/2012 12:01pm
jsmx97 wrote:
Factory connection, their testing is unmatched and their service is second to none
I sent my sons stuff there today. We are very excited to see how it is.
mxb2
Posts
22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD US
1/3/2012 12:07pm
jsmx97 wrote:
Factory connection, their testing is unmatched and their service is second to none
x2
mj731
Posts
164
Joined
12/24/2011
Location
Mount Horeb, WI US
1/3/2012 12:29pm
jsmx97 wrote:
Factory connection, their testing is unmatched and their service is second to none
jleews6 wrote:
I sent my sons stuff there today. We are very excited to see how it is.
Let me know how it turns out. Is it a yz450f?

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