Needing some " factory Connection " suspension testimonials please.

jeffro503
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27632
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7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR, USA
Edited Date/Time 3/14/2014 6:59pm
FC just opened up shop up here around the Portland area and I'm thinking about giving them a try for my 2012 Kawi 450. Thinking about doing the valves , springs , maybe anti bottoming kits......not sure.

If you have used FC in the past year or two.....can you give me some input on how you liked / disliked them?

BTW....this aint a " You should use this guy instead " thread. I know other local suspension guys and some of them are really good......but I want to try something new. And with FC being in my neck of the woods now , I'd like to give them a try.
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cs69camaro
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13
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5/10/2010
Location
Denham Springs, LA, USA
3/12/2014 11:43pm
I first used a local suspension guy that was highly recommended on my 2012 KTM 250sx and after bringing it back to him 5 or 6 times, I finally sent my stuff to F.C in Oklahoma and have not regretted it one bit. Had I known then what I know now, I would have done that from the start and never looked back. I also would have wasted $700 on the first guy, but now I know. I don't think you can go wrong with F.C. as they have a lot of testing done to get good baseline settings. I had mine set for a fast woods/gncc riding and it also works very good on a motocross track with just a few clicker adjustments.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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11/30/2013
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
3/12/2014 11:47pm
Hey Jeff, I just had my suspension done by the new location in Portland. They are just down the road from me.

The shop is big, clean and full of the best equipment.

The reason I went there was because I had my 12 Ktm sxf revalved by a local guy but it was still harsh on small bumps and bottoming. FC had way more info from all the shops around the country and used that data to fix my problem.

Not trying to claim to hard that they are the best, but I had a very good experience with them. Jake who runs the shop moved up from CA factory connection to run this location. I think it's great for our scene to have a top of the line brand in the city.

Hope this info helps. Can't wait for spring!
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
3/12/2014 11:52pm
Like Camaro said, I don't think you can go wrong with them. If you I are down to try something new, I would definitely give them a shot.
Indy mxer
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The Villages, FL, USA
3/13/2014 4:26am Edited Date/Time 3/13/2014 4:26am
Sent mine off last spring to FC. I have a 12 Kaw KX250F. I weigh 150 so it needed everything.

I couldn't be happier. Their customer service is awesome. They take the time to listen and understand what you want.
I called back after a few rides to get some advice on fine tuning my suspension, and they were very helpful.
My next new bike (hopefully a 15 KXF 250) will get done there as well.

The Shop

KTMShane699
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1307
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12/6/2013
Location
Colchester, CT, USA
3/13/2014 4:56am
My 2014 KTM 250 SX was set up by them. I had them do a revalve and respiring, install high speed lower spring seat on the shock, bladder kit and on the forks put the oil lock collars in. The bike works really well. I can't complain. I know a lot of guys that ride FC suspension and love it. FC got there start out by me, so they're probably the most prevalent suspension tuner in the area. Their shop is extremely clean, the guys are knowledgable and the testing they do is unreal. Definitely worth it and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Shane
3/13/2014 5:27am
There's a reason why every re-valve pamphlet has the quote "The best suspension. Period." on it. It absolutely lives up to that. It's a night and day difference with my bike since having it done by them. They've worked with so many riders on so many different levels, types of terrain, and styles of racing that you'll be amazed how your bike rides after you talk to them, even if you're not sure how you want it set up, they are always spot on. Plus, you never have to pay for a re-valve on the same set of suspension. The best part is they're always one phone call away if you have any problems and are always ready, willing, and able to troubleshoot and help you if you are struggling with something to make it better for you personally so you can ride to your potential. It's one of the best investments I've ever made as far as racing goes and they'll be doing my suspension until the day I can't ride anymore.
Spartacus
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2269
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Location
USA
3/13/2014 5:32am
Total hacks, no one uses them, their team is a front from the SX/MX drug ring, your suspension will come back working like a 1974 Yamaha DT-1, the guy that started FC kicks puppies.
rbm33
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450
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4/1/2008
Location
Duncan, OK, USA
Fantasy
3/13/2014 5:41am
I had called in to FC several years ago to see about sending my suspension in, the time frame was just after the oklahoma service center opened. the guy i talked to asked me a ton of questions and really took the time to explain to me what was going on with my bike and what changes they felt i needed to make. then he told me that they had just opened a service center in oklahoma which was where i lived. he said he would send a build sheet over to the OK service center and when i was ready just give them a call. so after a couple of months i decided to give them a call and send my stuff in. when they answered in OK i told them that i had talked to someone in NH and that i couldnt remember his name but i thought it was "steve" or "stevo" somthing like that... withing a few seconds he had my build sheet pulled up and said that was the general manager of FC that you talked to and we have everything here that you need. i was pretty impressed that the GM took 20 miuntes out of his day to talk to me and really understand the problems i was having and explain to me how they could resolve them.

So after a conversation with Tom in OK i was prepared to ship everything over, but he said if you just want to drive it over and drop your entire bike off we can have it done in 3 or 4 hours and set your sag for you. so i gladly loaded up and made the 4 hour drive and everything went as planned.

their customer service before and after the sale was top notch and their quality of work and knowledge of bike set up speaks for itself.
MXD
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USA
3/13/2014 6:07am
I live about an hour from the original shop in NH so I have been using them forever. They have awesome customer support, they do great work and they will make it perfect for you no matter how many times you take it back (which I doubt will be any) BUT, you will pay for it. It's worth it IMO but it is on the upper end of what suspension shops charge.
pete24
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2733
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Marlborough, MA, USA
3/13/2014 6:20am
i got sik of the local guy in 97 been using FC ever since, aint going any where else
3/13/2014 6:46am
The first bike they ever did for me, I had to send the suspension back twice to have them stiffen it up. When they got the suspension back the second time, they called me and asked if I wanted to meet them at the track to go testing. I felt like a factory rider for the day. Anyway, they revalued the bike twice after watching me ride, and it was like magic! Now they have my settings in their computer, so every time I send a new bike in, they nail it on the first try. I highly recommend their work!
mxb2
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Bowie, MD, USA
3/13/2014 6:48am
Use fc, i guarantee you will be satisfied. great service, great company.
Seamorbutts
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Lake Charles, LA, USA
3/13/2014 6:58am
I had used about 7 different companies before FC. You can't beat them. They are hands down the best I ever used. They did my 2006 KX250f, 2008 YZ450, and my 2008 CRF450. You won't regret It.
Xeno
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San Clemente, CA, USA
3/13/2014 7:05am
The power of a public forum is impressive.
rcannon
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2/11/2007
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West Jordan, UT, USA
3/13/2014 7:22am Edited Date/Time 3/13/2014 7:22am
There is a big reason why the pamphlets say... "The best suspension. Period." its that the bar is set so low, and the stock valving is not very good. Damn near anything will help. I'm sure the new shop will do a fantastic job, but truth be told, the stock settings are nto difficult to improve upon.

Now days, I dont think I'd pay the money to let someoen else do it. For me. I'd probably do my own dental work, if there was a way.

I've revalved my own forks since 1998. Never for anyone else, or f r money, but going the diy route taught me a lot about set-up that woudl nto have been possible had I let someone else do it.

I could understand someone not doing this. Especially for something different , like KTM, but for the Japanese bikes, theres tons of information available.
seth505
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SD, CA, USA
3/13/2014 7:42am
I used them while I was still on the east coast (NH office) and they were great. As mentioned, they are knowledgeable, have great suggestions, fair, and fast.

I had them revalve my old yz250 and they put in some upgraded parts. My forks were a tiny bit harsh when I got them back and rode a few times so they dropped the oil 10cc and modified a shim and they felt damn good after that. In short, great service.
RCC104
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472
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5/17/2007
Location
Upstate, NY, USA
3/13/2014 7:49am Edited Date/Time 3/13/2014 7:52am
I lived out in NH for a while, about 15 minutes from their headquarters, so called them a couple years ago when I was struggling with the suspension on my '11 350sxf. They made that thing way more rideable!

That's not the impressive part though....

At the time, I had just moved out there and was set up temporary in an apartment, and had to keep my bike at a storage unit. I had ridden until pretty late into dust one day, so I just parked the dirty bike in the storage unit and headed home. On the way, I decided to give FC a call to schedule getting my suspension in there. When they asked how soon I would be able to bring the stuff down, I explained my situation and that I would have to first get the bike cleaned, and then pull stuff out of my storage unit so I had room to pull it apart, so it might be a couple days. They said not to worry with that and just drop off the whole bike, dirty and all. Hearing that I just went back to to my storage until in the morning and dropped it off before work. By the end of the day, I received the call that the bike was done and back together.

On top of that, all of the guys there are really cool. It's nice to go to a place of business and you can tell that the people that work there don't hate their jobs.

I currently have FC stuff on my CRF450, too. I'll probably always use those guys for now on, even though I'm back in NY these days.
jleews6
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2304
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8/3/2008
Location
Hardy, VA, USA
3/13/2014 7:53am
We used them on one of my sons Honda 450s and it was good. My son is small and about 110 pounds at the time and they got it close.
murph783
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1355
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3/2/2011
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USA
3/13/2014 8:04am
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and it was awful. It all comes down to who's actually in the shop turning wrenches that day
MXD
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3/13/2014 8:23am
murph783 wrote:
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and...
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and it was awful. It all comes down to who's actually in the shop turning wrenches that day
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each bike from one central "database of knowledge and settings". If you didn't like it, it was probably just your preference and had nothing to do with the tech. Did you send it back to them for them to make it right? You not liking it is not their fault. I wouldn't blame them unless they refused to make it right for you.
murph783
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3/13/2014 8:29am Edited Date/Time 3/13/2014 8:31am
murph783 wrote:
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and...
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and it was awful. It all comes down to who's actually in the shop turning wrenches that day
MXD wrote:
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each...
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each bike from one central "database of knowledge and settings". If you didn't like it, it was probably just your preference and had nothing to do with the tech. Did you send it back to them for them to make it right? You not liking it is not their fault. I wouldn't blame them unless they refused to make it right for you.
To be honest I don't think I did send it back to them, I didn't really have to the money to spend on another rebuild immediately after the revalve, although reading some of these replies, it seems like maybe they would have taken care of it. Came out of the box extremely harsh, which I know is to be expected to a point, but after a couple hours break in, it was completely the other direction, like riding a couch. Although a lot of that may have been to do with switching brands too. I'm happy with the tuner I use now, but if things change I'd give them another shot
MXD
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USA
3/13/2014 8:33am
murph783 wrote:
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and...
Hit or miss with them-I sent suspension off an 07 honda 250f in, and absolutely loved it. Then tried again with an 09 Kawi 250f and it was awful. It all comes down to who's actually in the shop turning wrenches that day
MXD wrote:
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each...
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each bike from one central "database of knowledge and settings". If you didn't like it, it was probably just your preference and had nothing to do with the tech. Did you send it back to them for them to make it right? You not liking it is not their fault. I wouldn't blame them unless they refused to make it right for you.
murph783 wrote:
To be honest I don't think I did send it back to them, I didn't really have to the money to spend on another rebuild immediately...
To be honest I don't think I did send it back to them, I didn't really have to the money to spend on another rebuild immediately after the revalve, although reading some of these replies, it seems like maybe they would have taken care of it. Came out of the box extremely harsh, which I know is to be expected to a point, but after a couple hours break in, it was completely the other direction, like riding a couch. Although a lot of that may have been to do with switching brands too. I'm happy with the tuner I use now, but if things change I'd give them another shot
If you aren't happy, their policy is to continue to fine tune (and even start from scratch) for free until you're satisfied. I have heard many stories of people doing that and I have never heard a story of anyone being denied. Bummer that you didn't realize that as I'm sure they would have nailed it for you once you gave them some feedback about what you didn't like.
jeffro503
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27632
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St Helens, OR, USA
3/13/2014 8:41am
WOW! This thread really came alive after I posted it last night. Thanks Guys!! A lot of really positive reports here. Makes me feel good about giving them a try. Glad to hear so many of you had a great experience with FC.......and it seems like I'll be making the right choice by taking it to them. Thanks again dudes!
Spartacus
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2269
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Location
USA
3/13/2014 10:08am
MXD wrote:
I live about an hour from the original shop in NH so I have been using them forever. They have awesome customer support, they do great...
I live about an hour from the original shop in NH so I have been using them forever. They have awesome customer support, they do great work and they will make it perfect for you no matter how many times you take it back (which I doubt will be any) BUT, you will pay for it. It's worth it IMO but it is on the upper end of what suspension shops charge.
Actually the real original shop was in Mike McAndrews home in Rutland VT. Hew use to come to a track, watch me ride and then take my bike home, tweak it and meet me at the track another day. The guy was awesome and it was like having my own factory mechanic. I was bummed when he moved and even more bummed when he sold FC.

But, FC has always done the same first rate job for me that Mike himself did. Any bike with FC suspension [no matter who owns it] is re-valved at a reduced rate the last I knew.
1488
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115
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USA
3/13/2014 10:15am
rcannon wrote:
There is a big reason why the pamphlets say... "The best suspension. Period." its that the bar is set so low, and the stock valving is...
There is a big reason why the pamphlets say... "The best suspension. Period." its that the bar is set so low, and the stock valving is not very good. Damn near anything will help. I'm sure the new shop will do a fantastic job, but truth be told, the stock settings are nto difficult to improve upon.

Now days, I dont think I'd pay the money to let someoen else do it. For me. I'd probably do my own dental work, if there was a way.

I've revalved my own forks since 1998. Never for anyone else, or f r money, but going the diy route taught me a lot about set-up that woudl nto have been possible had I let someone else do it.

I could understand someone not doing this. Especially for something different , like KTM, but for the Japanese bikes, theres tons of information available.
most people have their own businesses or work 40+ hours a week and might be lucky to hit the track 1-2 times a month

this is why people send their suspension to shops (myself included) and im somewhat of a DIY'r
mxb2
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22437
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Location
Bowie, MD, USA
3/13/2014 10:29am
rcannon wrote:
There is a big reason why the pamphlets say... "The best suspension. Period." its that the bar is set so low, and the stock valving is...
There is a big reason why the pamphlets say... "The best suspension. Period." its that the bar is set so low, and the stock valving is not very good. Damn near anything will help. I'm sure the new shop will do a fantastic job, but truth be told, the stock settings are nto difficult to improve upon.

Now days, I dont think I'd pay the money to let someoen else do it. For me. I'd probably do my own dental work, if there was a way.

I've revalved my own forks since 1998. Never for anyone else, or f r money, but going the diy route taught me a lot about set-up that woudl nto have been possible had I let someone else do it.

I could understand someone not doing this. Especially for something different , like KTM, but for the Japanese bikes, theres tons of information available.
Maybe riders want to spend their money they earned. spoil themselves on a set up, ,haters gonna hate, or some people are to cheap to get it done. different strokes for different folks.
forensic
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118
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12/3/2011
Location
Madison, WI, USA
3/13/2014 10:52am
I got my honda done by FC and in my opinion made a huge difference. The first year I rode the bike stock while trying to adjust the shock to a good setting and never got it dialed to my liking. After I had it done by FC it felt great. I was impressed with the turnaround time too. Picking up an RMZ this week and I'm sending the susp out to them
tzmike
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449
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Warwick, NY, USA
3/13/2014 11:15am
I am an independent shop and a FC "dealer". I do my riders bikes. Thats is, fork/shock seals/bushings/oil changes.
Valving and set up-- I send to FC only. Besides fork height, preload and a click or two- they come back READY TO RIDE.
Their knowledge is priceless.
MW421
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Location
Tumwater, WA, USA
3/13/2014 11:56am
Super cool that they have a shop in Oregon now, I wonder who is running it. I used FC from 1998 to 2008 and it was always awesome.
eazrider
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USA
3/13/2014 1:17pm
MXD wrote:
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each...
I don't think that is the case. They don't leave the set up to each tech individually. The techs are told what to do to each bike from one central "database of knowledge and settings". If you didn't like it, it was probably just your preference and had nothing to do with the tech. Did you send it back to them for them to make it right? You not liking it is not their fault. I wouldn't blame them unless they refused to make it right for you.
murph783 wrote:
To be honest I don't think I did send it back to them, I didn't really have to the money to spend on another rebuild immediately...
To be honest I don't think I did send it back to them, I didn't really have to the money to spend on another rebuild immediately after the revalve, although reading some of these replies, it seems like maybe they would have taken care of it. Came out of the box extremely harsh, which I know is to be expected to a point, but after a couple hours break in, it was completely the other direction, like riding a couch. Although a lot of that may have been to do with switching brands too. I'm happy with the tuner I use now, but if things change I'd give them another shot
MXD wrote:
If you aren't happy, their policy is to continue to fine tune (and even start from scratch) for free until you're satisfied. I have heard many...
If you aren't happy, their policy is to continue to fine tune (and even start from scratch) for free until you're satisfied. I have heard many stories of people doing that and I have never heard a story of anyone being denied. Bummer that you didn't realize that as I'm sure they would have nailed it for you once you gave them some feedback about what you didn't like.
I hate to bag on the Works guys in Cali (Irvine??), but I had to send my rear shock and forks back twice. Maybe it was partly my fault, as I'm an older guy and ride a bit harder than most senior citizens. Finally, the fellow at WC stated that I was just too picky with my suspension. My response was, "I have another older ('06 YZ 450) that works very well, and I was simply trying to get my new scoot to work as well as the older one." Finally, I had a local guy pull apart my '06 (previously set up by another local guy) and replicate the valving as closely as possible, front and rear (making allowances for different diameter shafts on the shock, etc) and the suspension worked fantastic...What I took away from this is, getting your suspension revalved is a crap shoot. If you find someone that can make your bike work for you, local or otherwise, give him your money and support. As it was, I paid WC over 700$ for suspension I was unhappy with. The local guy charged less than 400, and I'm a happy camper.

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