Best forks ever made?

Rotaholic
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Rotaholic 10/19/2015 2:16am
10/19/2015 2:16am
I just got the ohlins cartridge inserts and am not blown away by them, theyre as good as my RG3 revalve but no better. I must be doing something wrong but I haven't figured it out yet
2strokerider 10/19/2015 3:31am
10/19/2015 3:31am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 3:32am
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
NetMXer wrote:
I agree. I had the 87 CR250 and they were great. Then I bought an 89 CR500 which was the first year of the inverted forks...
I agree. I had the 87 CR250 and they were great. Then I bought an 89 CR500 which was the first year of the inverted forks and they were about the worst forks of any bike I ever owned, and that includes the bikes with 4" of travel I rode in the 70's.
lumpy790 wrote:
The 87 & 88 forks were really good! I did a lot of business revalving the old Honda boingers. The 89 CR 250 & 500 were...
The 87 & 88 forks were really good!

I did a lot of business revalving the old Honda boingers. The 89 CR 250 & 500 were easy to fix.......and no revalve. Progressive springs and heavier fork oil. Went testing with 3 riders & bikes. One was on my stuff, another was done by PC and one by Race Tech. The 3 riders switched off and rode each others and all 3 came away liking the Lump Racing suspension the best. When I told them what was done they were shocked!

I think the 96 RM RSU forks were one of the best
the conventional forks on 96-98 rm 125 were fantastic! big step backwards when they went to USD forks in 99, my 98 rm 125 was the best bike ive ever had...

we ran a 98 rm 125 at schoolboy nationals for 2 seasons on a shoestring budget and did very well against a lot of other riders/ teams throwing a hell of a lot of money at it! bike never missed a beat and handled like it was on rails. Would love to get one to restore, maybe my next project!


as for modern bikes- don't think anything really comes close to the KYB SSS stuff, why is everyone going to airforks again? 10 year old tech SSS is the best out there still!
snape99
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snape99 10/19/2015 3:50am
10/19/2015 3:50am
Kayaba sss by far the best I've had. Worst is the WP 4cs
CrGuy2T
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CrGuy2T 10/19/2015 4:11am
10/19/2015 4:11am
Showa 48mm production forks on 2010-13 crf 250. These forks really felt good on a stock bike. Haven't ridden much on SSS so I cannot compliment on them. I was very surprised how the 48s were in the sand and on rough tracks. It did not take much to get them adjusted to suit my needs.

The Shop

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nascarnate326
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nascarnate326 10/19/2015 4:47am
10/19/2015 4:47am
Without a doubt my 06 YZ250 had the best forks I have been on. Kick my self all the time for getting rid of that bike.

tempura
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tempura 10/19/2015 5:23am
10/19/2015 5:23am
KYB SSS
Sheriff245 10/19/2015 7:14am
10/19/2015 7:14am
I'd say KYB SSS for OEM stuff is hard to beat. Lately I've been riding on a set of KYB kit PSF1 forks and they're simply amazing. The faster I go, the more confortable they get.
pete24
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pete24 10/19/2015 7:28am
10/19/2015 7:28am
rideguy721
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rideguy721 10/19/2015 7:50am
10/19/2015 7:50am
mosslander wrote:
Whats the best forks all time ever made, upside down, conventional or brands?
stillwelding wrote:
That's debatable, but for the individual, I'd say the best forks ever made are the ones that you can find someone that will work (understands your...
That's debatable, but for the individual, I'd say the best forks ever made are the ones that you can find someone that will work (understands your explanation of what you like) with you on tuning your forks to your liking without it costing you an arm and a leg. And I'd say 99% of the people that ever bought a bike will never know what "Real" factory forks are like so this is the wrong place to ask, for the most part
I remember drooling over the all Aluminum YZ500 in 1987 and then last year hearing from Keith Bowen what a load it was. Deflated my 25 yr. wood.
mosslander wrote:
OK ! forget the worksbike stuff
and consentrate on OEM and what normal peaple can buy.
My 87 cr got the best I ever felt.
Oh man I have one and its like riding a couch!
Forty
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Forty 10/19/2015 7:59am
10/19/2015 7:59am
My 08 and 09 yz450f had the best suspension I've used, the fork responded to adjustment and meshed really well with the shock, which also responded to adjustment.

Being able to tune them and ride with confidence is everything to me, and not a unreasonable expectation on a $9000.00 bike.

I don't understand how the rest of them can't make that happen.

Hut
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Hut 10/19/2015 8:02am
10/19/2015 8:02am
The best I have rode on were attached to an '07 CRF 450 setup by PFR in Livingston MT.
I can only dream of the real good stuff.

USMCMXer
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USMCMXer 10/19/2015 9:04am
10/19/2015 9:04am
newmann wrote:
I was going to mention the 89 KX250 46mm KYB's.
These were 49mm and the only conventional, production forks that size at the time. People seemed to rave about them. I had an 87 CR 125 and the forks were real good, much better than my 92' CR 250 USDs. Since, I'd have to say stock, my SSS have been the best. I think the bottom line though is the best forks made are the ones you can get to work the best for YOU!
Motofinne
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Motofinne 10/19/2015 11:26am
10/19/2015 11:26am
4CS are the best forks in the world.
southwick_mx 10/19/2015 11:32am
10/19/2015 11:32am
I really, really liked the 50mm WP conventional forks on the late 90s KTMs. They were said to be very heavy, but I've never experienced anything more plush yet resistant to bottoming. One day I'll get a set to try out again.
1
slipdog
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slipdog 10/19/2015 11:51am
10/19/2015 11:51am
USMCMXer wrote:
These were 49mm and the only conventional, production forks that size at the time. People seemed to rave about them. I had an 87 CR 125...
These were 49mm and the only conventional, production forks that size at the time. People seemed to rave about them. I had an 87 CR 125 and the forks were real good, much better than my 92' CR 250 USDs. Since, I'd have to say stock, my SSS have been the best. I think the bottom line though is the best forks made are the ones you can get to work the best for YOU!
Newmann is correct, they were 46mm. You may be thinking of the '96-'98 rm forks.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 10/19/2015 12:00pm
10/19/2015 12:00pm
Kinda funny we've gone through some major evolutions of fork technology since this thread began, with SFF spring, WP 4CS and a couple generations of air.

Asking about the best forks is kinda like asking what are the best jeans ever made. The cut that you like might make my ass look fat or something!

endurox
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endurox 10/19/2015 12:22pm
10/19/2015 12:22pm
My 44mm conventional Fox forks back in 1980 worked great. Also the 38mm Marzocchi forks on my 84 KTM 125 were great off road forks.
Tim507
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Tim507 10/19/2015 12:27pm
10/19/2015 12:27pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 12:28pm
The best forks I've ever ridden were on any bike before we had a plethora of suspension tuners. I was always able to adapt to the stock setup. Pre-Sag and Sag (if that) to get the correct spring was all we did. In the early years you run what was at the dealer period.

But then when I was 15 I put Ceriani forks and girlings on by BSA C15 - now that was sweet!



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smezmx
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smezmx 10/19/2015 12:44pm
10/19/2015 12:44pm


Motofinne
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Motofinne 10/19/2015 2:52pm
10/19/2015 2:52pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 3:36pm
Btw i was joking about 4CS being the best fork ever, it's just funny how some people here hate the 4CS so much that they would use a fork from a 1980s Suzuki instead.

njracer46
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njracer46 10/19/2015 3:25pm
10/19/2015 3:25pm
Motofinne wrote:
Btw i was joking about 4CS being the best fork ever, it's just funny how some people here hate the 4CS so much that they would...
Btw i was joking about 4CS being the best fork ever, it's just funny how some people here hate the 4CS so much that they would use a fork from a 1980s Suzuki instead.

You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids winning titles at Loretta's on them? Or qualifying for pro races? I see plenty of fast kids running 4cs at the local level. I've got a good bit of time on mine without a revalve, are they amazing, no. Are they as bad as all you make them sound, defiantly not. Spend your money how you want, but to say you can't ride a bike with the 4cs is far from the truth.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 10/19/2015 3:35pm
10/19/2015 3:35pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 3:36pm
njracer46 wrote:
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids...
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids winning titles at Loretta's on them? Or qualifying for pro races? I see plenty of fast kids running 4cs at the local level. I've got a good bit of time on mine without a revalve, are they amazing, no. Are they as bad as all you make them sound, defiantly not. Spend your money how you want, but to say you can't ride a bike with the 4cs is far from the truth.
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made in the modern era of moto.

I agree a 100% with you. They aren't junk!
Charper732
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Charper732 10/19/2015 3:47pm
10/19/2015 3:47pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 3:48pm
njracer46 wrote:
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids...
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids winning titles at Loretta's on them? Or qualifying for pro races? I see plenty of fast kids running 4cs at the local level. I've got a good bit of time on mine without a revalve, are they amazing, no. Are they as bad as all you make them sound, defiantly not. Spend your money how you want, but to say you can't ride a bike with the 4cs is far from the truth.
Motofinne wrote:
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made...
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made in the modern era of moto.

I agree a 100% with you. They aren't junk!
Anything can be made great....just depends on how much money you are willing to dump into them.

The title should be "the best forks without major modification"


i'm still working out a bottoming issue with mine, but this is the best I've ever felt in the inital and mid stroke.



njracer46
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njracer46 10/19/2015 3:51pm
10/19/2015 3:51pm
Motofinne wrote:
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made...
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made in the modern era of moto.

I agree a 100% with you. They aren't junk!
Fair enough, didn't mean to single you out! Just sick of the hearing you can't ride these bikes with stock suspension bs.
endurox
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endurox 10/19/2015 3:57pm
10/19/2015 3:57pm
The 2014 Husky off road setting on the 4cs fork is great out of the crate. considering picking up a set of ebay to replace my open chamber forks.
njracer46
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njracer46 10/19/2015 3:59pm
10/19/2015 3:59pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 4:17pm
Charper732 wrote:
Anything can be made great....just depends on how much money you are willing to dump into them. The title should be "the best forks without major...
Anything can be made great....just depends on how much money you are willing to dump into them.

The title should be "the best forks without major modification"


i'm still working out a bottoming issue with mine, but this is the best I've ever felt in the inital and mid stroke.



How many people who race or even just ride for fun don't have a revalve done though? My 4cs are still stock, I like them better then my cc from my 13 with a revalve. But hey, I guess I'm not to picky.

Edit- also said twice in my first post that I don't think they are the best forks. They just aren't as bad as all of you make them out to be.
bob567
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bob567 10/19/2015 4:03pm
10/19/2015 4:03pm
There is no 1 fork that is best in all conditions for all riders even with clicker adjustments. That is why the top pro guys have multiple sets of forks with them at every race. Best all around for the most amount of different rider ability and weight? KYB SSS. Best production bike fork ever offered? 1989 Kawasaki KX250 hands down. For many riders they are still better than anything offered today.
reded
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reded 10/19/2015 4:14pm
10/19/2015 4:14pm
Anyone who bitches about a fork that was produced in the last 20yrs has no friggin idea what a bad fork feels like. There were some truly bad examples when the first USD forks were put into production, '89 CR250 being the worst and didn't get much better until '95, then shit the bed again in '97.
KTMLew
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KTMLew 10/19/2015 4:29pm
10/19/2015 4:29pm
In order:

96-98 RM Showa T/C
98-99 WP Extreme
89 Kawy KYB
87-89 Honda CR
80-85? Husky

...see a pattern?
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/19/2015 4:33pm
10/19/2015 4:33pm
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
The Rock wrote:
Agreed.....the 87 CR Honda cartridge forks were the kind.

For rear suspension the Suzuki full floater....
So, you guys didn't ride '89 KXs?

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