18' RMZ-450 Sag Issue

flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87
I just bought a new 2018 RMZ450. (my 3rd one - RMArmy Bro!)

I went for a light ride to break it in and soften up before I start playing around with suspension, going off Ping & Keefer's setup advice to start.

I went to set my sag and it was 50mm!! I thought it would be like 90 or 120 and I would adjust to 105.

So my question is - is this a f*ckup from the factory; or simply needs to be adjusted. I didn't want to touch until I got some advice in case I need to return it.

Thanks.
1
|
barnett468
Profile picture for user barnett468
Posts
1247
Joined
7/19/2018
Location
Wildomar, CA, USA
barnett468 7/25/2018 4:39pm
7/25/2018 4:39pm Edited Date/Time 7/25/2018 4:40pm
I am far from an expert on the newer bikes, however, in general, sag should be around 1/3rd of the total amount of travel with the rider sitting in the riding position with feet on the pegs. there isn't anything broken in your suspension so no, it is not a factory flaw, simply adjust it to where you want it then ride it and see how it is.
flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87 7/25/2018 5:04pm
7/25/2018 5:04pm
I'm 85kg or 190lbs to you Americans (LOL). So not skinny, not obese, pretty normal.

I know I will have needed to adjust, I was worried by how far out it is from the factory - thus my question on here.
rutsmash
Profile picture for user rutsmash
Posts
526
Joined
3/1/2014
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
rutsmash 7/25/2018 5:18pm
7/25/2018 5:18pm
flower87 wrote:
I just bought a new 2018 RMZ450. (my 3rd one - RMArmy Bro!) I went for a light ride to break it in and soften up...
I just bought a new 2018 RMZ450. (my 3rd one - RMArmy Bro!)

I went for a light ride to break it in and soften up before I start playing around with suspension, going off Ping & Keefer's setup advice to start.

I went to set my sag and it was 50mm!! I thought it would be like 90 or 120 and I would adjust to 105.

So my question is - is this a f*ckup from the factory; or simply needs to be adjusted. I didn't want to touch until I got some advice in case I need to return it.

Thanks.
That sounds strange and was set wrong from the factory. For you to only have 50mm sag, that collar must have been cranked down on that spring! I'm 190 and mine was a little stinkbug when I got my 2018...I think the sag was around 100. I have it now around 110. I think some of the reviews mention you need to run a lot of sag to get that shock to work decently. If you are able to loosen that collar and get it around the 105 to 110 range, I think you're ok and just chalk it up to someone being hung over in Japan.
1

The Shop

See All »
flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87 7/25/2018 5:28pm
7/25/2018 5:28pm
@Rutsmash - The weird thing is, it looks completely normal in its height and where the collar sits on the spring.
It feels like a heavy duty spring for a 300lbs guy.

Im just going to have to adjust it.And yeah I agree - that 107-110 range was what was recommended for the BRFC shock.
1
Melicar
Profile picture for user Melicar
Posts
415
Joined
1/17/2013
Location
Sunny, CA, USA
Melicar 7/25/2018 5:39pm
7/25/2018 5:39pm
50mm? I'm going to go out on a limb and say you screwed up your measurements.
2
flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87 7/25/2018 5:49pm
7/25/2018 5:49pm
Melicar wrote:
50mm? I'm going to go out on a limb and say you screwed up your measurements.
595m from Axel to mudguard Apex; on the stand un-weighted
545mm from Axel to mudguard Apex; off the stand, gear on, friend doing the measurement whilst standing up.
595 - 545 = 50mm
Markee
Profile picture for user Markee
Posts
3661
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA, USA
Markee 7/25/2018 6:00pm
7/25/2018 6:00pm
I really don't understand the issue. Can you not set the sag to correct number or are you surprised a dealer didn't?
flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87 7/25/2018 6:03pm
7/25/2018 6:03pm
Markee wrote:
I really don't understand the issue. Can you not set the sag to correct number or are you surprised a dealer didn't?
I can set the Sag. I just have never seen such a big gap and was wondering if it could be an issue with the bike/spring, or just an adjustment.
GPrider
Profile picture for user GPrider
Posts
773
Joined
4/10/2014
Location
La Mesa, CA, USA
GPrider 7/25/2018 6:04pm
7/25/2018 6:04pm
just loosen it till you get 110 and ride, no?
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
37097
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
TeamGreen 7/25/2018 6:07pm
7/25/2018 6:07pm
Melicar wrote:
50mm? I'm going to go out on a limb and say you screwed up your measurements.
I run 105-110 depending on type of track
Markee
Profile picture for user Markee
Posts
3661
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA, USA
Markee 7/25/2018 6:11pm
7/25/2018 6:11pm Edited Date/Time 7/25/2018 6:11pm
Markee wrote:
I really don't understand the issue. Can you not set the sag to correct number or are you surprised a dealer didn't?
flower87 wrote:
I can set the Sag. I just have never seen such a big gap and was wondering if it could be an issue with the bike/spring...
I can set the Sag. I just have never seen such a big gap and was wondering if it could be an issue with the bike/spring, or just an adjustment.
It's irrelevant what it was set to vs your weight. I really wouldn't be surprised by any number.
Pool-eh
Profile picture for user Pool-eh
Posts
159
Joined
12/5/2010
Location
Henderson, NV, USA
Pool-eh 7/25/2018 7:29pm
7/25/2018 7:29pm
flower87 wrote:
595m from Axel to mudguard Apex; on the stand un-weighted 545mm from Axel to mudguard Apex; off the stand, gear on, friend doing the measurement whilst...
595m from Axel to mudguard Apex; on the stand un-weighted
545mm from Axel to mudguard Apex; off the stand, gear on, friend doing the measurement whilst standing up.
595 - 545 = 50mm
Mud guard apex? Are you measuring from axel hole to the top of the mud flap?
Anyways, have your friend put the tape blade hook on your seat bolt opposite the muffler and go down to the end of the swingarm(near wheel) and use that as point a and b. It's two fixed points and will keep you from having the blade move in the axle hole or fender flex from compressing the shock.
115mm is a good jump off point especially if dealing with stink bug feel.
Rotaholic
Profile picture for user Rotaholic
Posts
1745
Joined
4/2/2013
Location
NZ
Rotaholic 7/25/2018 7:41pm
7/25/2018 7:41pm
They are strange out of the box, grab the lowering link from krooztune and you may need to respring it also
Ted722
Profile picture for user Ted722
Posts
4575
Joined
9/21/2011
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
Ted722 7/25/2018 7:50pm
7/25/2018 7:50pm
Wow, mine was 100mm right out of the dealer. No wonder they asked my weight. (225lb).
Premix
Profile picture for user Premix
Posts
1505
Joined
1/5/2014
Location
USA
Premix 7/25/2018 8:20pm
7/25/2018 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 7/25/2018 8:21pm
You got the flat track model. Take it back
2
tcannon521 7/25/2018 9:22pm
7/25/2018 9:22pm
Get the PC or JGR linkage and set your sag at 102 to 105.
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5946
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off, CA
nytsmaC 7/26/2018 10:03am
7/26/2018 10:03am Edited Date/Time 7/26/2018 10:03am
Something must be binding in the suspension. Loosen the preload collar on the spring, what numbers do you get when it’s firm against the spring but not compressing it?

Pit Row

See All »
flower87
Profile picture for user flower87
Posts
54
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
AU
flower87 7/26/2018 2:44pm
7/26/2018 2:44pm
FYI in case anyone was interested. There was something either in the linkage or spring that was holding it up (didnt find out what). Jumped up & down on the fork several times and it loosened up. Straight out of the factory, so must have been sticking somewhere.
1
therj_629
Profile picture for user therj_629
Posts
24
Joined
5/23/2018
Location
Hilmar, CA, USA
therj_629 7/26/2018 2:56pm
7/26/2018 2:56pm
The +1 linkage really helps on the new bikes. We run them and set sag to 105. Check sag after you come off the track to make sure the shock didn't fade and the sag gone up. We had problems with the BFRC raising sag 5mm during a race. Given it was supercross so the shock was really working. They aren't a bad shock to run outdoors especially for amatuer riders
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5946
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off, CA
nytsmaC 7/26/2018 3:04pm
7/26/2018 3:04pm
flower87 wrote:
FYI in case anyone was interested. There was something either in the linkage or spring that was holding it up (didnt find out what). Jumped up...
FYI in case anyone was interested. There was something either in the linkage or spring that was holding it up (didnt find out what). Jumped up & down on the fork several times and it loosened up. Straight out of the factory, so must have been sticking somewhere.
You should tear it down and regrease everything, clearly something went wrong in the assembly process. Hopefully the issue will reveal itself when you have it apart.
2
kNewc
Profile picture for user kNewc
Posts
1169
Joined
3/17/2017
Location
USA
kNewc 7/27/2018 9:55am
7/27/2018 9:55am Edited Date/Time 7/27/2018 9:56am
flower87 wrote:
FYI in case anyone was interested. There was something either in the linkage or spring that was holding it up (didnt find out what). Jumped up...
FYI in case anyone was interested. There was something either in the linkage or spring that was holding it up (didnt find out what). Jumped up & down on the fork several times and it loosened up. Straight out of the factory, so must have been sticking somewhere.
nytsmaC wrote:
You should tear it down and regrease everything, clearly something went wrong in the assembly process. Hopefully the issue will reveal itself when you have it...
You should tear it down and regrease everything, clearly something went wrong in the assembly process. Hopefully the issue will reveal itself when you have it apart.
Yea, maybe even take it back to the dealership and see if they will for free? Especially if it's brand new. Seems crazy! Did you get it from the dealer set-up or did you take it out of the crate? Seems suspicious nobody would sit on it after assembly!

Post a reply to: 18' RMZ-450 Sag Issue