Suspension, who and why?

TeamGreen
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12/17/2020 3:07pm
stackman17 wrote:
In and around DFW, ex-pro Craig Decker at Enzo all day long.
Absolutely!
Monk
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12/17/2020 3:10pm
roy238 wrote:
So who does your suspension valving/set up and why did you choose to use that particular person/company? No hate on anyone please, just want to see...
So who does your suspension valving/set up and why did you choose to use that particular person/company?

No hate on anyone please, just want to see what y'all use.

I've used a few different places all with positive results.

Tech Care which is now TCD
MCR
Pro Curcuit
And now Factory Connection

Tech care and MCR because they were local and I know them. Race with them.

Pro Curcuit came on a bike I bought from a friend who is same height/weight and ability as me so I left it alone. I'll say I've had a better feeling set up but overall worked with no issues over that it was just a little more harsh than I like.

Now Factory Connection, tried them based on their reputation and I'm pleased with it. Has a nice plush feel and holds up well in the rough. I'll be sticking with them for a long time, cost more but worth it.

I've been using the same local guy (Geoff @ GP Moto) for nearly 10yrs. Between 50-60 different sets of suspension over those years over multiple bikes, not including the multiple tweaks and services in between...

I tried a few "high profile" and "revolutionary" stuff from other suspension companies and shops here and there, having mixed results... Ultimately the local support is what I needed the most when putting 2-300hrs a year off riding when in peak race season...

On a side note, I have multiple sets of suspension for the same bike and I'm fully capable of doing my own revalves and tuning but it's easier for me to just drop it off and pick it up later.
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JM485
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12/17/2020 3:40pm
Who: Me

Why: I’m broke
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Ted722
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12/17/2020 3:59pm
JM485 wrote:
Who: Me

Why: I’m broke
Speaking of re-valving Josh, how are your hill climb bikes valved/sprung different vs moto?

The Shop

12/17/2020 4:00pm
I have used Enzo for many years and they do great work. Since buying a set of Cone Valve forks and a Trax shock from Billy at PowerBand racing, I will never use anyone else on my WP stuff. Enzo will still get all my KYB and Showa stuff and I’m sure he could do a great job on my WP bikes, but I’m sold on Billy’s knowledge and will be a life long customer
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sandtrack315
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12/17/2020 4:19pm
Enzo for KYB stuff is a no brainer. Been using them since 2005. Always spot on, reasonable prices.

Not sure about Showa stuff. I’m sure Enzo would do a good job but I’d consider factory connection or pro circuit.
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moto431
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Fantasy
12/17/2020 6:06pm
JN innovations
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Ted722
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12/17/2020 6:09pm
moto431 wrote:
JN innovations
Is Jon still doing his magic?
slipdog
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12/17/2020 6:59pm
moto431 wrote:
JN innovations
Ted722 wrote:
Is Jon still doing his magic?
I scored a sweet hat last week...


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TeamGreen
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12/17/2020 7:06pm
moto431 wrote:
JN innovations
Ted722 wrote:
Is Jon still doing his magic?
slipdog wrote:
I scored a sweet hat last week... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/12/17/466433/s1200_590D27E3_B4C3_4F99_81DA_D03FE62764C3.jpg[/img]
I scored a sweet hat last week...


WHOA! Roth Racing did my Husky FE Suspension back in...2017...?
That was good stuff, too!
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crowe660
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12/17/2020 7:15pm
Not sure if Weisner is still around in MI, but he made my first CRF’s the best suspension I’ve ridden to date. I didn’t have to touch one clicker.

Have also used Pro-Action on CR’s and Factory Connection on RM’s.

Depending on your skill level, I vote sticking with a local guy. I spent a lot of money sending my stuff out, and, I don’t know how to explain it. It worked better, but it wasn’t what I was expecting for the money spent (mostly FC).
JM485
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12/17/2020 8:03pm
JM485 wrote:
Who: Me

Why: I’m broke
Ted722 wrote:
Speaking of re-valving Josh, how are your hill climb bikes valved/sprung different vs moto?
Believe it or not absolutely nothing, bone stock. The extensions don't effect it as much as you would think, I'm not sure why but my theory is that the shock moves slower since the rear wheel is farther away and creates a longer lever arm, so essentially it would take a larger bump to move the shock the same amount of travel as compared to a stock length swingarm. This is just my thought, I have no way to back that up with numbers but I've always been able to get away with just setting the sag and adjusting clickers.
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bvm111
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12/17/2020 9:29pm
I just had mark at REP/AEO set up my cone valves and oem rear shock on my 20.5 FE ... I am very happy with the set up. Last weekend was my first ride and at my track they just added a bunch of sand and there was a gnarly set of braking bumps coming off a 4th gear straight into a left 180.... everyone was complaint and saying how bad they were and i just smiled and asked ... what braking bumps! Also the shock tracked straight out of corners through the accel chop and the valving held me up in the stroke and allowed it to settle in the turns so i could carve.... best suspension i’ve ridden with!
2
12/17/2020 9:46pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just had mark at REP/AEO set up my cone valves and oem rear shock on my 20.5 FE ... I am very happy with the...
I just had mark at REP/AEO set up my cone valves and oem rear shock on my 20.5 FE ... I am very happy with the set up. Last weekend was my first ride and at my track they just added a bunch of sand and there was a gnarly set of braking bumps coming off a 4th gear straight into a left 180.... everyone was complaint and saying how bad they were and i just smiled and asked ... what braking bumps! Also the shock tracked straight out of corners through the accel chop and the valving held me up in the stroke and allowed it to settle in the turns so i could carve.... best suspension i’ve ridden with!
Did you get the REP link and knuckle also? The rear end tracks so well with it.
bvm111
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12/17/2020 10:23pm
bvm111 wrote:
I just had mark at REP/AEO set up my cone valves and oem rear shock on my 20.5 FE ... I am very happy with the...
I just had mark at REP/AEO set up my cone valves and oem rear shock on my 20.5 FE ... I am very happy with the set up. Last weekend was my first ride and at my track they just added a bunch of sand and there was a gnarly set of braking bumps coming off a 4th gear straight into a left 180.... everyone was complaint and saying how bad they were and i just smiled and asked ... what braking bumps! Also the shock tracked straight out of corners through the accel chop and the valving held me up in the stroke and allowed it to settle in the turns so i could carve.... best suspension i’ve ridden with!
Did you get the REP link and knuckle also? The rear end tracks so well with it.
no i passed on that this time due to budget constraints... but i did get his spring perches and his spec cone for the forks... I think I will probably be purchasing the link after i recover from christmas!!
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bvm111
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12/17/2020 10:24pm
PTshox
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12/17/2020 10:26pm
It's not rocket science you guys... do your own suspension work. Once you know the basics... and what changes affect which part of the suspension it's easy.
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mikejones202
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12/18/2020 11:50am
3seventeen moto in PA...ive had FC do my stuff forever but after having my cone valves there 3 different times and getting charged an arm and a leg, I doubt I will go back...friendly bunch, but their prices have gotten terrible for the product
NicNak
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12/18/2020 12:14pm
For reference I ride a KX450. The last 2 years I ran Factory Connection & had a pretty good sponsorship. It was really good when I first received it but seemed to wear out extremely fast & I couldn't afford to keep servicing it every 10-15 hours (I ride that much every 2 weeks). I found it to perform very well at certain times & i'd just be completely fighting it other times. Never felt the consistency in performance. As said above it's very expensive, even as a sponsored rider I almost had to pull my 401K to pay my bill. Very soft suspension.

I recently had a set done by TZR (Tom Zont Racing) out of Illinois. Superb suspension. It's a completely different set up than FC, specific to my speed & style. It's much stiffer than my FC stuff was so it took a couple rides to feel super comfortable on it but once I did whewww. It tracks sooo well & reacts consistently. I can attack the circuit much more aggressively. I've rode a wide variety of tracks & do not have to mess with clickers or be chasing settings as I'm confident in the machine now. I currently have over 20 hours on it & it's holding up phenomenally. I'm very pleased. Also much more affordable than FC.
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roy238
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12/18/2020 3:10pm
So, appears alot of us have used FC.
With that being said we all agree on one thing, they're expensive. Lol

I'll admit my run with FC wasn't all rainbows and unicorns but they did sort things out and the work is amazing.

But now a few of y'all have me a little concerned with long term use/reliability a little.

My 2019 yz450 is hands down my favorite bike I've ever owned, loved it from day one off the showroom floor. But with that I'm a big dude at 225lbs 6'4" vet 40+ B rider/was racer so suspension HAD to be done. I bottomed this thing everywhere.
So going into a race at Baja for the Brawl, FC was there and with rave reviews I had them do the work.

Local suspension guys have always been my first choice but I decided to try FC, will I use them again? Most likely, yes.

I do like to see the options available for all of us all over the US, many great choices.

Thanks for all your feedback🤙
Zycki11
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12/18/2020 4:27pm
Enzo
12/18/2020 5:17pm
Brandon at AHM is who I use. If you wanna ride on clouds with epic hold up and comfort... look no further! There is a reason why all the baja teams use him, oh and another guy... Tyler The fucking Bear Bowers.
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1
mxaaron
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12/18/2020 5:20pm
I use Dan Moore at Evo. He's local, and another bonus is that we ride together. Hell, he even rides my bike when necessary. Tough to beat that, FC or anyone else.
crowe660
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12/18/2020 5:35pm
roy238 wrote:
So, appears alot of us have used FC. With that being said we all agree on one thing, they're expensive. Lol I'll admit my run with...
So, appears alot of us have used FC.
With that being said we all agree on one thing, they're expensive. Lol

I'll admit my run with FC wasn't all rainbows and unicorns but they did sort things out and the work is amazing.

But now a few of y'all have me a little concerned with long term use/reliability a little.

My 2019 yz450 is hands down my favorite bike I've ever owned, loved it from day one off the showroom floor. But with that I'm a big dude at 225lbs 6'4" vet 40+ B rider/was racer so suspension HAD to be done. I bottomed this thing everywhere.
So going into a race at Baja for the Brawl, FC was there and with rave reviews I had them do the work.

Local suspension guys have always been my first choice but I decided to try FC, will I use them again? Most likely, yes.

I do like to see the options available for all of us all over the US, many great choices.

Thanks for all your feedback🤙
I’m a +40 Vet B guy too and 19 YZ is THE best stock suspended bike I’ve ever ridden. Better than the majority of stuff I’ve had revalved. I fall in the sweet spot of the stock springs, but I’m really having a hard time deciding if I want to have it messed with. I don’t even know what I would complain about if the tech asked lol. The bottoming resistance in these KYB’s are unreal. Pillows man, PILLOWS
1
wbt1974
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Pflugerville, TX, USA
12/18/2020 6:33pm
https://812suspensiondesign.com/

Doc is great and has been doing this for years. He started with race tech and branched into his own business. Has a dyno in house to test everything. I reached out to him as he is local to me and he did a great job on my 1992 YZ125. He is also a fellow vet as well. Highly recommend.


4
Alex.434
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Warner Springs, CA, USA
12/18/2020 10:53pm
WHO: AEO / REP

WHY: They are my local shop. Jeremy the owner is an awesome guy, runs a great shop, his staff is rad and with Mark Johnson's bona fides as Ryan Dungey's WP suspension guys through a number of KTM championships... it made this the no brainer choice.

I'm running AEO/REP tuned XACT PRO front and rear along with the knuckle and links out back. Smoooooooth.
Vet57
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12/18/2020 11:45pm
crowe660 wrote:
I’m a +40 Vet B guy too and 19 YZ is THE best stock suspended bike I’ve ever ridden. Better than the majority of stuff I’ve...
I’m a +40 Vet B guy too and 19 YZ is THE best stock suspended bike I’ve ever ridden. Better than the majority of stuff I’ve had revalved. I fall in the sweet spot of the stock springs, but I’m really having a hard time deciding if I want to have it messed with. I don’t even know what I would complain about if the tech asked lol. The bottoming resistance in these KYB’s are unreal. Pillows man, PILLOWS
Beat me to it...I've never sent in Yam KYB stuff.
1
Viewsonic
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12/19/2020 5:18am
ProTune in Ohio, nothing else.
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Wildeye511
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12/28/2020 1:29pm
Fineline in St. George UT. They even set your sag for you when you pick up your bike.
sumdood
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Fantasy
12/28/2020 9:56pm
I’ve been using Nick Costello at Pro Valve in Costa Mesa for years. Why ? He’s close so t’s easy, he’s always available to answer any questions, if I’m not happy he listens why and makes changes, he helps with set up, he’s good with older bikes ( some of our fleet is old) fast turn around and he does excellent motor work as well. Plus I’ve know him for 30 some odd years now and he’s fun to work with so I’ve never had a reason to go anywhere else.

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