Posts
450
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Denver, CO
US
Fantasy
870th
Edited Date/Time
9/26/2022 2:22pm
So after fifteen years of no dirt bike having, I bought a 2021 450 SX-F this summer. Out of the box it turns great, has more than enough power for me, and has an air fork that everyone who doesn't own one seems to hate. Shortly after I got it, I swapped for a brief time with a buddy's stock 2020 YZ250F, and while I couldn't really say the Yamaha was way better, the more I rode my bike, the more apparent it was that the stock suspension needed to be addressed, not because it had a little harshness on slap-downs, but because I'm a huge oaf at 6'8" in riding boots and over 250 dressed in gear.
So after much hemming and hawing, I decided to send my suspension to Kreft in Oregon for their Revalve Control system. My thought process was that I live in Colorado. If I set this bike up for moto only, I'd be doing myself a huge disservice when it comes time to climb a mountain. Additionally, I hope to lose about 20 lbs, so keeping the air fork seemed like a good idea. I was concerned, however, about not being satisfied with the money spent.
Well, I've got the bike back together and about two hours on the suspension and I'd have to say it's been money well spent. Yesterday I went to Jewell Motocross in Watkins to put it through the paces. At first I though I had ruined the bike. It seemed like I was going way higher but not as far as on the stock suspension. I decided to just go and rip their turn track for a while and focus on breathing and body position. As I did that, my speed got faster and faster, and it seemed to work better and better. When I got back on the motocross track, I was riding faster than ever (including 15+ years ago). I only look forward to more riding and fine-tuning, as well as getting into the trails and softening the whole thing up.
Additionally, the packaging and materials from Kreft were quite impressive, from the package itself, to the presentation of the settings they ship with, and especially their outline of how to change the suspension based on riding type.
Now, I expect a lot of folk on here would be happy to discount the word of a slow 30+ guy who's never come close to a podium in any class, but I am 100% certain that the modifications from Kreft have done a lot to make this bike behave for someone who is larger and heavier than the bike was designed for. And if you're not just interested in one discipline of riding and ride a WP equipped bike, Kreft can certainly help you get a set up that can help. Also the slap-down harshness is largely gone.
Ask me how I know.
So after much hemming and hawing, I decided to send my suspension to Kreft in Oregon for their Revalve Control system. My thought process was that I live in Colorado. If I set this bike up for moto only, I'd be doing myself a huge disservice when it comes time to climb a mountain. Additionally, I hope to lose about 20 lbs, so keeping the air fork seemed like a good idea. I was concerned, however, about not being satisfied with the money spent.
Well, I've got the bike back together and about two hours on the suspension and I'd have to say it's been money well spent. Yesterday I went to Jewell Motocross in Watkins to put it through the paces. At first I though I had ruined the bike. It seemed like I was going way higher but not as far as on the stock suspension. I decided to just go and rip their turn track for a while and focus on breathing and body position. As I did that, my speed got faster and faster, and it seemed to work better and better. When I got back on the motocross track, I was riding faster than ever (including 15+ years ago). I only look forward to more riding and fine-tuning, as well as getting into the trails and softening the whole thing up.
Additionally, the packaging and materials from Kreft were quite impressive, from the package itself, to the presentation of the settings they ship with, and especially their outline of how to change the suspension based on riding type.
Now, I expect a lot of folk on here would be happy to discount the word of a slow 30+ guy who's never come close to a podium in any class, but I am 100% certain that the modifications from Kreft have done a lot to make this bike behave for someone who is larger and heavier than the bike was designed for. And if you're not just interested in one discipline of riding and ride a WP equipped bike, Kreft can certainly help you get a set up that can help. Also the slap-down harshness is largely gone.
Ask me how I know.
So, switching brands is tough and with all the WP horror stories I'm at a loss. I've heard a lot of good things about the new Xact fork so I'm unsure if I want a basic re-valve from Kreft, RaceTech, PC, or MxT for $1000 or if I want to do something bigger like Kreft RC, MxT Lucky, or Enzo KYB kit.
Like yourself, I’m a plus rider and enjoy moto and single track. I primarily race MX but love throwing a Hair scramble or GNCC style race into the mix from time to time, so what was the deciding factor for you and what companies were you tossing around?
But it all basically boiled down to I can't afford a trail bike and a moto bike. Kreft seemed like the best way to get the bike to handle my weight on the track, yet still have the versatility to go ride rocky trails.
If I was strictly interested in track riding, I'd probably have gone with Enzo or Lucky system.
The Shop
Have you spent your own money on Kreft?
I have… and it was worth every single penny to help keep me safe.
(love your pics man!)
https://www.motocrossmetrics.com/
It's an inexpensive gopro mount that's mounted to your engine and records what your suspension's doing.
TM
Post a reply to: Kreft Moto for Fatties