Something i've always struggled with - I'm 6'7" - 235 lbs (w/o gear).......so lots of leverage on the bike being so tall. I have a 2023 YZ450 and have swapped out the front and rear springs 6.4 rear and .54 on the front. I'm a local vet A/B (55 yrs), i was local Pro level back in the day but obviously those days are long gone.....long 🙂
What i struggle with is relating info to suspension shop, my suspension feels harsh but i can't tell if it's damped to heavy (it's stock valving) or i feel harness because it needs more damping and i'm riding down in the stroke. Talked to a local suspension guy today who say's i likely need more damping even though i feel lots of harshness. I'm sure he know's what he's talking about but having a hard time getting my head around this.
Appreciate any tips, tricks or tweaks i can try to help feel and test this ??
What are settings on the clickers front and rear? Sag?
One thing you can do is raise the oil level in the forks by 30 cc each (substantial increase) and see if that feels better. If it feels better that will be an indicator towards a stiffer setup resulting in better feel. It will keep the forks up higher in stroke. Although oil level is mainly focussed effect at last 1/3 stroke it also plays a smaller to marginal (top of stroke) role at the other 2/3 stroke.
Have someone film you on some jump landings and through braking bumps to see how far in the stroke your forks travel
Not saying they are wrong but those springs are double stiff IMHO. I find I put more load on the forks in g-outs but riding style can trump anything.
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I have a similar issue to you. I am 210 and 6’3” and very fast. I’ve struggled with suspension for awhile. I had springs to light and stock valving. I used racetech stuff and got my spring rates cleaned up (.46 to .48, still may go .50) and the stiffer it got the better it felt. I was using so much of the stroke, putting so much energy into the springs, and had super fast piston movement speeds that the bike would go halfway into the stroke and beat me to death. So much better now and I think there’s room for improvement in my own tuning and user-feedback loop as well. I’m aware I didn’t give you any answers lol but I hope that gives you some food for thought.
See why the forks feel like with your compression all the way in and out and that will be a hint as to what direction to take. Your springs may be a little stiff too. Idk. .52 would probably do it. Not a major difference I guess.
Went to our mid week worlds SX race night.......cranked the comp on both forks and shock just to see. (2 out on both) Adjusted rebound to suit as comp affects it. Bike felt better for sure / track wasn't super rough but will race on weekend and that will be better test. More damping ! ! who knew lol. Feels like fork springs are right weight but maybe a little bit too much preload.
i did try that - added 30-40cc. Helped a bit - i think lol. Not enough to notice
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