WP 6500 Inserts on 23 TE300

Matt_Sims
Posts
18
Joined
1/26/2012
Location
Greencastle, IN, USA

I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something with better hold up/ stiffer.

Currently racing Pro class (locally) in the off-road world and I am seeking out a better mid valve setup. Currently running a 44 fork spring and the factory WP 6500 valving. The small stuff (roots, rocks, square edge bumps) is brutal. Forks deflect off of everything. The big stuff is just fine though. I was wondering if anyone has made any valving changes and added in a split somewhere to help soften it up. I have not taken it apart yes so I have no idea what shims are in there and what sizes. 

I am going to try going to a softer ics spring (from 16 to 14) to see if that helps. If not, I will be modifying the shim stack.

 

160 lbs

pro class locally / AA nationally

looking for a softer setup with good hold up still for gncc style racing.

 

coming off of Yamaha and stock KYB SSS suspension. looking for that kind of comfort again on this new bike.

 

thanks,

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wrc777
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3204
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5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
Fantasy
11/15/2023 5:04am

Hopefully someone will give you some good info. If you don't find it here KTM talk has a suspension forum that gets more technical.

CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7517
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
11/15/2023 7:15am

Have you tried with clickers all the way open? Does that help the feel?

I’m wondering if your spring rate is too stiff, before you think about valving.

cwtoyota
Posts
2397
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
11/16/2023 9:17pm
Matt_Sims wrote:
I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something...

I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something with better hold up/ stiffer.

Currently racing Pro class (locally) in the off-road world and I am seeking out a better mid valve setup. Currently running a 44 fork spring and the factory WP 6500 valving. The small stuff (roots, rocks, square edge bumps) is brutal. Forks deflect off of everything. The big stuff is just fine though. I was wondering if anyone has made any valving changes and added in a split somewhere to help soften it up. I have not taken it apart yes so I have no idea what shims are in there and what sizes. 

I am going to try going to a softer ics spring (from 16 to 14) to see if that helps. If not, I will be modifying the shim stack.

 

160 lbs

pro class locally / AA nationally

looking for a softer setup with good hold up still for gncc style racing.

 

coming off of Yamaha and stock KYB SSS suspension. looking for that kind of comfort again on this new bike.

 

thanks,

Not of much help to you on MV settings, but are the 6500 cartridges a 23mm diameter mid-valve piston?

Thanks.

Marty1028
Posts
949
Joined
10/5/2017
Location
Lafayette, IN, USA
11/22/2023 8:28pm
Matt_Sims wrote:
I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something...

I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something with better hold up/ stiffer.

Currently racing Pro class (locally) in the off-road world and I am seeking out a better mid valve setup. Currently running a 44 fork spring and the factory WP 6500 valving. The small stuff (roots, rocks, square edge bumps) is brutal. Forks deflect off of everything. The big stuff is just fine though. I was wondering if anyone has made any valving changes and added in a split somewhere to help soften it up. I have not taken it apart yes so I have no idea what shims are in there and what sizes. 

I am going to try going to a softer ics spring (from 16 to 14) to see if that helps. If not, I will be modifying the shim stack.

 

160 lbs

pro class locally / AA nationally

looking for a softer setup with good hold up still for gncc style racing.

 

coming off of Yamaha and stock KYB SSS suspension. looking for that kind of comfort again on this new bike.

 

thanks,

Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160, although your pretty damn faster than me, Im 185 and im running .44s. I swapped them out for the last few IXCRs and even with moto valving my forks felt pretty good.

The Shop

Matt_Sims
Posts
18
Joined
1/26/2012
Location
Greencastle, IN, USA
11/28/2023 5:57am
Matt_Sims wrote:
I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something...

I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something with better hold up/ stiffer.

Currently racing Pro class (locally) in the off-road world and I am seeking out a better mid valve setup. Currently running a 44 fork spring and the factory WP 6500 valving. The small stuff (roots, rocks, square edge bumps) is brutal. Forks deflect off of everything. The big stuff is just fine though. I was wondering if anyone has made any valving changes and added in a split somewhere to help soften it up. I have not taken it apart yes so I have no idea what shims are in there and what sizes. 

I am going to try going to a softer ics spring (from 16 to 14) to see if that helps. If not, I will be modifying the shim stack.

 

160 lbs

pro class locally / AA nationally

looking for a softer setup with good hold up still for gncc style racing.

 

coming off of Yamaha and stock KYB SSS suspension. looking for that kind of comfort again on this new bike.

 

thanks,

Marty1028 wrote:
Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160...

Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160, although your pretty damn faster than me, Im 185 and im running .44s. I swapped them out for the last few IXCRs and even with moto valving my forks felt pretty good.

i ended up going with the .44 springs, 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now. definitely better. Going to do some more testing and dial in the clickers then i will decide what to do next. I always preferred a softer setup than most people. 

 

Or I'm going to machine out the triple clamps and slide my KYB forks in them. Use the front wheel and front brake assembly too lol. 

wrc777
Posts
3204
Joined
5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
Fantasy
11/28/2023 10:28am
Matt_Sims wrote:
I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something...

I am new to the Austrian brand and i decided to try these 6500 inserts (because the xplor stuff is too soft) and i needed something with better hold up/ stiffer.

Currently racing Pro class (locally) in the off-road world and I am seeking out a better mid valve setup. Currently running a 44 fork spring and the factory WP 6500 valving. The small stuff (roots, rocks, square edge bumps) is brutal. Forks deflect off of everything. The big stuff is just fine though. I was wondering if anyone has made any valving changes and added in a split somewhere to help soften it up. I have not taken it apart yes so I have no idea what shims are in there and what sizes. 

I am going to try going to a softer ics spring (from 16 to 14) to see if that helps. If not, I will be modifying the shim stack.

 

160 lbs

pro class locally / AA nationally

looking for a softer setup with good hold up still for gncc style racing.

 

coming off of Yamaha and stock KYB SSS suspension. looking for that kind of comfort again on this new bike.

 

thanks,

Marty1028 wrote:
Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160...

Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160, although your pretty damn faster than me, Im 185 and im running .44s. I swapped them out for the last few IXCRs and even with moto valving my forks felt pretty good.

Matt_Sims wrote:
i ended up going with the .44 springs, 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now...

i ended up going with the .44 springs, 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now. definitely better. Going to do some more testing and dial in the clickers then i will decide what to do next. I always preferred a softer setup than most people. 

 

Or I'm going to machine out the triple clamps and slide my KYB forks in them. Use the front wheel and front brake assembly too lol. 

Probably cheaper to modify your existing clamps but...I am not sure which KYB forks they fit.

https://mxlocker.com/product/luxon-triple-clamps-w3fG

Matt_Sims
Posts
18
Joined
1/26/2012
Location
Greencastle, IN, USA
11/28/2023 11:49am
Marty1028 wrote:
Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160...

Matt, id say drop half a spring rate, maybe a .42 in one fork and a .44 in the other, .44 seems pretty stiff for 160, although your pretty damn faster than me, Im 185 and im running .44s. I swapped them out for the last few IXCRs and even with moto valving my forks felt pretty good.

Matt_Sims wrote:
i ended up going with the .44 springs, 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now...

i ended up going with the .44 springs, 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now. definitely better. Going to do some more testing and dial in the clickers then i will decide what to do next. I always preferred a softer setup than most people. 

 

Or I'm going to machine out the triple clamps and slide my KYB forks in them. Use the front wheel and front brake assembly too lol. 

wrc777 wrote:

Probably cheaper to modify your existing clamps but...I am not sure which KYB forks they fit.

https://mxlocker.com/product/luxon-triple-clamps-w3fG

top triple clamp is $218 on rocky mountain. The machining side of it would be free, I would do it at work. 

1
Matt_Sims
Posts
18
Joined
1/26/2012
Location
Greencastle, IN, USA
11/28/2023 11:51am
Have you tried with clickers all the way open? Does that help the feel? I’m wondering if your spring rate is too stiff, before you think...

Have you tried with clickers all the way open? Does that help the feel?

I’m wondering if your spring rate is too stiff, before you think about valving.

Yes, that is the first thing I tried. I ended up going with the .44 springs (was .45), 12ics spring (was 16) and added more float to the mid valve. Still stock valving as of now. Definitely better. Going to do some more testing and dial in the clickers then I will decide what to do next. I always preferred a softer setup than most people.

LOOnatic
Posts
731
Joined
5/20/2019
Location
New Orleans, LA, USA
12/1/2023 4:36am

I was under the impression that off the shelf 6500 carts are valved for MX and thus offload guys desire a revalve to soften them up?

Fyi I've had good luck with the ProTune guy in Ohio with my mx tech inserts so maybe see what his opinion is on 6500's .

 

And I second the advice to get on ktmtalk.

There is a  suspension thread with lots of info to geek out on.

 

Good luck bud and please report back what you figure out .

12/1/2023 4:56am
LOOnatic wrote:
I was under the impression that off the shelf 6500 carts are valved for MX and thus offload guys desire a revalve to soften them up...

I was under the impression that off the shelf 6500 carts are valved for MX and thus offload guys desire a revalve to soften them up?

Fyi I've had good luck with the ProTune guy in Ohio with my mx tech inserts so maybe see what his opinion is on 6500's .

 

And I second the advice to get on ktmtalk.

There is a  suspension thread with lots of info to geek out on.

 

Good luck bud and please report back what you figure out .

They come in an enduro setting as well. Corey likes 6500’s but also likes MXT Ravens as well. Lately I think he’s suggesting Ravens over 6500’s. Issue with Ravens is the $500 plus in tools you need to service yourself. 

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