is race tech tuned suspension any good?

ratonmacias
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Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 7:55pm
thats the question my local dealer who happens to be my friend has been doing race tech mods for at least 12 years and he insists on me trying a race tech setup. is it worth the expense on the valves versus a regular revalve and respring? its for a 2009 rmz 250 to be ridden in worcs type races.
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CamP
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3/26/2010 9:15pm
I've had good results from everything I've used from Race Tech. A good tuner can do a lot with a shim shuffle of the stock valves but the wrong guy can take your money and make your suspension worse.
bvm111
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3/26/2010 9:39pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:42pm
I had great resuts with the Original Gold Valves!

If you do it yourself the knowledge you gain in suspension valving and theory demistifies the voodoo witch docotor stuff that a "suspension guy" does to your stock suspenders. It took me a few times to get it right, but I became good at shock and fork tear down and revalve em quick... it actually became fun after a while and you really feel the difference!!!
Crush
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3/27/2010 5:23am
Well, I just bolted back together my 300 EXC today and took it for a ride... Race Tech KTM mods as seen in MXA front and Rear with springs and valving to suit my hefty weight...

Now, i'm not gonna lie, I didn't check the sag, had enough of working on the bike, I literally got the forks/shock shipped back, spent all day bolting other goodies to it and went for a ride...

Verdict? AWESOME... So nice front and rear, I haven't been riding much and actually got into a couple of "OH SHIT" situations, which is somewhat easy on that bike... but the suspension soaked everything up no worries... Highly recommend the work... Just going to tighten the rebound and go in on the compression - who would have thought i'm not as light as previously stated... haha... diet this week...

Do it dude, no regrets from me!!!!
4mxonly
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3/27/2010 5:39am
Had it on my 2006 honda crf250 4 years ago and loved it.

The Shop

typ2vw159
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3/27/2010 7:54am
Save the money drop down a class.Then tell them you had your forks revalved.Cool
88sdad
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3/27/2010 7:54am
How do you know you can beat his ass without seeing him ride?

Voodoo science at its best!!!
CamP
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3/27/2010 8:29am
You guys are getting off track. If he is using a MX bike in off road events, a re-valve will benefit him.
level
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3/27/2010 8:41am Edited Date/Time 3/27/2010 8:41am
I used race tech on my CR250 years ago and was big improvement. I was bottoming everywhere on my 250f when I bought-it was brutal-couldn't even ride it. Sent off to Factory Connection and it was night and day. I was real happy with Factory Connection. I have MB1 on my 450 and it seems alright but Factory Connection did wonders on my 250f.
OldGuy
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3/27/2010 9:05am
A few years back I done a seal and oil change for a friend of mine, which he had the same bike as I did. After the forks were done I tried it out on my practice track thought the whoops,
It felt real good. Then I go ride mine to do my practice laps for that day and WOW, I was way more comfortable on his bike. Got back out on his bike and WOW his was way more smooth that mine. With all the suspension the same what made the difference?
After a close inspection his handle bars was 15 mm higher that mine, I pulled the bars clamps up and added 3 thick washers to make up for the height difference, and took to the track again. WOW what 15 mm to the height could make. My original low height must have been putting me in a cramped position.
Moral of story, It may not be a suspension problem.

Save our money for tires and keep the suspension fresh. You can do a lots with oil heights, different oil weights,fork height in clamps,correct clickers, spring rates and sag for your riding style,speed and weight.

500guy
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3/27/2010 9:12am
Saying Fork and Shock valving is VooDoo science is for people who don't understand how suspension works.

Now I agree that there are lots of self taught suspension guy's that suck and they don't even know they are ripping you off that's how bad they are.

But VooDoo science it is not.

I do agree that many folks have the work done and don't need it.

We all know a titainium pipe should be first. ha ha ha
Cygnus
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3/27/2010 9:22am
Any good suspension guy worth his weight can port the stock valves really close to a race tech Gold valve.
typ2vw159
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3/27/2010 9:26am
Cygnus wrote:
Any good suspension guy worth his weight can port the stock valves really close to a race tech Gold valve.
Is race tech still running classes on revalveing?
CamP
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3/27/2010 9:34am
He's in Mexico, where good suspension guys are probably few, and far between. He's riding off-road and needs lighter damping. The RT settings are excellent, so it's a no-brainer for someone that can do basic suspension service work.
pdubfiddy
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3/27/2010 9:47am
500guy wrote:
Saying Fork and Shock valving is VooDoo science is for people who don't understand how suspension works. Now I agree that there are lots of self...
Saying Fork and Shock valving is VooDoo science is for people who don't understand how suspension works.

Now I agree that there are lots of self taught suspension guy's that suck and they don't even know they are ripping you off that's how bad they are.

But VooDoo science it is not.

I do agree that many folks have the work done and don't need it.

We all know a titainium pipe should be first. ha ha ha
Your right 500 the voodoo is in the salemanship not the parts.

Here's a good question for ya. Why do the 5 major factories go out of thier way to put the wrong stuff in the suspension? Seems like over the past 40 years the experience they would gain that by now they would have that crap figured out.

I'm pissed! lets demand better from the OEM's. The could put any part in the suspension at a 10th the cost of an aftermarket unit.

Please someone from the manufacturer let me know why you put inferrior technology in your suspensions.
moto814
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3/27/2010 9:53am
The level of stupid in this thread is amazing.

-Steve
stormlakeax
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3/27/2010 10:15am
moto814 wrote:
The level of stupid in this thread is amazing.

-Steve
CamP's posts, for example, are all relevent and added knowledge. The level of stupid in this thread no different than any other.

To stay on topic, the first money spent on a bike, IMO, should be suspension rather than motor. To what level, there are so many factors that will decide that. It might just be that $2 screw driver, you never know. Taking notes, absolutely, just like jetting. Save your notes!!
WhipMeister
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3/27/2010 10:25am
moto814 wrote:
The level of stupid in this thread is amazing.

-Steve
Hey, Steve! Long time no see.

I agree with you.

The difference between a well-matched suspension and one that's 'kinda close' is just night and day different and worth several seconds a lap in speed and huge percentages in fatigue, as well.
stormlakeax
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3/27/2010 10:29am
moto814 wrote:
The level of stupid in this thread is amazing.

-Steve
Hey, Steve! Long time no see. I agree with you. The difference between a well-matched suspension and one that's 'kinda close' is just night and day...
Hey, Steve! Long time no see.

I agree with you.

The difference between a well-matched suspension and one that's 'kinda close' is just night and day different and worth several seconds a lap in speed and huge percentages in fatigue, as well.
I could not agree more. We played with settings all season long in AX. I think we got it right just in time for the end of the series!! But we were only off by a couple clicks here and some high speed there, made a big difference all at once, it was like the light just went on!
raddad
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3/27/2010 10:34am
moto814 wrote:
The level of stupid in this thread is amazing.

-Steve
CamP's posts, for example, are all relevent and added knowledge. The level of stupid in this thread no different than any other. To stay on topic...
CamP's posts, for example, are all relevent and added knowledge. The level of stupid in this thread no different than any other.

To stay on topic, the first money spent on a bike, IMO, should be suspension rather than motor. To what level, there are so many factors that will decide that. It might just be that $2 screw driver, you never know. Taking notes, absolutely, just like jetting. Save your notes!!
Yep i agree, my note book on suspension settings are as long as my old 250r 2 stk jetting notes!

I disagree that you can throw out the idea that a re-valve is worthless. On the simplest terms, if you re-spring for your weight you will most likely need a re-valve in order to use all of the clicker settings at any given track ie; deep sand tracks, SX/AX, rough outdoors etc.

I also have noticed that some stock suspensions are better and cover more conditions than others. The one that comes to mind is Yamaha's SSS suspensions. I have had very expensive mods done to my CRF450 that now is worlds better than stock (it was to light) but my new YZ450 is better than anything i have ever had! I have only messed with clickers so far and it seems greatSmile

In the case of the original post, i would think that it may not be a bad idea to call and check many sources before i change anything and also talk to others with your bike and are your weight and ability, then decide.
Cygnus
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3/27/2010 10:46am
Another big thing guys do is lie about there weight when having your suspension done.

I never realized just how much my gear weighed until I flew it to Pheonix this year. I wear 24 LBS of gear on a normal day.
raddad
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3/27/2010 10:52am
Cygnus wrote:
Another big thing guys do is lie about there weight when having your suspension done. I never realized just how much my gear weighed until I...
Another big thing guys do is lie about there weight when having your suspension done.

I never realized just how much my gear weighed until I flew it to Pheonix this year. I wear 24 LBS of gear on a normal day.
Yep mines 20#..
WhipMeister
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3/27/2010 10:58am
I could not agree more. We played with settings all season long in AX. I think we got it right just in time for the end...
I could not agree more. We played with settings all season long in AX. I think we got it right just in time for the end of the series!! But we were only off by a couple clicks here and some high speed there, made a big difference all at once, it was like the light just went on!
Yep. If your high-speed damping is off by even a little your rider will just beat themselves to death over the chop.
ratonmacias
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3/27/2010 1:39pm
typ2vw159 wrote:
Save the money drop down a class.Then tell them you had your forks revalved.Cool
man thats a great suggestion i wish i could do that. i raced expert from 1999 to 2007 locally at my club i wanted to go back to advanced ow but they wont let me so i have to race expert 30 now. btw im 140 pounds
3/27/2010 2:11pm Edited Date/Time 3/27/2010 2:12pm
The posts from some of the guys here are amazing. I'm sorry, but having a bike setup for someone that will work ok for weights from 120 to 200 inwhich the manufacturers of bikes do, in no way is the same as a setup that is made for your riding style and your weight. If anyone understands what clickers do, they will know that clickers can only do so much. Suspension tuners can change the flow of oil at high speeds, low speeds and inbetween. Suspension mods if done correctly can help on whoops, jump takeoffs and landings and cornering even. So to say if done correctly, a fast rider won't gain speed, is just way off. Even slow riders may have less arm pump if their suspension isn't pounding them. There are a ton of reasons why someone with good suspension could go faster or maybe even longer.
SPYGUY
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3/27/2010 3:30pm
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
andymoto
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3/27/2010 5:19pm
Get Baileys "How To Flow Like A Pro" video(s), watch it relentlessly and practice the techniques.

No need to spend tons on suspension since many cannot even use or adjust to full capabilities.
typ2vw159
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3/27/2010 5:35pm
typ2vw159 wrote:
Save the money drop down a class.Then tell them you had your forks revalved.Cool
man thats a great suggestion i wish i could do that. i raced expert from 1999 to 2007 locally at my club i wanted to go...
man thats a great suggestion i wish i could do that. i raced expert from 1999 to 2007 locally at my club i wanted to go back to advanced ow but they wont let me so i have to race expert 30 now. btw im 140 pounds
You will have to really buy the revalve.Sad
ratonmacias
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3/27/2010 6:45pm
here is a true story: we have a friend that buys anything as long as any of the buddy that ride toghether gas it. so before a race we wipe perfectly the forklegs and shock and isntall race tech stickers on them (they came with some seals and bushings i bought) needless to say as soon as my friend saw 3 bikes with stickers he felt he was at a disadvantage and had his fork and shock done.

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