Hey everyone,
Saw the REP Linkage online and also on Keefer's site.
Has anyone run these on the Honda's? And if you have any personal experience what did you think?
Below is their write up, and some links.
"The main goal in developing this linkage was to increase predictability and provide a more consistent handling motorcycle. Although the system utilizes a pull rod is not much different than standard and is based around the standard shock length, the resultant ratio is very different than stock. The change is mainly due to the vast changes in knuckle, or cam, geometry. What riders found with the final product was a more stable bike and calmer rear. The rear was more compliant and tracked better in rough conditions. In addition to this there was increase in square edge absorption. Now what made this possible from a technical standpoint? The linkage system in the big picture is much “stiffer”, or lower leverage ratio at the wheel, but this was not done to see the results we did. The reason it is stiffer is to allow us, or the tuner, to be capable of running a spring four rates lighter from what would normally be used to lower the overall bike weight. What gave the new character and feel was the style of progression through the stroke. The first 70% of stroke has a flatter ratio to give a more consistent platform and a more progressive ratio the last 30%. Overall, the progression percentage as a whole is higher than standard to increase bottoming resistance and keep the rear from riding too deep in the stroke. Data acquisition with show this added progression will have the rear spending less time deep in the stroke for a more balanced bike and better feel from the average ride height being in the softer part of the travel. The progression compared to standard is very similar up to 150mm of wheel travel, but ramps after this point until end stroke."
"An example for the change in spring rate if you use our linkage is if you normally are on a 54 shock spring you would go down to a 50, four rates down. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions."
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/rep-linkage-system-2023-honda-crf450r/
cant speak for the Honda linkage but if you own a new KTM and dont have their linkage you are missing out big time. I have been working on my 2024 450xcf since I bought it. Have it working really good after doing all the typical upgrades. Was still just not right I felt in the rear. Had two issues, on single bumps it would sometimes kick sideways and the other it always felt like it rode low in the rear. After reading the mxa article and Keefer review for the thousandth time I pulled the trigger and bought one. After 30 seconds on my trail I could feel what I had been searching for since day one! I wanted to call them right then and there to tell them how awesome it was! The problems were gone and as a bonus I wasn't expecting was the rear of the bike lost all of its harshness over small trail trash. I bought another for my Husky and tested that the next weekend. Problem solved! So much so I didn't mention it to anyone until I made sure they had another in stock, haha
Wow that's awesome to hear!
What did you do in terms of rear spring rate? They say to drop it down 4.
So the linkages for the austrian bikes move the setup towards Japanese spring rates and the linkages for Japanese bikes move the spring rates closer to austrian bikes???
Has anyone tried the NR41 Rep linkage for a 2023 YZ450f? Acceleration bumps coming out of turns have always beat the heck out of my back on this bike. It it could help that is would definitely be worth it. I read the Keefer review, GPrider's review has me ready to order one. Thanks for any info
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its been a while since I posted my review. Since then I have changed bikes. I am just finishing building and been testing my 25 husky FE450. I built it for desert racing out here in socal deserts. Anyway, even with the "new" updated linkage, this bike still has the same feeling my KTM had. Ironically this post appeared this morning as I literally am expecting my REP link to show up this morning UPS. I tested last weekend and even with amazing suspension set up I was not satisfied with the rear. So I went back to the truck and ordered it. Already have the stock linkage off and will install the REP today. Test again Friday. Can report back then if still is as good as I remember...
Has anyone tried the Merge link on the 23 and up Yamahas? They show John Short and other pros running it.
Wait until Black Friday. They always have a sale.
Thanks.
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