Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but Premium users receive great benefits. Premium benefits include:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
If you don’t have the small tool, you can just wind the screw with a screwdriver and then clamp a small vice grip on the screwdriver to prevent it from winding back in while you tighten the bolts.
Rubbish. It’s always the bike. First rule of vet club. Always blame the bike.
Ok - so another update for me with my 14 hour 2024 YZF450
Installed the 2025 engine mounts and linkage knuckle. This allowed me to go down a spring rate from a 63NM to a 60NM and get my sag numbers
The bike is so much better it really surprised me
The bike feels less “stinkbug” and more neutral with less rocking backwards and forwards
It seems to have opened the window of an enjoyable setting whereas before I had to often make changes track to track with fork height, sag & HSC
Maybe this helps someone chasing a setting
I just ordered this
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
I put the 25 knuckle on mine also. I was really needing to go up a spring rate before, but with the knuckle the sag numbers came in like they should (105 rider, 34 static).
Apologies if this has been covered but do you need the knuckle and link arm? Or just knuckle?
🙏
It's just the knuckle. I compared the 25 to my 24 and you can visibly see the difference between the knuckles.
I’ve been setting my forks at 3mm. Here is a little trick I use to measure it. Just lay a 3mm Allen wrench on top of the triple clamp ( or whatever you are setting it at). Easy to get correct.

Looks like spacer, bearings and seals are the same? Everything fit for you?
Yes, the bearings and seals have been the same for several years. I had a bearing kit that I bought in a parts lot from a guy that changed brands, so I did not have to buy new bearings or try to remove the ones in there. I am using stock 24 valving to start with. I am heavier and had a heavy spring to start with, so I felt the added damping (both comp and rebound) of the 24 wouldn't be a bad place to start. It felt good on the first ride, but I will revalve if it needs it.
So I’ve been doing some calculations comparing the 3 link setups on paper.
Max Force to bottom out:
24 Knuckle with 58n spring- 5,258n
25 knuckle with 56n spring - 5,440n
Rep full linage with 58n spring - 6,067n
Leverage %:
2024 link- 52%
2025 link- 54%
Rep link- 60%
This is some data I recorded riding the stock linkage. I always thought that the shock would run too deep. Hopefully the REP fixes this without ramping too much. But on paper it seems like it will be spot on
How would the max force to bottom look using the same 58N spring on the 25 knuckle?
Bottom out force:
25 link with 58n spring = 5,634n
Initial force at start of leverage:
24 link with 58n = 2,427n
25 link with 58n = 2,586n
For your 2028?
Awesome work.
Another practice day for me yesterday, and the bike is night & day better. I will say that I don't know to what extent the '25 engine mounts and knuckle affect the bike separately, because I installed them at the same time.
I haven't had my suspension revalved again since my original revalve.
Nice, I’m excited to try the new linkage.
Did you change spring rates with the link?
On mine I was needing the next spring rate up because I didn't have enough static sag. When I changed the knuckle I probably took two or three rounds off the preload collar and my numbers came in perfect. I would guesstimate one spring rate difference. I am using stock 24 valving at the moment because I've heavier and would have probably needed more damping both directions anyway. It's a good place to start anyway.
Yes, as mentioned above.
I went from a 63NM to a 60NM. I actually have a 61NM to try tomorrow.
Pit Row
Great to hear everything is going in a better direction!
2024
Has anyone ran the 25 clutch inner hub on their 23/24 yet? Wondering if it's worth it or to just go the Hinson route. Definitely appreciate the potential cheaper cost with some added plate longevity.
for the 25 linkage what numbers do i need from this diagram 18 and 24?
Just 18. All the other items can transfer from current linkage.
Does the knuckle come with bearings installed already?
No, you will need bearings. You might be able to remove the ones from your current knuckle, but I haven't had much luck doing that without damaging them even with the Motion Pro tool I have.
Yeah there’s no way to save the bearings in my experience lol. I would love to try the new knuckle and I already have a lighter spring I’m just concerned about valving. I already have my shock done by Enzo and don’t really want to send it back if I don’t have to. This bike does squat a lot unload but in a way it’s kinda cool bc I can float the front tire over bumps on the uphill sections of the track by just twisting the throttle while seated. I have never been able to do that with any of my other bikes I’ve have over the years.
To make the testing easier, I’d buy parts 18-22. Some of them you might need qty 2.
Based on the calculations the valving on the 24 will work ok with the 25 link if you change spring rate. You should be able to tune it in with clickers. The 25 valving might just have a lighter slower tune because the spring is decreased. I’d start by speeding up the rebound with the lighter spring.
Best bike I’ve had 100%. It has been a lot of puzzling to get there but so worth it. I can totally understand why people give up on this bike. If you are not in the window of setup for your height or weight it is terrible - twitchy, stinkbug, stiff (yet still stupidly fast)
Doesn’t need any fancy bits really, just the 2025 mounts and knuckle. Oh and put some pirellis on. I did change the gearing to what everyone recommended in this thread. I think this frees up the shock a bit
What is the gearing you went to?
Post a reply to: New 2023 YZ450F