Showa A-kit: SFF Air or the spring fork?

Tokyo_Tiddler
Edited Date/Time 1/1/2015 4:44am
I am thinking about buying a new Showa A-kit suspension for my 2012 CRF450. I was going to go for the traditional A-kit with spring forks, but was wondering if it would be better to go with the newer SFF Air A-Kit fork. I am not completely sold on air forks yet.
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ML512
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ML512 12/31/2014 2:53pm
12/31/2014 2:53pm
look out below wrote:
Where do you buy A-kit?
Ebay, Craigslist, Pro Circuit, sometimes FC or a few other bigger shops have certain sets laying around.
look out below 12/31/2014 3:04pm
12/31/2014 3:04pm
look out below wrote:
Where do you buy A-kit?
ML512 wrote:
Ebay, Craigslist, Pro Circuit, sometimes FC or a few other bigger shops have certain sets laying around.
What makes the shit so damn expensive?

The Shop

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Darryl916
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Darryl916 12/31/2014 3:22pm
12/31/2014 3:22pm
look out below wrote:
Where do you buy A-kit?
ML512 wrote:
Ebay, Craigslist, Pro Circuit, sometimes FC or a few other bigger shops have certain sets laying around.
look out below wrote:
What makes the shit so damn expensive?
http://www.procircuit.com/works-suspension.html

or find some used...


It's expensive because it is made with performance in mind, not cost savings to meet a production bike MSRP budget.

Tighter tolerances
Precision machined parts instead of cast or plastic like some OEM stuff
Coatings for slickness
Over sized
Labor and R&D
Low production numbers so less parts to make back investment on
etc etc etc


Titan1
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Titan1 12/31/2014 4:19pm
12/31/2014 4:19pm
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
mx836
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mx836 12/31/2014 4:24pm
12/31/2014 4:24pm
I assume there are many options, but I believe it is upwards of $5k for the whole setup if I recall correctly. Forks, clamps, shock.
Titan1
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Titan1 12/31/2014 4:31pm
12/31/2014 4:31pm
mx836 wrote:
I assume there are many options, but I believe it is upwards of $5k for the whole setup if I recall correctly. Forks, clamps, shock.
Good grief...that's a lot of money.

Another stupid question...is it possible to valve the A-kits for off road, and for a B class rider (meaning, not a pro rider) or are they built exclusively with fast moto riders in mind? (Would trying to softening them for a slow rider, and then softening them even more for off road eliminate the advantage?)
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Skerby 12/31/2014 4:45pm
12/31/2014 4:45pm
Titan1 wrote:
Good grief...that's a lot of money. Another stupid question...is it possible to valve the A-kits for off road, and for a B class rider (meaning, not...
Good grief...that's a lot of money.

Another stupid question...is it possible to valve the A-kits for off road, and for a B class rider (meaning, not a pro rider) or are they built exclusively with fast moto riders in mind? (Would trying to softening them for a slow rider, and then softening them even more for off road eliminate the advantage?)
They are as adjustable as the day is long.
DL
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DL 12/31/2014 4:46pm
12/31/2014 4:46pm
Another thought. Seems like till recently Showa has had the market covered on "A-Kits". There has been a number of defections to the KYB "A Kit" most notable Trey Canard who had been on Showa. On top of that you have Star Yamaha and many other top teams and pros on KYB. My son is running KYB A Kit on his Honda 250 and really likes it. Some key points....... it's a couple grand less money and weighs 4 lbs less than the Showa A Kit spring fork. Get a hold of Enzo Racing, they can get you the shock and forks and set it up properly.
Tim507
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Tim507 12/31/2014 4:48pm
12/31/2014 4:48pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
JBernard_401
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JBernard_401 12/31/2014 4:49pm
12/31/2014 4:49pm
Titan1 wrote:
Good grief...that's a lot of money. Another stupid question...is it possible to valve the A-kits for off road, and for a B class rider (meaning, not...
Good grief...that's a lot of money.

Another stupid question...is it possible to valve the A-kits for off road, and for a B class rider (meaning, not a pro rider) or are they built exclusively with fast moto riders in mind? (Would trying to softening them for a slow rider, and then softening them even more for off road eliminate the advantage?)
they are way more than 5k from PC.
i think the spring ones used were around 6k and the new sff and air stuff is even more. i want to say if you buy it new from them (not buying from last year pro bike) is something like 8500.

ive never seen a woods rider with some. i reckon it would help in any situation, but it really shines on mx, and tons on sx.
JBernard_401
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JBernard_401 12/31/2014 4:51pm
12/31/2014 4:51pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
wonder if you had to pay extra for ktm parts (lugs, tress, ect) and what tress came with it? what shock?
SLO1667
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SLO1667 12/31/2014 4:54pm
12/31/2014 4:54pm
don't take this the wrong way, but I'd sell that 12 Honda before I'd be investing in better suspension.
look out below 12/31/2014 5:09pm
12/31/2014 5:09pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
SickSickSick

Can you tell a difference?

How fast are you?

Just curious.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 12/31/2014 5:14pm
12/31/2014 5:14pm
SLO1667 wrote:
don't take this the wrong way, but I'd sell that 12 Honda before I'd be investing in better suspension.
Sad, but true.

The sff air on the 2015 rmz , kxf and crf250 is a similar design to the factory stuff from the last few years, just some different materials and manufacture methods.
Tokyo_Tiddler 12/31/2014 5:29pm
12/31/2014 5:29pm
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit.

Please don't worry about the fact that my bike is based on a 2012 model.

Pit Row

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rmartin517
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rmartin517 12/31/2014 5:38pm
12/31/2014 5:38pm
I have 2 sets of spring set ups. Never delt with air I like mine they are a little hard to get dialed in. Thay make a difference flat landing june and on square edges it where I could tell the main difference. Your not gonna throw a set of A kit on you bike and expect to shave 10 sec a lap. I would be curious about the sff airs but I just see to many ppl always adjusting their air on air forks. Definantly cheaper to buy used and just have who ever you desire to set them up. Your looking t about 7500.00 new you can buy really nice sets used between 3000-4500 range.
Darryl916
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Darryl916 12/31/2014 5:44pm
12/31/2014 5:44pm Edited Date/Time 12/31/2014 5:47pm
Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit. Please don't worry about the fact that my bike...
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit.

Please don't worry about the fact that my bike is based on a 2012 model.
The answer is personal preference and budget. Air is newer so more pricey. Air also feels a little different but is lighter. SFF TAC forks are also way more maintenance heavy in that you have to constantly check air pressure and harder to adjust as far as variables on the 3 chambers air pressure. But OEM bikes have them now so it's becoming the new standard anyway.


Long story short is it's a personal choice based on...

-feel
-price
-weight
-checking air pressure all day or not


I still like spring forks. Air is growing on me slowly but surely though....probably because the shops are learning how to better set them up to work better.
Tim507
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Tim507 12/31/2014 5:49pm
12/31/2014 5:49pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
look out below wrote:
SickSickSick

Can you tell a difference?

How fast are you?

Just curious.
My A Kit is the SFF set up. Yes I can tell the difference a quality ride and the appreciation of that is not dependent on being fast. Just sayinSilly

I'm a skilled rider with 50 plus years of riding dirt bikes. My muscle memory is off the map - however my reaction times are slowing. LOL. Thus the quality ride is actually very much appreciated.
rocketsocks26 12/31/2014 6:07pm
12/31/2014 6:07pm
@jbernard, at the end of the year pro circuit sells their race teams forks/shock,for $5500 I was gna buy a set in november but was a day late lol. And that valved for u. They go for about $10k new
Bruce372
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Bruce372 12/31/2014 7:10pm
12/31/2014 7:10pm
Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit. Please don't worry about the fact that my bike...
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit.

Please don't worry about the fact that my bike is based on a 2012 model.
You are aware many top teams and riders are using works SFF Air forks, right?

And I suppose you are right, if your 2012 is dialed, then so what! You see the press photos of allessi and frieze, they aren't running 2015 frames.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 12/31/2014 7:11pm
12/31/2014 7:11pm
Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit. Please don't worry about the fact that my bike...
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit.

Please don't worry about the fact that my bike is based on a 2012 model.
Darryl916 wrote:
The answer is personal preference and budget. Air is newer so more pricey. Air also feels a little different but is lighter. SFF TAC forks are...
The answer is personal preference and budget. Air is newer so more pricey. Air also feels a little different but is lighter. SFF TAC forks are also way more maintenance heavy in that you have to constantly check air pressure and harder to adjust as far as variables on the 3 chambers air pressure. But OEM bikes have them now so it's becoming the new standard anyway.


Long story short is it's a personal choice based on...

-feel
-price
-weight
-checking air pressure all day or not


I still like spring forks. Air is growing on me slowly but surely though....probably because the shops are learning how to better set them up to work better.
Which air forks have you owned?
Darryl916
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Darryl916 12/31/2014 7:21pm
12/31/2014 7:21pm
Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit. Please don't worry about the fact that my bike...
Hey guys.. you are taking this thread way off topic which is SFF Air vs Spring A-kit.

Please don't worry about the fact that my bike is based on a 2012 model.
Darryl916 wrote:
The answer is personal preference and budget. Air is newer so more pricey. Air also feels a little different but is lighter. SFF TAC forks are...
The answer is personal preference and budget. Air is newer so more pricey. Air also feels a little different but is lighter. SFF TAC forks are also way more maintenance heavy in that you have to constantly check air pressure and harder to adjust as far as variables on the 3 chambers air pressure. But OEM bikes have them now so it's becoming the new standard anyway.


Long story short is it's a personal choice based on...

-feel
-price
-weight
-checking air pressure all day or not


I still like spring forks. Air is growing on me slowly but surely though....probably because the shops are learning how to better set them up to work better.
Bruce372 wrote:
Which air forks have you owned?
None. One of my regular riding buddies has a 2013 CRF450 with KYBs. I rode it stock and after revalve. Another regular riding buddy of mine has a 2013 KX450 that was done by PC that's I've ridden several times. And that same guy just picked up a 2015 KX450 a few weeks ago with the triple chamber Showa stuff he sent to PC before the bike was ever even ridden. I rode it too. I'm not pulling this stuff out of my rear end.
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Johnny Depp 12/31/2014 7:27pm
12/31/2014 7:27pm Edited Date/Time 12/31/2014 8:31pm
Springs no doubt.

Maico forks are the bestSmile , but are harder to get than A kits. Conventional Suzuki 50mm also recommended. 52mm Cone valve WP's like factory KTM's if you have to go upside down.
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langhammx 12/31/2014 7:39pm
12/31/2014 7:39pm Edited Date/Time 12/31/2014 7:40pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
You got hosed my friend..... Shocked


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jhansen510 12/31/2014 9:59pm
12/31/2014 9:59pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
langhammx wrote:
You got hosed my friend..... Shocked


What you don't understand and is none of your business is as follows. Some people have the money and are willing to pay a premium for convenience and knowing exactly what they are getting. If he wanted them it was probably worth it to him.
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Skippie 12/31/2014 10:06pm
12/31/2014 10:06pm
jhansen510 wrote:
What you don't understand and is none of your business is as follows. Some people have the money and are willing to pay a premium for...
What you don't understand and is none of your business is as follows. Some people have the money and are willing to pay a premium for convenience and knowing exactly what they are getting. If he wanted them it was probably worth it to him.
Seeing Langham on another board, he spends plenty of moneys on moto haha.
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Tim507 12/31/2014 10:09pm
12/31/2014 10:09pm
Titan1 wrote:
So what does Pro Circuit charge for their A-Kit stuff? (I couldn't see a price on their website).
Tim507 wrote:
2012 SFF setup for the 12.5 Dungy was $9800 at my door. Took 2 months from order to delivery.
JBernard_401 wrote:
wonder if you had to pay extra for ktm parts (lugs, tress, ect) and what tress came with it? what shock?
It was a correct bolt on setup... full Showa

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