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jamiechapman418
10/13/2021 7:46am
10/13/2021 7:46am
Edited Date/Time
11/1/2021 7:21am
Have contacted a few of the large suspension companies and have gotten some different numbers and wondering if anyone on here can help. Looking to retain stock valving and replace springs first.
2019 RMZ250
Novice Vet Rider
200lbs
All motocross riding
Any tips or input on what springs I need?
TIA!
2019 RMZ250
Novice Vet Rider
200lbs
All motocross riding
Any tips or input on what springs I need?
TIA!
The Shop
-20 or -30ml of oil in the forks would be a worthwhile test.
If your spring rate is too soft, your weight will settle the suspension so it is riding lower in the travel, right where the stiffness ramps up in the midrange damping. On small bumps, the wheels won't be moving very much, making the forks feel stiff. Also, you may be tempted to run your clickers in a softer setting, which will allow you to blow right through the travel on hard landings.
With stiffer springs, you would be higher in the travel and have more of the initial plushness to deal with on small bumps, plus the extra travel needed to handle big hits. This may be why Enzo suggested you stay stock up front and go stiffer in the rear. At your weight, I think that makes sense, because 250Fs are often set up for 150-lb. riders. I would probably not go with softer springs up front unless Suzuki was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off with their spring rates. (Historically, they are too soft, if so.)
Your spring rate in the forks should be independent of the valving, but of course in the real world we know nothing is completely independent. If I were you, I'd try the oil level adjustments and see what you get. Try the lower level, but also go higher and see what that does. Remember that oil level will only affect the last 1/3rd or so of your travel with any kind of measurable difference. You are increasing or decreasing the size of the "air spring" in your fork with an oil level change, and the spring rate ramps up exponentially with air. Less oil/more air = less severe ramp up, more linear. More oil/less air = more dramatic ramp up and more progressive.
My suspension guy went quite a bit stiffer on both ends, when I got it back and sat on it I thought it was going to be to stiff.
It’s much plusher now, but it also has way better bottoming resistance. It rides higher in the stroke like Falcon was saying.
Can you get the manual and see what it comes with? Like others have said, spring rate and valving should be somewhat independent. The springs setup the chassis in the correct ride height height geometry.... of course, you can go up or down slightly on spring to tune, but I can't imaging good valving making up for bad spring rates and vice versa.
It's well worth reading that race tech suspension Bible..... springs effect position of travel and valving effects rate of travel.
Pit Row
Free and rider sag should still work for rhe rmz I would think
I even had a RT dealer valve it for me and he said their calculator is too soft. He also said the gold valves were a waste of money, most stock pistons are pretty good these days. Pretty cool cause he saved me a bunch of loot.
I actually think Falcon is on the money with the forks being too soft. My yz250 was like that, harsh in the choppy braking bumps even though people said how good the stock suspension was. Moved to a yz450f which is aimed at riders my weight and suspension is brilliant
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