Are the SFF 49mm TAC forks REALLY that bad?

Crf s dont use tac forks.

mxb2 wrote:

Crf s dont use tac forks.

The newer crfs do. Im looking at 15+ models. Its the 3 chamber design ones.

I don’t think they are bad at all. They do require a little more time and effort to setup properly but once you find your air pressure numbers STOP! That’s where I think people are going crazy with the fork messing with air pressures when they should prab be messing with damping clicker settings. The good part is they have been out for awhile on many different platforms so most of your tuners have good settings for them. I can’t speak for woods riding but on the track my TAC forks are awesome and I personally really like the feel. That’s where it is controversial is it’s either love or hate on the feel, and I personally prefer the feel and light front end feel vs springs and I have tried and owned both. The problem also is people that have never tried them repeating magazine rhetoric and skewing the opinions. To me they are a total person preference as all suspension should be to the rider on the bike. I like mine, your results may vary

mxb2 wrote:

Crf s dont use tac forks.

Alec138 wrote:

The newer crfs do. Im looking at 15+ models. Its the 3 chamber design ones.

Nope, only the kawy, rmz. Used the tac forks.

I think honda calls them sff tac. , I thought only the rmz,kxf have 3 chambers though. My bad if i am wrong. Answer to the question, a revalve and set up right improves it alot. Depends on your budget. Revalve or buy fork kit and $ to spring it and revalve it.

2015-2017 CRF250 did use the TAC fork. Honda switched to the 49mm spring in 2018

mxb2 wrote:

I think honda calls them sff tac. , I thought only the rmz,kxf have 3 chambers though. My bad if i am wrong. Answer to the question, a revalve and set up right improves it alot. Depends on your budget. Revalve or buy fork kit and $ to spring it and revalve it.

I do agree, a revalve is a must which is usually the case with any forks to get them personalized on any design. The SKF glide kit and SKF seals/wipers does wonders for the air side as well and makes a world of difference in the initial stroke action which is most people’s gripe.

They suck. Havent ridden with a worse fork ever.

yz133rider wrote:

They suck. Havent ridden with a worse fork ever.

Which bike did you ride them on?

yz133rider wrote:

They suck. Havent ridden with a worse fork ever.

colvin227 wrote:

Which bike did you ride them on?

15 kx450f

Stock, I think they are actually pretty bad, but not for the reasons most think.
I have a 15 crf250r. First few rides I loved the forks, then they got progressively worse. The major problem is massive friction in the air spring seals. I rebuilt mine with a lainer racing piston, lots of suspension grease on the seals, and a low friction fork oil with lainer also sells. End result, like a new fork. No revalve is required. They soak up medium and large hits absolutely superbly. Where they still suffer is small bumps. They will never match a good spring fork in that regards, but the upgraded seals make a huge improvement over stock.
Having said all that, I found a new set of 17 crf450 49mm spring forks for a killer price. I put them on my 250 and havent looked back.
Overall though, don’t let the forks put you off a 15-17 crf250r. It’s a great bike, and the forks don’t hold it back once set up.

wr74 wrote:

Stock, I think they are actually pretty bad, but not for the reasons most think.
I have a 15 crf250r. First few rides I loved the forks, then they got progressively worse. The major problem is massive friction in the air spring seals. I rebuilt mine with a lainer racing piston, lots of suspension grease on the seals, and a low friction fork oil with lainer also sells. End result, like a new fork. No revalve is required. They soak up medium and large hits absolutely superbly. Where they still suffer is small bumps. They will never match a good spring fork in that regards, but the upgraded seals make a huge improvement over stock.
Having said all that, I found a new set of 17 crf450 49mm spring forks for a killer price. I put them on my 250 and havent looked back.
Overall though, don’t let the forks put you off a 15-17 crf250r. It’s a great bike, and the forks don’t hold it back once set up.

I wonder what a good suspension guy could do to set them up if and when i get a 250r? I usually have my bikes serviced as soon as i bring a new one home.

After a revalve from a reputable suspension tuner, no they are not that bad.

I had mine re-valved by FC and they weren't that bad. I put a PC Spring conversion in it after a year of messing with them nd I realized that yes... air forks suck! My 16 KX450 actually turns now, I can even get to the inside and hold the line while acceleration through the corner.

bvm111 wrote:

I had mine re-valved by FC and they weren't that bad. I put a PC Spring conversion in it after a year of messing with them nd I realized that yes... air forks suck! My 16 KX450 actually turns now, I can even get to the inside and hold the line while acceleration through the corner.

This. I set out with every intention of making mine work. I give up. I’m sure I could eventually settle on a combo of revalve/settings/etc but F it. I have no desire to screw with my forks that much.
Air forks may not suck if you can take the time to sort them. But who the hell wants to test that much outside of a national pro?

They can be good. In stock form they were not that great. SKF Glide kit made a huge difference on my 15 kx450 in terms of decreased stiction, which is that initial 1-2" of travel where your traction is. RaceTech got my valving dialed. Combined, the changes made for an awesome set of forks. My upgraded TAC forks performed better in a back to back comparison with a set of Ohlins RXF48 forks at Milestone.

for all the guys battling with air forks, i have a set of 49mm Showa kit forks and ride engineering clamps I took off my 16 as i'm selling it. Shoot me a message if interested.