Are the SFF 49mm TAC forks REALLY that bad?

Alec138
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Alec138
Im in the process of looking at newer crf250s and reading around online and youtube people constantly say the forks “suck” or they are nothing but problems as in them needing to be torn apart every 15 hours because they “stick”, they are harsh feeling everywhere, etc.

I ride woods only and am wondering if they would do well everywhere like my SSS forks did on my YZ?

Some more information would be helpful as well like pros/cons from actual people who ride with these forks in the woods as all videos ive seen from people they ride track and complain about them...
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mxb2
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mxb2 11/11/2018 10:16am
11/11/2018 10:16am
Crf s dont use tac forks.
Alec138
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Alec138 11/11/2018 10:21am
11/11/2018 10:21am
mxb2 wrote:
Crf s dont use tac forks.
The newer crfs do. Im looking at 15+ models. Its the 3 chamber design ones.
colvin227
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colvin227 11/11/2018 10:32am
11/11/2018 10:32am
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
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mxb2
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mxb2 11/11/2018 10:52am
11/11/2018 10:52am
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.

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mxb2
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mxb2 11/11/2018 11:00am
11/11/2018 11:00am
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.
colvin227
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colvin227 11/11/2018 11:15am
11/11/2018 11:15am
2015-2017 CRF250 did use the TAC fork. Honda switched to the 49mm spring in 2018
colvin227
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colvin227 11/11/2018 11:21am
11/11/2018 11:21am
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...
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.
yz133rider
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yz133rider 11/11/2018 12:16pm
11/11/2018 12:16pm
They suck. Havent ridden with a worse fork ever.
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colvin227
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colvin227 11/11/2018 12:23pm
11/11/2018 12:23pm
yz133rider wrote:
They suck. Havent ridden with a worse fork ever.
Which bike did you ride them on?
wr74
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wr74 11/11/2018 11:03pm
11/11/2018 11:03pm
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.
Alec138
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Alec138 11/12/2018 9:00am
11/12/2018 9:00am
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...
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.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 11/12/2018 9:16am
11/12/2018 9:16am
After a revalve from a reputable suspension tuner, no they are not that bad.
bvm111
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bvm111 11/13/2018 10:28am
11/13/2018 10:28am
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.
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omalley
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omalley 11/14/2018 8:49am
11/14/2018 8:49am
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...
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?
theycallmeebryan 11/14/2018 11:19am
11/14/2018 11:19am
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.
dmm698
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dmm698 11/14/2018 12:31pm
11/14/2018 12:31pm
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.

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