Best Spring Conversion for PSF2 (16' CRF450)

novaman64
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novaman64
Just picked up a NOS 2016 CRF450R a couple months ago. Getting back into riding after a 10 year hiatus. Previously raced supermoto... Anyways, been doing a bit of MX, some single track, and going forward might hit the occasional SM race on it for fun.

Been playing with the forks some (clickers and different air PSI), seem stiff in the midstroke... Looking at converting to spring (mainly for the fear of seals failing out in the woods far from the truck).

The 3 kits i have been looking at are the Ohlins ($$$), MX Tech "Lucky" system with huck valve and Race Tech setup with gold valves. Any thoughts or opinions?
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 4/7/2018 12:13am
4/7/2018 12:13am
You might be better off just looking for a set of spring forks . The new 49mm are supposed to be really good and there have been a few sets for sale on here
novaman64
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novaman64 4/7/2018 12:16am
4/7/2018 12:16am Edited Date/Time 4/7/2018 12:17am
Then I would need new triples as well, correct? Isnt stock fork a 48mm?
DPR250R
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DPR250R 4/7/2018 5:25am
4/7/2018 5:25am
I am not sure what is the “best” but ‘09 to ‘12 CRF450 AOSS forks should work with a brake adapter. Certain year CRF250’s as well. Just throwing out another option.
m21racing
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m21racing 4/7/2018 8:22am
4/7/2018 8:22am
Blowing a seal won't leave you stranded. Those are actually a good fork when set up properly. You could buy some kyb sss forks, and sell the psf forks. The air forks are gaining traction with the 2t crowd. The 09 to 12 forks as mentioned previously are the ones to find.

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atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 4/9/2018 2:42pm
4/9/2018 2:42pm Edited Date/Time 4/9/2018 2:44pm
10-14' Crf250r spring Showa's are going to be your best bet in my opinion. Or 9-12' 450r KYB's. Both will bolt right up to your stock triples. I picked a clean set of 14' Showa's on ebay for $550.00. Revalve and service and you have a set of nice shocks you can sell later.

In my experience having converted to Ohlins inserts in the past did little or nothing to the resale value of the bike and were only marginally better than the Japanese stuff after a good revalve.
novaman64
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novaman64 4/9/2018 3:32pm
4/9/2018 3:32pm
atrdrvr7 wrote:
10-14' Crf250r spring Showa's are going to be your best bet in my opinion. Or 9-12' 450r KYB's. Both will bolt right up to your stock...
10-14' Crf250r spring Showa's are going to be your best bet in my opinion. Or 9-12' 450r KYB's. Both will bolt right up to your stock triples. I picked a clean set of 14' Showa's on ebay for $550.00. Revalve and service and you have a set of nice shocks you can sell later.

In my experience having converted to Ohlins inserts in the past did little or nothing to the resale value of the bike and were only marginally better than the Japanese stuff after a good revalve.
$550 + $300 for re-valve/freshen up would put me at more than the Race Tech kit, and that doesnt factor in a brake adapter. (I am not counting cost of springs because most likely the correct weight spring would need to be purchased regardless). Has anyone ridden the race tech or MX Tech lucky system to compare it to a stock fork?

I rode Ohlins back on a 04 CRF450 (full forks, not cartridge), and they were night and day over stock forks...
DPR250R
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DPR250R 4/9/2018 7:35pm
4/9/2018 7:35pm
novaman64 wrote:
$550 + $300 for re-valve/freshen up would put me at more than the Race Tech kit, and that doesnt factor in a brake adapter. (I am...
$550 + $300 for re-valve/freshen up would put me at more than the Race Tech kit, and that doesnt factor in a brake adapter. (I am not counting cost of springs because most likely the correct weight spring would need to be purchased regardless). Has anyone ridden the race tech or MX Tech lucky system to compare it to a stock fork?

I rode Ohlins back on a 04 CRF450 (full forks, not cartridge), and they were night and day over stock forks...
Yes... you are right. Only thing missing from your numbers is that you will have an extra set of forks to sell.

I have $650 total into the ‘09 forks I am gonna try on my ‘13. That was the forks, wear parts/oil and springs for my weight.

Good luck with whatever you decide and report back with your thoughts.
atrdrvr7
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atrdrvr7 4/10/2018 7:54am
4/10/2018 7:54am
novaman64 wrote:
$550 + $300 for re-valve/freshen up would put me at more than the Race Tech kit, and that doesnt factor in a brake adapter. (I am...
$550 + $300 for re-valve/freshen up would put me at more than the Race Tech kit, and that doesnt factor in a brake adapter. (I am not counting cost of springs because most likely the correct weight spring would need to be purchased regardless). Has anyone ridden the race tech or MX Tech lucky system to compare it to a stock fork?

I rode Ohlins back on a 04 CRF450 (full forks, not cartridge), and they were night and day over stock forks...
DPR250R wrote:
Yes... you are right. Only thing missing from your numbers is that you will have an extra set of forks to sell. I have $650 total...
Yes... you are right. Only thing missing from your numbers is that you will have an extra set of forks to sell.

I have $650 total into the ‘09 forks I am gonna try on my ‘13. That was the forks, wear parts/oil and springs for my weight.

Good luck with whatever you decide and report back with your thoughts.
This. You will get pennies on the dollar for the race tech conversion when you go to sell the bike. There is always someone in the bazaar looking for a set of spring forks. I have also heard mixed reviews on the race tech conversion. I haven't personally used them so I wont comment further.

As far as the Ohlins go. No doubt they are great shocks. I paid about $1600 for the inserts with a set of springs(Inserts dont come with springs) and a revalve. I got about half back on them when I sold them.

I loved my spring Showas after the revalve and would say the Ohlins were only marginally better in my opinion.

In the the end just follow your gut and go with what suits you. I just wanted to throw my personal experience in having been down this road. Good luck.
JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 4/10/2018 2:18pm
4/10/2018 2:18pm
My suspension guy does MX Tech. Last week I was asking him about spring conversions for my Showa TAC forks, and he straight up said that I should buy Kayaba AOSS forks for less and have better suspension once those were dialed in. And I can attest to how good those are once setup as he did my YZ250 for me. I found a guy to trade me forks and I will be riding them this weekend. But soon they will be going to him so he can dial them in.

Just my opinion, but I’d get the Kayaba spring fork. They can be found pretty easily.
novaman64
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novaman64 4/10/2018 4:02pm
4/10/2018 4:02pm
Been looking on fleabay and the Bazaar and havent seen anything except some A-kits, and I dont want to spend that kind of money right now.
DPR250R
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DPR250R 4/10/2018 7:32pm
4/10/2018 7:32pm Edited Date/Time 4/10/2018 7:33pm
novaman64 wrote:
Been looking on fleabay and the Bazaar and havent seen anything except some A-kits, and I dont want to spend that kind of money right now.
Set up a saved ebay search that sends you results every morning and get ready to pounce.

Took me 3 months to find set. You should be able ro snag a set for between $400-500.
aedwards07
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aedwards07 4/11/2018 6:31am
4/11/2018 6:31am
Keep a look on the bazaar. I bought a set of 11 crf450 forks last month for $300 on here. Had to put seals and springs in them but overall I am under $500 on them. Sold the PSF2 forks on ebay for $450.

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