Posts
10
Joined
1/5/2020
Location
Kent, WA
US
Edited Date/Time
4/25/2022 4:16pm
I have a 2020 FX450 and really just lost on what direction to head with these forks.
I'm 5'11" 185lbs B class woods / moto rider in the PNW
Really want to stay air and make these more plush on the cheap side by doing something like the Ride JBI DIY kit but the more and more I read it sounds like the end all answer is converting to springs and the last thing I want to do is search for a good feeling over and over again.
So this leads me to this post, want to know what everyone thinks is the best conversion for around 1k. I do not want to spend 2-4k on this overhaul.
The coppersmith air/spring combo sounds pretty sweet and isn't too bad on price but leaves the air side the same
Would love some insight and opinions from people who were in the same boat and what they would choose
I'm 5'11" 185lbs B class woods / moto rider in the PNW
Really want to stay air and make these more plush on the cheap side by doing something like the Ride JBI DIY kit but the more and more I read it sounds like the end all answer is converting to springs and the last thing I want to do is search for a good feeling over and over again.
So this leads me to this post, want to know what everyone thinks is the best conversion for around 1k. I do not want to spend 2-4k on this overhaul.
The coppersmith air/spring combo sounds pretty sweet and isn't too bad on price but leaves the air side the same
Would love some insight and opinions from people who were in the same boat and what they would choose
Poll
I’ve had mine done by FC wasn’t happy they went too soft for me and then didn’t enjoy the way they took my feedback. Re did them myself with gold valves and was really happy with them for awhile. I swapped them from
My 18 250sx to my 19 125sx and was not happy with them, got updated specs from race tech and they were better.
That said I rode a few spring fork bikes and forgot
How nice the front end feels with them.
To start KYB kits are more than 1k.
KYB is what I ended up doing through JBI and I am really happy with them. He valved them and everything I did the install myself. Front end predictably is what made me switch. Valving was good for me, I made a few clicker changes and that was it. He also helped me with ideas to help my shock match the new forks even though he wasn’t working on it.
I do miss the ability to add a few psi in the pits easily if I needed to improve bottoming
With that said I plan to keep the KYB kit and transfer to any new AER bike I get. JBI did a great job and I can recommend him for any needs. Keefer just did a pod on the conversion kits for AER if you got the time.
RMATVMC Keefer Tested Podcast Show #276: Spring Fork Conversion Showdown
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/rmatvmc-keefer-tested-podcast-show-276…
FWIW: I've had the same experience as GingerSnapRacing with Factory Connection 3 times. Always soft/way off, and 1 time they installed the wrong springs (on a B-kit), so everything was way waaaaay off. I've spent a lot of time on trying to make their stuff work, then started using ENZO ---> Never looked back, they are GREAT.
Upgrading the air side internals to SKF glide or KYB piston and then doing coppersmith internals on the dampening side sounds like a pretty good combo but then I'm at KYB internals price 😂
The decisions are never ending!
The Shop
https://krooztune.com/collections/ktm-husqvarna/products/wp-aer48-midva…
First bike I sent my 2018 350 Aer forks to Kreft Moto and they added the revalve controls and micro polished lowers. The forks were defiantly better with a big range of adjustability but still did not give a confidence inspiring feeling in corners. The small bump, roots, and rock compliance did improve but just wasn’t as plush as other forks I’ve ridden.
My next bike a 2020 300 I ordered a set of MX Tech lucky carbons directly from Mx tech. Out of the box the forks transformed the bike. Made the front end feel glued to the ground and was really plush. The only down side was the fork stayed low in the stroke and was on the soft side for my liking. I went up a couple spring rates and had the carts revalved by N2D suspension and the forks are now perfect. Bike stays higher in the stroke, still ultra plush, with amazing bottoming resistance.
If I were to do it over again I would 100% order the Lucky Carbons again but from N2D directly so he can set them up plus he has excellent customer service. Nice thing about going the spring conversion route is your able to take them out to sell the bike and transfer the carts to a new bike or sell the carts privately.
Hope this helps with your decision as I know it’s a tough one!
For me I talked to JBI and as a strictly Moto guy he didn’t think I’d be getting what I needed.
20 350 XCF, Vet C hare scrambles. Rode it with stock suspension for '21 season albeit next size stiffer shock spring. My friend has the exact same bike with MX Tech Lucky conversion. I swapped bikes with him for 10-15 min and liked the feeling, but wasn't blown away like, "take my money now" kinda thing.
Fast forward a few months and I got to ride my friends stock 18 YZ250 2-stroke. I thought to myself, if I could put this suspension on my bike, it would be the prefect bike. Had no intentions to at that time.
During the off season I planned on having my suspension redone by a local suspension guy. In February '22 MX Tech Lucky's are on backorder and Carbon's are discontinued. Lucky's were my price range, but no idea when available. So he talked me into KYB conversion. Shock setup to match. I've only got 1hr riding on them due to our spring weather but, wow! Feels so plush, cornering is confidence inspiring. My biggest complaint before was small bumps, rocks, roots, etc being harsh. Not anymore, bottoming resistance is good on the moto track. Very happy with my investment.
I didn't want to spend as much as I did, I do plan on keeping this bike for a while. Other reason is, I did advance this year to Vet B and wanted to up my game. Also, if I get a newer KTM I can swap my forks over, and recover some costs. Closest to A-kit suspension I'll ever have. Sorry for the long-winded response.
Post a reply to: Lost on direction to go with AER forks