WP AER 48 Forks - What's the correct pressure for my weight?

kawi_guy07
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kawi_guy07
Hey guys - first time owner of a bike with air forks.

I'm trying to find the correct PSI to set my front fork at. I weigh around 210-215 with all my gear on.

I had one suspension guy say around 155 PSI, while another said around 170 PSI.

I just wanted to get some opinions on here to see which end of that range i should start at? I'm a C class rider on a 2018 KTM 250 SX-F.

Thanks for the help.
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Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 6/9/2020 6:54am
6/9/2020 6:54am
Do the zip tie test, set it around 150 and see where the zip tie is after your ride and adjust accordingly. 3 inches from bottom lower the pressure until you have about 1 to 1 1/2 inches and that's your pressure.
kawi_guy07
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kawi_guy07 6/9/2020 8:02am
6/9/2020 8:02am
Tuzzo123 wrote:
Do the zip tie test, set it around 150 and see where the zip tie is after your ride and adjust accordingly. 3 inches from bottom...
Do the zip tie test, set it around 150 and see where the zip tie is after your ride and adjust accordingly. 3 inches from bottom lower the pressure until you have about 1 to 1 1/2 inches and that's your pressure.
Say the zip tie bottoms out - how would i know whether it's my air pressure being too low or if i just need to go a few clicks in on compression?
Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 6/9/2020 8:32am
6/9/2020 8:32am
Adjustment for compression is for feel, done after you set your Air Pressure
Tuzzo123
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Tuzzo123 6/9/2020 8:33am
6/9/2020 8:33am
Once you get your Pressure set, then fine tune the Comp and Reb for your taste. Simple and easy

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kawi_guy07
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kawi_guy07 6/9/2020 8:44am
6/9/2020 8:44am
Yeah i understand that. But your saying do the zip tie test and my concern is, if my suspension is too soft, how will i know whether it's my air pressure being too low or my compression being too soft?

For instance, if the zip tie is bottoming out - couldn't be that my air pressure is correct but my compression is too soft?

If that's the case, how i would i know?
mx317
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mx317 6/9/2020 9:40am
6/9/2020 9:40am
kawi_guy07 wrote:
Yeah i understand that. But your saying do the zip tie test and my concern is, if my suspension is too soft, how will i know...
Yeah i understand that. But your saying do the zip tie test and my concern is, if my suspension is too soft, how will i know whether it's my air pressure being too low or my compression being too soft?

For instance, if the zip tie is bottoming out - couldn't be that my air pressure is correct but my compression is too soft?

If that's the case, how i would i know?
Don't mess with the compression until you get the zip tie to 1 1/2 inch or so from bottoming. Then adjust the compression to get the feel you want entering corners.
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kawi_guy07
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kawi_guy07 6/9/2020 10:47am
6/9/2020 10:47am
kawi_guy07 wrote:
Yeah i understand that. But your saying do the zip tie test and my concern is, if my suspension is too soft, how will i know...
Yeah i understand that. But your saying do the zip tie test and my concern is, if my suspension is too soft, how will i know whether it's my air pressure being too low or my compression being too soft?

For instance, if the zip tie is bottoming out - couldn't be that my air pressure is correct but my compression is too soft?

If that's the case, how i would i know?
mx317 wrote:
Don't mess with the compression until you get the zip tie to 1 1/2 inch or so from bottoming. Then adjust the compression to get the...
Don't mess with the compression until you get the zip tie to 1 1/2 inch or so from bottoming. Then adjust the compression to get the feel you want entering corners.
So just leave compression in the middle as far as the clicker is concerned?
mx317
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mx317 6/9/2020 12:44pm
6/9/2020 12:44pm
kawi_guy07 wrote:
So just leave compression in the middle as far as the clicker is concerned?
12-15 out and work from there
Huskyboy95
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Huskyboy95 6/9/2020 3:33pm
6/9/2020 3:33pm
The standard fork pressure on an FC 350, is 155 psi. The standard compression setting is 12 clicks out, and the standard rebound is 12 clicks out. I have never run more than 155 on my forks and I actually prefer a lower setting 140 to 145. Once you find your proper air pressure, Just mess with the clickers do you find a comfortable compression and rebound. Double check that your SAG is at 1:05. I’m the same way as you with gear on. But I prefer a pleasure ride, and ride within the limits of the bike. The pro setting on the clickers would be approximately seven clicks out on the compression and seven clicks out on the rebound
mwssquad827
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mwssquad827 6/10/2020 11:01pm
6/10/2020 11:01pm
I run 160 psi and 12-15 clickers and I’m a 200lb vet B type guy..
kawi_guy07
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kawi_guy07 6/11/2020 9:58am
6/11/2020 9:58am
Thanks guys. I think i'll start at 160 and go from there.
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 6/11/2020 1:47pm
6/11/2020 1:47pm Edited Date/Time 6/11/2020 1:47pm
I'm 200lbs and also run mine at 160psi. I actually feel like on track with bigger jumps I could run it at 165-170psi.
chasetwo79
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chasetwo79 6/11/2020 9:23pm
6/11/2020 9:23pm
I’m 220 and have a new FC450. It’s my second fc450 but first time staying with the AER forks. The thing I’ve learned to like about the air forks is that I can run a range depending on the conditions. I may run as soft as 10.5 bar or as high as 11.1 bar. Regardless of where I’m running the pressure, my clickers tend to go anywhere from 11 to 7 out, again condition dependent. There is no 1 setting that you can just set and never touch, try and find a good range for each type of track and condition. What I run on hardpack is different than what I run in sand. Corner types, elevation, and jump amount and type also matter. Being able to adjust your fork more than just your clickers a real plus now that the air forks are getting much better than earlier generations.

This is my first set of AERs, as I had an ohlins spring kit before, but I have been honestly surprised with how well I’ve gotten them working. The most important thing you can do is get your sag set as that will really impact how well the bike corners and if it’s off, can make you think the forks suck ass when in reality, the shock is off.


Best of luck!
theycallmeebryan 6/12/2020 7:34pm
6/12/2020 7:34pm Edited Date/Time 6/12/2020 7:34pm
I'm 185, SoCal B class. I run 170psi on my Alta MXR.

I'm guessing you should be somewhere in the 160-170psi range since you are heavier than me but my Alta MXR is heavier than your 250f.

One thing to remember. You shouldnt really be messing with your air pressure too much. The AER48 has lots of compression and rebound adjustment in the clickers. And i've found the AER48 works best with higher pressures and a little less compression damping. Also, make sure your fork can rebound fast enough. I've found a lot of the harshness issues i used to have with this fork were simply because it had too much rebound damping and fork was falling too deep in the stroke in rough stuff, and packing up. I typically speed up the rebound (more clicks out) until the fork starts to pogo, and then slow the rebound down a little from there (go back in a few clicks). The softest part of this fork is at full extension, so the key is to let it extend fast, without sacrificing cornering ability. Too much rebound damping will let the fork dive and the bike will oversteer. Too little and the front will understeer. Its all a balancing act.

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