So I just got a 2023 Gas Gas EX300. I'm a heavier bloke so I ended up getting a stiffer spring for the rear. PSI in the front forks set at 152 (still experimenting though). This is about the best I can get on the sag measurements:
Static: 31mm (manual calls for 35)
Rider: 108mm (manual calls for 105)
I'm a 55-year-old dude who won't be going crazy. Medium trail riding and definitely not a lot of jumping. But some jumps if the mood strikes and I'm close to an emergency room.
Based on the numbers above, should I call it close enough and move on obsessing over something else, or should I tweak some more? I'm guessing I could reduce the spring load and get that static number up closer to 35mm, but that would mean the rider sag would also increase a few mm as well. I've heard rider sag is the most important of the two so maybe leave as is......
Thanks,
John
Go with rider sag, or get an even stiffer spring.
Gravel nailed it on this one. I liked 102-104mm on that particular chassis, so a slightly stiffer spring may be advisable to get the free sag closer to 35mm…You’re on the right track, and it’s certainly better than leaving it OE or not checking at all, but a little can go a long ways and you’re oh so close!
https://motocrossactionmag.com/bare-bones-how-static-sag-can-help-you-c…
PS: Congratulations on the new scoot
Thank you both for the input. I am also trying to lose weight. Shooting for at least 20 lbs, so maybe the sag will come to me as opposed to me going to it via a heavier spring. I'm in the middle of the two springs RaceTech recommended. I went with the softer one, sounds like I should have gone with the heavier one! Regardless, the current set up is light years better than OEM one off of the showroom floor.
Get it to the race sag number or as close as possible. The static sag tells you one thing only and that is do you have the appropriate rated spring. The race sag is obviously how the bike reacts while riding. With the type of riding you are doing and a goal of dropping a few pounds, id just leave it and use that as a goal for losing the weight. Another thing you can do to dial in the suspension, especially with the sag, is turn your high speed compression in a turn or so. The bike wont squat as quickly on hard acceleration, its kind of a band aid fix but if just trail riding you may not notice a stiffer high speed adjustment as much.
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Thank you for the feedback FFDan. That's what I'm going to do. I'd prefer to not have to buy another spring. I like the compression idea and will play around with it using your recommendation.
Correct spring and Sag is extremely important in getting the balance right. If the spring balance is off trying to compensate for it with the other greatly affects the suspensions performance.
I am at the opposite side of the spectrum as I bought a bike that was already set up for a 30 lb heavier rider so it has a heavier spring where the stock would have been perfect for my weight. But then to complicate it even more I got extremely sick with sepsis and lost 30 lbs (I could stand to loose it anyway) so now I need an even lighter spring.
Correct sag is important but not if it overpowers the front. You may need more pressure.
I always shot for between 30-40mm static and 105mm rider sag as a starting point. Remember everyone is different and it may feel great to you at 108mm, while someone else likes 103mm. Don't be afraid to try a few different numbers to get what you like.
103 is where i start and I will adjust it by feel after that.
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