Hey all these polls seem to be really cool. I want to conduct another poll and get a veiw for what most people feel is the best way to attain ideal function based on exsperience.

Ok.. Since you can't vote twice, vote in the category that best suits your riding and the results should reveal a pattern. Please state your reasons. As always I will post my veiws as it it unfolds..


Regards,
Jer

I picked light springs heavy valving for MX because from what I understand, the KX I ride has light valving and I have to overspring it to get any sort of bottoming resistance. The problem I get from the heavy springs is harshness and headshake. From my limited knowledge and what I can try to deduct from the above info, the light springs would keep the suspenders plush with the heavy valving providing plenty of bottoming resistance and making the suspension controlled on sharp bumps.
Am I even remotely correct? :think

Oh ya, if it matters I ride on VERY rough tracks(hardpack with rocks) with big jumps and some pretty tight supercross style rythm sections.

I picked ideal spring/midrange valving because it seems like that would be the most versatile setup. Light springs/heavy valving is how my 520SX came set up, and I can't get an optimum MX setup out of it. Heavy springs/ light valving, it seems like you wouldn't be able to get proper preload for your weight. Also, I'm not sure here, but wouldn't that cause it to blow through the stroke easily. Oh well, I'm interested in seeing what the "correct" answer is.

I don't think their is a correct answer. I do have trouble with preload and sag, but I am super-comfortable with ALOT of sag. Kindof Charmichael-esque in a way? But, heavy springs with light valving is definetly not the way to go as evidenced by the fact that my bike bottoms on some jump takeoffs. Granted they are steep, but it still does not work.

I realize that riding style, and rider preference will dictate the setup, and that there won't be a correct answer - that's why I put it in quotes. What I meant by that is that I'm interested in what the experts believe is correct. I'm sure Mx-Tech, Race Tech, Pro-Action, Factory Connection, etc. tuners will have a little different philosophy on this, and I'm curious as to why. Thanks Jeremy, I really like these discussions, because as a suspension rookie, I learn a lot about suspension tuning.

Elephino!!! That's why I look to people like YOU to tell ME how to set up my suspension for the kind of riding I'll be doing. Planning on sending ya my forks and shock this winter for some reworking. Hope ya can get me dialed in!!

I think I gave away too much... My purpose in doing this is A.) get more people involved and two hopefully generate good strings... I think the important thing to consider is that obvously I have my opion but really as long as your thought process is good we like as forum readers like hearing other ideas.. Since i've had to travel so much this year I have not been around as much, so I've tried to evolve the way I moderate, do more with generaating good ideas more than answering every question... You guys have done a great job at that..

Anyway what do you all think might be some intresting alternatives to the options listed above?

HS - light valving, heavy springs, fairly light preload. I like to spring for my weight with maybe 5mm preload and then adjust valving to suit.

I voted for the ideal spring and the mid-range valving. I have only six months experience with motorcycles, but here's my opinion anyway.

From what I understand, from this forum, is that the valving is speed sesitive and the spring is position sensitive. The spring it seems would keep the suspension higher or lower in the stroke than the valving would. By using a soft spring it would allow the suspension to ride lower in the stoke reducing the amount of travel. A heavy spring would ride higher thus increasing travel. With less travel (soft spring) the valving would have to be stiffer to reduce bottoming, with more travel (heavy spring) the valving could be tamer, for the same level rider.

I would think, for a novice, the soft spring would be good because they would not be using all the travel anyway. Even the valving could be softened. But for a seasoned rider the soft spring would be very harsh because they would use the travel causing the valving to be harsh to keep from bottoming.

01 YZ125

If the enduro choices both have light springs, there's not much opportunity to argue:D . My experience with heavy (commonly considered "optimal") springs is that they are too jarring for rootnrocksnruts. Physically painfull after a day or two in the saddle. With "excessive" amounts of preload or low oil levels I can get the same static wheel rate as the heavier springs but the reaction at the bars is less when I roll over that two inch rock.

Light damping works in some conditions like rocks but is limited in it's versatility. There will eventually be a section of nasty whoops and that light valving ain't going to cut the cheese in the whoops. Wanna know the damping curve I want? I'll design an inertial valve that reduces damping to near zero under high acceleration. What this would do is let the wheel move freely when it gets a sudden jolt and then smoothly apply damping as the acceleration spike subsides - arresting further wheel motion but avoiding the spike. All this needs to be is a spring and a mass driving a spool valve or perhaps a needle. Put that in your pipe and take a good drag......

It's interesting to see how many hits these polls get compared to the number of posts. Come on guys. Tell us what you think and more importantly, WHY you think what you do.