Please let me know if I am re-hashing what has already been over hashed.
Over the years, I have noticed several trends.
1. MX bikes come with increasingly heavier springs (especially fork springs).
2. MX magazines very rarely mention using lighter springs on a 250 for a lighter rider, it's always stock or heavier.
3. MX magazines sometimes suggest heavier springs for light weight pros than they do for 200 pound woods riders.
For example, my bike is an '01 CR250. The magazines, with a variety of rider weights, are indicating either the stock springs or going one step heavier. There is no way that the bike sag on this bike will be under 25mm with the lighter riders and the stock 4.9 shock spring. What gives? are they just too lazy to put the right springs on for each rider, or isn't this really necessary?
I always thought that you spring the bike for rider weight and valve it for ability and riding style.
I weigh 140 pounds without gear. I have switched to a 4.75 shock spring, but still have about 33mmm bike sag with 95mm overall sag (terminology?). Per the Honda book and Race Tech, I need a much softer shock spring.
On the forks, they seem to work ok, but maybe they would work better with lighter springs. I guess I would describe the action as controlled but not plush. The front end tends to want to push in a flat corner. I have the compression 14 clicks out, and bottoming resistance is still excellent. Oil level is stock, with stock .44 springs. Race Tech suggests about .39-.40 for my weight.
Jeremy, my questions:
1. What gives on the conflict between the "experts" in the magazine tests and Race Tech/my Honda manual?
2. Do you think it would be worthwhile to buy lighter springs?
3. How critical is bike sag, does it really have to be <25 mm?
I am certain that there are many others out there with the same dilema.
Years ago, I had 250s that I couldn't reach 4" sag on even with the spring nearly all the way loose. I am wondering now if I could have unlocked more potential from the suspention with the right spring. At the time, I was happy with the setup.
Thank you in advance for your help!
[This message has been edited by kookooformotopuffs (edited 03-31-2001).]
[This message has been edited by kookooformotopuffs (edited 04-01-2001).]
Over the years, I have noticed several trends.
1. MX bikes come with increasingly heavier springs (especially fork springs).
2. MX magazines very rarely mention using lighter springs on a 250 for a lighter rider, it's always stock or heavier.
3. MX magazines sometimes suggest heavier springs for light weight pros than they do for 200 pound woods riders.
For example, my bike is an '01 CR250. The magazines, with a variety of rider weights, are indicating either the stock springs or going one step heavier. There is no way that the bike sag on this bike will be under 25mm with the lighter riders and the stock 4.9 shock spring. What gives? are they just too lazy to put the right springs on for each rider, or isn't this really necessary?
I always thought that you spring the bike for rider weight and valve it for ability and riding style.
I weigh 140 pounds without gear. I have switched to a 4.75 shock spring, but still have about 33mmm bike sag with 95mm overall sag (terminology?). Per the Honda book and Race Tech, I need a much softer shock spring.
On the forks, they seem to work ok, but maybe they would work better with lighter springs. I guess I would describe the action as controlled but not plush. The front end tends to want to push in a flat corner. I have the compression 14 clicks out, and bottoming resistance is still excellent. Oil level is stock, with stock .44 springs. Race Tech suggests about .39-.40 for my weight.
Jeremy, my questions:
1. What gives on the conflict between the "experts" in the magazine tests and Race Tech/my Honda manual?
2. Do you think it would be worthwhile to buy lighter springs?
3. How critical is bike sag, does it really have to be <25 mm?
I am certain that there are many others out there with the same dilema.
Years ago, I had 250s that I couldn't reach 4" sag on even with the spring nearly all the way loose. I am wondering now if I could have unlocked more potential from the suspention with the right spring. At the time, I was happy with the setup.
Thank you in advance for your help!
[This message has been edited by kookooformotopuffs (edited 03-31-2001).]
[This message has been edited by kookooformotopuffs (edited 04-01-2001).]