Front suspension questions, 2001 KDX220

Got questions? We got answers....
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

Add about 40lbs. to it then! :lol:
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
User avatar
kawagumby
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 10:09 am Nov 30 2006
Country:
Location: California

Post by kawagumby »

A lot of people here have spent the time to lead you to a solution. What have you done in response? Have you checked the sag? The fork spring rate/preload, ride height? A KLX (suuuueeee) will only turn and handle better than your bike if your bike is not setup properly or you have a blown shock, IMHO. Al Bundy could dust a KLX with his Dodge Dart.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
User avatar
cleoent
Member
Posts: 295
Joined: 08:25 pm Jul 02 2007
Country:
Location: San Jose, Ca

Post by cleoent »

sag is set, fork spring's are set.

I'm 200 pounds with gear on, i'm looking for recommendations on what other similar riders have done to their suspension to get it to handle nicely. Shock clickers, fork clickers, valves, fork oil height etc.
1990 KDX200, 2007 KTM 200XC, 2004 TTR125L
User avatar
scheckaet
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 3740
Joined: 12:09 am Nov 10 2005
Country:
Location: edmond oklahoma

Post by scheckaet »

12-14 depending on terrain
Isn't that a bit high? I used 12 in rocky rides (doesn't happen very often) and 10 - 11 on dirt / mud...
User avatar
kawagumby
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 10:09 am Nov 30 2006
Country:
Location: California

Post by kawagumby »

I tend to run 13 both ends with HD tubes, so equivalent of 14 + with stock tubes and it works for me in really rough hard-pack stuff, and is OK for fireroad work too.

Cleoent, it might be your handlebar positioning too; you might want to experiment with getting further forward on the bike into turns, and bar position affects your ability to do so.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
KarlP
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 1484
Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
Country:
Location: Alabama

Post by KarlP »

I've never found a sag, clicker, or fork height setting on the Internet that worked for me.
I've always had to ride, adjust, and ride some more.

Of course, before I found this site and others, I was blissfully ignorant of such things and just rode.

I'm not sure I'm better off today!
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
User avatar
2001kdx
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 1522
Joined: 08:36 am Sep 23 2006
Country:
Location: Town of Montgomery, NY

Post by 2001kdx »

>|<>QBB<
scheckaet wrote:
12-14 depending on terrain
Isn't that a bit high? I used 12 in rocky rides (doesn't happen very often) and 10 - 11 on dirt / mud...
Nope, 12-14 is fine for rocky terrain, I'd go 12ish in muddy conditions. 10 is too low for me, I've got one of those 19" MX setups and I don't like changing tubes :)

HD tube will be on next time I get a flat though!
User avatar
scheckaet
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 3740
Joined: 12:09 am Nov 10 2005
Country:
Location: edmond oklahoma

Post by scheckaet »

12 seems too high for me in mud, but I'm slow and lightweight :lol:
Haven't had any flat in awhile (and I just jinxed myself there :roll: ) but we don't have much rock/cactus and such where I usually ride
User avatar
cleoent
Member
Posts: 295
Joined: 08:25 pm Jul 02 2007
Country:
Location: San Jose, Ca

Post by cleoent »

in the mud i'll go down to 10 sometimes, usually 12, i really dont like the idea of flats :razz:
1990 KDX200, 2007 KTM 200XC, 2004 TTR125L
User avatar
scheckaet
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 3740
Joined: 12:09 am Nov 10 2005
Country:
Location: edmond oklahoma

Post by scheckaet »

I run slime in both tires, I'm hoping it prevents any flats on the trail
september9
Member
Posts: 60
Joined: 02:20 pm Dec 04 2007
Country:
Location: North Idaho

Post by september9 »

>|<>QBB<
KarlP wrote:I've
Of course, before I found this site and others, I was blissfully ignorant of such things and just rode.
This sounds like me. I can do all of this stuff ( I even put a kx front end on my bike because I got bored this winter and you all said it was so much better) but I am not much of a tuner. I just ride and have fun and fix things as needed.
1998 KDX 200
- 2000 KX 125 front end.
- Bills Pipe
- RB Head and Carb !!!
1987 Husqvarna 430XC
- Up-Tite Pipe
User avatar
cleoent
Member
Posts: 295
Joined: 08:25 pm Jul 02 2007
Country:
Location: San Jose, Ca

Post by cleoent »

took my bike to a local suspension pro. The sag was set properly what he did was turn compression on the front as hard as it gets, same with the rear and backed the rebound almost all the way out of the rear. We'll see i imagine :neutral:
1990 KDX200, 2007 KTM 200XC, 2004 TTR125L
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

He's the PRO! :lol:
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
KarlP
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 1484
Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
Country:
Location: Alabama

Post by KarlP »

Well, that'll be different....maybe right on.
Gonna carry a screwdriver with you when you go test?
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
User avatar
cleoent
Member
Posts: 295
Joined: 08:25 pm Jul 02 2007
Country:
Location: San Jose, Ca

Post by cleoent »

I could carry a screw driver, but my guess is i would mess things up, is there a place online where it explains what symtoms of too much compression/to little is?

What too much rebound/not enough feels like???

Right now all i coudl tell him is my front doesn't grip.
1990 KDX200, 2007 KTM 200XC, 2004 TTR125L
User avatar
kawagumby
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 10:09 am Nov 30 2006
Country:
Location: California

Post by kawagumby »

I think you're barking up the wrong tree. I assume you ride at Hollister since you are based in SJ?
A full hard compression setting is likely going to make the front end more skittish in turns because it will not follow the rough and slippery Hollister surfaces as well. If anything, you may be backing off that adjustment. Don't sweat experimenting with the compression damping, set it to center and if it feels too harsh on bumps click it out 2 (CCW) at a time, if it feels to soft click it in 2 at a time until you get the best setting).

Here's something to consider; the KLX300 uses either 37 or 38 fork spring rate depending on the year model, your buddy's bike would have 38's. You say you are using 40's in your KDX. Now, the KLX is about 25 lbs heavier than your bike AND it has softer springs. If the KLX has the stock springs in and turns/handles better, I'd say your 40's are too stiff for your riding style. The front end needs to drop in turns, and I bet it can't do that enough given your speed and body positioning profile. (Early on, I was thinking that unless you are a very experienced rider, even at 200lbs/full gear the 40's may be on the stiff side).

Check with your buddy to find out if his bike has the stock springs, if so, you know what to do! :grin:
Last edited by kawagumby on 02:28 pm Apr 11 2008, edited 1 time in total.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
KarlP
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 1484
Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
Country:
Location: Alabama

Post by KarlP »

Go on, turn your clicker screws, you can't hurt anything but yourself.

When testing, pick a small loop and ride around it for a while. You need to go at least 10 minutes or so to get the suspension warmed up. If you don't like how it is feeling or turning, turn some clickers, take a few more loops.
Write everything down so you can go back to what it was.
Be cautious after each change, the bike may behave in an unexpected manner and toss you.

If you search you will find that there is a ton of information out here about what does what. Enough to make your head hurt.
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
User avatar
scheckaet
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 3740
Joined: 12:09 am Nov 10 2005
Country:
Location: edmond oklahoma

Post by scheckaet »

I think it also help to have another faster rider in front of you to set the same pace every loop. What might feel good at a given speed might not be so good when going faster. even better is someone videotaping you on the same section.
User avatar
cleoent
Member
Posts: 295
Joined: 08:25 pm Jul 02 2007
Country:
Location: San Jose, Ca

Post by cleoent »

just as another FYI, i pulled the valves today and took out 2 shims as been recommended here. It's been 90+ the past two days too hot for me to go out and ride, i might try and sneak in a ride tomorrow afternoon :supz:

My friend's klx that i rode is also stored in my garage, the suspension feels a lot stiffer than mine was set to, now after the changes the guy made they feel closer with the klx being stiffer. I imagine the klx has more weight, and has different geometry so it should be stiffer, just making a comparison is all :D :supz:
1990 KDX200, 2007 KTM 200XC, 2004 TTR125L
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

Is it tomorrow afternoon, yet?

Not generally a good plan to change too many things at once. IF your bike handles WORSE at this point, what is it? Clickers front? Shock rebound? Compression? Stack change?

Of course, if it's BETTER the same applies..which thing did it? Knowing that would lead you to more experimentation with THAT aspect of your suspension setup.

What is your fork spring preload?

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
Post Reply