gooleo

Member
Nov 5, 2002
19
0
my '02 200 suspension and forks are stock. i've been reading alot of threads but really can't make sense of the different options, both mechanical and product. i hear that it's not so good to be riding along like this, so i hope that someone can spoon feed me the low down on exactly what i should do with my front forks and rear suspension. would it also be advisable to get a steering damper? i talked to one guy and he told me that i would be better off putting on a mx fork and set up. not to sure about that. i'm 5'10" 175 lbs. thanks for your help.
 

Smit-Dog

Mi. Trail Riders
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 28, 2001
4,704
0
While a modern pair of USD forks would be nice, not sure if you really want to spend that kind of money on the KDX. While still a great bike, there are other chassis limitations that you just can't ignore compared to other bikes.

At the very least get the forks tuned to your weight and riding terrain/style. The shock as stock is pretty close given your weight. I sent my forks out to MX-Tech for stiffer springs and a re-valve and have been happy with the results. Get some better tires too. Michilin S-12s are great here in Michigan.

Try different clicker settings on the shock to dial it in better. I've found that I needed to go quite a bit harsher (screw in) on the rebound (bottom adjustment) for the bike to handle better in the whoops. FWIW, I'm 5'9" and 185lbs.

I recently put on a steering damper (WER). I only have about 85 miles experience with it, and am still getting used to it. The front end definitely feels "tighter", more solid, and tracks better. Initially though I wish the damping adjustment was within reach while riding. I probably had it on too tight a setting. Although it was good for 3/4/5 gear sand/whoops, suddenly I was in 1/2/3 really tight switch backs, and could feel that it was more effort to flick the handlebars back and forth. A little disconcerning when trying to fly through the tight stuff! At the next stop I reduced the damping a little, but would have really of like to been able to do it whenever necessary without stopping.

Do some searching here on this site. You will learn a year's worth of experience in only a few days!
 
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