I posted this on Thumpertalk.com as well. Not sure if it belongs here or in the suspension forum.
I need help/advice/words of wisdom on what to do with my '99 WR400. I ride Northern Ca - Middle Creek/Stonyford/Downieville/Elkins Flat etc - no MX, no jumping (over 500lbs of combined bike/rider hitting the ground is NOT a pretty picture...). The only mods to my suspension are .48 kg fork springs and a 5.6kg shock spring - selected using RaceTechs webpage. I weigh 250lbs w/o riding gear. I increased the rebound damping on both ends two clicks from stock to counteract the higher spring rate.
My problem? The rocks/roots are killing me. Either I truly suck (can't be that can it?) or my bike needs serious help. I feel like I get bounced off the rocks like a pinball. I rode Dave Wood's class at Downieville two weekends ago and I couldn't hold a line through the boulder fields if my life depended on it. I watched Dave ride up a section on his '02 CR250 like it was a paved parking lot - I on the other hand did my best impression of Donald Duck. This weekend I rode the Nevada County Woods Riders dual sport at Downieville, backed my compression clickers out all the way and felt pretty much the same. I swear my wife's XR250 handles the rocks much better - we bought it used so I have no idea what was done the suspension.
I've read James Dean's posts about the forks and I can do that kind of stuff myself (not sure if I want to or not) but what about the shock? Can you guys explain/expand on what to do and WHY to do it?
Has anybody been able to make the stock '99 valving work in the woods?
I want suspension that redefines plush
Brian
I need help/advice/words of wisdom on what to do with my '99 WR400. I ride Northern Ca - Middle Creek/Stonyford/Downieville/Elkins Flat etc - no MX, no jumping (over 500lbs of combined bike/rider hitting the ground is NOT a pretty picture...). The only mods to my suspension are .48 kg fork springs and a 5.6kg shock spring - selected using RaceTechs webpage. I weigh 250lbs w/o riding gear. I increased the rebound damping on both ends two clicks from stock to counteract the higher spring rate.
My problem? The rocks/roots are killing me. Either I truly suck (can't be that can it?) or my bike needs serious help. I feel like I get bounced off the rocks like a pinball. I rode Dave Wood's class at Downieville two weekends ago and I couldn't hold a line through the boulder fields if my life depended on it. I watched Dave ride up a section on his '02 CR250 like it was a paved parking lot - I on the other hand did my best impression of Donald Duck. This weekend I rode the Nevada County Woods Riders dual sport at Downieville, backed my compression clickers out all the way and felt pretty much the same. I swear my wife's XR250 handles the rocks much better - we bought it used so I have no idea what was done the suspension.
I've read James Dean's posts about the forks and I can do that kind of stuff myself (not sure if I want to or not) but what about the shock? Can you guys explain/expand on what to do and WHY to do it?
Has anybody been able to make the stock '99 valving work in the woods?
I want suspension that redefines plush
Brian
