trailboy125
Member
- Aug 24, 2004
- 90
- 0
trailboy125 said:i went to my local kawi dealer today and tried on some bikes. and let me say i felt pretty small. i sat on the kdx, and i have one question how do u guys man-handle a bike like that! i dont even want to know about the kx 500 :yikes: the next time we go ill have to show it to my dad (he got caught up talkin to one of his old buddies that worked there :| )
Okiewan said:Setting your sag "as "soft" as it can go" (meaning letting it sag max possible) will do nothing but make the bike turn like a chopper, no mater how far you pull the forks up into the clamps. Sag isn't set in terms of soft or hard.
The right way to do it is have a good suspension shop shorten it for you, allowing the bike to handle correctly and the suspension to still work correctly maintaining factory geometry (or mofifying it based on the tuner's experience), etc.
crazymike said:Last thing I did for sure will get (me) flamed. But I set the sag as soft as it can go.
RoostRider said:;)
at least he knew what he was in for... :)
I have seen some pretty hodge-podged things that 'worked' for what they needed.
Crazymike, have you considered a smaller bike? I'm 5'8" and sometimes the KDX seems too tall for me, I can't imagine how difficult it would be at 5'. Lemme guess, with a name like Crazymike, you won't settle for anything less than a full size bikes power? :)
Some shorter people seem to handle the big bikes ok, I have to give them some serious kudos (usualy from behind due to their skills and added weight advantage)
RoostRider said:The reason for the added height is to gain travel, not to elevate the rider. The added travel, in short, means that you can have more 'plush' quick travel, and still have what you need when you hit something hard (a jump gone wrong?)
I am at what I would consider a nearly minimum height for the KDX. About 5'8". I can touch on both sides on my toes and balance the bike from there if it were to fall either way. I too would lower my bike if I were shorter, but you should understand that the bike was designed to sit at a certain height, and lowering it affects it's handling (good in some ways, bad in others).
It sounds like you do know that and have made some calculated decisions about it. But don't take Okiewans comments lightly, you have compromised, not 'cured' the problem.
I honestly think there is a market for 'lower' full size bikes. Can you imagine how nice it would be to sit on a powerfull bike that actually fit you? there are a lot of riders in your shoes (I'm only inches from being one of them)
canyncarvr said:re: '...and the handling is fine for me.'
Don't sell yourself short (no pun intended).
Most of the modifications I have done to my bike have resulted in a surprise that that much improvement was still to be had.
Yep. 'The reason for the added height is to gain travel, not to elevate the rider.'
Perfectly stated.
Yep. 'Sag isn't set in terms of soft or hard.'
Also perfectly stated.
While I understand your current point of view (works for me!), the way the shock is set up now (spanner rings to the top) is seriously hampering your riding 'fun.'
You're missing out on a lot more fun if you don't: 1. Make the suspension work the way it is supposed to, and 2. Make it work for you.
'1' comes before '2'.
Have fun!
canyncarvr said:It is good that you like it. After all...you ride it. If it suits you, it tickles me.
Don't however interpret from your experiences that what you have done is either correct, proper or a reasonable shock tuning method.
The fact that you are more comfortable closer to the ground does not have any bearing on how well your suspension does or does not work.
No reason to get into any argument here. You stated you ride mostly for fun. That being true it is unlikely that the word 'deathly' applies to your suspension situation.
Statements made earlier regarding shock/suspension set-up are correct. Yours is by no means set-up correctly. While you may like it that way, that is no basis from which to argue that you are correct and others merely offering facts are incorrect.
I've not tried a whole lot of things just to prove to myself that they are wrong.
Again, if you like it, that's great. Downplaying helpful information from people that know better (..they just never tried it!) isn't helpful for you and will only get you on their 'ignore' list.
Cheers!
DirtRoller said:Most really good riders can ride any bike with any set-up, and still smoke us mear mortals. I guess your not looking to race RC next week... right?
So if your set-up makes you ride better then have at it.
I'm guessing being able to touch the ground in the rough stuff makes you feel more comfy, hence you ride better.
On my XR 400 I also choped the seat down this seem to do the trick for me. After that I set the spendies up more in line with the norm.
Ride a bike with no shock for 2 years and you will ride that bike better then anyone else can. :yikes:
CrazyMIke just remember
Short guys rule. :nener:
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