I installed the WER bladder on my '02 400 EXC, and really liked the results. It's a nitrogen filled rubber bladder, suspended in oil, that replaces the piston in your rear shock. It made the bike much more subtle and forgiving, especially during steep, rocky descents. I found that the stock rear WP shock was too nervous and unforgiving. I nick named it the "Pee Wee Herman" Mod, and is well worth the money if you ride rocky, rutty terrain.
Marcus....Yes, I only had to replace the bladder, and dial back the clickers. Remember, when you do this, you're replacing the piston that is inside the stock WP shock. It's not exactly a high tech mod. If anything, it's retro tech. You will find the same set-up--a nitrogen filled bladder suspended in oil-- inside the shock of a '76 CZ, or Jawa. The end result gives you a very plush ride. The bike is far more forgiving, and everything feels like it's in slo-motion. I ride only mountain trails, that are mostly hard packed, with lots of rocks and ruts. To me, a soft suspension set-up is a must.
I JUST CHANGED THE BLADDER. CHANGED THE FRONT FORKS SPRINGS AND INSTALLED A RACE TECH GOLD VALVE EVERTHING WORKED AWSOME. COULD OF USED A REVALVE ON THE SHOCK.WOULD OF MADE IT EVEN BETTER BUT NOW I AM GETTING A NEW BIKE 03 250 EXC :yeehaw: SO I CAN START ALL OVER.
The bladder makes it easier to service the shock (it's easier to bleed the shock - remove air pockets). The bladder itself does not change the action of the shock when compared to a properly bled piston reservoir. I believe that the only claims that race-tech makes about converting to a bladder is ease of service...
Fresh oil and properly servicing the shock will give improved shock action in any terrain...
The shock bladder kits are available for 03 PDS shocks from Race Tech. The kits do ease maintance and also allow the shock to be smoother over rough stuff. Our KTM riders felt the differance right away and this is with stock valving and stock psi.
I went back and forth between the stock floating piston and a WER bladder on my '00 200 MXC a few years back. Couldn't really tell any difference. (Everything else was kept the same....oil, valving, etc.)
I just bought a new '03 450 EXC, with the new WP PDS Shock. From what I have read, it's a different shock than what came on my '02. I have only rode it twice, and I haven't gone out in the woods yet, but the '03 shock feels as plush as my '02 rear shock felt with the bladder.
Did you change the service pressure of the shock? I don't see how a bladder change will change ride quality with the same pressures. I've seen the claims, they are just a little hard to swallow. No offence meant. I just wanted to make sure you were comparing apples to apples.
That said... Has anyone comeout with the bladder conversion for the '03s yet?
OCCRA_Racer....I'm not sure about the service pressure of the bladder, I had it proffessionally installed by the local Pro Action Suspension guy here in town. I was skeptical at first as well, but it really does work, and makes a BIG difference. I wanted to keep it, when I sold my '02 , to put it on my '03, but it wouldn't fit. The '03 shocks are different. And, yes, Pro Action, and WER now offer bladders for '03's. I'm not yet certain if they need it though. The '03 shock has a much more plus feel to it, than the '02. Rumor has it that all '04's will come with bladder's.
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