hi, sold my 200exc(too powerful for me) to purchase a '97 220. this 220 is a japanese domestic model, not sure if the shock is the same as the off-road model as from the States, but the front end has a '91 KDX 200 inverted fork. suspension is a disappointment, exc is way better. is revalving a worthy job for both front and back end or KX suspension is the way to go? also, can a KX shock fit in KDX?
suspension disappointment
- Thread starter ckf
- Start date
Yeah the stock suspension is way too soft unless you are a really skinny guy.
Here are some tips I followed:
http://www.frpoffroad.com/kdxposed/suspensionTips.aspx
I went with the full race tech gold valves and springs, and LOVE IT. Just springs and thicker oil would be a cheaper alternative with a big improment over stock though.
And Stangera I think you typed that wrong - I think what you meant to say was the inverted forks don't really have any advantage besides eliminating the hang down on the stock conventional forks.
Phil
Here are some tips I followed:
http://www.frpoffroad.com/kdxposed/suspensionTips.aspx
I went with the full race tech gold valves and springs, and LOVE IT. Just springs and thicker oil would be a cheaper alternative with a big improment over stock though.
And Stangera I think you typed that wrong - I think what you meant to say was the inverted forks don't really have any advantage besides eliminating the hang down on the stock conventional forks.
Phil
Jim Crenca
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Mar 18, 2001
- 509
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I have a modified KDX but have ridden both bikes.
MX Tech can modify the forks and shocks to make it a great trail bike; I don't think the KDX suspension can be as good as a KTM for racing, but is OK. Yes, the stock KDX suspension is barely adequate and you will find a huge imrpovement with a professional modification.
MX Tech can modify the forks and shocks to make it a great trail bike; I don't think the KDX suspension can be as good as a KTM for racing, but is OK. Yes, the stock KDX suspension is barely adequate and you will find a huge imrpovement with a professional modification.
BadgerMan
Mi. Trail Riders
- Jan 1, 2001
- 2,479
- 10
Less flex resulting in more precise steering is the main advantage for USD forks.........especially in sand and whoops.
The inverted fork you speak of will flex much less than a current 43mm KDX conventional fork. However, the KTM should have a bigger conventional fork or an USD fork, in which case the flex trade-off is a non-issue.
Stiffer springs and Goldvalves will do wonders for the KDX forks.........either USD or conventional. If you are riding in sand, go slightly stiffer than the Racetech suggested shim stacks.
I put Goldvalves in both ends of my sons KDX. The front was a HUGE improvement whereas the rear was just a nice compliment. It is nice to be able to run the rebound clicker in the middle of the range instead of max hard. KDX shocks seem to be real light on the rebound stack.......not good in the sand whoops.
for what it is worth...I have an 03 KDX200. I ran enduros with it and always felt with the stock forks I could either adjust for hard hits (not bottom too hard too often) or mild stuff (like roots, rocks, and boulders) - one or the other. This was done with the clickers and changing the fork oil weight....keeping the springs the same at .38. I sent my forks to MX Tech and had my forks redone including midvalves and am very pleased. Not only can I adjust for rebound but I can account for both types if hits and adjust as necessary as the terrain changes.
Oh...I did replace my springs with .38.
Oh...I did replace my springs with .38.
KDX suckspension
Stock, the KDX suspension is actually fantastic IFF [if and only if] you are riding strictly nasty tight technical terrain. Try to go fast and the bike will hurt you. Going up to .38 from the stock .36 fork springs makes an unbelievable difference. The bike now goes fast without washing out BUT it completely looses that wonderful ability to make you look good in the nasty stuff. You now work hard in the tight stuff where the stock suspension previously did it for you. Gold valves are a must to rid the forks of their harshness -no matter what spring rate you're running. for sand and rough terrain a steering dampener also works wonders on a KDX
Stock, the KDX suspension is actually fantastic IFF [if and only if] you are riding strictly nasty tight technical terrain. Try to go fast and the bike will hurt you. Going up to .38 from the stock .36 fork springs makes an unbelievable difference. The bike now goes fast without washing out BUT it completely looses that wonderful ability to make you look good in the nasty stuff. You now work hard in the tight stuff where the stock suspension previously did it for you. Gold valves are a must to rid the forks of their harshness -no matter what spring rate you're running. for sand and rough terrain a steering dampener also works wonders on a KDX
Jeff Sexton
~SPONSOR~
- Sep 7, 2001
- 130
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I've had similar experience to the one "robcolo" describes - great bike on tight trails but hurt badly when I tried to race it on more open stuff. 3 cracked ribs, a torn quadricep, and a torn ACL later, I'm looking to make this bike work better. I already put in heavier fork springs and this helped a lot. I haven't done anything with the valving yet. Here's my question...
Somewhere else in this forum I heard someone refer to the KDX forks as "underhung." This is interesting to me. Would triple clamps with a different offset solve this problem? I'm thinking if you stretched the front end just a tad (increase trail?) it would make the bike more stable. I realize I'd be sacrificing a bit of handling but the increased stabililty seems like it would be worth the trade.
Somewhere else in this forum I heard someone refer to the KDX forks as "underhung." This is interesting to me. Would triple clamps with a different offset solve this problem? I'm thinking if you stretched the front end just a tad (increase trail?) it would make the bike more stable. I realize I'd be sacrificing a bit of handling but the increased stabililty seems like it would be worth the trade.
Green Hornet
Member
- Apr 2, 2005
- 837
- 0
The underhang, is the 4 inchs that hangs below the wheel. You can lower the forks in the triple clamps up to 10mm. That will allow the bike to turn much better. Lowering is not for you if high speed riding is your thingJeff Sexton said:
You can also modify your stock shimstack yourself, if money is an issue. I removed two of the 10 shims in each fork leg, which made a huge difference to the way the forks handle the sharp edged bumps such as roots and rocks. OK, so it's not as good as installing Gold Valves, but hey it's free and I'm much happier with the handling now. Try it, you may be surprised how much difference it makes!
Andrew
Andrew
G. Gearloose
Pigment of ur imagination
- Jul 24, 2000
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lepper said:
Uhm, no. 93/94 were USD, not 91.
perhaps the 250 was in 91
Green Hornet
Member
- Apr 2, 2005
- 837
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I believe your right Gear-Got your Mountain Dew Yet??? ;)G. Gearloose said:
G. Gearloose
Pigment of ur imagination
- Jul 24, 2000
- 709
- 0
yikes, guess I left an impression? Actually, been crisp and clean with no caffine for 2-3 years.Green Hornet said:
