09 FE450 Suspension for motocross

Advenduro · Sep 26, 2009

09 FE450 (EU)
The problem: Rear shock bottoms too easy, bouncing like a rabbit. (Looks funny though.)
The goal: To set the suspension good enough for motocross, without sacrificing too much of enduro capability. To my understanding setting all clickers too tight is going to cause heating/foaming and will only be good a very short time.

For me, MX training is only to support enduro training, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m not building a motocrosser but I need to be able to ride a MX track reasonably fast without bottoming too harshly on jumps / holes. I weight around 80kg with gear. The spring is a 72n/mm. Stiffer spring or just re-valve? If I need a stiffer spring, any good valve maps?

Taffy · Sep 26, 2009

i suggest that you get the MX stiffer suspension first. have a look at the springs fitted to the 2010FX. they will be for a 65-70kg rider i expect. so i would go up on both ends from that by one spring.

you may well find that your damping will work with the stronger springs. certainly try it first though! traditionally, stronger springs need slightly less compression and more rebound help.

regards

Taffy

johny · Sep 26, 2009

dude i'd go with 4.6kg springs front and 8.0 kg spring for the rear before you start spending your money on re-valving i'm 84 kilo's and after taking some advice from daleo and some settings i'm very happy with mine
I've had it on a small moto x track and found it OK although the rear blows through its travel at high speed and does bottom easily but i'm going to increase the high speed compression slightly and see how that works

johny · Sep 26, 2009

dude i'd go with 4.6kg springs front and 8.0 kg spring for the rear before you start spending your money on re-valving i'm 84 kilo's and after taking some advice from daleo and some settings i'm very happy with mine
I've had it on a small moto x track and found it OK although the rear blows through its travel at high speed and does bottom easily but i'm going to increase the high speed compression slightly and see how that works

fryguy · Sep 26, 2009

Re: RE: 09 FE450 Suspension for motocross

Taffy said:
i suggest that you get the MX stiffer suspension first. have a look at the springs fitted to the 2010FX. they will be for a 65-70kg rider i expect. so i would go up on both ends from that by one spring.

Taffy

carefull with using the fx as a guide, the closed cartridge forks always have a stiffer spring than open chamber. Ithink the fork has 48s in it, the fe only has 44s. The fx runs a 72 in the rear as well, same as the fe.

Advenduro · Sep 27, 2009

RE: Re: RE: 09 FE450 Suspension for motocross

Thanks guys, I think the main problem is the rear shock. If the FX has the same spring, and assuming the FX is more capable on an MX track, makes me wonder if a new shim stack could do the job? I cannot find specs for the FX450, shim stack charts would be interesting to compare. (I have to service the shock anyway so shimming is no big deal Ã¢â‚¬â€œ if itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s done right!) The local KTM dealer suggested that we build SX stack but that might be too stiff?

bushmechanic · Sep 27, 2009

RE: Re: RE: 09 FE450 Suspension for motocross

I think the FX shock may be different too, it is on the SX KTMS.

the later KTM SX models have a 1 1/2 piston ohlins copy, they are really really nice shocks. the enduro models get the same ol WP clowntube with a needle and more free bleed between the 2 pistons.

not sure what they put on the new bergs though.

FWIW I feel the WP OC enduro forks and the 2 piston PDS are among the worst dampers out there while the KTM SX stuff is among the best.

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09 FE450 Suspension for motocross

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