FE v FX rear shock

I've been able to test a 2010 FE570 shock against my 2009 FE570 rear shock. upon investigation I found that my shock has FX shimstacks in there but not the bottoming needle seen on various KTMs from 2010 such as the SXC, EXC and SX.

the FE is great and no complaints till you're in a rush and hit several bumps in a row or 'stutter bumps'. then it ties itself in a knot. I don't see any reason why anyone wouldn't like the FX shock. if you don't - just wind everything off?

the FX shimstacks just absorb that much better and get the bike back to normal ASAP.

I've now taken the shimstacks beyond the FX and liked it better still as the bike recovers better still! next thing is to fit the FX needle but first I need to buy the needle removing tool (or get the pin dimensions? - anyone got them for a 2009+ ??)

regards

Taffy

I have bought a 90 rear spring off ebay and want to test it as soon as I can. I can pull the 95/111 progressive off my old girl as well for a test.

I'm off for three days green laning to Dartmoor this weekend and if I get a chance the 90 will be tested against the 84 I have fitted now. the important thing is to get the new damping settings fully sorted on preload and clickers and only then will the new spring go in.

I'm about to buy a bottoming needle off Jeremy Whatley at MXtech in the USA as well as a new little product that Drehwurm of Austria reckons will work for me. I know little of it other than that it is called a 'platform needle' or 'PN jet'.

regards

Taffy

could not be clearer - yes!

regards

Taffy

above is a photo taken on Saturday of the new SX needle on the left that I've been waiting to fit all season. on the right is the FE needle that I suggest is in the FX as well?

whatever, the above comment that the SX needle is in the FX could be wrong. it's certainly not in an FE!

I got this bike in 2010 as a FE570e but found exclusively FX shim settings inside.

I've added to the FX stack and modified the rebound stack, added a further 3mm spacer to the 4mm that is comes with, the spring is now a WP88/250 straight rate set from 252 to 246 for a sag of 105. I don't like that. but the spring seems to lose its guts - all my springs lose their guts!

the X-bushing is back on standard at present so we're not playing with any anti squat presently. the trouble is I've finally done this and now winter has set in. all I can ride in is slop and gloop from now on and all memory of it prior to the changes will recede!

If you reduce the anti-squat the suspension has to work harder with no support from the chain. so it has to be beefed up. however, race sag is race sag. I think I need to get to 95mm and maybe this 88 isn't up to the job?

I weigh 92KG as nature intended me.

regards

Taffy

not really Nick

I was riding about three weeks ago and suddenly there was no rebound. I was leading a group of learners and had no tools either. I kept riding like that for 2-hours and then went home. the shock literally fell into 2 on my bench because the nut inside had stripped off the shock shaft.

I have this spare shock from the states on it at present but it is just mud and gloop out there at present.

regards

Taffy

no, no need. the steering is very self-centering and if you have head shake it is because swing arm/head race bearings are gone or something isn't right with the suspension.

My bike is like an F1: it is fast to turn but takes a lot of effort.

regards

Taffy