Sag saga for a lighter rider

LadyBerg · Mar 22, 2011

I know another sag question, I've read manual, looked on site, etc. but all on larger weights so please give a gal a hand.

2010 FE 450, I weigh 145 lbs with gear on! I bought a PDS 5 from Enduro Engr. and using 8 mm preload I get 54mm static sag and 63mm race sag. Played around with preload (lighter 3mm and things got worse).

Next I tried a Fact Connection FCW-0 from my old 2008 FE 450 (which was wonderful after FC did it) and 54mm static and 70 race sag. with 7mm preload.

Finally :angry: I tried an old 69-260 EE spring and got 47mm static and 60mm race sag with 7mm preload.

I guess I need a lighter spring but I cannot find one suitable. I'm really getting fast at pulling the shock now! :twisted:

jcolleymx · Mar 22, 2011

Ladyberg, that sounds unbelievable that 145 lbs. would only increase the sag 9mm! Are you bouncing the bike to get it to settle? Are the clickers set to stock settings? For it to do that makes me wonder if they are way off. I think one of those springs should work for you.

LadyBerg · Mar 23, 2011

Jcolleymx, I'm not new to setting sag and I had no trouble setting up my old 2008 fe 450 within range.

I did check all clickers and setup to "comfort" to start with...it's a new 2010. I do bounce up and down on suspensions to settle it before measuring race sag. I'm consistant with measurement points and nothing is binding on the bike.

I went back to the Fact. Connection FCW-0 spring which I got the most sag on and reset spring preload to 11 mm then I got a better static sag of 38mm but wasn't able to measure race sag (no hubby to measure!) but I can tell by the way my feet don't touch is still way off.

This tells me the spring is too stiff for my weight but I can't find a lighter PDS spring or a chart. I'm really frustrated, it's F***ing snowing, and I don't feel like gaining 20 more pounds! :cry:

jcolleymx · Mar 23, 2011

Hey, you can always wear more gear... a fanny bag with tools, back pack with a couple liters of H2O, and fender bags with spares to weight everything down. Don't forget the helmet cam so you can document it for the rest of us! Just think how prepared you'd be. OK, my only other question would be if you tried the calculators on Race Tech and other websites and what springs they suggested. Also, I bought a sag scale from KTM that makes measuring easier when you don't have an extra set of eyes (and hands). I highly recommend one.

lesjive · Mar 23, 2011

Don't worry about the static- start with about 5mm preload on the spring, see where that gets ya on the race.
The deal is, if it's compatible with your fork setting (Bike rides level, no nose diving or vs versa), try it.
The whole thing is to make ther ride even, front to rear. I'm a big guy, folks 50 lbs lighter than me ride my bike & say "Damn, that's smooth!"
It's the balance front to rear that's important, then playing with the clickers fine tunes it.

Taffy · Mar 24, 2011

ladyberg

according to the factory the lightest spring at 69nmm should do you at 65KG or 145LB?

try the pre-load backed right off on those springs to virtually no preload 2/3mm at most and you'll get a plusher for trail trash ride?

regards

Taffy

JohnnyQuest · Mar 24, 2011

Ok, this is a bit strange. I'm pretty close to your weight. I weigh 145 lbs in my b-day suit (but I'm all muscle so no comments!)

My "problem" is too much sag. I had to dial in a lot of preload to get the sag down to 108mm under my weight and down to 35mm under just the bike's weight. In fact I had to preload it all the way down to the bottom of the threads. The unloaded spring length under all that preload is 238 mm. With the stock spring and the stock preload (nearly none), the bike sags nearly 140 mm under my weight.

Maybe female weight is different than male weight.

My bike is a 2010 FE 390

twistednuts · Mar 24, 2011

Me too johnny, i am a muscle bound 140 pounder and i got my sag just about right with the stock spring.

My bike is a lot older so spring has probably worn a bit. Took lots of time gettin it right but got there eventually.

Maybe lady weight does indeed differ to man weight, or is it a gravity thing :?:

LadyBerg · Mar 24, 2011

Oh you light weight boys are too funny...weight is weight an I got muscles too! Gotta to pick up the Berg when I tip over.

I found out that my uh uhem husband was giving me the wrong numbers in his measurements so after I made him put his GLASSES ON I'm getting closer. With the Fact connection FCW-0 progressive spring with 10mm preload I'm at 46mm static and 117mm race sag. So I think more preload?

I also have the 4.4 kg fork springs from my 2008 Berg and would like to replace them for the stock 4.4 NM springs. Anyone know how to do this? I'm guessing back of the preload, pull the caps off and swap springs. Thanks for the help, Colleen

70DEGREERACINGLLC · Mar 24, 2011

LadyBerg said:
Oh you light weight boys are too funny...weight is weight an I got muscles too! Gotta to pick up the Berg when I tip over.

I found out that my uh uhem husband was giving me the wrong numbers in his measurements so after I made him put his GLASSES ON I'm getting closer. With the Fact connection FCW-0 progressive spring with 10mm preload I'm at 46mm static and 117mm race sag. So I think more preload?

I also have the 4.4 kg fork springs from my 2008 Berg and would like to replace them for the stock 4.4 NM springs. Anyone know how to do this? I'm guessing back of the preload, pull the caps off and swap springs. Thanks for the help, Colleen

Those numbers are good. I would not give any preload. The new bergs like 45 static and 120 rider. They turn unlike a KTM so you don't have to stink bug em.

jcolleymx · Mar 24, 2011

LadyBerg, if you can get good figures with the stock shock spring, I think the stock fork springs should be ok. The difference between .44kg and 4.4nm is miniscule and will not be noticeable, imo. With the adjustable fork preload, you can just back it off a turn or so also. I say ride and break it in and see what you think?

johny · Mar 26, 2011

So does anyone know the difference between the 4.4kgs and 4.4nm, because I'd like to know, and I do believe getting the balance right on this bike is very important, to how it handles.

jcolleymx · Mar 27, 2011

Actually, it's 1 kg/mm = about 9.81 n/mm so 1n/mm = about .102 kg/mm (depends on how many digits you want to carry it out). So 4.4 n/mm = about .4486 kg/mm. That's closer to a .45 kg spring so if you put .44 kg/mm springs in you're going a little softer. I think you really need to make sure your supplier knows for sure how the spring is rated (especially if buying used) as this is easily confused and many of us Americans are used to ft.lbs. so we get even more confused! :?

Search

Search

Sag saga for a lighter rider

LadyBerg

jcolleymx

LadyBerg

jcolleymx

lesjive

Taffy

JohnnyQuest

twistednuts

LadyBerg

70DEGREERACINGLLC

jcolleymx

johny

jcolleymx

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions