KDXRIDER.NET

I know this isnt the right forum for this but I can't seem to get any answers in the suspension forum. I want to know what spring rate people are running in there KX forks for offroad use. I want to know wether to go with .40kg or .42kg Race tech is saying that for my weight (165lbs) I should go with a .418kg which would be the .42kg spring. I had .38 in my kdx forks and thought they worked good just a tad too soft, so should I go with the .40kgs?? or can you run one .40 in one side and .42 in the other side to even it out to .41??

I weight the same and got the stock spring on my 01 kx 125. I think most also run stock. just modded the base valve, works fine for me.

You should not run different spring rates in each fork because it will cause handling problems - try changing the preload spacer lengths so each side will be different and you'll see what I mean.

My own experience with the race tech rate chart is that they are a little on the high side for off-road use, especially the kind of technical off-road stuff that is most likely what a KDX will be used for.
I use KX forks on my bike, I'm 165 w/o gear and the 40's are perfect for me. My KX had 42's and they were too stiff for slower rougher off-road use.

BTW, KX125's have run from 38's (96) to 40's to 42's in the latest models.
You probably know this, but the stiffness you feel is a combination of both damping and spring resistance, so you have some wriggle-room.

kawagumby wrote:
My own experience with the race tech rate chart is that they are a little on the high side for off-road use, especially the kind of technical off-road stuff that is most likely what a KDX will be used for.

I always read that here and at that crappy okie site, and followed that advice and my bike handled like crap

I finally went with race tech's recommendations and my bike finally handles more to my liking

Mr. Wibbens wrote:

kawagumby wrote:
My own experience with the race tech rate chart is that they are a little on the high side for off-road use, especially the kind of technical off-road stuff that is most likely what a KDX will be used for.

I always read that here and at that crappy okie site, and followed that advice and my bike handled like crap

I finally went with race tech's recommendations and my bike finally handles more to my liking

Hey different strokes....but what recommendation did you take?

Race Tech used to provide a more comprehensive rate chart which allowed for rider skill level, whether use was for off-road/enduro or MX and so on. Last time I checked they only gave the MX rate (but I haven't checked the site in a while).
What works for MX usually is too stiff for off-road/enduro work. Most mid-sized off-road bikes, such as the CRF250X, I used to own, come stock with 40's.

I tried 42's they did not feel any better than the stockers

I'm running 46's now and its like a totally different animal

Race Tech says to use whatevers available, closest to .50's for my weight

46 is as big as they stock for the KDX

I guess 50's might be a bit much though

I'm running RaceTech .39s in my '99 KX250 front end. I'm 175# RaceTech says the '99 came with progressives. That's not what was in them when I got 'em. The forks HAD been revalved..the valve wasn't OEM.

Preload spacers? Are you using a short spring for some reason?

I realize RaceTech doesn't list .39s for that fork spring series..and I didn't test the springs I bought. The box said RaceTech .39s, that's how they were advertised..and we all know that means it must be true. Ebay never lies...right?

Seems the springs I got were spec'd for a CR......

IMO and all...but I wouldn't want .42s @ 165#.

Good fortune to 'ya!

Yea I ordered the .40's kg I will let you know how they are in a week or two.

Mr. Wibbens wrote: I always read that here and at that crappy okie site,

Okie site???? What site is that?

I believe it's DRN (god I hope I don't get banned for naming that "other" site )
Went there a few times just to make my own opinion ... well let's just say I don't go there no more! Lots of anger overthere, must be cuz they can't ride, don't know squat about dirt bikes and probably can't get laid!

scheckaet wrote:I believe it's DRN (god I hope I don't get banned for naming that "other" site )
Went there a few times just to make my own opinion ... well let's just say I don't go there no more! Lots of anger overthere, must be cuz they can't ride, don't know squat about dirt bikes and probably can't get laid!

Just remember that everybody is entitled to their own (wrong) opinion. Just like the song says "...you can speak your mind, But not on my time..."
Its just great that everybody here shares the same (right) opinions...

Its just great that everybody here shares the same (right) opinions...

'zactly!
(BTW WE know it all anyway )

edit: or is it just one person?

Is the owner of the site from OK or something? I'm trying to figure out the Okie connection. I know there used to be a kxrider.com site and that guy was from OK.

Whois says kdxrider.com is available. Okie is one of the SUPERmods..maybe the proprieter of at least part of DRN...where Dave Otteson's 'Canadian Dave' forum (JustKDX) was. Okie is the guys name...or nickname..although I do think he's in Oklahoma.

It used to be a good, informational site with intelligent useful information available from contributors that knew their stuff. It devolved into the nether-regions of crap with a lot of losers asking questions as:

..when you say a leak at your crank shaft, do you mean where the cylinder meets the block? Or were exactly could the crank shaft be leaking?

Yes. That is a quote...from someone professing expert knowledge of engines!!

Thanks to their (DRN) insufferable steenking attitudes...KDXRider.net was born. Now we all get to ride in-the-woods in harmony and much happiness!!

Re: '(BTW WE know it all anyway )

edit: or is it just one person?


Don't harsh my groove!!

Thanks to their (DRN) insufferable steenking attitudes...KDXRider.net was born

And I am so glad it did So some good can come out of a bad deal
(life gives you lemons, make lemonade! and if you have some tequila, you'll have somethin even better MARGARITA )

kxrider.com suddenly vanished one day. I was hoping for it to turn into a good source for KX65 info. Most of the guys on it were into KX500's.

I have been on DRN a couple times (via google) but like you said the info there was pretty un-informative.

[/hijack]

Apologies to N8.....

Back to springs....

You ordered them from RaceTech?


Unasked and probably unwarranted...but....
You've had your USDs apart before?

Watch that o-ring..and the specified length/distance the rod is threaded to.

Lo siento.

My '03 KX forks have the stock springs, or at least I think they are stock. They are what came in it when I bought them off you know where. I have friends with Honda CRF's and my springs seems softer than theirs.

I did my first fork rebuild (seals and bushings) this past weekend and it was really easy. There is a rockymountainmc video on youtube that shows you how.

Back to my springs, assuming they are stock, I like them a lot whatever they are. They are nice and plush. I don't get much air. I like them soft so they soak up all the rocks and ruts. I'm a big guy and don't bottom out much (of course I don't do double jumps either).

Yup Race Tech, $95 nope havent had them apart yet. But my friend will be doing them for me. Yes I will watch out for those things.