How do i tune my suspension for better performance?

Question

i have a 2006 YZ125. i dont race, but i ride a variety of different scenarios, mostly very rough trails in the woods and some back yard tracks. i love jumping and there is a problem i am having and i think it is suspension. when i see a nice jump i can jump a low speeds in first or second gear if i hit the jump too fast i end up over my handle bars. why is that happening? if i roll upto the jump and gas it half way off the jump i can jump level but i dont get the height or distance. on the trails i feel like my suspension is way to stiff and it deflects back off of the terrain making it very hard to ride at a fast speed. takes more energy than it should to ride. i am currently 14 clicks out on the front forks with factory oil volume. i dont know where my rear shock is set but i did make it softer by 2 clicks from the way i bought it. i am 232 pounds. please advise of how to set my suspension to get the best of both worlds fast trail riding with smooth handling and less strain + jumping

Answer 1

Well for starters your spring rate is way off unless you have changed the springs. If you really want your suspension to be right you need to send it off and let a real suspension guy set it up for you. It is the best money you can spend on an off road race bike. I really like Total Control (one of my sponsors), and they are much cheaper than Pro Circuit and some of the other guys. Basically you will give them your weight, riding ability and what type of terrain you ride most. It is just amazing what a good professional suspension setup will do for your riding. You will never get your suspension even close to being right with the stock spring rates. If you don't want to spend the bucks you could start by checking out this video, but like I said, until you change the springs it will be all screwed up. If you set the race sag with those springs your static sag will be way off and you will always be in the wrong stroke on the suspension.

http://www.motocross.com/videos/v/200711...

http://www.totalcontrolsuspension.com/