Who does suspension set-up on dirt bikes?

Question

i have a new ktm dirt bike and i want to get my suspension

set-up for my body weight and hieght. i live in diamond bar

ca

Answer 1

http://www.brucessuspension.com/

This is a job you shoudld know how to do yourself.

Purchase a shop manual.

http://www.motocom.com/motorcycles/

Answer 2

it is really easy to set up the suspension on the new bikes. it all depends on your weight and riding style. if you are heavier, you may need stiffer springs. I recommend malcom smith motorsports out in riverside, ca. they are a ktm dealership.

if you dont need springs, try doing this. on the top and bottom of each fork you will see a small s***w looking type adjuster, it usually takes a flat headed screwdriver. turn it counter clockwise until it stops, then slowly turn it clockwise, counting the number of clicks it makes. newer bike usually have 21 point setting, meaning the fork will click 21 times before maxing out. if it is 21 or 19, etc, cut the number in half, and turn the s***w adjuster back that many times. do the same on the other fork, and on the bottom as well. this is the middle setting.

go out and ride, if the fork has too much compression, or is too stiff, back it off, or turn it counterclockwise. if it is too soft, turn it up, or clock wise. remember that the compression is on the top of the fork and the rebound is on the bottom. do the same for the rebound. if the fork is rebounding too slow or too fast, make the propre adjustments.

the rear shock is set up the same way. but first you need to set the static and race sag in the shock.

put the bike up on a stand so the rear tire doesnt hit theground. take a measurment from 2 fixed points, like the rear axle bolt and the seat bolt. record your answer. then take the bike off the ground, and in full riding gear, sit on the bike in a normal riding position. have a friend take a measurement between the same 2 fixed points. subtract the second number from the first, and you will have your sag measurement. normal sag is around 100 mm or just about 4 inches. if you have less than 4 inches sag, the rear spring is too stiff, and it needs to be loosened, if you have more than 4 inches of sag, the spring is too soft, and needs to be stiffened. tighten or loosen the spring tention adjuster and make more measurements until the correct reading is achieved.

once you have your sag set, on the resivoir of the shock there is another compression adjuster. do the exact same process as the forks. and there is also another adjuster on the bottom of the shock, do the same thing there as well.

go out and ride again, and follow the same steps as you did doing the front forks.

remember, what ever adjustments you made to the forks may have to be changed a little bit because of the rear shock not being set up. It will throw  it off just a little.

the best way to do this is to set your sag at home, then go out to a track or the desert, or your riding area, and take a screwdriver with you and make adjustments while you ride. this will help you make small adjustments while out riding to find the best set up for you, plus it makes it easier on you, because you dont have to keep comming back to the truck to find tools.

good luck on this, but be patient, it takes a while, but is well worth it in the long run.

Answer 3

Around here (western NY) you can go to the track on sunday and there is a really good trackside suspension guy there who will dial you in quickly for a good price. Take your bike to the next local MX and enjoy the races while the guy works on your bike. Not sure it's the same deal where you are but I would bet it is.

Answer 4

YOU set it up mate.

If you dont know which screws to turn, look in the owners manual.

Other then that, try your local race team or KTM dealer. The dealer should be able to give you the basic setting for your size. The fine set up is down to your riding style and the type of ground your riding on.

Hope that helps.