As you know, there's a lot more customization that goes on with a dirt bike than a pocket rocket. Why? The riding conditions are different and if you want to be competitive, your bike has to fit you like a glove. One of the first things to tweak is the suspension. Right out of the box your bike's compression clickers and the rebound setting might be set anywhere.
The best place to start is to set these two settings in whatever the manufacturer recommends as "standard". This is a good starting point. If no setting is recommended, just choose a middle setting. This is what an average might employ.
The rear spring may or may not be right for you. Did you buy your bike second hand? In that case, it might not be standard for you model; the former owner might have customized it. Take it for a test ride. Does it feel right for you? If so, you're on the right track. Otherwise, before you start tuning the suspension to your liking you might want to consider installing the standard spring.
You'll want to set your rear shock's static sag. Follow these steps to configure the preload:
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Locate the locking ring and loosen it.
- Adjust the main ring to adjust the shock's preload.
- With the bike elevated so that the back wheel is not in contact with the ground, take a measurement from your axle nut to a reference point on the bike somewhere above it.
- Now set the bike back on the ground.
- Measure the distance between the axle nut and the reference point.
- Subtract one measurement from the other.
- Adjust the ring until the difference is about 25mm of sag.
Now it's time to set what's called the laden sag or racing sag:
- Stand the bike it an upright position and write down the vertical height.
- Put on all your race battle gear and assume your best attack position on the bike.
- Have a friend take the measurement now on the fully loaded bike.
- Do the math again as before. Now adjust the preload again to get it between 90mm and 110mm.
Going through these set-up routines might seem to be a hassle but they are worth the effort. No factory setting is going to satisfy every motocross racer. If you've been in the game for any time at all, you know that the devil is in the details. Who can afford to throw away even the tiniest of advantages?