I admit it, I'm fat! I weigh in at around 200 lb give or take a couple. How much does the stock front end sack out under that kind of weight? About what measured length might the preloaded stock shock spring measure in?

I ask because it dawned on me that the suspension on my bike, bought used, doesn't really seem that soft. I cannot remember bottoming any time and it seems like the sag is probably close to right, although I've not checked. I'm kind of wondering if at least the springs have been swapped out. It seems a mystery to me. Two owners back the guy swapped out bars, had two sets of wheels, but oddly enough the carb/air box was box stock -aka lean as lean can be and still run.

Anyone got any thoughts on the topic? Well other than agreeing I'm fat.

 

Sorry brother, I didn't measure anything with the stock springs installed. I can tell you that the forks sucked under 235lbs. I think the only real way to get an idea if you are in the ballpark is to measure your race and static sag. I just changed springs and was in the manual, so I know the '09+ spec for spring preload range is 101-123mm (107mm stock) from the center of the upper mount to the top surface of the spring....

PS: I prefer the moniker "Clydesdale"

 

Mark - I've been from around 205 to 225 lbs since having the KLX. The stock fork springs were noticeably soft, even for me as a novice dirt rider. Anything big and they would bottom or come close, and would pack up quick in a set of whoops. I didn't really try to check sag on the forks. Checking sag on the shock was easy with a buddy helping out. Checking spring weight involved first setting the rider/race sag, IIRC this was about 1/3 of travel, then check static which should be about 10% of travel when the spring weight was correct.

 

I wondered if the front really sunk down, like a couple inches, if the springs were stock.

 

If possible please can you add some figures (front and rear) for free and rider sag?

 

I may be able to, but I wasn't really looking for set up, I was looking for a quick way to tell if the OEM springs are still in the fork. Is it even possible to get correct sag with OEM springs and a 200 lb rider?

 

Thanks but was asking IDRIDR.

 

If a previous owner fab'd up some preload spacers you might appear to have good ride height, but still be under sprung and mushy.

 

I'm guessing that you give your best stab at measuring rider and static sag. When I tried, the measurements varied quite a bit due to stiction. I also didn't put too much effort into stock efforts because I knew they were soft stock ones going away.

Would part 3 of this help? http://web.archive.org/web/201309070...on.com/kb1.htm

 

Look at part 10, Helpful Tools, for an idea. I've seen better, but don't have at my fingertips.
This is a great tutorial. Study it.

http://web.archive.org/web/201309070...on.com/kb1.htm