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05 YZ 250 Suspension help

By tommason1968,
in Yamaha 2 Stroke

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Grand Master

awya14

Posted
Posted

Im just learning how to adjust mine also..(my bro helped me set my sag)with the bike set up for a 180lb guy and me 210 ..I had to make some changes...rough bumpy tracks where good ...it ate all the bumps up but found my self bottomed out everywhere

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c54/awya14/bottomout.jpg

so I started by stiffining the comp..slot screws on the top of the fork..three turns at a time<h...s>you can feel the clicks...then under the linkage there is another screw H/S

do the same ...Its really hard to determine whats good for the individual..but I found today ...hard front and semi hard rear really made a big difference for handleing...problem is there are so mary adjustments ..I havent even begun to get it 100%...and whats good on a rather flat but fast course may not be so good for sand or tracks with lots of jumps ...I guess what Im sayin is ...it depends what and where your ridein ...I know I will be adjusting mine for each track I hit ..cause they are all different!!!good luck ..and try the suspen forum ...they may expain it differently

this is set stiffer..but landing really hard,3rd pinned/8ft ^and 90ft>and sill bottomed

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c54/awya14/DSC02016.jpg

before I had touched any adjustments this would have killed ...

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Collaborator

Yz4-me

Posted
Posted

counter-clockwise is softer... clockwise is stiffer... I dont know if the stock settings matter to much you should play with the compression and rebound going atleast 3 clicks at a time to see if its getting better or worse depending on your preferences. oh yeah and compression will be on top... while the rebound will be on the bottom... your manual will tell you all this

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Grand Master

radsdad

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Out is counterclockwise. Turning the rebound screw clockwise will slow the rebound and make the bike come up slower. As long as you dont tighten the adjustment screws, you cant really hurt anything, so play with them and see what you like.

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Grand Master

bikedude127

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Tom,

Most guys will only use the stock settings as a base line, somewhere to start. Once there, you can make small adjustments, ONE AT A TIME until you get what you want. Important to only do one adj. at a time, this way you know which adj. helped which problem. On the 05 YZ, the compression is on the top on the forks and on the shock. The rebound adj. are on the bottoms. There is also a high speed compression adj. on the top of the shock. (17mm nut)

Set up.

Id first be sure to set your sag. You want roughly (with rider and gear) 100-105 mm. Mine is set at about 4 inches, give or take. My next stop is the high speed adj. on the shock. Turn it all the way in, then back out 1.5 turns. Low speed comp adj. next (slot screw in nut on shock), turn it in 'til it stops but dont overtighten. Back it out 12 clicks. Do the same on the forks, snug the screws down, then back out 12 clicks.

With the rebound, the same process applies. Turn your clickers in then back em out about 12 clicks. NOTE: Ive read that the 05 YZ forks had a pretty slow rebound set up. I run my forks at about 15-16 clicks out to combat head shake. These are just suggestions to get you started.

Good Luck.

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Grand Master

Satch0922

Posted
Posted

Here is a post I did on ATM regarding my 05 Forks. May be getting way ahead of where your at but figured I would share:

I posted this here because most of the AOSS forks are on the 05 YZ's. I just did a third rebuild on the forks. The forks have been revalved but had become a mess! This is what I learned after doing the rebuild. Some of it you already know .....some you may not.

1. The AOSS forks are a bear to bleed and purge the air out of them. There is s a method that works....but you must be patient and if you "think" you messed up....do it again. Here is the method that works:

"I have had luck with bleeding the inner chamber of the Kayaba fork by filling and bleeding the cartridge and piston rod, then installing the base valve ass'y (with the pre-load increased) just deep enough to squirt oil out of the side holes. Then I put the whole cartridge in a vise at about a 60 degree angle with the hole in the cartridge tank up. I push against the base valve while compressing the piston rod slowly.

There will be a "farting" sound as the air trapped beneath the free piston cavity escapes because of the angle the cartridge is at. I slowly stroke the piston rod up and down a few times until I compress it to a little before full stroke. Then I extend the rod and screw in the base valve. When done properly, this is the best way I've found to bleed the air out and have a fully extended rod after bleeding it and charging the rod full stroke...}"

2. These forks demand maintanence. I am convinced that air (maybe air bubbles trapped in the oil?) builds up in the inner chamber or perhaps the oil in the inner chamber just breaks down fast. I am no expert but I can tell you that an oil change does wonders for these forks....I think the interval at which they are changed is more critical than the "old" style KYB forks.

3. I experimented with Mobil 1 Synthetic Trans Fluid in the forks. BigM told me that this was the new thing and you guys know me......I had to try it. I am happy to say that it works GREAT! After the rebuild I set all the clickers to the stock settings so I could dial it in. I knew it would be different with differnt fluid. All I can say is the Mobil 1 SATF allowed me to back out on the compression giving a plush feel (plush for me ) and I had to go stiffer by two clicks on the rebound. Bottom line....I LIKE THIS FLUID!

4. The only other change was to add preload spacers on the base valve. This increases the preload and helps keep the forks from blowing through the stroke as fast. I felt the bike was more stable and also helps the forks feel more plush (as they are not hanging as far down in the stroke). It had no adverse affects on cornering.

Sorry for the long winded post. The 05 forks can be made to be pretty good. Yeah their not the 06 SSS forks but they are pretty darn good.

__________________

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Apprentice

mucky

Posted
Posted

I would appreciate any help that you might be able to give.

I am in my late 40's and just bought a 06 yz250 for woods riding. I was previously riding a 01 cr250.

I am sorry to be the wet blanket, but this bike sucks (imho)

The seat is hard as a rock, the suspension is so unresponsive at woods speed that I am scared to ride it, the front end washes out whenever it pleases, the rear never feels "hooked up". I have made numerous suspension adjustments and while I have only a few hours on the bike, I really really am considering selling it.

All I heard about the suspension was how great it was, I realize I am old and compared to most of you guys probably pretty slow but, I have owned about 7 other bikes and never, ever had this much trouble getting used to a bike.

What the heck am I doing wrong

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Experienced

dunecj2a

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Posted
I would appreciate any help that you might be able to give.

I am in my late 40's and just bought a 06 yz250 for woods riding. I was previously riding a 01 cr250.

I am sorry to be the wet blanket, but this bike sucks (imho)

The seat is hard as a rock, the suspension is so unresponsive at woods speed that I am scared to ride it, the front end washes out whenever it pleases, the rear never feels "hooked up". I have made numerous suspension adjustments and while I have only a few hours on the bike, I really really am considering selling it.

All I heard about the suspension was how great it was, I realize I am old and compared to most of you guys probably pretty slow but, I have owned about 7 other bikes and never, ever had this much trouble getting used to a bike.

What the heck am I doing wrong

Well something is wrong for sure, this is absolutely one of the best suspended

MX bikes out of the crate. One thing to point out is that it was designed and targeted for Motocross. It can be used as an all around weapon of choice, but it wasn't specifically engineered or designed for trails. What were the 7 other bikes? If they were trail machines like WR's, DRZ's or older 250 smokers than the 06 YZ is definately gonna be a handful on a trail. The Aluminum frame is also gonna make it feel stiffer.

The front end washing out and rear not hooking up is not the fault of the bike. It has to be set up properly. 06 forks are super responsive but need to be adjusted right. Sounds to me like you gotta set your sag, soften up your compression and slow down your rebound. If your rear isn't hookin up because of wheel spin then try some flywheel weights, or get a bottom end pipe. FMF makes a wide variety. Tryin stuffin your forks up in the clamps 10mm, since your in the woods I'm guessin high speed stability in whoops won't be an issue. That will help your front wheel stick.

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Apprentice

mucky

Posted
Posted

thanks for the responses, I will try some of the settings before I give up on it for good.

The other bikes were: Yamaha xt 225 (don't laugh), KDX 200, WR 250 (2 stroke), CR125, xr400, cr250 oopps thats only 6 wait, there was also a ke100 and a xl500 so thats 8.

My point is, I have ridden the previously mentioned bikes, my sons bikes, my friends bikes, and NEVER encountered a bike that is PI....ing me off like this.

I realize that this is probably a great bike for a better rider than me. I am not all that fast, ( when I race hare scrambles I usually finish in the bottom of the top half of the senior 2 class) but I have fun and have never finished last.

This bike so far scares the bejesus out of me, I have no confidence in it at all, and the last thing I need at my age is a bike that makes me slower than I already am.

I currently have the forks at : Comp 16 out, rebound 8 out the shock is 1 click from full soft on compresion (the small adjuster) and I went in about 2 flats on the big nut. The shock rebound is currently 5 clicks in from standard. I have not set the race sag.

I am 5'11'' 185 (without riding gear). Oh, I also switched to 773's front and rear.

I really want to like this bike, (so my wife doesn't kill me for spending the $) but so far ........

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Rising Star

bosshogg

Posted
Posted
I would appreciate any help that you might be able to give.

I am in my late 40's and just bought a 06 yz250 for woods riding. I was previously riding a 01 cr250.

I am sorry to be the wet blanket, but this bike sucks (imho)

The seat is hard as a rock, the suspension is so unresponsive at woods speed that I am scared to ride it, the front end washes out whenever it pleases, the rear never feels "hooked up". I have made numerous suspension adjustments and while I have only a few hours on the bike, I really really am considering selling it.

All I heard about the suspension was how great it was, I realize I am old and compared to most of you guys probably pretty slow but, I have owned about 7 other bikes and never, ever had this much trouble getting used to a bike.

What the heck am I doing wrong

Mucky, no offense intended, but I think you bought the wrong bike for your riding style and preferences. You purchased an all-out MX machine. Based upon your post, you may have done better with a WR250/450 or a KTM400. Those would provide you a mellower power delivery, suspension, and a softer seat. All that will definitely help you feel more "hooked up". Most of your prior bikes were cruisers, fun for all day riding, or cruising the trails. The YZ is a purpose built, no frills, MX racer. Yes, it can be a great woods bike, but off the showroom floor, it isn't.

I have the 05, I'm 33 and it was my first bike. The first couple of times out, it was very taxing, and the bike sort of had a mind of it's own. One year later, I can ride it much harder, it feels a lot better, and is much more fun. Sure, I can hop on my bro's WR450 and it feels great for an afternoon of trail riding. But I wanted the abrasiveness of the YZ, so I learned through it.

You need to make a decision one way or the other. Learn to ride this bike for the exciting machine it is, or cut your losses, and choose a friendlier bike.

But one thing there is no arguing about, that bike does not suck.

Best of luck to you. :ride:

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Grand Master

bikedude127

Posted
Posted
*snip*

I have the 05, I'm 33 and it was my first bike. The first couple of times out, it was very taxing, and the bike sort of had a mind of it's own. One year later, I can ride it much harder, it feels a lot better, and is much more fun. Sure, I can hop on my bro's WR450 and it feels great for an afternoon of trail riding. But I wanted the abrasiveness of the YZ, so I learned through it.

*snip*

But one thing there is no arguing about, that bike does not suck.

Best of luck to you. :ride:

Agreed. My first several rides on my 05 were very unpredictable. The suspension was simply too slow. Way too stiff in the rear, front was way slow on the rebound and cause some spooky ooky head shake. A year and a half later and about 700.00 into suspension I cant love this bike any better. Hook up is four stroke ish, front end is stuck like slicks on pavement and the power just gets more usable as I get seat time. Bottom line, the 05 is awesome, the 06 is the shit. Just be patient Mucky, OR spend a few 100 bones and get a revalve and maybe springs. You CAN love this bike.. Trust us

:banana:

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Butta

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Posted
Try a flywheel weight. Pull the forks up in the clamps. Get Better tires.

I'll agree with the FFW and pulling the forks up, but the D773's are rock solid tires for the soft stuff.

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  • 2 months later...
Proficient

Yroc

Posted
Posted

Can the outer chamber oil be changed by draining it through the bleeder screw at the top of the forks? Or does that top have to be removed? I've never done anything with forks (except '84 CR80 forks for my XR conversion), and hope that I can change this oil from the stock stuff easily.

Thanks.

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  • 1 month later...

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