Suspension upgrades?

[ebutner]

2005 WR 450... Any input on upgrades to the suspension both front and rear. HD off roading sand/rocks/long distance.... ect. No track racing. Tons of woopps in my area. Thanks in advance.

Eric

[kskyles]

depends on your weight.

most guys who weigh more than 170lbs will get heavier springs for the forks and shock. some guys get different weights of oil.

[geoffro]

If you are not over 200lbs and dont do any MX, the stock suspension is not bad(when set up right). Also depends on your skill level as well,anyone slower than an A class rider will not ride the bike to its potential.I have owened +- 25 Mx and offroad bikes and rate my stock WR suspension as great.Just make sure the basics are covered before spending big bucks(new oil,sag etc set right,correct spring etc)

[Just_a_trail_rider]

2005 WR 450... Any input on upgrades to the suspension both front and rear. HD off roading sand/rocks/long distance.... ect. No track racing. Tons of woopps in my area. Thanks in advance.

Eric

You can get by with new springs if you need them. Go to www.racetech.com and figure out if you need them. Put them in yourself to save time.

The most important thing will be to learn about how the suspension really works. That way, you can post informed questions on TT and get the good advice that you need.

Do not pay for an expensive suspension until you learn more about it.

[ebutner]

You can get by with new springs if you need them. Go to www.racetech.com and figure out if you need them. Put them in yourself to save time.

The most important thing will be to learn about how the suspension really works. That way, you can post informed questions on TT and get the good advice that you need.

Do not pay for an expensive suspension until you learn more about it.

I appreciate your input. I'll check out that site and see what, if anyting, is needed and go from there.

Eric

[starfish]

Just my two cents. I have 07 wr 450, i have done hand., radiator, rotor, caliper, master cylinder guards etc.......all the things to make it survive. I also did after market front and rear springs. I even played with oil heights in the fork.

But hands down the best money spent was having the fork and shock revalved last week. The bike feels 20 pounds lighter. It admazing what a difference it makes. I would not have believed my self...

[KennyMc]

Just my two cents. I have 07 wr 450, i have done hand., radiator, rotor, caliper, master cylinder guards etc.......all the things to make it survive. I also did after market front and rear springs. I even played with oil heights in the fork.

But hands down the best money spent was having the fork and shock revalved last week. The bike feels 20 pounds lighter. It admazing what a difference it makes. I would not have believed my self...

Who did you end up going with and what valving did they use?

[geoffro]

Just a genuine question(not being sarcastic), why revalve WR suspension when it is designed for woods/desert etc. I can understand springs for different weight people.

[WR_Dave]

My suspension always needs springs ( fat ba$tard), but the '07 needs valving in my opinion. The stock valving is way too harsh. By harsh I mean that it will allow alot of oil to pass through the valving initially and then the washers will basically shut off the oil flow and the front end will then skip sideways off of roots, rocks and any sharp edged bumps as it is basicaly solid at that point. After valving my bike ( pro-action) the front end is much more plush and it no longer does that annoying sideways bounce off of trail junk. I'm not convinced that I needed to do the shock valving , but it's done and it works how I like it to so no harm in doing it except to the wallet. Springs for your weight are required and I think that these bikes need better valving in the forks anyway. My .02 -- WR Dave.

[grayracer513]

Just a genuine question(not being sarcastic), why revalve WR suspension when it is designed for woods/desert etc. ?

Have you ever ridden one that was revalved? If you had, and it was a truly good job, you'd know.

The Phase 4 fork from Smart Performance is the ultimate in single chamber KYB forks, like those on the WR. Some have said that the Phase 4 is equal to or better than the Showas on a CRF. Dave Johnson is more than a tinkerer who decided to fiddle with suspension for a living. He's more like a mad scientist, and his customer service is great.

http://www.smartperformanceinc.com/PHASE4KYBUSD4648.html

http://www.smartperformanceinc.com/

[starfish]

First of all if you race a wr then its a race bike. I found no matter what i did to the forks they where harsh on small stuff and bottomed out on jumps.

Now they are supple over roots and rocks. No more bottoming out on medium to large jumps. The rear seemed ok to me stock but the suspension guy did both ends. Now its even better. When landing crossed up going into a corner it sticks like glue. The best thing is how stable it feels sliding around 4 and 5 gear fire road corners on gravel. Sorry i do know actually what he used for parts.

How many guys have high dollar exhaust but won't spend a cent to actually put that power to the ground. jim

[Jeff_Steckline]

Just a genuine question(not being sarcastic), why revalve WR suspension when it is designed for woods/desert etc. I can understand springs for different weight people.

It depends on what level you ride/race in the woods/desert. If your a "A" rider, over 170 pounds forget it, the suspension sucks. I agree that you should first understand how a suspension works, set your sag, play w/your oil, etc. after that if your suspension is still not giving you what you deserve, call Factory Connection and tell them Jeff S sent you. It's the biggest improvment you can do to your bike, period. Jeff S