Stock Suspension for 210 pounder

[NorCal]

I'm looking at getting another used YZ and really wondering what the stock

suspension is like? Is it usable for my weight or should I plan on getting new springs

and a revalve?

I'm a solid B cross country rider and do partake in a bit of MX when I get a

chance.

[NorCal]

Another question is what are the main differences between the 2007 and

2008's? Is it worth paying the extra money for the newer model if I can find a

low hour 07 for cheap?

[ace402]

I'd get new springs at minimum if you could afford it and a revalve would be icing on the cake.

[StPeters21]

I'm 6'3" and 215. definitely new springs!!!! After that it's up to you. I choose to revalve with pro-action. It makes a huge difference.

[08YZ450Derek]

Go read the MXA review on the 08 YZ450. If its an 08 or 07 you want then the stock suspension will work for riders up to 200 pounds. You might want to stiffen it up a bit but If you are doing mostly off road I would save my money. Buy a exhaust for it first.

[NorCal]

Go read the MXA review on the 08 YZ450. If its an 08 or 07 you want then the stock suspension will work for riders up to 200 pounds. You might want to stiffen it up a bit but If you are doing mostly off road I would save my money. Buy a exhaust for it first.

Yeah...I could just drop ten pounds even though I'm really lean as it is. But I'm sure

I will put on another 10 pounds with gear and camel back....not to mention an

oversized tank.

[StPeters21]

Go read the MXA review on the 08 YZ450. If its an 08 or 07 you want then the stock suspension will work for riders up to 200 pounds. You might want to stiffen it up a bit but If you are doing mostly off road I would save my money. Buy a exhaust for it first.

?

That is way wrong! These bikes are too fast for the majority of people that ride them now. Even Showtime said that he couldn't use all the potential of a stock 450. Make the bike fit you and handle for you!!!! Most important thing you can do for a bike. It will make you go faster just by making it perform!?

[Wiz636]

I am 205 without gear and am running the stock springs with good success offroad.

[CDA]

I have an 07 and running stock suspension. I had the oil changed and run the So Cal deserts. I am 210 as well and the stock springs work pretty good for me. I am looking at get them valved at the end of this season though just because it will be time to go through them again.

[08YZ450Derek]

?

That is way wrong! These bikes are too fast for the majority of people that ride them now. Even Showtime said that he couldn't use all the potential of a stock 450. Make the bike fit you and handle for you!!!! Most important thing you can do for a bike. It will make you go faster just by making it perform!?

Why do you bang your head like that?

[NorCal]

I am 205 without gear and am running the stock springs with good success offroad.

How is it off big landings?

[mc1hd]

I'm 215lb without gear and was able to get the right sag and free sag measurements with the stock rear spring. Standard rear spring is rated at 5.5 and fronts are .469 . Have mostly been riding tracks and the suspension feels really good to me. Messed with the clickers and ended up going back to the stock settings for the most part. Overall I am really impressed with suspension for a stock bike unlike some of my Ktm's in the past.

[mc1hd]

Just checked out Race tech's spring calculator and they suggest for a 215lb. rider without gear and stock tank for mx (front .470kg springs and for the rear a 5.64kg spring) looks really close to the stock .469kg front and 5.5kg rear that came on the bike. I imagine after some time the stockers will sag to the point they will have to be replaced. This is the first Ti rear spring I have ever had, anyone know if they hold up any better than the steel aftermarket?

[StPeters21]

Why do you bang your head like that?

Cause its amazing how people arent very bright. They want to tell peiople to waste their money on exhaust, when that is the least important thing. IF any of you ever rode a suspension that was set up for you...You would be amazed. Don't go off a calculator...Go to someone that actually knows what they are talking about. The yz450 is actually set up for some one that is around 175. Buy a couple springs. Spend 150 bucks and set it up for you. You will be amazed on how the suspension soaks up bumps....jumps...and all kinds of things. The next thing you know. You are passing people that you could never keep up with. ?

[Wiz636]

How is it off big landings?

I run my clickers pretty soft most of the time (even all the way out if I am in tight tree-rooted trails) so when I land bigger flat landing type jumps it will definitely bottom out but it's not oo harsh. I also am running just 325 ml of oil in the outer chambers. I could easily change the bottoming characteristics of the forks by turning in the comp or adding some oil to the outer chambers (5-10ml)

All that said, I'm 205, at 215lbs I might be inclined to change springs.

[grayracer513]

Wiz's suspension has been re-worked a bit, and he's running 215.VM2.K5 fluid from Smart Performance, which makes a lot of difference.

The basic problem with running springs too light for your weight is first that the suspension rides too deep in the stroke to work at full effect, the rear sag is impossible to get right, and the damping has to be cranked up higher than normal to compensate for the weak springs.

I both yours and Wiz's case, you're pretty close to what's recommended as it is. In his case, he's running mostly off-road, enduro, hare & hound type events, for which suspension is usually set up a little softer than for MX. I've talked with some guys your size who ride MX and had gone to heavier springs, and they felt that it definitely improved the overall performance of the suspension. People say that about a lot of stuff, of course, even if it does nothing. But in principal, they are right. It's just such a small variance from the recommended that it makes it a tough call.

[NorCal]

Just checked out Race tech's spring calculator and they suggest for a 215lb. rider without gear and stock tank for mx (front .470kg springs and for the rear a 5.64kg spring) looks really close to the stock .469kg front and 5.5kg rear that came on the bike. I imagine after some time the stockers will sag to the point they will have to be replaced. This is the first Ti rear spring I have ever had, anyone know if they hold up any better than the steel aftermarket?

What year YZ are you talking about?

[08YZ450Derek]

Cause its amazing how people arent very bright. They want to tell peiople to waste their money on exhaust, when that is the least important thing. IF any of you ever rode a suspension that was set up for you...You would be amazed. Don't go off a calculator...Go to someone that actually knows what they are talking about. The yz450 is actually set up for some one that is around 175. Buy a couple springs. Spend 150 bucks and set it up for you. You will be amazed on how the suspension soaks up bumps....jumps...and all kinds of things. The next thing you know. You are passing people that you could never keep up with. ?

I am a 2 time Oregon State Champion (97,98), and I rode the CMC Trans Cal Series for a few years. I rode a CR500 and I was 16 and 17 years old when I won those classes. I guess you could say I am a true Open Class rider. I think I know a thing or 2 about setting up a bike. Especially only weighing 165 on that bike. Most people cannot even ride those bikes, and I won 2 Championships.Yeah, Its amazing how people are not that bright. I'll tell Jody Weisel that his 30+ years exp. testing motocross bikes for MXA is all wrong too.

[grayracer513]

What year YZ are you talking about?

I believe his is an '09.

[NorCal]

I am a 2 time Oregon State Champion (97,98), and I rode the CMC Trans Cal Series for a few years. I rode a CR500 and I was 16 and 17 years old when I won those classes. I guess you could say I am a true Open Class rider. I think I know a thing or 2 about setting up a bike. Especially only weighing 165 on that bike. Most people cannot even ride those bikes, and I won 2 Championships.Yeah, Its amazing how people are not that bright. I'll tell Jody Weisel that his 30+ years exp. testing motocross bikes for MXA is all wrong too.?

I think the argument is based upon the fact that the new shorty muffler sucks.

The bike has tons of power, but from what I have read and heard from numerous

riders is that swapping the stock muffler really opens up the '08. But what do

I know....

I believe his is an '09.

Which has the same springs as an '08?