Advice on my 2011 yz450f suspension for desert riding.

[onelik]

So I bought a 2011 yz450f and so far I put a yosh pipe rs-4 and a k&n filter and the bike rips hard. I love the bike but at the same time it needs suspension work I ride desert and I hit jumps here and there but I noticed that it's bottoming out when I jump. I weight 230 and I've adjusted the rebound to see how the suspension acts but still feels the same when jumping. Seems like I'm going to have to take it to a local shop here that does suspension work but I really dnt wanna break my bank on suspension. Does anyone have any suggestions on how NOT to break my bank on suspension work. Is the stock suspension made for smaller riders? Or can I do something to the stock suspension to withstand my weight? Any advice will help.

[grayracer513]

The first most obvious thing is that you are about 40-50 pounds heavier than the rider the bike was built for (the target range is 170-190, more or less), so the first thing you need to do is change your springs, front and rear. Once you've done that, you may find that the suspension suits your needs without further modification. Although the fact is that it can be improved, you may be happy with it at that point, but until the springs are matched to your weight, it will never work right.

[josh8811]

agree.. Start with springs..

THe K&N is a great way to suck dirt..

[onelik]

The first most obvious thing is that you are about 40-50 pounds heavier than the rider the bike was built for (the target range is 170-190, more or less), so the first thing you need to do is change your springs, front and rear. Once you've done that, you may find that the suspension suits your needs without further modification. Although the fact is that it can be improved, you may be happy with it at that point, but until the springs are matched to your weight, it will never work right.

So I would have to buy the springs and than do a revalve? What's the worst that can happen to the suspension if I keep riding the bike as is until I get the money to do the work?

[grayracer513]

As I said, you may not have to do a revalve, but you do have to have the right springs, so start with that.

The worst that could happen is that something would break. Try to avoid bottoming it out until you get the springs.

[YamaLink]

As others have stated, you are too muscular for the stock springs. What will happen if you keep riding it as is?

You will not be able to achieve proper sag.

Your bike will bottom violently (this you know).

The bike will understeer.

It will ride more harshly on all bumps, even the small ones, because the linkage and springs are in the more advanced stages of progression/travel.

Not setting sag and not being properly sprung on a highend machine like your YZF is like buying a pair of boots or shoes......and not tying the laces. Then you wonder why blisters and injuries happen. Or keeping the driver's seat mis-adjsusted. You can still drive the truck but it is nowhere near as efficient as intended.

All the trick parts and motor work are for naught if the suspension cannot efficiently propel bike and rider forward.

[galligar]

My weight is close to yours ,I run 6.3 rear spring ,.50 front

[onelik]

My weight is close to yours ,I run 6.3 rear spring ,.50 front

How does your suspension feel now compared to stock? What kind of springs did I buy?

[FORMA MOTO]

agree.. Start with springs..

THe K&N is a great way to suck dirt..

+1!

[onelik]

+1!

Not if your leading the pack it won't suck in dirt. Plus there are many riders that like j.s that cut holes on there shrouds for more air explain that.

[grayracer513]

Not if your leading the pack it won't suck in dirt. Plus there are many riders that like j.s that cut holes on there shrouds for more air explain that.

• Stewart rides in an essentially dust free environment, so it absolutely does not relate in any way to desert racing.
  
• The presence or absence of extra holes in the shrouds have nothing to do with the fundamental inferiority of gauze type air filters such as the K&N.
  
• Nobody has ever lead the pack wire-to-wire in every desert race all year long, and even if they did, the leaders start lapping the slowest riders at about the half way point. Didn't think of that, eh?
  

Gauze element air filters absolutely cannot filter fine dust over an extended period in an extreme environment like most desert conditions. That's a fact.

[FORMA MOTO]

Not if your leading the pack it won't suck in dirt. Plus there are many riders that like j.s that cut holes on there shrouds for more air explain that.

K&N filters pass large sized particles of dirt right through the filter, and become restrictive almost immediately after getting dirty.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Opening the shrouds is to get more are into the airbox, but it still has to go through a filter.

[galligar]

Better,oem

[onelik]

• Stewart rides in an essentially dust free environment, so it absolutely does not relate in any way to desert racing.
  
• The presence or absence of extra holes in the shrouds have nothing to do with the fundamental inferiority of gauze type air filters such as the K&N.
  
• Nobody has ever lead the pack wire-to-wire in every desert race all year long, and even if they did, the leaders start lapping the slowest riders at about the half way point. Didn't think of that, eh?
  

Gauze element air filters absolutely cannot filter fine dust over an extended period in an extreme environment like most desert conditions. That's a fact.

Dust free environment your a funny dude. Dude I was talking about me leading the pack over my buddy's. when I ride I stay in the front them all of the time and I do know that in most races u will eventually pass people up if your a super fast rider like j.s or you'll get passed up if your a slow rider duh . I know so people that use k&n filters and never had issues with there bikes I hear nothing but good things about k&n on websites on you tube and even some local mechanics recommend them.

[2grimjim]

Not if your leading the pack it won't suck in dirt. Plus there are many riders that like j.s that cut holes on there shrouds for more air explain that.

Simple explanation; they've never had to cross a creek with water above the cases.

Agree on the K&N. Great for performance (unless you over oil them and have a mass air meter downstrean), horrible at stopping encroachment of dirt into your engine.

[onelik]

K&N filters pass large sized particles of dirt right through the filter, and become restrictive almost immediately after getting dirty.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Opening the shrouds is to get more are into the airbox, but it still has to go through a filter.

People that cut holes or buy shrouds with holes might as well install a k&n filter without the holes on the shrouds that's all I was saying. The concept of k&n if more air flow the concept of holes is more air flow

http://www.knfilters.com/video/psjump.htm

Also look on multiple sites like rocky mountain atv or Dennis Kirk ETC. read the customers reviews on rocky mountain atv they have over 200 customer reviews and 90+% of Reccomend them.