I was thinking about replacing the fork springs on my f4i, i hate how it dives so much when i hit the front brakes and they feel too squishy in general. Any recommendations on aftermarket ones? Also do i need a valve kit?

How about the rear, I don't notice it as much, but i'm sure it could be much better for not too much $$

I weigh 145lbs w/no gear

-David

 

Try adjusting your preload. Sounds like you may not have your sag set. At 145# I'd think the stock springs should be able to handle very well.

 

yup...save yo money...chain is right, stocker will work for up to 145 mang!

 

I turned up the pre-load the other day about 2 full turns and theres a pretty big difference, but i'd still like the front forks firmer, under load from braking they dive too much in my opinion. I'm gonna mess with them and the rear a little and see where i am.

Any recommendations on the dampening? I noticed stock they have pretty hard dampening according to the manual. Anyone who understands exaclty how the dampening effects the bike's handling care to explain how i would want it set?

-David

 

Basically damping keeps your tire in contact with the ground over bumps. The preload on the springs will determine how hard or soft the bike handles. Increasing the damping will in no way make the suspension stiffer -- it will only affect the rate at which the forks compress. I know that sounds like the same thing as stiffening the suspension but it isn't. If you crank up the damping all the way you'd restrict the flow of fork juice -- when ya hit a bump the forks can't compress quickly enough and can make the tire bounce. Let off the damping all the way and you'll absorb the hell outta bumps but you'll lose a lot of "feel".

I still think that properly set up the stock springs should be fine for your weight. Have they ever bottomed out in a curve?

 

Gotta agree, find the stock settings then work from there. Have a read then try a few settings, www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0006_susp/ gotta be worth the time to save time and money changing fork oil or else.

 

Thanks, i understand that the dampening doesnt effect the stiffness, i was just wondering how they effect the bikes handling and i noticed they are set fairly hard. I dont think i will be messing with the dampening, seeing as i dont fully understand how i would want it set. So far i dont think the tire has been bouncing and its not using up all the suspension over lots of bumps, so it should be good.

Never bottomed out in a curve but i do feel they could have had better feel during corners and braking, so thats why i was thinking about changing them.

When this rain stops im gonna try and find a setting that feels good.

That website looks really helpful.

-David