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So, I've ridden my 05 450x stock for a few years now and thought all was okay till the end of last season. I've advanced in my riding while friends with KTM's with worked suspensions remained untouchable- I can hang with them until it gets rough and they walk on me, i can see them glide while I fight to stay on my steed.

I've STFA already and have looked at the Factory Connection and Race Tech sites and I can't find any concrete answers. I'm 200 lbs. and 225 with gear, I ride trails aggressively, and suspension is a foreign language to me. What's the best budget way to tune my suspension for me? Race Tech's site says stock springs are perfect for my weight- anyone agree? I'm working on a budget, but if this suspension stuff is all it's cracked up to be I may take drastic measures to make my bike ride like others do.

TIA for the help!

first set race sag if u already didn't. then go to the clickers and play around with it. remember that sometimes stiffer is softer. also when was the last time your suspension was service? this could effect the performance too.[/quote]

1st thing I always do to my bikes break it in then send suspension in to FC. They really know their stuff. At 200lbs I think you need 1 rate heavier spring, but check with FC and the will tell you, either call or e-mail them. Also if you haven't serviced your suspension its past time. you should do this every 20-30 hrs of use. If you are from Denver area there are several quality shops that can do this if you don't feel comfy tearing into it. RDP, Neil Hitchcock both are great shops.

Hopefully you have some good tires. You can adjust the pressure of the tires to change handling. You can also slide the forks up in the triples a few mm or change the viscosity of the fork oil. If you haven't ever changed the fork oil - you should.

Good resource if you haven't noticed the sticky:
http://www.crfsonly.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13507

This is from Motorsports Tech Report. Should give you a good idea where to start. I haven't added the oil etc. Was able to get a good feel from playing with the clickers and adjusting the sag along with tire pressure.

Shock - Set rider sag at 100mm, rider with full riding gear on. http://www.shocktherapyracing.com/sagsettings.htm

Fork - Add 3cc of fork oil to each leg, this raises front end ride height.

You can add this fluid through the fork bleeder valve!
Check your manual for the proper weight oil.

Fork settings Compression (top): leave at stock setting (set at 14 clicks out) 14 clicks out is stock

Rebound (bottom): 1 click out (softer/faster) from stock (set at 8 out), if you don't like it try 7. 7 clicks out is stock
. . .
Shock settings Compression (top): 1 click in from stock (1 click +, more stiff)
- 1 click clockwise from stock punch marks. Our bike:
set at 8 out, 9 is stock.
Rebound (bottom): 1/2 to 1 click out from stock (-, more soft/faster)
1/2 to 1 click counter clockwise past punch marks.
Our bike felt dead in the back at one full click past stock and too fast a rebound (kicking in the back) at the stock setting. It felt nearly ideal at 1/2 turn softer than stock. Small adjustments make a huge difference on this bike - you can go 1/2 turns. Our bike:
set at 14 1/2 out, stock 14 out.
High speed compression: Leave stock Match marks
Shock setting notes: Do not use the number of clicks for the shock adjustment, instead make changes from stock position. All shocks are dyno tested and then set with punch marks for the correct stock position - the number of clicks may not match!!!
In is clockwise (full hard), out is counter clockwise (full soft).

Your results may vary