Suspenders

Taking off Monday for a 7 day ride. Bar10 and north, tagging along with a group from Coronado. Hmm never thought of it but are those guys from Coronado kinda like Mr Howell from Gilligan's Island. If Mr. Howell rode a motorcycle what would he ride?

Alpine has Allan fox. My customers tell me that he is really good at jetting. He has many Baja championships on his tunes. He has a website. While your in wonderful Alpine come spend some money over here!

There are very few product testers as good as Ken. He is an animal on seals and more. We tried the SKF scrapers, he ripped them off repeatedly. We tried fork skins and they were chewed up and spit out in a couple weeks looking like the dog at them. Even his fork tubes take a beating. I think he coats his fork tubes with mud prior to each ride, just because he like playing with mud. I was on the fence regarding fork seal skins, savers or whatever you want to call them. They often are not maintained by cleaning them, they wear out in short order and they are far tighter than they should be. With Kenny's help we are successfully addressing each of these issues. Kepple is running a set on the 500xc-w, he likes them and they are lasting. Kepple rides like the wind whereas Ken rides like ______________. Fill in the blank Thank you Ken you are really doing me quite a favor, and your seals are going to last long long time now.

He took 12th place Saturday night EnduroCross Sacramento and 6th in pro2 and I think 15th overall Sunday Worc's race Glen Helen.

Thanks, much appreciated. Thinking about going to Glen Helen to see an Alpine rider Noah Kepple race the Worcs race this Sunday. He is racing the pro class in EnduroCross Saturday in Sacramento then driving overnight to the Glen to do the worcs race. I think he is shooting for a top five, tired or not as we have hit a sweet spot on the KTM 500.

Why do BMW riders have such good posture? Is it the seat? Maybe the handlebar, seat and foot peg positioning? Is it the BMW riders themselves? I have ridden the 1200 GS for an hour or so and forgot to note my posture. Hmm? Unbeknownst to me, did I have good posture? I know when I am on the KTM my posture is bad.

Boinger monkey at that? In this new age of political correctness I am waiting for the media to pick up on this.

Good stuff!

I was wondering what direction this thread would take. Would it stay positive and informative as intended? NO I am now a Monkey!

I would start with just a set of fork springs for the most bang for the buck. 1300 miles on that type of fork there is no need to service anything as of yet. 162.5 lbs plus 25lbs for gear you are just knocking on the door to 200lbs plus large tank. For desert riding, hitting whoops and going a little faster than you should I would go .48 fork springs. For more single track, slower riding, rocky sections etc. I would go .46 Both springs will be more plush and better handling than what you have. Spring set in Eibach or better runs $115 plus install on that fork is pretty easy and fast. Just a matter of setting the pre-load on the spring depending on which you decide on. Then if you want to take it to the next level it can be done when the bike is ready for service. The bike can be made into a really good all around bike but do not expect to turn it into an mx bike. Big improvements yes motocross no!

Thank you guys for the kind words. So Bluhdow without gear your about 150 to 155lbs? Do you have an oversized gas tank? Any other weight additions? Riding how long? How long has it been since your suspension has been serviced. It is kinda like changing the oil in your engine, your suspension needs oil changes too. Do you have any racing in your past. Kinda need to know how aggressive / fast you are. Stiffer springs if needed, benefits outweigh the negatives by a margin. Then we can estimate your costs. 619 997-5193 suspension101@cox.net

Thanks for the props Bagstr. I enjoyed your company.

WR is actually ready Trophy Hunter

Keep this in mind. The fork lugs on the WR have the same threads as the KTM. Hmmm I should go outside and compare the outer tubes to see if they are the same, just for the heck of it.

Having fun I took a new set of air suspension off and I put a set of used 2012 production spring suspension on. Our valving, and I put it on a multi time, national MX champs play bike. He was skeptical, but he did me the favor of testing it. He calls about three weeks later and kept me on the phone for a time. It actually saved him from getting off, hard. They expected a bent rim from the 10" rock he hit while having visibility issues (another story) but it was not bent. hmm This prompted several other pro's to give the bike a ride and they all liked it, a lot. He now ordered another bike with factory suspension so he can compare the two suspensions back to back. They are so busy with the season in full swing it has been weeks but we wait patiently for them to get the time to do another test. My partner is simply genius and nuts, as the design he sent me had some untried tech. Not far from our norm but still, without testing? I would give names of the pro's but we have not even talked about roles and involvement, and I do not want to be disrespectful. So those customers that know please do not post names! Will this amount to anything substantial? Who knows as it is pretty hard to protect and some are already copying. But we are enjoying the ride!

That is cheap. If that includes the compression valves he is the man to use! I think Race Tech is charging over $500 for all the parts including compression valves. Been threatening to build a set of open bath KYB forks and putting ktm lugs on them for Noah Kepple. We are currently using closed chamber WP's on the EnduroCross bike and open bath WP on the Worcs bike.

Is Ty making the fork an open bath? We spent a week or two on the fork recently and have come to a good conclusion without the compression valves. We have gone the route of open bath as it gets rid of so many issues, but the fork can be set up either way. What is the cost for Ty's set up? For a high level rider I would still prefer to have the additional adjustment of the compression valve. We just needed to get a good set up for our weekend warrior customers without emptying the coffers. In original form the fork compression adjuster has a large effect on rebound and visa versa. The fork can be made good but air fork is coming and the fork may just get phased out early in its production.

Thank you Ken for not taking me on any black diamond trails while on the 990. I know the guys were capable of some more intense terrain so I thank you all for a Great ride! When I got home the bike was clean, my boots were clean. Heck I think even my underwear are clean, maybe I will just put them back into the drawer. Shower? Already had one thank you!

Thank you for your service!! Get in touch and for 9 months of service you get springs at cost! I may double the rest of the costs but that is what I do to all the guys on this forum. Seriously call and or drop by on the way out to ride as I am in Alpine, we will set your sag. And for real springs will be at my cost. Least we can do!

NOT! I never said a word about the value of the bike. Just said it would cost some firewood and a pelt. By the way didn't Fred Flintstone ride a KLR? Any relation Dan Diego.

Seems half the fun for you, being the engineer that you are, is making it "that good". Good on ya Robert! Next service is on me for not nailing your first re-do on the 4cs.

It was a great group. Thanks Bikeslut for the introductions! Bugged out early and did not get a chance to say adios. Next time I will take you up on it Nantista and give your bike a test ride!

Ken, Stop riding with the cast!

Guess I should put the paddle tire on then. More work!

Hmm 250 yz stock tank or XR650 with big tank?