I have a question. I keep reading comments in here about how stiff the YFZ suspension is, which is true initially. Then, when some people talk about wanting to change that, they talk about a whole new suspension setup instead of just adjusting the shocks which are very adjustable. What is the scoop - do they just not get it, or am I missing something and just not getting it?

 

I agree. The shocks are adequate, but I got a chance to run the new toy through the last Hare Scramble of the season. Not bad, but they still beat me up pretty good. I had them set full soft on compression, and they still felt pretty stiff. It’s amazing, it was still really hard to bottom them out on the mx section, and we were catching big air! Saving my pennies for some aftermarket shocks. I might need them to keep up with the A class next year!

 

G'day Pudl
Please tell us more about your race,
how did you finish?
how did the bike go,
what can we help you with?
how did it compare to the pred?
how was the rebound & preload set?
tyre pressure?


Thanks mate, Geoff.

 

Dang Geoff, ask enough questions?? LOL. Okay. Race was awesome. Well, I wasn’t used to getting a quick start with the flat slide carb compared to the predator. So I was last off the line on the dead engine start. But I fought hard and after 2 laps I worked through 18 guys and had 3rd place. So Basically for the next hour and a half, us top 3 B guys fought positions back and forth and did a lot of tire rubbing. With 2 laps to go, arm pump set in really bad for me and set me back, but I held a close 2nd for the day. If not for the arm pump, I really feel I could have captured 1st again. We were moving so quick we caught all but the top 3 finishing A quads. Compared to the pred it was awesome. Much less fatigue from the lack of the machine, and the excellent handling was just like threading a needle through the trees. I had the rebound set at factory, 11 clicks, and compression full soft cause I thought it was really stiff. This low compression setting was excellent for 1st gear tight stuff in the woods, but hammering 4th gear through the fields I was getting my @ss pounded trying to hang on! Maybe I just need to stiffen it up a little bit for the higher speed soak-ups. On the mx portion it flew straight, true, and blue. I did bottom on a couple case-out sections cause they had us run the mx portion backwards. But clearing the tables and catching down slope delivered a very plush landing. I had air pressure at 5 in front and 4.5 in the rear (psi). So I think I will try a little firmer setting on the compression, I was possibly just packing up going that fast. I think I know what I’m talking about when it comes to suspension settings, but I could really use some Guru advice from those that are knowledgable! Long story short…the YFZ rules!! I love how it handles and the power delivered a whooping to many machines coming out of an inside coner!!

 

Ridley, when refering to adding 2 more inches to the front shocks with the after markets, I assume your talking about also having to replace the a-arms with a +2 to get the extra travel as well correct? That would be nice is you could get the front travel to about 11" inches without having to update the a-arms. Expense is everything these days.

 

cool thanks for the info!

 

I will be running in an organized cross country association next year on my YFZ... since I've had it I have not made any adjustments to the shocks. Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do with the various adjustments to have the best handling for tight wooded trails?... and most of the courses have a bit of mx.

 

You want the compression set softer than you would for mx, but make sure you have it set so it handles well at the speeds you ride. Maybe tweek a little for the speed of the course. If it’s mostly tight woods, go softer cause you most likely won’t use anything above 2nd gear a lot. If there are lots of rough open sections, maybe stiffen up a little to take them at a good pace. And you do want a slower rebound so you don’t get bucked around hopping stumps and trees. Keep your preload so that you have at least 8” or more of chassis clearance, ruts can develop rather easily after a couple laps and you don’t want to get hung up. Get some roll-off goggles and a water pack and you should be all set. For the first race, just have fun. IF you try to win, you will most likely DNF. Racing woods is completely different than riding them for fun, especially on the first lap if you let adrenaline do the thinking instead of experience. And with 20 other guys around you, you have to be very aware of what they are doing cause they can also slow you down. Have fun and use good judgement in the first race, and then run for points. I also learned the hardway…just talking from experience that I ignored when I heard it, but now understand and respect!