i'm not to sure how to preload my mom is trying to get my a 250r and i need more air and i dont know how to preload can someone help me out? thanks [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

preloading, i do it sometimes, it gives you more of a "pop" when you hit the jump. what ill do is bounce down on the quad right as i hit the ramp, that pushes the shocks down, which come back up and puch you up right as you jump.

 

how much does it help?

 

it can mean the difference between casing a landing, and barely makin it. it all depends. if your jumpin freestyle, it gives u that extra half second of time, which can really save ur a$$ sometimes. generally u want to jump low, and fast with no pre-load if your racing. for freestyle ur tryin to get the most air time possible, so you want to pre load as much as possible.

 

Pre-loading is one of those 'tricky' suspension questions. If you do a search for tuning suspension, you'll find a lot of stuff. Some is bs, some helps.

You're going to find a lot of stuff about measurements. Don't follow them strictly, but use them as guidelines.

To try and answer your question:

Pre-loading helps a lot, depending on the situation. If you're coming out of a corner, but you're mixing it up with someone and, therefore, don't get your usual amount of speed for the double just outside of the corner, you could be in trouble. Here's where preload comes in. You use the shocks to help get you over the jump if you think you're speed won't carry you. Depending on how you have your shocks set up, there are different ways to preload them.

I have my rear shock set up so that I can preload it by just using the throttle. This helps me in situations where I'm facing a steap takeoff, so I need to lean forward on the bike. Here, I don't want to use my weight to preload, because if I do it will launch me with the noze of my quad in the air. I could adjust with the back brake, but I'd rather just be smooth and not have to make corrections if I don't need to. I have my shock dialed in so it will preload itself, because my weight is on the front shocks, by jamming the throttle. The force of the acceleration compresses the spring without me using my weight to do it. This allows me to compress the front shocks at the same time. This helps to give me a nice arc and a lot of lift to get over large tabletops and doubles with steep, short landings. In this situation, preloading is essential. I usually only use this method for doubles 50 feet or more, and for extremely tall tabletops. Most of the time I just use the rear shock.

Preload also helps me with my rythm sections. Though at most tracks rhythm sections are smooth, so you can repeat the same rhythm to get through them, my practice track is not. I did this intentionally to improve my timing in odd situations. Anyways, one rhythm section at my house consists of small doubles 2-3 feet tall. This particular section starts out with a long, 20 foot double, then a short 8 foot double, then an even shorter double about 4 feet, and then a 15 foot double. As you come to each double, the space that you have to gain speed for it shortens, save for the 15 footer. Here is where preload comes in again. The middle two jumps are nominal, because they are short and my speed carries me over them. However, preload is essential for the last double because I only have about a quad length-and-a-half to speed up to get over it. I have to pull the front end, and "bounce" the rear shock to clear the gap. If I didn't have my preload set, I would probably case this jump everytime.

So, if you get this 250R, you will want to adjust the suspension. Your preload adjustment is the amount of tension on the spring. To change this, you either loosen or tighten the spring tension. A stiffer spring equals more preload. You will also want to adjust your rebound and compression to compensate. There is no science to suspension (unless your Wayne Noleen, the guy who builds Gust's shocks), you just have to mess with it until it handles best for your riding style.
As far as more air, stock shocks are limited in their travel and compression. Depending on your skill level, you may move past your stock shocks quickly. I suggest you upgrade once you master the adjustments and become aware that you can handle more than your stock shocks can. Having an extended Lonestar swingarm helps out as well. I hope this helps you some.

 

Raptor149,
Thanks alot for the awsome tips on jumping that was more helpful to me than any thing I have ever paid for and read!Thanks Again[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

it also helps a lot with step ups, getting that little bit of extra height can really make the difference. i learned that last sat. when i didn't make a step up.

 

thanks a bunch that helps me alot. If i do get the 250r it will be around Christmas and i hope i do lol . I ride my bother's blaster alot and he dont mind if i jump it at a decent jump and i will try some of those tips thankz a bunch! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

i have a warrior and it has some preload adjustment. wut do i do wit dat