Hello
I've owned a 2000 400ex for about a year and I can't get the rear shock set up like I'd like. I call it the ball buster. The bike handles well except for in the whoops it kicks the back up pretty bad. I've tried all combinations of adjustment, rebeound, compression, preload.

Before the 400 I motocrossed a 92 Qracer for about 4 years. I never had these problems in the whoops. I know the Suzuki has around 2 more inches of wheel base and that probably has a lot to do with it. I don't want to have to send the shock off or buy an extended swingarm. Anybody have any suggestions.

Thanks for your help.

 

theKansan,

There should be no need to adjust the compression or preload for this problem. All you need to do is slow down the rebound adjustment. This adjustment is located on the bottom of the shock where is mounts to the linkage. Slow it down until the shock does not kick up, but not too slow so the shock does not have a chance to rebound for the next whoop.

 

Make sure your spring prelaod isn't too stiff too, some people crank up the spring to keep it from bottoming but that should only be a comp damp adjustment, the spring should have some significant sag when you sit on it, %30 of its travel or so I've heard.

Rod
02 400EX

 

See http://off-road.com/atv/suspension/shockadj.htm

This is a good article on shock adjustment. First be sure your preload sag is correct- 30% rear and 20% front Everything else depends on the proper preload!! The stock fronts aren't adjustable for damping (so you are done up front once you set preload). The rear is damped for both compression and rebound (see your onwers manual). If you are getting bucked off, it could be EITHER to FAST or SLOW rebound. My sugestion would be to set your rebound full FAST, and go out and (carefully!) ride some whoops. Gradually increase the damping until you like the results. If you go to far (SLOW), the bike will begin to buck again. Then back it off enough to make it ride the way you like.

 

Thanks for the information. I'll try adjusting it next weekend.


00 400ex stock