New sprungs for the KTM!

[xrocket21]

Stock the bike is sprung for 165 lbs - 187 lbs with gear....

Im 6'4" and weigh a lot more than that.

Really noticed when riding a friends home track, didn't take much of a jump to bottom the front out, and already a while ago I pretty much maxed rear preload to get sag close.

Can't wait to see how the bike feels with these beefy springs!



Youtube says the rear is very easy and the fronts not bad either. Already got a 24mm wrench and a 50mm motion pro tool.

[typeone]

sweet! you should def see a big improvement if you're that far off. bike will stay up in the proper part of the stroke over trail trash, etc. where the valving tends to be more plush ... rather than riding low where things stiffen up to help with bottoming.

look forward to the report!

[xrocket21]

Cracked into it tonight! Rear was SUPER easy! Took me 15 min, but I bet if I pushed I could do it in 5 minutes.

Stock rear spring: (2 bolts to get it out)



Out and into the vice. I had the shock tool to back the preload off until I could turn it by hand. Then a small circlip and slide the spring and washers off, no compressor needed!



New vs. Old



New spring back in the bike @ 80 NM and blue loctite



Got started on the front. Tire off, brake off, cracked the tops free while still clamped (glad I did, SUPER tight, 50mm nut), then removed forks and called it a night.



edit: Pardon the messy garage, it's dirty (dirt driveway) and full of rc cars and other stuff

[xrocket21]

Did the forks today in maybe half an hour.



Feels so much better!

[Kurlon]

The PDS bikes are so nice to work on. My 150SX on the other hand you have to pull the swingarm to get the shock out. WTF KTM!?

[xrocket21]

The PDS bikes are so nice to work on. My 150SX on the other hand you have to pull the swingarm to get the shock out. WTF KTM!?

PDS means no linkage?

I really thought i was gonna have to take it to a shop for the spring swap

[Kurlon]

PDS means no linkage?

Yeah, 'progressive damping system' or something like that is what KTM calls their linkageless bikes.

[xrocket21]

Yeah, 'progressive damping system' or something like that is what KTM calls their linkageless bikes.

Well, I friggen love it!

[ZX-12R]

You'll notice a massive difference. I too am significantly heavier than your average Austrian so I had mine reprung when I bought it. Compared to others I've ridden, right springs make a huge difference when you start pushing the bike.

[xrocket21]

You'll notice a massive difference. I too am significantly heavier than your average Austrian so I had mine reprung when I bought it. Compared to others I've ridden, right springs make a huge difference when you start pushing the bike.

Thanks man, its like a whole new bike! I can thrash on it harder now.

I am finding I have to keep cranking and cranking rebound though, still think I can go stiffer front and rear.