Hi guys,
In March 2008 I had my 2005 CRF250R suspension serviced by Krooz Tune here in Melbourne, a reputable suspension company. I gave them my no-gear-on weight of 85kg (187lbs) and told them I was riding mid to hard-pack, skatey motocross track with some supercross sections and my skills were at high-beginner (compared to the other crazies at the track - wow). They swapped out the stock spring to a straight rate Eibach 889 5.1. They left the existing fork springs in and serviced the lot. The suspension was definitely better at the time but it's hard for me to tell what it should feel like.
I was slack about setting the sag, but when I got around to it, it was definitely better again.
2 years (40 engine hours) later and my skill level is up to a mid-high intermediate and I am down to 80kg (176lb). Any decent flat-landed jump bottoms the rear. I can lean back seated on the bike over decent bumps (not jumps) and bottom it. If I come up short and flat-land our 75 ft tabletop, I nearly get bounced off the bike, sideways mainly. I've played with the clickers 'til I'm blue in the face with marginal difference. Both compressions are set up the higher end.
I ride my 150lb intermediate friend's RM125 and it feels much more plush but I can still bottom it. The bike is quite light comparatively. I ride my 170lb expert friend's stock-suspended KX450F and it feels great on the jumps but a little hard for me to steer in the berms (he has no issue - he's much faster).
I haven't looked at my sag for a good few months but it was about 95mm loaded. I've forgotten the other figures I'm afraid.
I grease my bearings every year and just replaced the top shock bearing this morning as lifting the bike from the rear caused clicking. I traced it to that bearing.
So I'm wondering what to do. The bike is really fatiguing me and beating me around especially if I put my head down and push it. The Race Tech calculator says my stock spring is 5.2 and that I should be on a 5.1. My skill level is definitely up. I'm clearing jumps I couldn't 12 months ago. I'm riding woops, not fast, but I'm riding them.
I'm thinking scoot the rear spring up to a heavier rate?
Any feedback is much appreciated.
Jason