[Leardriver]

I keep hearing that the mid valve needs to be softened.
I have done that on older Showa forks, removing one of the 4 mid valve shims and leaving 3.

Is the set up on the KYB similar?
What pressure springs come stock?

I may remove a couple of the big base shims and put a 24 mm crossover while I have them apart. This bike is much more trail than track, with a 150 lb rider.

[JimDirt]

I was trying to get at the database for the valving specs of the 2011 , but i am having issues , so i have to wait for a reply from Kevin Stillwell as to why i can't log in .....anyway .......what i would start with as this will help resolve some of the harshness on its own , is to go stiffer on the fork spring if its got the stock 0.46 , then go to a 0.47 , or 0.48 , the correct spring for your weight would normally be a 0.44 , but it is too soft for the 11 , so stiffer is better , and this will keep the bike up in the stroke better , and going to a stiffer spring will actually soften the ride rather that stiffen it , because you will be riding higher in the stroke so you wont be into the mid part of the stroke so soon , which is part of what is giving the harshness

Then DROP your oil level from the stock 350cc to 330cc , this will take away some of the harshness and since your trail riding you wont be hitting big jumps so you dont need to worry about bottoming out which is what the extra oil is for , so you don't need the amount of oil that they recommend stock , then i would also change the shock linkage to a (cheap fix) stock 09 linkage , as its 1mm longer , it will drop the rear end a little , which will take some weight of the front , which will take away some of the harshness as well , set your rear sag to 105

All of that will help dramatically with the ride feel , then if its not enough start swapping shims , but try that first , you should be happier with the result

[Leardriver]

I agree with all of those suggestions. The bike is my 150 lb son's.
I think I will put in .47 springs, 1.7 pressure springs, and lower oil level. If the mid valve has 4 shims in it, I will remove 1.

[JimDirt]

Though mine is a 02 450 , i also run 1.76 Pressure Springs , it does help with the initial hits , looked at the database and it did not list the pressure spring , but i am assuming they are 1.9 or 2.0 stock

[Leardriver]

Race tech's web site claims that they are 2.1, and that seems to be a popular size for the 450.

[JimDirt]

Yea they vary the size from year to year , but usually between 1.9 and 2.0 is standard , but the 09+ bikes are softer in the front , so maybe that is why its up to 2.1