2014 TE310 suspension too stiff

2014 with 450 miles. Bike had only been lightly trail ridden for the first 350 miles but had my first chance to do a full ride last weekend. Two 50 mile loops of steep, rocky, roots, sharp edged Singletrack. Mostly first and second gear stuff.

Compression and rebound are adjusted as plush as possible and the bike seemed way to stiff. Had 3 guys ride it as well and all said the suspension seemed harsh. It seemed OK on the faster stuff but in the slow, sharp edge stuff, it was really harsh.

Stock suspension. 180 pound without gear. Sag is set properly and I am just within the range of the spring. I would have thought that I was on the heavy end of the springs so it would feel soft but it never seemed to use the full range of the suspension. I even tried to bottom it a few times and was not even close.

Is something wrong with my stock suspension?
How to make it plush?

I have a 2013 TE310R and the stock forks were very brutal. Luckily, my local mechanic is pretty good with KYB as his son raced YZs in the woods for years. He revalved my forks and they are much better. IMO the only solution is a revalve. ZipTy knows these bikes well and if my local guy wasn't so good with KYB I probably would have sent them there. Once my forks were done, I was fine with the rear suspension but personally I like pretty stiff shock settings. Just my preference. I also out weigh you by 20 lbs and went up 2 steps on the rear shock spring rate(5.6-6.0).

Perhaps this is too much oil in the forks? I am 205# and feel the rear is plush- so your 25# difference in weight makes sense to be harsh.

I am 195 with gear and Zip Ty changed fluid and springs for me . Really good now.

Many of the 2014 models came with closed cartridge Kyb's as part of the anniversary package. We can adjust them to be trail friendly once again.

Does anyone know what size spring the stock fork spring and rear spring are?
the Ractech recommendation seems to be a lot higher than expected. The suspension feels harsh as it is!

I ride a 2013 TE310R as well with KYB fork.

My '13 TE310 was extremely harsh at first, so I had RG3 soften it up twice. Still now, I'm only 2 clicks in on the compression and its perfect. The forks are totally capable of being plush. I also had RG3 install SKF seals on the second rework and that made a huge difference with compliance. I mainly ride rocks and roots and logs and beat the piss out of the forks, rarely track style low-frequency bumps.

I found the race tech spring rate guide to be way off on these and a few other bikes. They were showing the need for a 6.8 spring and what I ended up with was a 4.8.
I strongly suggest you use Zip-Ty Racing to do your suspension. You will be impressed as I have been.

Paw Paw

Forks (18) CCW out from Full CW in for compression - lower leg adgust.
Fork (15) CCW out from Full in on rebound - upper leg adjust.

Rear shock:
Sag set 105mm
Compression (15) CCW out from Full in.
Rebound (18) CCW out from Full in.
High speed rebound as stock.

JAM I assume the sag is rider sag and not static. ?

They are stiff when new and loosen up with use.

I ride rocks @ 200# and run my open chamber forks with Yamaha 01 oil and 125 mm on the level and they work good.
Not super plush in rocks but good if you pick up the pace.
They are fine in the sand.

Should be 5.0 rear and 4.5 kg front stock.

Most install a stiffer rear spring and a softer fork spring depending on weight.

At 160lbs I've not even adjusted the springs on my 310. Backed off on one click of the compression on the forks is all. Sag looked OK when new generally speaking.

Set the forks per JAM (had to back out three clicks) and rode today. Very rocky with lots of washed out tracks. Big improvement! I don't think I am using much more than half the front travel though. Will put an O Ring on the left tube to see what I'm using. Probably have to go with a lighter spring for my trail use. Rear spring seems fine but haven't adjusted damping yet as I wanted to do one end at a time. Forks not plush on rocks but not sure I want them that soft on this bike. I had only one deflection today where before it was a regular occursance. Rear sprocket is 47 and don't want to go any smaller as 1st is just a tad tall. It lets me do sustained 65 mph when needed though so a good compromise. I have all the Zip Ty mods so no worries about frying the big end. The only thing left to do is tweak my custom side stand and get the HDB guards installed. Trail weapon!

Yes

My forks have definitely softened up after use. Gawd they were harsh at first. Got just over 200 miles on the clock now.

Got the rear spring loosened up as much as it will go without moving up and down on the shock while the wheel off the ground. (vertically challenged)

Compression (screw at top of shock?) is at 18 clicks out.

Do I need a different spring to get more foot on the ground? Forks shoved up in the clamps, shaved seat, lowering link. ughh still only tip toe.

Jam, I understand settings in clicks. What is CCW?

Counter Clock Wise form fully in Clock Wise.

Try a lowering link instead....my wife has one on her 310.
http://www.koubalink.com/Husky HL8.html

Duh thank you JAM. I should have seen that as I knew to turn counter clockwise.

Got a 1" Kouba, and a spare seat shaved.