'13 TXC310R Beat Me Up in Moab

[mmuthart]

Spent 4 days in Moab on my new bike. What a blast! Rode Slick Rock Trail several times and did Porquipine Rim. The bike performed very well. My only complaint was from my knees. My best guess is that rear shock needs the rebound adjusted. Going over rough terrain while sitting, my feet were bouncing off the foot pegs. Tire pressure front and rear was at 10 psi. I weigh about 180 lbs. My DRZ400 soaked this stuff up so much better.

I'm motorcycle suspension dumb. Any education would be appreciated. Can I make an adjustment on my stock rear shock?

 

[Tinken]

You should have the suspension setup to you, both front and rear combined. Your 310 will feel much more comfortable and easier to ride.

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/ziptyracing-suspension-services.31318/

 

[mmuthart]

Tinken, I read through the thread you posted. Thx. What's the best way to contact you for specific questions?

 

[95jersey]

The 310 is stiff compared to your DRZ for sharper handling and the ability to take bigger hits. If turning the clickers softer doesn't work, try taking 20cc of oil out of the forks. Also, is your race sag set properly? This can make the bike feel stiff depending on how much (or lack) of preload you may have. Try that first (it's free).

 

[Tinken]

Tinken, I read through the thread you posted. Thx. What's the best way to contact you for specific questions?

you can pm me

 

[mmuthart]

The 310 is stiff compared to your DRZ for sharper handling and the ability to take bigger hits. If turning the clickers softer doesn't work, try taking 20cc of oil out of the forks. Also, is your race sag set properly? This can make the bike feel stiff depending on how much (or lack) of preload you may have. Try that first (it's free).

The suspension remains as it did set from the factory. The sag was not verified. Guess I need to do some homework...

The front forks seem fine. I can remove oil from the rear shock, I assume...

 

[Huskywood]

I weigh 185 I just adjusted my suspenders this spring. Have only one ride on them since then, but man was it sweet!! The first thing you have to do is get your static and race sag set. IMO race tech is the best source for this. You can enter your weight, riding ability, what type of riding you do etc. Its a great resource. Takes a lot of the guess work and trial and error out of proper spring selection. In my case race tech suggested I go up on the shock spring to a 5.8. Stock I believe was 5.2. No valving done on the shock....yet. This helps move some weight to the front of the bike to improve corning, and balance the suspension. A friend of mine rode it prior to the work and said he felt it sat low in the back and neither of us felt comfortable planting the front end in the corners!! First impression was positive!! On the fork side race tech suggested staying with the stock springs. After checking around not only this site but Yamaha sites ('07-'09 yamaha's run essentially the same fork) Was surprised to see how moto oriented the valving was!! I settled on pulling some shims from the base stack and compression stack, even tuning the mid valve stack which most people where suggesting to basically get rid of. I also went with a softer inner chamber spring. Again a suggestion from race tech. (No I'm not sponsored by Race Tech) I had a riding buddy take it for a spin...He was very impressed. Said it was like riding on his couch....meaning smooth and comfortable. Of course he rides a KTM so impressing him wasn't very hard At this point I would have to say handling has improved, trail hack is gone and felt way more comfortable pushing the bike harder...but it was only one ride. I'll know more after this weekend!! Have a great one!!

 

[Huskywood]

No you can't remove oil from the rear shock. It has to be toped off and bled so there's no air pockets or bubbles. If you want to do this yourself I would suggest the suspension bible by you guessed it...race tech. Selling for around $25 online. Lots of theory and info that you probably don't need or want. But also walks you through entire process of disassembly and reassembly of shocks and forks. Spring, valving and clickers are the only things you can change on the shock.

 

[95jersey]

I sent my stuff to Factory Connection and asked them to re-valve to my spring rate and for hare scrambles (plush). It is absolutely awesome now and I can fly across bumps, roots, rocks and other trail hazards, where before it was pretty jarring experience. In stock form it was either too hard or too soft and bottomed out.

 

[dave lindsey]

Just shipped my suspenion today to Zip Ty....this is the 3rd bike I've had done (1st with Zipty)...and I can tell you that it's the best investment bar none...at least for me. I could mess with the oil level...clickers...etc, but at the end of the day I'm not a suspension expert. They are!! Anyway...tinken you should have the forks and shock in 4-5 working days. look forward to working with you guy's on this. Thanks in Advance.

 

[Dangermouse449]

Having your suspension set up for your weight is a great thing to do.

Just a point to raise, most off-road riding is done standing up for balance & control, it also lets your legs absorb some of the rough terrain.
Most bikes are set up firmer with this in mind.... DRZ is more of a road/trail cruiser than a lites-class race bike like the 310.
It takes a little getting used to a first, & if you're tall you may want to raise the bars, but your body will thank you at the end of the day, not being beat up by the bike.