Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

So, it's no secret that the factory suspension is super soft on the CRF300's. The only true issue I have is the sag. I don't really push the bike too hard. I just need a stiffer spring for camping gear.

I completely understand that the Rally Raid is a whole different ballgame. I asked about experience with spring replacement(not shock) on a fb page, and most said I need the RR kit. I'm not sure they even read how I ride the bike and I was only looking to get rid of the sag.


My thought was spend $250 and see if it'll work over spending $1700 and knowing it'll work.


I bought a stock shock and a replacement spring(10.5kg rate) from Race Tech(it's red) and the coil compressor for $120





I plan to grab the front fork upgrade for another $130. The 300's only have a spring in one fork.



I would love to have the Rally Raid, but I just can't convince myself that the $1700 cost is worth it for how I ride this bike.

 

ive heard great things about the rally raid kit but ya at 1700 thats a hard pill to swallow if you are not going to use it to its full potential. if this works for you then it works ya know?

the klx400 needs new front springs and rear springs. still trying to decide truly if im going to keep it till the summer is over thou or sell it for a new klx....

 

I have no doubt that the Rally Raid is the shit. I would love to have it. I just don't really see myself pushing the bike to the point of needing it. I hope the $250 gamble pays off. I was under the impression that you couldn't change the spring on the CRF, so that's why I always said I'd go RR. I honestly haven't had a problem with the stock suspension until I added the weight of camping gear. The sag is my only complaint. I don't mind the weak factory rebound/dampening.

 

My thoughts of the day.. should i buy a better front tire or not. I hate the one that I have now. Only has 2k miles on it

 

If you hate it, replace it. Nothing like having something you hate.

 

Replace it. I'm fairly cheap and always try to get the most miles out of tires for what I pay for them. That being said I had a set of Shinkos on my 2014 FJR and they just were NOT confidence inspiring when the road was wet so they had to go. I don't regret pulling them off early at all. You only have 2 tires under you so make sure you like them and have confidence in their ability.

 

Awesome shots. Ever encounter wildlife on the trail, and carry or have to use anything to deter them?

 

Have a rythmic sound when im at 60+ mph. And no, its not the blockiness of the lugs.

Im leaning towards changing it to a Michelin Anakee Wild

 

2-3 would be alright. But even when I had two I just rode one.

Id probably get a super Duke 1290 for a sport bike, a husky/ktm flavor 500, and then maybe a grom.

Think thatd be all the flavors other than a big adv.

Ive never used a spring compressor on a dirtbike. Generally if you take the weight off the bike you can twist the spring and itll rotate.

You might want more rebound with a heavier spring. Itll be less controlled

A crappy front tire will put you on the ground. Change it if you aren't comfortable with it.

 

Did some local exploring this weekend, mostly checked out empty business parks for fun spots to ride and practicing cornering/leaning the bike. Also found a little trail but turned around once it felt like I was riding through a corn field ha

 

true for the price it might be worth it

if you hate it just replace it man no reason to keep something you dislike ya know?

i hear chasing them naked usually works!

looks like a great time!

 

The bike as it sits really has shitty suspension for anything more than FSR. The sag with the camping gear is my only complaint. I don't ride this bike super hard.

 

Nah usually the only animals down in the pines are deer, racoons, possums, skunks and the Jersey devil.

 

NPC animals haha. Had a few brown bears pop up recently on the FSR's I head down, different feeling being on a bike vs the 4x4.

 

so jealous. take pics! One day I'll get to hit that corkscrew...

 

My vote is for replace. a tire that doesn't inspire confidence would make your ride much less enjoyable.

 

Second track day was also super fun!

Got my knee down for a photo this time:



I really need to work on leaning the bike over more, though. It always feels like I'm leaned way over and I'm definitely not.

This track provider also provided transponder timing so it was nice to get lap times. I'm slow but my last session I went out with an instructor and she dragged me through the track and I was able to bring my times down by 5-6 seconds and am now on the brink of B group pace for a <400 haha.

 

and here you were saying i was so much faster...lol. Sweet!

I'm the opposite. no issues leaning the bike but I can't quite seem to get my ass off the seat too much lol.

Now we just need to coordinate a buttonwillow day with @gnarthirty2. Maybe for that Aprilia day in October. Who knows maybe we can even entice @nd4spdbh

 

Aren't you already in B group on a 300?

I'm still on stock tires. I am still trying to figure out front tire pressure because I'm overheating the front really badly and it felt very greasy and slippery at times:

 

I mean, ill show up to a track day with the super tenere!