Springs for a 300lb rider.

[HAWKWIND]

300lb stud needs shock and fork springs for a 2006 EC300. I ride slow in rough rocky / root infested trail.
What spring rates would you reccomend ?

 

[jostby]

I have .46's in my WP's and a 5.7 on the rear. (.42 and 5.1 originally). To make that radical of a change you will need to revalve also. I had Les at LTR do mine and he set it up exactly how I asked. If you don't revalve you might as well leave it stock and try to compensate with the adjustment knobs.

 

[bergerhag]

As a comparison, I am at 117 kg (~260 lbs) fully geared, I run K 0.48 fork springs and 62 N/mm rear spring. Note that this is on the heavier FSE, which have 54N/mm rear spring stock, as opposed to the 300 which has 52 N/mm.

 

[iancp5]

As a comparison, I am at 117 kg (~260 lbs) fully geared, I run K 0.48 fork springs and 62 N/mm rear spring. Note that this is on the heavier FSE, which have 54N/mm rear spring stock, as opposed to the 300 which has 52 N/mm.

I might of gone too light! Just received a 6.0 for my FSR and I'm about the same weight. Although I do a lot of woods stuff. Was planning 0.48 forks though.

How do you find the 6.2 on Gnarly terrain?

 

[bergerhag]

it is a bit rough on gnarly stuff, I would probably been fine on the 60N/mm spring too. I have also heard somewhere that the tolerances on the spring rates ar quite big, so the spring marked 60N/mm migth just as well be a 59 or a 61.

Note that I am currently running with 14mm preload on the rear, mostly to keep the steering geometry where I want it without loosing too much ground clearance. This is because the K0.48 springs are 15 mm longer than the stock 0.42's.

However I must point out that running 0.48 springs makes up for a bumpy ride when it comes to low speed rock gardens...

 

[HAWKWIND]

I think 48's for the front will work. Is anything over 6.0 to stiff for the shock?
Remember I ride slow and steady.

 

[mxdj2003]

just use the spring calculator on the Race Tech website, its alot easier and cheaper then guessing

 

[iancp5]

Fitted the springs tonight and I was surprised how much preload the FSR needed with a 6Nm to give 35mm static.

 

[nick790]

Fitted the springs tonight and I was surprised how much preload the FSR needed with a 6Nm to give 35mm static.

Rear spring?

Where did you get it from?

 

[skid jackson]

What kind of rear shock do you have. I spoke with the ohlins guy in the states and he said he did not like to see any more than 6 to 8 mm preload. If you had to do more than that he was of a mind to go up another size on the spring.The guys at factory connection were of similar opinion. Some times a heavier spring in the back can give you a more plush ride. my 06 300 has a 54 on the back and at 8mm it has something like 5 1/2 to 6 inches of race sag. bet it would ride better with a 56 back there. I'm no pro but 15mm preload sounds like alot.

 

[GasGasDreamer]

If you don't revalve you might as well leave it stock and try to compensate with the adjustment knobs.

strongly disagree on both points.
i run 48 in the front and 5.8 [i think] in rear at 250 lbs.
good bottoming and initially plush
same bike. of course freshen up front and rear with oil & gas.

 

[GasGasDreamer]

I was surprised how much preload the FSR needed with a 6Nm to give 35mm static.

too much preload will really mess up the way the suspension works.
not only does the back hit hard and swamp out, but it keeps the front wheel driving down...like a stink bug.
when you set the preload to spec you can really tune the back by varying the preload only 2mm.

 

[GMP]

This is true. Ideally, you want to be from 8 - 10mm preload. 14mm is way too much. The rear really calms down in the rocks. This is even more true with the pre '07, as the shock is longer.

 

[iancp5]

Rear spring?

Where did you get it from?

MH Racing - Ohlins dealer

On the preload - why would the amount matter? As long as it's not coil binding I thought the rate doesn't change with preload on a linear spring only ride height changes? Hence you need to set the ride height to give the correct, intended geometry and if it's too low you can get harsh response because the suspension has both less travel and operates in an area where the progressive linkage is firming up the damping?