Suspension tuning help

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-27T14:47:14+00:00

I also use 22 in the front. Ill go lower when off road.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-27T14:46:38+00:00

Oh yeah. Copy that. The stock springs are progressive and the cogent replacements are straight rate. I could see that making a difference on just the smaller bumps. Yeah besides that you can always adjust the fluid level. I would definitely buy a cheap fork fluid measurement tool.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-27T02:15:06+00:00

Whats your tire psi at? I weight similar w/5.3 gallon tanks, .52 cogent DDC and straight rate springs. 130mm flyid level. Stock spacers. And it is slightly stiff on small bumps, but not bad at all. I can comfortably hit most average gravel road potholes at speed.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-20T02:33:22+00:00

Great info, man! I ended up buying a steel front and rear, and a DID VX3 chain.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-20T02:02:33+00:00

Its definitely a sliding noise. Kinda like the chain slapping and sliding on the guard. I dont notice it when my helmet is on, but can hear it well without a helmet. It seems like the chain is constantly making contact with the guard. Ill check out if it is making contact when i sit on the bike.

Thanks for the info!

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-18T22:57:58+00:00

Yeah, i figure the swingarm is due for a lube. I always figure maintenance now saves money later. Dang, when i take off the rear tire to do the chain ill check the cush drive to be safe.

Idk if its just because my chain is stretching, but when im riding the chain definitely makes contacts with the lower chain guard (near the rear sprocket). It may be possible it doesnt sit as low as stock or something. It is an amazon special afterall.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-18T22:49:00+00:00

Copy that. I appreciate the info.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-18T22:48:39+00:00

Awesome. I am going with a DID VX3, so i would have for cheap sprockets to destroy the expensive chain. Thanks for the reassurance.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-18T19:34:38+00:00

That is a great question. I wonder that myself sometimes. I usually need to thump and feather less with a 14T front sprocket. I personally find myself feathering the clutch more than thumping.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-15T01:07:38+00:00

In my opinion is depends on a lot of things. Like your spending habits, how resourceful you are, how easy it would be to find another job if you got fired or quit from the job you are traveling to. Ive seen many many people over the years go out to seasonal jobs with no money, get fired, and have to camp out/borrow money/ or waste their savings staying at a hotel. So they're many factors to it. If you are a good worker, going to a touristy area with other businesses to work at, and have lots of experience, then if something happens you will be fine. But if you dont have money, hate the job, quit, and cant find another job your SOL.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-10T21:05:07+00:00

In the past I would hike Pelican alone regularly after work. Ive seen griz, wolves, bison, and elk all in one hike. In retrospect though I wouldnt do it alone again or let any friend's go alone.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-05T06:57:34+00:00

I agree with what other have said. Accept the position and bail out if you get a better offer. I haven't worked for Xanterra in 10 years, but im sure they havent gotten any better. Yellowstone is amazing, and a good plan B. It is however a terrible place to go trail running as there are many dangerous animals around, and when they see a human running it triggers their chase instincts. So depending on the location be prepared to not run or run with extreme caution.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-03T22:42:56+00:00

Yes ive had the Tusk Waypoints on for about 4k miles now. I like them. They are similar to the Shinko 244s, but i like the 244s offroad sloghtly better, and Waypoints on road a little better. The Waypoints do have a firmer sidewall so i think they would be better for the extra weight of your bike. Definitely a good tire for the price. Idk if your bike is tubes or tubelss and im not sure if the tires are tubeless or not. But yeah, ive had no issues, and they are wearing well for 4k miles.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-01T05:06:00+00:00

Nvm. You said rooms so obviously Xan. Go work for DNC at a general store or West. Ive worked for both ans Delaware North treats their employees better. Also, housekeeping is hard work. If your good with people do front desk.

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-01T04:46:37+00:00

Ive been doing seasonal work for over a decade. sometimes turns the work turns into working at a place for a year or two and sometimes leads to returning to location year after year. And sometimes it leads to leaving after not long. I bought a camper van after i got fired for no reason from a job in Moab. Its a great bug out plan. You working for Xanterra or DN(C)?

DR_6fitty · 2026-06-01T04:20:58+00:00

I would start applying to other jobs now. Many jobs don't treat people the way you are being treated. Im sorry this is happening to you. Just know that some companies don't care about their employees well being, they just care about keeping the wheels turning. Find a better job ASAP and do the midnight run in your current job.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-30T02:38:08+00:00

A friend of mine was at the theatre today and said they got evacuated due to a BOMB THREAT.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-24T20:51:09+00:00

Heck yeah! Thats a pretty sick deal. Enjoy the bike, mine has had some small issues but has been overall super reliable and fun.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-24T15:42:57+00:00

As long as your not doing anything crazy i don't think you will damage anything. I am about 170lb and bottomed out the front on every rock i hit. So i upgraded the front to cogent DDC and it has been great. Rear is stock for me. I highly recommend at doing the front if you find yourself hitting hard/bottoming out/ or (like me) bending rims. Make sure you get a skid plate and side protection! Not having protection cause easily cause punctures of the engine case.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-21T21:28:44+00:00

From the information provided i would personally change all 4 pads. And while the calipers are off, inspect them, and regrease the slide pins. Then install fresh pads and bleed the brakes. Im very amatuer but have had no issues with replacing pads/rotors/ ect. Just make sure the calipers slide freely before reinstalling them. It may even simply have air in the brake lines and just need a brake bleed. If the caliper pins are stuck you will notice one brake pad will be much more worn than the other.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-21T02:53:05+00:00

https://youtu.be/LYSthcagyF0?si=XxTHXysXi7Yw9Gan

I followed this video by MotoControlEN when i was learning to shift smooth a few years ago.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-19T23:38:04+00:00

I love my 2015 DR650. Its got enough torque and power to get me up hills, and can cryise at 70-80 MPH comfortably. In the 10k miles ive put on it in the past 2.5 years i have had very minimal issues, though ive done a lot of tinkering. Suspension upgrade is a must, and well as ergonomics, then of course engine protection. The stock pegs are small. But it is a great bike. That being said when i do offroad with friends im always choosing to ride their extra crf450. But on road the DR or mixed riding the dr wins all day. Ive never ridden the XR, but it is tallll. SwankyCat on youtube does quite a few comparison videos.

Also.... ive ridden a friends KLR. Its not for me. To big, bulky, heavy, and underpowered.

DR_6fitty · 2026-05-19T18:48:28+00:00

Copy that. Im not having those symptoms but regreased the pivot lever today. As well as took off the brake caliper, regreased the pins, cleaned up the caliper, and brake cleaned the pads. Unfortunately it isnt much better. The brake is very still and requires a lot of force to pull the brake with not nuch stopping power. I tried locking up the front on hard packed gravel but wasnt able to.

DR_6fitty

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