Yesterday was our first Quad practice of the season and I was mentally ready to fly like Dana Creech in Huevos 4.........my body told me differently!
As far as practice went...really well. Track layout had some bigger doubles, two triples, a 5' drop off jump and two rythm sections. Ground was super tacky and the R was loving it. Cleared some jumps I normaly wouldn't try this early, or ever and didn't get as tired as I normally do. As far as the engine, it's a basket case of a setup on all used stuff and it was a little monster for what it was. Its a ported cylinder I purchased a few years ago and mated up with the sparks MX pipe, 38mm air stryker... it's a nice combination. Hits good and just keeps pulling.
Ok now the good stuff....SUSPENSION!!! I'm currently running Axis all around. Dual spring up front on standard travel +3 Burgard arms. Rear is a seingle spring with 86 linkage and a laeger -1 (88-89 length) swingarm. I had the suspension set up a few years ago by a known shop and they worked OK. I gave them the same measurements I gave Andy so it wasn't like they were shooting into the dark but they were just not as "in tune" with suspension as Andy is. After having a some issues with the suspension, bottoming anf just not performing for a top brand shock I decided I needed to so something. After reading about Andy at Maul tech and watching his videos I decided to contact him and see what he could do for me. It didnt take long to decide that this is where I was going to send my shocks to get serviced. You know when you talk to someone and you know this person UNDERSTANDS how suspension works and what needs to be addressed to fix a problem. So, I boxed up the shocks and out to Maul tech they went!
I wanted to have the PRS valve installed to solve a bottoming issue I was having but due to the desgin of the R, there just isn't enough room to make it work. I got the shocks back and when you open the box and see shock dyno print outs and a complete list of what was done, changed and notes regarding the build, its like holding a winning lottery ticket! Shocks looked amazing and it didn't take long to throw them on and dial the quad in. I didn't touch the rear shock preload but did adjust the rebound to speed it up. The front shocks I just made a small adjustent to ride height and that was it. No other changes were made.
First time on the track I was a little worried that I was going to get the same exact feeling from the previous builder and once I landed from that 5' drop off I knew right away these were not the same shocks as last year. The landing was plush, no jaring and no pogo stick effect. With this added confidence I just got faster and faster, jumping things I shouldn't and even tried a small triple. I came up a tad short but never even felt it. I did manage to stuff the landing on a double that I hit pretty hard and I only felt a slight jar but was expecting WAY more. I was the fastes quad through the rythem sections and I loved it! I may not jump stuff but i'll walk the dog though the ugly stuff!!!
All in all I left the track sore but a smile from ear to ear. Andy at maul Tech did an Amazing job on my shocks and so glad I made the decision to get them done by him. Money very well spent with great customer service. Follow his advice on measurements and setup and you'll will be one happy customer. Andy if you read this....... THANK YOU!!! Now lets go win some races!
