Author Topic: More plush suspension for MX (Read 4827 times)

rablack21 · « **on:** February 24, 2014, 08:55:40 AM »

I am looking to get a more plush suspension for my mx quad. I am getting beat up on the track. I've got 19" Custom Axis triple rate shocks on the front and they work fantastic, but I have a stock revalved OEM shock on the rear. It seems to be a compromise on how it feels. I can either get a comfortable ride on big jumps and the rest off the track feels rough or I can get a comfortable ride on the track, but the big jump bottom hard. I can't seem to get the best of both worlds.

So here's the proposed 2 questions:

1. What is the most plush ride set up that you have used for mx for the rear?

1. Single spring rate or dual?
I heard very from credible sources that you get better traction with a single rate than a dual. I am having no issue with traction right now, but having a big issue with a soft enough ride. I looking for specifically rider comfort. Is dual rate really worth the setup?

Please don't reply back with, "you need to get an aftermarket shock for the rear." Yes, I know. lol. I am looking more at what setup to get. Would just an aftermarket shock be enough or does it need to be dual rate as well? Would that be enough or does it need to be setup with some sort or PRS(plush ride system) like Custom Axis does? I got to get some plushness into this sucker before it beats me to death. Some of these tracks I race are brutal, and the dirt bike ruts make it worse.

zcarlson12 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:06:09 AM »

I have a Custom Axis dual rate rear (no-link) and it's awesome. I'm sure a lot of people will say the most plush rear shock setup is going to be the cr500 linkage and shock but you'd have to modify the stock frame to run it. I hear you on the dirt bike ruts, they are everywhere and I haven't been to a single track besides a quad only event that didn't have 3ft. deep ruts in the corners from the bikes.

JoePA · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:08:49 AM »

When I spoke to Axis they said they don't make a dual rate for the R in stock linkage. I heard the the PEP upgrade for the stock rear shock is a nice upgrade. How well is it I don't know. I run the Axis and mine wasn't quite set up properly but it worked very well but would bottom hard. Dan mentioned they have the PRS (plush ride system) and I'm not sure how well it works and I may go down that raod and get it. BUT with that comes cost $$$!

When I get my shocks back I'll let you know how they work and what I had done. As of now..they were pretty hard on flat landings but everything else was fine.

rablack21 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:21:05 AM »

Quote from: zcarlson12;26656

I have a Custom Axis dual rate rear (no-link) and it's awesome. I'm sure a lot of people will say the most plush rear shock setup is going to be the cr500 linkage and shock but you'd have to modify the stock frame to run it. I hear you on the dirt bike ruts, they are everywhere and I haven't been to a single track besides a quad only event that didn't have 3ft. deep ruts in the corners from the bikes.

While I agree about the cr 500 linkage. This is not an option for me right now, so I want the best for what I got NOW.

Quote from: JoePA;26657

When I spoke to Axis they said they don't make a dual rate for the R in stock linkage. I heard the the PEP upgrade for the stock rear shock is a nice upgrade. How well is it I don't know. I run the Axis and mine wasn't quite set up properly but it worked very well but would bottom hard. Dan mentioned they have the PRS (plush ride system) and I'm not sure how well it works and I may go down that raod and get it. BUT with that comes cost $$$!

When I get my shocks back I'll let you know how they work and what I had done. As of now..they were pretty hard on flat landings but everything else was fine.

I think someone lied to one of us then, cause when I talked to Axis they told me they offered a dual rate shock for the stock linkage. Mine feels great on the jumps, but only at the sacrifice of the plush ride the rest of the time. Let's put it this way, my yamaha grizzly suspension feels more plush than my R does at slow or high speeds.

havinnoj · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:40:33 AM »

I think this is where the Plush Ride System (PRS) will come in handy. Burns and Dan both have sworn by it and I'll be trying it out on the next rear shock I get.

rablack21 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:44:31 AM »

Quote from: havinnoj;26664

I think this is where the Plush Ride System (PRS) will come in handy. Burns and Dan both have sworn by it and I'll be trying it out on the next rear shock I get.

Thanks for that feedback OJ. Hopefully, one of both of them will chime in when they get a chance.

havinnoj · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:56:17 AM »

Quote from: rablack21;26667

Thanks for that feedback OJ. Hopefully, one of both of them will chime in when they get a chance.

Here's some good reading from another thread in the meantime: Laeger or Lobo & Custom Axis Plush Ride System Info

JoePA · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2014, 11:14:37 AM »

Thanks! I really didn't want to throw down the extra $200 for the valve but if it saves my back....well worth it and cheaper than a Dr. visit!

rablack21 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2014, 11:24:34 AM »

Quote from: JoePA;26677

Thanks! I really didn't want to throw down the extra $200 for the valve but if it saves my back....well worth it and cheaper than a Dr. visit!

I definitely agree!

I just got off the phone with my shock builder. He basically said that the custom axis shock with the PRS system would be loads better than my reworked stock shock, but also said that I would probably still not be happy with it completely. He said that it still would not feel like the suspension on the 450r's unless I went to a CR500 linkage. He said I would have to have the long travel setup to really get what I want out of the ride. Sigh, sad face. I just can't afford that kind of dough.

JoePA · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2014, 11:32:09 AM »

Yeah...And we ain't no ridin none of them there 4 pokes either!!

That was one of the things that really sold me on my buddies 450R...his suspension was PLUSH! Now if we can get the 450R swinger installed on our machines with the proper ratio then maybe we can benifit the same???

rablack21 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2014, 11:42:32 AM »

Quote from: JoePA;26687

Yeah...And we ain't no ridin none of them there 4 pokes either!!

That was one of the things that really sold me on my buddies 450R...his suspension was PLUSH! Now if we can get the 450R swinger installed on our machines with the proper ratio then maybe we can benifit the same???

I don't know if it is possible, but this was always my thought. If you could get the 450r swinger to fit, then develop a custom super link like the 450s already have, we might be in business. I wondered if you laid the shock at more of an angle if you could make it work like that. You then might would have a longer shock and it wouldn't have as much leverage ratio. Seems like it would give you more travel to play with. Maybe this is not the case though. All I know, I can be faster than the 4 strokes for about 2 or 3 laps and then I am beat to death. The only good news is we are hitting more old style motocross tracks this year and not as many supercross style tracks. I seem to do a bit better on the wide open mx tracks
old motocross style = longer tracks with less jumps, more wide open areas
supercross style = short tracks, lots of turns, lots of jumps.

sangheraent · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2014, 03:55:14 PM »

why dont you get a KOQ long travel rear arm? I had a tcs rear shock on my stock swinger stock frame bike and it was smooth. It was so smooth that going up to a walsh frame cr500 wasn't that big of a jump.

I forgot I switched to a 450r swinger sometime. shock ran the same on both stock and 450 swingers

rablack21 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2014, 04:01:30 PM »

Quote from: sangheraent;26749

why dont you get a KOQ long travel rear arm? I had a tcs rear shock on my stock swinger stock frame bike and it was smooth. It was so smooth that going up to a walsh frame cr500 wasn't that big of a jump.

I forgot I switched to a 450r swinger sometime. shock ran the same on both stock and 450 swingers

Hmmm. Never heard of that long travel arm. Can you provide any detailed info on it?

rablack21 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2014, 04:05:01 PM »

Let's get more specific guys: Has anyone out there tried a Custom Axis rear shock with PRS for the 250R standard link? If so, how did you like it for racing?