FE/FC FE 350 suspension tips

On the T E 300 (just for reference)
We are installing .48s today, the .51s are too stiff, my fork sag was short and fork movement and front end confidence is no good. the rear is spot on for me mid 30s static very low 100s (@103)race sag. I like short side race sag on all my bikes.


I still dont know if I like these 4CS.....forks. gotta get these spring rates correct than continue to play.

I'm not liking the results of the posts here

Sending mine to Ty this week. Hope it's not wasted effort.

Ty and I went through the 4CS forks several times and Ty found a way to make them work better. He designed a new part that allows you to adjust the shock using the clickers. Also he added a new part that adds a 5th chamber to the forks, essentially making them 5CS forks.

Found these babies on eBay if anyone is interested. Price is a little steep for me!
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=221565584835

This was in Octobers dirtbike mag. Not tech info, more food for thought.
2015 KTM 350 vs 450
It’s fascinating how power affects suspension. The two bikes have the same frame and suspension components, and almost the same weight,(350 is 3 pds. lighter) so they should handle the same in the rough stuff, right? Nope. You would swear they were made on different planets. In a straight line, the 450 is more stable. It absorbs more bumps and delivers a smoother ride. But, when it gets out of shape, things can get ugly in a hurry. The 350 transmits more impact to the rider, but it doesn’t seem to matter. You feel more bumps, but they don’t scare you, hurt you or slow you down. On the 350, you feel like you can get away with anything. The 450 gives you a smoother ride, which is a good thing because you feel like you need a smoother ride.

be interesting to see if the clickers were the same on both bikes. I would have thought the 4 strokes would have the same valving (different to 2 strokes) , frames would be the same and only difference would be the extra 100cc.

I guess power is one way of looking at it, Kelly explains this better than me. Has to do with rotational momentum, like having a huge flywheel under you.

I keep trying to make this new bike corner as well as the old Italian bike and have been struggling. I think it comes down to the front feeling raked out even with the 20mm offset and it doesn't feel as neutral as the old bike. I watch guys on older ktm's rail corners offroad that I just don't trust mine on. I'm also constantly pulling myself forward to stay up on the tank but it doesn't feel natural, the ergos make me want to sit mid or back of seat but that hasn't been working.
Suspension guys say its suspension and triple clamp guys of course say its chassis, and I just want it to work lol.
Sounds like the MX bikes run different sag and rear shock length or something a few have had luck shortening the rear shock on off road bikes but don't know any details.

Have you tried moving the bars forward and/or sliding the forks up?

Boy I've tried about everything except different offset clamps which I hopefully will be trying thanks to another cafe husky member.
I've ran the forks on all different settings in the clamps, 3-4 different sets of tires, every bar position, different bars, 2 different spring set ups, stock and a way stiffer valving, 100mm sag and 105 with combos from above. I may just not have the right combo at the right time, who knows.
I just know this bike seems finiky with small changes and trying to get everything balanced out has been tough.
Every major suspension tuner says they have it figured out, some machine parts some add all new valves its just tough knowing who to give $900-1000 to when I'm not sure its even the problem??

I can feel all your frustrations, when it comes to forks and shock something in my head says: I just ponied up 8 to 9 grand in a new 2014/15 motorcycle, this thing should be in the ballpark and feel good for any weight rider, thats why they come with on the fly clicker adjustments to adapt to the conditions of the terrain that you are riding at any given day. I myself still on the Italian TXC 450 rode my brothers new KTM xc-f 350 with high expectations. Loved the power, loved the brakes, the forks were so bad I could not wait to get off the bike. I'd talk to Ty Davis he's got a ton of expertise with forks, Husky should again go with Ty's KYBs.... That would give KTM and Husky a much wanted separation right?

CYa, Jim

Rob is starting to be ready to "whine" about the 4CS and pay a visit to ZTR for a reconfigure job..........they are my thorn on this new bike (2T-TE300)

There must be big valving differences between the 2t and 4t models because I was surprised how good mine are on the 501. I have to agree about the 350exc forks...Yuck! I rode my buddies and darn near crashed. I wasn't ready for the hard deflections while hitting rocks. At the next stop I asked for my bike back.

Haha. I quit whining last week and shipped mine!

Niiice !!

Does anyone have a Spring Rate / Rider Weight Chart?
The one in my owners manual only goes up to Rider Weight 95kg / 209 LB.

This will get you in the ballpark but they tend to be on the heavier side from my experience.
http://racetech.com/VehicleSearch

I used the KTM/Husky book numbers and simply added on to it at the same rate as the other steps. If you do the math it works perfectly. So far the numbers fit correctly, remember that their are slight step number differences in the spring rates Kg/mm vs other measurement. I have it all charted with math it all checks out.
Me at 210 no gear 6.1 Kg/mm shock spring .48 Kg/mm fork springs, these both yield me in spec sag numbers. I dont have the chart with me, but for general use can post it.

see my post do the math it falls right into numbers.

+1 on those spring rates. Exact same as mine. But my valving in the 4CS must be different from yours because it feels really good and I see you're not happy with yours on the 2T.