I'm putting this thread in the common topics section because it pertains to all Husqvarna bikes as opposed to the 4st. And not in the Main forum cause I do not want this to get lost with all the other miscellaneous threads in there (maybe I should call it the BS forum like George does?). ------------------------ So I go to the local OHV with another Cafe Husky member. He has a 2007 TE510 and has just received the suspension back from Les at LTR, I've got my 2006 TE250 and the suspension was re-done a while ago by John Curea at MX-TECH in Pennsylvania. I'm not sure what I weigh - 180lbs? and I'm not super tall. He is much taller... and... weighs more (still in fit condition), the suspension was done for his weight. After unloading I anxiously grab his front brake and push down - without a whole lot of effort the suspension goes down. Huh? Why are these forks soooo soft? Same with the rear shock but a little stiffer. Anyway we talk about the shock rebound, and a few other things and go riding. Eventually we switch bikes. Having much trepidation cause of what I thought was a suspension that would bottom out easy. It was pure magic! Indeed soft and compliant but it worked extremely well, did not bottom out at all or even come close. These were not big bumps at all and eventually got into some uphill whoops and the bike worked GREAT in those, much better than my bike. The owner of the 510 assured me he had 'tested' the bottoming resistance because a a 'slight' mistake he had made on a previous ride and he did not bottom out. We talked a bit and I decided to go get a screwdriver to make the rebound on my shock a bit less so the rear wheel would not decompress about the time the next whoop was reached (boing)... but never quite got back to doing that - someday... and that might fix the whoops issue. Still not a plush and magic feeling as the LTR suspension though, of course I specifically told John (MX-TECH) to minimize brake dive so I've probably got stiffer springs than normal. I did not specifically test the 510 for brake dive. In the meantime that 510 with LTR suspension had given me much confidence so when I got back on my bike I rode with a little more speed - MUCH better ride! (except in the whoops as noted). Just need too ride a little faster (but still not as plush as the 510) I sure like that LTR suspension! Way to go Les!
I've had my suspension back from Les for a month. If it would only quit snowing I could try it out!!!
I'm excited to get mine back from him! He assured me I'd feel like I'm on a whole different bike! Cool
Rule Number One..... Unless you are a AA rider, an off road guy never sends his suspension to a shop with "MX" in its name.
At the time I was hanging out a lot on TT, he was a sponsor & moderator, and I wanted to support TT. The work he did was awesome, just not quite as awesome as the LTR I rode. It certainly saved me a trip to the hospital after a pilot error last year.
I have three bikes that Les has worked on a all I can say is "what a difference!". I mentioned earlier that I was in Death Valley last week and there are lots of rocks there to test your suspension. When I got back I emailed Les to thank him again for the nice ride. I rode 5 1/2 days without a sore neck or back and I'm no spring chicken.
