Honda CRF450R 2011, Owner'S Manual

Page: 144 / 1058

Suspension Adjustment Guidelines
Adjustments for Competition
135
Suspension Adjustment Guidelines
Follow the procedures described below to accurately adjust your CRF, using the methods described on pages 116 – 134. Remember to make all adjustments in
one-click or 1/12 turn increments. Test ride after each adjustment.
Front Suspension Adjustment
Adjustments for Type of Track
Hard-surfaced track Begin with the standard setting. If the suspension is too stiff/soft, adjust according to the chart below.
Sand track Adjust to a stiffer position.
Example: – Turn the compression damping adjuster to a stiffer position.
– Install an optional stiff spring. (Adjust compression damping to a softer position and rebound damping to a stiffer position at this
time.)
Mud track Adjust to a stiffer position because mud build-up increases your CRF’s weight.
Example: – Turn the compression damping adjuster to a stiffer setting.
– Install an optional stiff spring.
Adjustments for Too Soft/Stiff Damping
Symptom Action
Soft suspension Initial travel too soft:
• Steering is too quick.
• Front end darts while cornering or riding in a straight line.
– Test stiffer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
– Test stiffer rebound damping in one-click increments.
Middle travel too soft:
• Front end dives when cornering.
If suspension isn’t stiff in initial travel:
– Test stiffer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
If initial travel becomes stiff because of the above adjustment:
– Reduce the rebound damping in one-click increments.
– Test softer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, install an optional stiff spring.
Final travel too soft:
• Bottoms on landings.
• Bottoms on large bumps, especially downhill bumps.
If initial and middle travel aren’t stiff:
– Test stiffer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
If initial and middle travel are stiff:
– Install an optional stiff spring.
If initial travel is stiff after installing an optional stiff spring:
– Test softer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
If initial travel is still soft after installing an optional stiff spring:
– Test stiffer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
If final travel is still soft after installing an optional stiff spring:
– Increase the fork oil capacity in increments of 5 cm
3 (0.2 US oz, 0.2 Imp oz).
Entire travel too soft:
• Front end shakes.
• Fork bottoms over any type of terrain.
– Install an optional stiff spring.
– Test stiffer compression damping adjustments in one-click increments.
– Increase rebound damping in one-click increments.
CRF450R.book Page 135 Thursday, July 8, 2010 9:34 AM