"Travel" And Rider Weight---Is There A Correlation?

 When checking out the specs of the Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha dirt
bikes in the 100-140cc range I keep noticing the word "travel" in
regards to the suspension.

Now I obviously figured out that's how far the shock can move before
"bottoming out" ( I hope that's correct) but I'd like to know how
those different "travel" figures translate into how much weight a
smaller bike can carry without "bottoming out."

Here are the specs for the three bikes:

HONDA CRF100
Front: 27 mm leading-axle Showa fork; 5.2 in. travel
Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock; 5.8 in. travel

KAWASAKI 140
Front: 33 mm telescopic fork; 7.1 in. travel
Rear: UNI-TRAK® linkage system and single shock with 5-way preload
adjustability / 7.1 in. travel

YAMAHA TT-R 125LE
Front: Telescopic fork; 7.1 in. travel
Rear: 1 shock; 6.6 in. travel

Question, if these "travel" figures are capacity-related to rider
weight, would the ones with the longest travel be best for a heavier
boy like me?

-Larry

 wrote:


Not necessarily.  It depends on the spring(s) used.  Those bike are
all almost certainly undersprung for you.  You can replace the springs
easily with ones more suited to your weight.  The springs are fairly
inexpensive and not difficult to replace.

Custom developed by BBR Motorsports for the ultimate upgrade for mini
four-strokes. Sized perfectly for fast/aggressive adult mini riders.
This is the most important upgrade you can make for an adult sized
rider. The stock suspension is too soft for most adults.    
    
    • 30% stiffer than stock
• Preset and stress relieved for long life
• Custom wound from aircraft quality spring steel
  
      
  Installation Instructions:  650-YTR-1205.pdf  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
Part Number Application Price  
650-YTR-1205 Fork Springs - TTR125, 00-Present 79.95  
Optional Parts:
660-YTR-1205 Shock Spring - TTR125, 00-Present 89.95  
 

 
Thanks, Scrape, I'll look into that.  If I can find one of that trio
that I'm comfortable sitting/riding  on, the power on any of them is
sufficient for my needs so the only big question left was the
suspension.  Knowing that it can be beefed up without too much cost of
parts or labor can solve that last part of the problem.

Wonder if the shop where I buy the bike can beef up the springs or is
that one of those things they shy away from due to liability, blah,
blah, blah?  Sometimes it seems there's just no common sense left in
the corporate world...lol.

Larry

 
lawyers suck all the dollars out of society
so there is no change left to support
common cent$

race tech in CA is a fair bunch of folks
there are others most likely the
place where you buy the bike either
does suspension for local riders/racer
or knows someone that does....
racers like the suspension a bit stiffer
than I like a bike..... I am a putt about
style rider and prefer a plush ride for
older bones.... so be sure to make sure
the folks setting up your bike 1st ask you
"what style riding do you intend to do?"
this will let you know that they intend to
make the bike work for you, not just some
magical setting they think is best. <grin>
john
    If we're here to help others,
    what are all the others here for?

 wrote:


They'd be happy to do it for you, but they're going to mark up the
parts and charge you a couple hours labor.  Read the .pdf file on the
Website and see if it looks like something you're comfortable doing.
It's really pretty simple work.

Where are you located?  There are folks all over that would certainly
be willing to help you out on this.