springs

[lappenator]

Whats the difference between changing to a stiffer spring or preloading the one i already have ?? Bike is a kx450 2014 with a 2015 ohlins RXF fork

[kx450f63]

Whats the difference between changing to a stiffer spring or preloading the one i already have ?? Bike is a kx450 2014 with a 2015 ohlins RXF fork

 

Adding or subtracting preload does not change the rate of the spring only the the amount of force at the starting point which will show a relative increase through the entire cycle over known given points in the cycle.  I would also assume you could eventually get to a coil bind situation.

 

The porting in the shock is designed to work within a set of parameters,  and you can easily get outside of that set by adding or subtracting too much preload. 

 

In reality it's all about rider preference.  You can try anything you want, who knows you may like how it feels.  Although the guys with a whole lot of experience tell us we shouldn't do it that way.

 

As you go up in spring rate the amount of force is greater per inch compressed than one of a lesser rate with more preload placed upon it.  The springs primary function is to establish ride height.  Most people think about that while the bike is sitting still and checking their sag, but you also need to think about the real work of the spring.  When your hitting breaking bumps at 40 mph and the springs are working somewhere around 75% of their stroke they are exerting X amount of force into the ground and the bike.  Just by adding additional preload to a spring where a rider is riding too low in the stroke may not be enough additional force at that stroke area to maintain a good ride height.  The only way to get more force than the additional preload is to go up in in rate.

Edited March 4, 2015 by kx450f63

[mog]

A preloaded spring is like a softer one for a few inches od travel but then reverts to being the softer spring after that point