OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: brent j on November 16, 2009, 10:27:52 pm

Title: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: brent j on November 16, 2009, 10:27:52 pm

I've just watched a DVD that came with a copy of a local bike mag and there's a bit about Geoff Ballard.
He's on a YZF450WR (or what ever the designation is!) and it's running right way up forks.
I was suprised in this day of the latest and greatest to see this setup but lets face it the guy knows a bit about suspension and going fast.


I do recall in a US mag about 1-2 years ago someone was running RWU forks on a CRF450 in GNCC racing.

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: TeeBone on November 21, 2009, 08:28:01 am

IMHO, Upsidedown forks are one of the biggest blights foisted upon us dirtbike riders. A handful of Supercross riders deem them necessary, so we ALL have to put up with them. USD's are more prone to seal leakage (mud and dirt goes to the bottom of the leg where it is driven into the seal area upon full compression) too. Gimme a set of WP 50mm Extremes any day!

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: Nathan S on November 21, 2009, 06:20:38 pm

That bike was at the Nationals earlier in the year. Couldn't pick what bike the forks came from - best guess is TTR250(!).

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: firko on November 21, 2009, 06:33:00 pm

I've got a set of Paoli 46mm conventionals for sale if anyone wants to convert their own YZF450R.

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: evo550 on November 21, 2009, 09:54:20 pm

Yep, TTR 250. Don't know why.

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: LWC82PE on November 21, 2009, 10:07:58 pm

I spoke to someone who saw Ballard a few months back at some enduro series round in SA and they heard Ballard mention that he just likes the TTR forks better or thinks they perform better or something along those lines.

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: monaro308 on November 22, 2009, 12:12:45 am

Couldn't be any worse than my '06 WR450F can it?
Never ridden a bike that has a mind of its own in the front end. ::) ::)

Title: Re: right way up forks on a YZF450WR
Post by: brent j on November 22, 2009, 11:29:19 pm

The forks my be TTR250 but I'll bet the internals have been "played" with, the bike seemd to handle the bumps as well as the other bike (maybe his son?) in the vid.

Conventional forks do have less unsprung weight and I do wonder how many of us "need" USD forks to reach our potential.
USD's do have the advantage of being externally adjustable and tuning info is available (for a price!) but if you are prepared to mess around I'm very surprised at how good, and easily RWU's can be made to work.
Add to that the ease of servicing RWU's

I've just added a 43mm front end to my XT500 so it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get that sorted and how much difference it will make. It will take the front travel from 9" to 11" and hopefully stiffen it up. To compliment that I have a pair of OHLINS I bought a few years ago that will take the rear travel to an even 12".
All I need now is someone to ride it to it's limits!!!!!!!!!!!!