Top 5 Dirt Bike Setup Mistakes & Tips to Fix Them w/ Kris Keefer

[@robertcadiz4346]

I really like the longer videos like this. Thanks Kris!

[@Natedoc808]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. I’m going to be putting the 2:1 rule for compression/rebound to use next time I go to the whooped out testing grounds.

[@rmatvmc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@collinmorgan5262]

I love Kris Keefer.

[@Rucker537]

Excellent tips! Love the classic rock in the garage advice. I need to get out there and start the maintenance. Almost as fun as riding......

[@EarthSurferUSA]

1) Sag: Make sure you get the right suspension springs for your weight before you mess with sag. That is an issue for heavier guys above like 180lbs. If you are a 220lb guy for example, and set the rear spring sag with the stock springs, the forks will be so low the bike will be un-ride-able. I never noticed that when racing at 180lbs. :) Slacker tool is awesome for a one guy operation. But I set it to zero on the stand, carefully remove it and set the sag, carefully put the bike back on the stand, and it will be reading 1 or 2mm instead of zero. Something moved, (even when I used double sided sticky tape between the magnet and my axle.), but not hard to deal with. 2) Tire pressure. I broke my foot because I did not check air pressure. The pressure was low enough for the rear tire tread to actually twist sideways a bit on the face of a jump, and the rear of my bike followed the tread direction as if I cross rutted. Off balance on the landing, (take off really), and broke my foot. I was only about 3 feet off the ground. Jeff Ward once said that he runs 13psi in each tire, and that is good enough for me. :) 3) Adjust suspension. More on that later. lol 2 for 1 rule? I don't understand the reasoning and you did not explain, so it is probably "tribal knowledge", and it assumes the rebound is in the best spot to start off. This area really needs some explanation from a pro like Bones, because handed down tribal knowledge does not explain anything. 4) bar and lever position. I totally agree about riders rotating their bars forward too much. I think it came from freestyle. But the levers should be pointed down more so you can keep your elbows up for any unexpected hits, (on today;s freeway tracks, you have a point, but still.). James Steward did a show about a crash of Chase Sexton at the last national, and even James missed that Chases elbow as at his side pretty much, when he hit the face of a smaller jump. He would not have crashed if he re-gripped the throttle and kept his elbows up. Withe the levers pointed down about another 5 or 10 degrees, all you have to do is keep your wrist straight, and your elbows will be higher and ready for a hit. The "rider triangle" is the same as the 80's. The seat is just higher,---and the plastic longer. Wheel base, foot peg location and bar location (if set up like you did) are all the same, (with small variances of course). Shifter? I have always had to bend the tip of mine up a bit, because one spline is too high and the other too low. Had to do the same with my modern bike. 5) Maintenance. Your on your own there because there is so much, and different way of doing things that are acceptable for quality maintenance,--but "condensation" is when water vapor turned into water, like on the outside of a cold glass of lemonade on a hot muggy day. It is not called condensation when you force water in places with a pressure washer. We have a terrible education system,---and it shows to the elders.

[@legenderekonwheels]

"Ingress" is the term for that!

[@mikebishop6095]

And do you set your sag 100 for this example from on the stand or from the static sag point it settles at once off the stand

[@johnstanfield7406]

The sag is the difference in the static length on the stand and the loaded length with you on the bike. 100mm Sag = 101cm(static) - 100cm (loaded) @@mikebishop6095

[@clrd4tkoff]

Awesome Video!! Thanks for all the great information!!👍🏻👍🏻

[@onthethrottle7104]

This guy is spot on! excellent vid.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I have been around 20 some years longer, and helped him out a bit. :) The world started turning the day I was born,--not him. lol

[@seandavchrsn]

Keef-diggity dawg! Thanks for the great content on here and your splendid podcast. Cheers, from Nelson, New Zealand!

[@rmatvmc]

The name is fire! - Chase

[@henrikforsberg683]

That slacker thing is amazing!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I have one and love it. Put the bike back on the stand after setting the sag though, and it will probably read 1 or 2mm, (should go back to zero), but that is probably still way more accurate than I would trust Steve Mathis for help. :)

[@dizzy9827]

Great tips, love this types of videos keepin rockin!!

[@rmatvmc]

More to come!

[@Sparelaki]

Great video and really helpful tips !!! Thank you !!! Να στε καλά μάγκες !!!

[@Natedoc808]

I’m 5’10” and run the pro taper Carmichael bend on stock clamps at zero position and it allows perfect riding triangle.

[@MotoMatt418]

Very helpful video

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I am trying a new method next summer for suspension settings. I have the right spring rates, and set the rebound by estimate for now. Then I start riding with my compression on full soft, (all the way out with the screws.). I start off riding slow and softly and pick up the pace until I start bottoming out. Then I go stiffer on the compression about 3 clicks and keep doing that until I am hitting everything, and bottoming a bit only on the biggest hit of the track. Now my springs are perfect and the compression is perfect, and there is only one factor left, the rebound. Simply ride with more and less rebound dampening, and note how it is feeling. It is hard to dial in something that has several factors. If you get the compression and spring factors under control, then the rebound will be much simpler to dial in as the last factor. Make sense to you guys?

[@rmatvmc]

I like your thinking!

[@henrikforsberg683]

Sounds like method worth testing! 👍

[@teeniorcitizen8115]

Compression and rebound do not work independently. When you stiffen compression you need to soften rebound. Go back to about the 5:00 mark.

[@mikebishop6095]

@@teeniorcitizen8115 I know an amateur champion rider who uses the rebound with the compression exactly the same to get it softer due too stock springs for pros so stiff and with maxed soft comp he opens the rebound and it makes the effect double it seems so much plusher for moto but I always like a stiffer fork and lower rear end but he is front steering and I’m rear steering so it’s rider preference too

[@BrianHuddle-e9f]

Great video! I'm 5'8" and 150 lbs riding a 2020 CRF450R. Will I need to re-spring the suspension for my weight or is the stock spring rate correct for my weight? Any tips on tweeks for my height/weight on this bike are appreciated.

[@rmatvmc]

The spring rate that is recommended for you weight and bike is a .48 (152-177lbs) which is a lighter spring than the .49 that comes stock. Your shock is too stiff as well. Just use the drop down on our site to see what fork and shock springs you need. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/race-tech-fork-springs-p www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/race-tech-shock-spring-p

[@nastysoda9212]

Great video!! thank you

[@samfisher1732]

Gold info brother

[@aaronhinojos1131]

Ohhh wow ! Changing the oil every 2 to 3 hours of ride time! I've been doing every 3 rides !

[@barbenfischen]

Do you use the bar mounting in fender direction or the closer to the Seattle one on the YZ please?

[@B-Rad412]

I love your videos... they help me so much... I'm a noob Rider been riding 4 years I'm 50 years old.... I know you probably won't respond.... I'm having a hard time finding out what the springs and shock are stock on my bike I weigh 145lb... I have a 100% stock YZ 250f 2022 monster energy edition.... Are those the proper springs for my weight??... no one seems to have an answer...I can't find it online thank you if you respond graciously 🙏

[@Paul.rides.motos.511]

According to the race tech website your bike has 0.47 kg/mm fork springs and 5.5 kg/mm rear shock spring as standard, there is a spring rate calculator on the site and using the info you have given they recommend 0.39 kg/mm fork springs and 5.15 kg/mm shock spring, you put the correct springs in for your weight and it will transform the way the bike handles, hope this helps.

[@B-Rad412]

@@Paul.rides.motos.511 awesome thank you so much 🙏🙏

[@rmatvmc]

@@B-Rad412 He's right, correct spring rates make a HUGE difference. But the easiest way to know right away if you're too stiff or soft with your springs is checking your sag numbers. - Chase

[@B-Rad412]

@@rmatvmc Chase thanks a bunch..... I love your company and videos if you're the guy that does them 💥💥.... I actually won Rocky mountain graphics kit at Loretta Lynn's this year never called Rachel back though 😢

[@rmatvmc]

@@B-Rad412 You never called her back!? That's a bummer. I don't know anything about it so I can't help you much there. But if you have her contact info, you're welcome to reach out to her.

[@toddcragun9656]

Great video. Please send me the front tire pressure chart

[@rmatvmc]

www.keeferinctesting.com/2020-8-25-tire-pressure-settings-bible/

[@BlackoutShifty]

My wife heard that first tip and was shook. 😂 accurate so accurate

[@braapt7]

"God knows, having your wife out in the garage setting your sag could be a nightmare..." :D :D :D However, believe me: I am a wife, and having my husband to help me to set MY bike's sag isn't a piece of cake either. 😬

[@Aspired329]

Interesting 2 for1 rule. Have to check my notepad for how close am to that on my machines. Seems like a fast way to get a new off stock base then go from there Thanks!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I see a flaw in it with out even understanding the reasoning, (which he does not either, or he would have explained more.) It assumes the rebound clicker is in the optimal spot when you start. Different valve stacks and oil viscosity also effect how much actually dampening is in each click. For example, I replaced my Yamaha shock oil (suppose to be 0 weight), with 3 weight maxima oil to slow my rebound a bit with a heavy spring, (it was running out of adjustment),and man, did that 3 weight oil slow down the rebound. I went from 2 click from full hard to about 12 clicks out to get about the same rate of movement. I am going back to the Yamaha S-1 oil, and maybe mix in 10% 3 weight.

[@jaredamoroso8273]

What's the recommended tire pressure for all conditions from hard packed tracks on? I have a kx450f

[@rmatvmc]

That really depends on the tire. What tires do you use?

[@jaredamoroso8273]

@@rmatvmc Dunlop tires

[@emeteriogomez3748]

this man is a legend, "kick your kid out", "make him wash your bike."

[@tankeater]

1 ride in Glamis and I'll put 2 hours on my bike........... I've never known anybody to do 4-8 oil changes in 1 Glamis weekend 🤷‍♂️

[@mardun1984]

hi Keefer, Im 6 foot rider and should i bring my handlebar back in the mounts or front? On yamah 250f 2022

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I took time off riding to get a new bike (2019 YZ250 2-stroke) and tried the "bar rotated forward" set up I see so many using. I tried it for a year and went back to my old school ways, and i instantly found more control. I think the "forward rotated bar" comes from freestyle for more flying leg room, and not really the best for riding/racing. Gary Bailey would teach, (and I think this is best), to rotate the bars back enough so the grips are pointing down a bit at the ends, or up to level only, so hand position on the bar can be better. Riders today also have their levers too level. Just twist them down a bit so when you keep your wrists straight, your elbows automatically go up more. Chase Sexton would not have crashed at the last national (a crash that James Stewart talked about on his show), if he would have had his elbows up,--and even James missed it. Gary Bailey would not have missed it, and these guys should take a class from him, the Professor of motocross. :) You are not overly tall to need wild set ups IMO. But you can figure that out better than anybody else.

[@mikecatalfamo5964]

When you say 2 for 1. Does that mean if I do 2 clicks hard on compression I go 1 click soft on rebound or does that mean I go 2 clicks hard on compression 1 click hard on rebound?

[@rmatvmc]

It means 2 clicks in on compression and 1 click OUT on rebound and vice versa. - Chase

[@kermie606]

@@rmatvmcone click out meaning slowing the rebound?

[@Squids_Vlogs]

Attitude and pitch… is he into aviation? 🤔 😂

[@ianbrauning2687]

I actually dont know where I am at on my clickers, what the best way to get back to 0 / the base?

[@rmatvmc]

What bike do you have? Your owners manual will have them and if you don't have that, you could try some forums, or, just start right in the middle and go from there. - Chase

[@EarthSurferUSA]

You screw them all the way in, lightly when it stops or you can do damage, and count the click turning back out from there. To know where you are at now,--just count the number of click as you turn the screw to bottom (to the right), and you can get back to where you were. Going to full hard on the clickers, (bottomed out), is the reference point no matter what bike you have. The owners manual will not tell you where your clickers are at. lol

[@teeniorcitizen8115]

Yamaha manual list stock settings.

[@Randy_Cox]

Everyone says to "set sag" you gotta "set sag" but there is no correct sag number and very few videos explain what sag does and how to tailor sag to your bike and your riding. KAWI for instance does not provide any sag numbers in there manuals, the do a shock spring measurement that no one talks about.

[@rmatvmc]

Which Kawi do you have? Every bike that i've had has a recommended sag number as a window to start at. Some riders might like more or less, and some riders might not notice much difference at all. So do you not know what sag does and how it affects the bike, or are you just pointing out that out? - Chase

[@Randy_Cox]

@rmatvmc I have a kx250x and kx450x and in the manual they don't have a sag number they use a rear shock spring measurement and have ranges for that. I have slowly learned what sag does and how it effects my bikes but it isn't from any videos about setting sag because they don't explain it, they just say set it. For new riders it is a little confusing. Just like saying are you a front steer or rear steer guy to a new rider....they likely have no clue.

[@rmatvmc]

@@Randy_Cox Gotcha. Well, I know we've talked about it in videos I've done and some videos we've done with Keefer, but I'm happy to give more explanation if needed. Thanks for watching the video - Chase

[@Randy_Cox]

@rmatvmc you guys do great videos and so happy to have them to learn from. Keep up the great work.👍

[@drewallen8061]

The twoffer from the Keefer

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

Thank you for the "relationship" advice, here's mine; No girlfriend till you've made your fortune, mean time use protection, hit it and quit it, *OR* pump it and dump it!

[@KingFriday274]

Did you seriously just imply women cant read tape measures?

[@davidb.4342]

Mr Keefer "tough talked" his kid three times and dressed down his/'all' wife's/women's intellect once through this instructional video. Are the Chauvinist tough guy vibes and statements about riders own family throughout the video needed and in line with Rocky Mountain values and mission??!! Surprised you posted this Rocky Mountain.

[@factorysea8746]

I bet you’re a blast at parties.

[@davidmoore_723]

Why are you here?

[@scottmorgan6099]

He said nothing wrong, get over yourself...

[@chiboreache]

hahaha noticed too =) but tips are really helpful, so who cares?

[@mikemerrill175]

Wokeness sneaking into off roading

[@davidb.4342]

...why is Mr Keefers child washing his bike for him when he gets home? "I have a kid so he washes my bike when I get home" What?

[@canamxmr4760]

Called responsibilities and you’re teaching your kid to take care of stuff more people should try that today.

[@davidb.4342]

@@canamxmr4760 No, its called poor/lazy parenting. if the child was riding that would be one thing, but that's not the situation. the individual did not have his child out riding with him.

[@davidmoore_723]

Go away! At least one of his children is a teenager, Kris needs to be cancelled maybe? You clearly don't know much about Kris or life. Bye.

[@chiboreache]

otherwise how to respect *the freedom(tm)* 😂

[@mikemerrill175]

OMG, I used to have my boys mow the lawn & take out the trash. Completely unwoke 😂

[@MA-ld3pd]

Great video, thanks

[@rmatvmc]

Glad you liked it!