Best forks ever made?

reded
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reded 10/19/2015 4:38pm
10/19/2015 4:38pm
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
The Rock wrote:
Agreed.....the 87 CR Honda cartridge forks were the kind.

For rear suspension the Suzuki full floater....
TeamGreen wrote:
So, you guys didn't ride '89 KXs?
Light years ahead of the more advanced looking yet poor performing fork that was bolted to the front of the '90 KX.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/19/2015 4:41pm
10/19/2015 4:41pm
The Rock wrote:
Agreed.....the 87 CR Honda cartridge forks were the kind.

For rear suspension the Suzuki full floater....
TeamGreen wrote:
So, you guys didn't ride '89 KXs?
reded wrote:
Light years ahead of the more advanced looking yet poor performing fork that was bolted to the front of the '90 KX.
Yyyyup

The 89 fork is the best conventional fork I'd used until I had a set of '97 RM forks done by the Showa guys...Magnesium sliders. Too cool.

Btw, MC hated'em
bob567
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bob567 10/19/2015 4:45pm
10/19/2015 4:45pm
Someone needs to take a 1993 Honda CR250 frame and mount up a 1982 Suzuki Full Floater rear end and 1989 Kawasaki forks. Slap in a 2016 KTM 450 engine. If you owned all 4 you would know what Im saying. Until then Cone Valves for my 2015 FE 450 will have to do.
reded
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reded 10/19/2015 4:46pm
10/19/2015 4:46pm
I'll never understand the marketing depts decisions to place more emphasis on aesthetics than performance.

The Shop

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Sheriff245 10/19/2015 5:00pm
10/19/2015 5:00pm
reded wrote:
I'll never understand the marketing depts decisions to place more emphasis on aesthetics than performance.
They're in business to sell bikes, not to brag about performance.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/19/2015 5:02pm
10/19/2015 5:02pm
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
I agree for that era, I had a 87 CR250, these days they would feel certainly not the best...the Yamaha SSS are probably the best modern fork
Icespikes 10/19/2015 5:05pm
10/19/2015 5:05pm
JOHN CHOATE wrote:
Several magazine test riders have had very positive comments about the '06 and later SSS forks on the Yamahas. One mag. in particular said they are...
Several magazine test riders have had very positive comments about the '06 and later SSS forks on the Yamahas. One mag. in particular said they are about as close as you can get to "works" forks.
that mag is correct
loftyair
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loftyair 10/19/2015 5:58pm
10/19/2015 5:58pm
The last of the conventional were best for everyone except the very top sx'ers. Then the Sss.
Beast666
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Beast666 10/19/2015 6:22pm
10/19/2015 6:22pm
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
The Rock wrote:
Agreed.....the 87 CR Honda cartridge forks were the kind.

For rear suspension the Suzuki full floater....
TeamGreen wrote:
So, you guys didn't ride '89 KXs?
At Ponca when Kawasaki displayed the 89 models everyone asked how come no upside down forks??? Jose Gonzalez told me Just wait till you try them and if you want we can bolt on some USD forks onto a 89 KX and you can decide. After trying out the 2 forks side by side the 89 conventional cartridge were super smooth while the USD had a massive amount of mid stroke harshness.

Even the USD forks that have been revalved on my 94 KX250 are harsh compared to the 89 forks
Thelen20
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Thelen20 10/19/2015 6:44pm
10/19/2015 6:44pm
njracer46 wrote:
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids...
You guys crack me up. I'm not saying they're amazing but far from the worst I've ever ridden on. If they're so bad how are kids winning titles at Loretta's on them? Or qualifying for pro races? I see plenty of fast kids running 4cs at the local level. I've got a good bit of time on mine without a revalve, are they amazing, no. Are they as bad as all you make them sound, defiantly not. Spend your money how you want, but to say you can't ride a bike with the 4cs is far from the truth.
Motofinne wrote:
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made...
I think you understood me wrong, i was "making fun of" the guys on Vital that think the 4CS are one of the worst forks made in the modern era of moto.

I agree a 100% with you. They aren't junk!
Charper732 wrote:
Anything can be made great....just depends on how much money you are willing to dump into them. The title should be "the best forks without major...
Anything can be made great....just depends on how much money you are willing to dump into them.

The title should be "the best forks without major modification"


i'm still working out a bottoming issue with mine, but this is the best I've ever felt in the inital and mid stroke.



Exactly, I bet the fastest guys still running 4cs have just a little more done than a standard 250 dollar revalve.

I rode a factory connection air setup on a 14' crf450 a couple months ago and wow, they were incredible, best forks I have ever been on, albeit the conditions were not too demanding. They soaked up the little bit of chop we had going and had excellent bottoming resistance on a couple flat, slap down landing we had out there. That is what made me decide to ditch the 4cs, they were never going to be that good. I am going to ride them back to back with my new cone valves soon and see how they compare.

I rode some yz250f sss stuff in 2010, really good stuff for bone stock! Felt real similar to my revalved 04 crf250 forks which I always loved.
JW381
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JW381 10/19/2015 6:55pm
10/19/2015 6:55pm
I have a question. What constitutes the best? I had an 09 YZ and I couldn't get that to turn for shit. I know that's a combination of things, but wouldn't a bike not cornering well point to some flaw in suspension? Having read other posts about the YZs here and on TT, I know I'm not alone in the turning problems. My CR turns and handles much better, in my opinion. Bronwyn's 06 YZ handles great, but is also much smaller and lighter. So I guess when I hear people say the SSS is the best, I don't quite know what criteria they're basing that off. Granted I havent ridden too many bikes in my day, I've turned laps on a dozen or so.
Tim507
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Tim507 10/19/2015 7:16pm
10/19/2015 7:16pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 7:16pm
My 1997 Husaberg FE400 which had WP 50 Conventional forks and an Ohlin Rear Shock was an excellent set up. It has a Russ Fletcher built motor with the forks and shock stock. I could pound the whoops at Washougal with ease...... of course that was some twenty years ago. Still own that bike.
BobPA
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BobPA 10/19/2015 7:27pm
10/19/2015 7:27pm Edited Date/Time 10/19/2015 7:27pm
Odyssey classic dirts

Or

S&M pitchforks
IceMan446
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IceMan446 10/19/2015 7:44pm
10/19/2015 7:44pm
SSS KYB's hands down.

No other stocker even comes close.
RailinRuts450 10/19/2015 9:08pm
10/19/2015 9:08pm
Yamaha's modern fork. I've ridden a few different brands. For a stock suspension they're the...



Motoxtombo
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Motoxtombo 10/19/2015 9:12pm
10/19/2015 9:12pm
southwick_mx wrote:
I really, really liked the 50mm WP conventional forks on the late 90s KTMs. They were said to be very heavy, but I've never experienced anything...
I really, really liked the 50mm WP conventional forks on the late 90s KTMs. They were said to be very heavy, but I've never experienced anything more plush yet resistant to bottoming. One day I'll get a set to try out again.
Yup,I loved those 50mm WP forks too,I think they only used them one year though in 1999,They were so smooth and they didn't have much of the fork leg hanging below the axle.
queen of spodes 10/19/2015 9:21pm
10/19/2015 9:21pm
Conventionals:
1st place: KTM WP Extreme 5060 (50mm)
2nd place: 1989 KX big bike forks

Upsidedowns:
1st place: SSS
2nd place: 2004 RM bike bike forks

queen of spodes 10/19/2015 9:22pm
10/19/2015 9:22pm
southwick_mx wrote:
I really, really liked the 50mm WP conventional forks on the late 90s KTMs. They were said to be very heavy, but I've never experienced anything...
I really, really liked the 50mm WP conventional forks on the late 90s KTMs. They were said to be very heavy, but I've never experienced anything more plush yet resistant to bottoming. One day I'll get a set to try out again.
Motoxtombo wrote:
Yup,I loved those 50mm WP forks too,I think they only used them one year though in 1999,They were so smooth and they didn't have much of...
Yup,I loved those 50mm WP forks too,I think they only used them one year though in 1999,They were so smooth and they didn't have much of the fork leg hanging below the axle.
Just replied to say the WP 50mm's are my favorite conventional fork of all time. I have them on my 99 KTM dual sport and love them.

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Brian Lynn_Cameron 4/17/2018 10:09pm
4/17/2018 10:09pm
queen of spodes wrote:
Conventionals:
1st place: KTM WP Extreme 5060 (50mm)
2nd place: 1989 KX big bike forks

Upsidedowns:
1st place: SSS
2nd place: 2004 RM bike bike forks

96-97 suzuki rm250 conventional front forks are the cats meow, de coster's influence was all over them.
Deja New
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Deja New 4/17/2018 10:34pm
4/17/2018 10:34pm
pitbike502 wrote:
[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/106884042_7f924cbc63.jpg?v=0[/img]
Sporks Rock i love sporks they are the ducks nuts of utensils.....
make1go
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make1go 4/18/2018 4:37am
4/18/2018 4:37am
CR500Rider wrote:
Best production forks? For conventional it's easily the 87' CR forks.
I have them the 87 cr250 and aos enzo spring kybs and i call them "my precious", tho oddly enough ive been able to make my 1990 kx125 forks work really well on a 1996 kdx220.

I just need a set of conventional 98 rm forks and i got the set..
make1go
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make1go 4/18/2018 4:49am
4/18/2018 4:49am
reded wrote:
Light years ahead of the more advanced looking yet poor performing fork that was bolted to the front of the '90 KX.
Say say all, but not me and if you see my other post i've got what many reguard as "the best"
hellion
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hellion 4/18/2018 10:17am
4/18/2018 10:17am
My KYB SSS forks are good enough that I don’t ever mess with them. But at the time, the conventions Marzoccis were way better than anything else. Then the 50mm WP conventionals that followed them were equally as good if not better. It was many years before I either forgot how good they were or I just got used to what is available. Kind of feel the same about the Full Floater.
Bruneval
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Bruneval 4/18/2018 10:36am
4/18/2018 10:36am
An old thread, but I like this topic. It all boils down to settings, and even some of the most genuinely horrendous can be made to work with enough time and effort. Been there, done that - I have a couple of 1989 Honda's with the notorious first generation Showa USD forks.

For me, the best out of the box is the standard forks found on my 2012 CRF250. Those things are excellent without any further work.

I have many different aftermarket and 'kit' forks on my bikes, and they are all generally better than stock, but only if they are set-up for your ability/type of riding/weight. The stand out performer for me is the 50mm Marzocchi shivers on my KXF. Those things are so plush; firm and will not bottom out and provide good feedback on the front wheel, yet they are like a magic carpet over breaking bumps and other chop. So smooth. I have Showa A kit, Factory Suzuki stuff, Cone Valve/Trax, Full Ohlins and some bikes with just an Ohlins shock. It is all about the settings and setting the bike up for you.
Manbearpig
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Manbearpig 4/18/2018 1:15pm
4/18/2018 1:15pm
newmann wrote:
I was going to mention the 89 KX250 46mm KYB's.
Exactly my thoughts. I knew I would see a mention of those forks on page 1
xr70
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xr70 4/18/2018 5:09pm
4/18/2018 5:09pm
80's. 87 cr250 , 89 kx250
90's. 96 cr250
2000's. SSS Yamaha
Present 15 YZ450F
Ken202
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Ken202 4/18/2018 5:52pm
4/18/2018 5:52pm
My 2003 KX 250 had its forks tuned/built by Josh at EBR Performance. They were great.
Byron909
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Byron909 4/18/2018 6:17pm
4/18/2018 6:17pm
I like conventionals as well, still have some ultra trick white power 50s on a 99, they work great, id say the downside is they are heavy. That 87 cr fork is good, but essentially thats a 86-88 cr fork, just 87 had the nicest settings, but any of those years can be made to do the same. I have some 89 kawi forks on ky 86 kx500, they are rad forks as well, but also that fork was refined later and used on the 95 up kdx200, and xr650r. Any twin chamber showa with some minor work is also a great fork, same for the ktm copy of that. My tuned on '13 era white power cc forks are some of the best ive ever used.
Autotech1957
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Autotech1957 4/18/2018 6:33pm
4/18/2018 6:33pm
Byron909 wrote:
I like conventionals as well, still have some ultra trick white power 50s on a 99, they work great, id say the downside is they are...
I like conventionals as well, still have some ultra trick white power 50s on a 99, they work great, id say the downside is they are heavy. That 87 cr fork is good, but essentially thats a 86-88 cr fork, just 87 had the nicest settings, but any of those years can be made to do the same. I have some 89 kawi forks on ky 86 kx500, they are rad forks as well, but also that fork was refined later and used on the 95 up kdx200, and xr650r. Any twin chamber showa with some minor work is also a great fork, same for the ktm copy of that. My tuned on '13 era white power cc forks are some of the best ive ever used.
What we didn't know back then was stiffer springs would have made all these conventional forks even better. Plus a good fork brace. One thing to set straight...the 96-98 RM forks were twin-chamber. None of the look-alike DRZ-RMX were TC. They were/are open chamber. DRZ are still a great fork for offroad. All the XRs are open chamber.
Byron909
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Byron909 4/18/2018 7:24pm
4/18/2018 7:24pm
Yeah, the brace on my wp 50s made a big difference. The twin chambers i was referring to were the upside down jobs, like 97-08 hondas, later kawis, etc. it seems everyone of those forks ive ever used just took minor tidbits to turn into a awesome fork. My closed chamber white powers; as awesome as they are; took major parts changing, exotic coatings to be as good as they are.

Defintaly on the spring rate. I think on all my 80s era cr500s the stock fork rate was like .30 or something. I have some photos of me racing a stock 87 i bought. Its suspension was completly sacked out around these flat grass track corners. granted i was on the pipe, but youd think i was like 400lbs riding that thing!

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