Front suspension too soft

[2stroketerry]

Hi, will putting thicker oil in my forks make much difference or will I need different forks. Now I have made my DT far quicker and need to brake far harder the front end dives down quite scarily under hard braking although being 20 stone probably doesn't help.

[Glynn123]

USD fork conversion with adjustable yzf 426 forks was the best mod I ever done to my DT

[finnerz89]

Some heavier oil will help, but a fork conversion is probably the way to go

[Calum]

You used to be able to get progressive springs for these bikes. Retain the OEM look. Will be worth more in the future.

[finnerz89]

I know the DTX springs are progressive, so if you found a set of them they ought to fit

[2stroketerry]

Cheers lads will see if can get some progressive springs and heavier oil, changing to
usd forks seems too much work.

[Bluestoesonnose]

On the RD350LCs we used to run as teenagers we put mini valve springs on top of the original springs to pre load them.

[DTR+NSR]

Or take the spacer tube out the standard fork, cut a piece of pvc pipe abit longer than the original and refit. Gives you more preload on the springs, so doesn't dive so much under heavy braking. And costs pennys to try first.

[NINJA]

@2stroketerry You can still get progressive springs off ebay for the DTR;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-DT-125-R-96-03-RH-4BL-Wirth-Progressive-Gabelfedern/112598606935?hash=item1a37666457:g:XFIAAOSwRuFZ3kSF:rk:7:pf:0

Or Wemoto will order some in for ya too;

https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/yamaha/dt_125_r/99-00/picture/fork_springs_progressive_-_wirth_germany

[Calum]

@2stroketerry It is a fair amount of work, and does detract away from that OEM look. But oh my what a difference it makes. Not that I do, but get a set of crosser forks and speed bumps just become fun

[Glynn123]

@Calum there is a very noticeable difference in cornering on sm wheels also, and I'm in no way an experienced road rider. Basically no dive under heavy braking also, so much more stability, not that I found my RE forks too bad.

[Calum]

@Glynn123 DTR forks are though.

For me, I had way more fun at 30 on a DTR than I do at 70 on my SM RE. Ihad a video where I swapped with a mate and let him ride mine....I wouldn't let him have his bike back lmao!

[declan]

@Calum I saw progressive springs on eBay fem months back for the dt

[2stroketerry]

Don't like look of sm wheels and do a lot of green lanes as all country side where i live and prefer to keep my knobblys although had a few scares on high speed corners. With a ported athena 170 on my dtr flat out weaves about a bit, don't know how fast though as speedo only goes to 80mph and goes faster than that. Accelerates lots faster so do a lot of heavy braking and at 20 stone the front dives crazy.

[stinkwheeler]

I've just bought some preload adjusters for the top from ebay china job they do the same thing as the pvc pipe trick that and some stiffer springs is probably best but im just going to try them and see how it goes

[Minia]

The suspension effect you get from forks comes from the air left inside the fork, after all you cannot compress a liquid. If you change to thicker oil and try filling it up a bit more you will effectively stiffen the forks. Just make sure you still have air in them, don't fill it right up cause then you won't have any suspension.