How to Lower a Dirt Bike Suspension
If you have a dirt bike, then the chances are that you will need to lower the suspension at some point in time. Dirt bikes are intended for off-road use only, and as such, their suspensions tend to be very high, which can be tough on your back when riding on pavement or other hard surfaces.
Luckily, lowering the suspension is relatively easy with just a few tools that most people already own. This article walks through how to lower a dirt bike suspension so you don’t have to pay someone else more than what it would cost for new parts!
Things You’ll Need
- A pair of pliers
- An Allen wrench
- Hammer and nail or punch (optional)
- Some new bolts/screws
Instructions: How to Lower a Dirt Bike Suspension
Step One: Remove the Old Bolts or Screws
Gather up your tools and go for a walk to where you need to do this. Inspect your bike’s suspension components closely before deciding which bolt needs replacing (or if it even does). If everything looks okay, then move on to step two.
Step Two: Find the Right Bolt or Screw
Your job is to find a bolt that fits in place of what you just removed (you’ll know because it will look different and be slightly shorter). Most people keep them around for emergency repairs, so they shouldn’t be hard to come by. If all else fails, buy some new bolts if needed!
You can reuse your old ones another time. One thing not to do is tighten one screw too much with pliers without taking off any material first. This may cause rusting problems later on down the line.
Step Three: Turn the Screw
Take out some of the old material from your bolt with a screwdriver or pliers. You’ll need to take off just enough so that it will turn easily in place and tighten down snugly when you’re done. If you can’t get it all, don’t worry about it, but try as best you can!
Step Four: Tighten the Bolt
Once everything is lined up properly, go ahead and tighten down that bolt until it’s nice and tight (but not too tight!). That should be all there is to installing new bolts on your bike for now. You’re well on your way to riding again without any pesky vibrations getting in the way! The next step would be adjusting taller dirt bikes to your liking.
Step Five: Adjust the Suspension
You can adjust your bike’s suspension height for a variety of reasons. Some people like to have their suspensions tweaked so they’re at just the right balance between comfort and performance. In contrast, others may need different adjustments if they’re carrying heavier loads or looking to take on more technical terrain. Whatever you want out of this adjustment, it’s not as hard to do as you might think.
That’s it! After loosening the bolts, you can move them to a higher or lower position depending on what you need. Remember that your bike is designed to operate most efficiently at factory height, so if you’re looking for a more performance-oriented ride, then make sure not to raise the suspension too high.
Some Tips To Maintain Your Dirt Bike Suspension
Here is a short list of things you can do to maintain suspension on dirt bikes. We recommend having an independent shop check over everything for safety reasons before riding!
- Check your air pressure regularly. Keeping the correct tire pressure is a good first step to maintain suspension. This will also increase gas mileage and make it easier on components like engines, valves, etc.
- Stay on top of regular maintenance, such as replacing brake pads and fluids when they are due for an oil change or inspection.
Keep your bike in good working order. Check the chain, sprockets, and cables to make sure they are not too old or worn out. If you are not sure how to do this, consult an independent shop. - Clean your bike regularly too! Keeping dirt and grease off of the components can help prevent corrosion that might lead to suspension problems in the future. Be sure to wipe your bike down after every ride.
- Check the air pressure more often on a dirt bike that is not ridden as much or used for other purposes outside of riding off-road such as in motocross competitions.
- Avoid excessive use of rear suspension when you are not on an offroad surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Dirt Bike Suspension Work?
The suspension on a dirt bike is designed to help absorb the shock from bumps and jarring movements. The forks will move up and down while absorbing some of the impacts, giving your body less work to do.
How Do I Adjust The Riding Position?
Riders can adjust the riding position by adjusting their foot controls or handlebars and/or installing a taller seat to give more room for leg extension.
What Other Factors Affect Suspension Performance?
Angle of attack, rider weight, and suspension set-up all have an impact on the performance and feel of your bike’s suspension.
How Can I Tell If Suspension Is Too Soft?
Riders should keep in mind that softening a bike’s suspension will usually make it more difficult to flip or bunny hop, as they are both affected by how the bike’s suspension moves.
What Happens If I Over-Lowered My Suspension?
The rider will experience a harsher ride, as well as more noticeable frame flexing. It is recommended that riders only adjust suspension height at one time to avoid this problem.
You Can Check It Out to Setup Dirt Bike Suspension for Enduro
Conclusion
The dirt bike’s suspension system is essential. It allows the rider to feel comfortable on rough terrain, which can be difficult for normal bikes. However, sometimes riders may need to adjust their dirt bike’s suspension to make it more suited for them and their riding style.
This article discusses lowering a dirt bike suspension without having any mechanical knowledge or experience with doing so! If you are interested in lowering your own ride but don’t know where to start, read, this blog post will help!
There’s no reason why anyone should have an issue doing this themselves but if you’re feeling nervous about it, please let us know in the comment section below!
You may read also: Best Dirt Bike Stand
Darren Matlock
Hi, I'm Darren. I love dirt bikes and everything about the off-road lifestyle. I'm passionate about motorbikes, cars, racing sports and going on adventures. If you're like me and enjoy extreme sports, you've come to the right place! I like to write articles about dirt bikes to help beginners get started. Whether you're interested in buying a dirt bike, ATV, motorcycle or want to ride for hobby, I hope my articles will inspire you to learn more about how this machine can be used to ride.
