Is A-Kit suspension worth it?!

REP suspension loaned me a set of their race spec A-Kit (cone valve) suspension to test on my 2023 KTM 450Sxf and I learned a lot.

Testing motocross equipment is not as easy as I thought it might be. I was surprised by a lot and not let down too often.

Check out the video for my thoughts.

Thanks for watching! Like and subscribe!!!!

[Davido]

Beautiful machine. Went KTM as vet rider. Never looked bk. These bikes are sooo well made. 💯 -Ohio

[twowheelsintransit]

I picked up a set of used cone valves for £700 and then had them resprung/ revalved as well. I would say they are the biggest catalyst in my improvements as a rider, just the confidence in knowing no matter what I hit they will do just fine. I actually haven't even been super happy with the settings from the tuner and after opening them up myself have realised they didn't even put the springs I requested in there. But even with that I can still say they are a massive improvement. I'm currently going through the process of learning to tune them myself and can't wait to see what I can get out of them when they are operating at their best!

[jaycunagin]

I’ve had them since the 4cs fork debacle and I’ve had the same cones and trax on 3 different bikes in 7 years. I think the price is a wash and might be cost effective in the long run for some avid buyers. When I buy a new bike the suspension goes right on and I might need to adjust a few clickers to compensate for a fresh frame and motor but the suspension feels the same and for me that’s priceless. Resale on my old bike is better because the OEM fork and shock are new.

[jeremyrobinson]

Hi MX BRO, A MOST EXCELLENT VIDEO LOTS OF DECENT INFORMATION. YOUR DESCRIPTION ON THE ACTION OF THE SUSPENSION WAS VERY HONEST . LOVED THE RIDING TIME TOO .THE MOST IMPORTANT THIN.G IS SET UP .KNOW RIDERS BUY FANCY FORKS &SHOCKS THAT WERE FOR DIFFERENT ABILITIES/WEIGHTS & WONDER WHY THIER RIDE WAS WORSE 😂.LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE VIDEOS .TAKE CARE

[Quadz]

I agree with “you can push it waaay harder” but you gotta be in shape to get the most out of it. Hey maybe that’s a good excuse to ride more! Haha

[andrewwilson]

I only had the fork, but just with the forks when I OJ a jump the bottoming out resistance is amazing and just everything about it is amazing

[bjornchristiansson]

I have many years of pro racing.
And I try air fork ones and they suck big at high speed !
For novice and slow riders they are perfect.
I have factory suspension on my 450 and that's way different then stock.
Ofcourse it's stiff at slow speed but it's rideable for any person.
Was long time sense I ride WP suspension so not a person who can tell about that.
Swedish Öhlins has been my sponsor and there forks and shocks are top lever !
But they cost you a bit.
Nice video by the way.
Best regards from Sweden Scandinavia 🇸🇪

[datractor]

The stock shock is good enough with just a revalve, the kyb kit or the 6500 is all you need and you can absolutely take them back out and to the next bike.

[sakariputtonen]

Factory stuff is stiff for pro's. Same suspension can be made to work sweet for anyone, just needs springs and valving/shimming for one's speed/weight.

[tylermanzak]

Very valuable info and nice video, thanks brotha!

[joelballard]

It all depends. For the average, weekend vet guy, a revalve is all you ever need. If your B-class and above, spend whatever money you have and get all the suspension. Lol.

[playdirtusa]

Good stuff! Just some vet rider notes from experience, there are companies who know how to make stock WP stuff work great & once they do for under $1200 incl 'coatings', the average ww will be more than happy! I have a '14 500exc I built set up as an mx'er with the WP 4cs forks & shock it came with that i will never part with, it all has RG3 smart valves & interestingly enuff a heavier bike such as an EXC keeps you very well 'planted' when you're a VET not whipping & throwing the bike every which way like you're having a seizure🙄 The 4cs forks & shock are amazing, stuff eats up the chop on the track where you dont feel it, tracks much straighter & hard bottoming is never felt in your bones. Ive also had the 'wrong'' but very reputable company set up some WP on a factory edition & it was TERRIBLE😝👎🏻 Im a firm believer having the suspension done is a huge safety factor as a vet rider on an mx track, saved me many times from potential disasters. The coatings for minimal stiction are DLC (blk coating) which is supposed to last longest, the blue or turquoise is TiNi (titanium nitride) which does not last as long, DLC is best choice for ww's IMO, which is what I had done to my stuff on my 450xcf since I was sending it to AHM anyways, under $1200 for everything front & rear very reasonable. I noticed Masterpool is running AHM stuff which is good to see, since AHM owner Brandon is a really cool guy like the AEO guys seem to be! Also of note those Xtrig ROCS clamps worked better on my heavier 500exc but feel stiffer than the stock clamps on my lighter 2020 450xcf set up as a track bike. Thanks again for putting everyday Joe stuff out there👌🏻

[paulwallace]

A kits are big advantage if there set up alot of tuning involved. Different track surfaces plays a big part. I worked on a team bike with factory suspension and 90% of it was suspension tuning. Lucky for us was just changing springs and the odd shims adjustment. As yes springs are far better then air forks . But you can run some older spring forks on new models just change springs revalve it with gold valves and do shims and you have a cheaper suspension kit

[MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

Good video. Your handlebars renthal is a #997 or #998 model ans size.

[christophervillarreal]

I race b class bone stock suspension and have been crushing it. You absolutely do not need to get suspension done you just need to read your manual and get correct spring rates

[trace]

Pretty sure your helmet straps are routed wrong. They go on the other side of the pads. At least in most models

[johnnyhopkins]

How do you know you didn’t just pay 7k for a spring conversion

[vmcmark]

How do you listen to & take advise from someone about suspension that starts off talking about having the wrong springs and how his rider skill & weight somehow equal out and make everything doable?? The springs hold up the chassis so that the suspension can operate & function in the correct part of the stroke BECAUSE of how much the rider weights. The main reason for setting the RIDER SAG is so the chassis is at the CORRECT height & the forks are at the proper ANGLE to work & pivot the front end of the bike. Think about it this way, the front end pivots and the rear end steers & that is why the FRONT WHEEL IS ALWAYS POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD & the rider & the rest of the bike follow it, hence the rear steers. Having your head directly over the steering stem pivot area of the bike makes it so that the front wheel & the riders head & eyes are on the same plane & always going ahead whilst the rest pivots & turns behind the head/neck and the front wheel!

[derkbrock]

U need to get a taller seat my brother I have one it’s a game chabged

[corredorsv]

how many clicks did you have comp and rebound? and preload