Forks too soft for woops and drop offs

[GG27]

I spent all day at a local motocross track with my EC 250. I have revalved forks from the local dealer, who says these settings were used in the Six days bikes. Fork now performs much better, with the rebound at about 6 out it soaks up everything without bouncing out of ruts which was the case with the standard settings with the rebound fully in. Problem is that when I cross some drop offs or I hit whoops, my forks tend to go through all their travel, leave alone on the MX track where they readily bottom out even if with the compression clicker wound in at about 10 from fully in. I have an air gap of 110mm with the standard .42 springs and I am 185 lbs fully dressed. I know it is not set up for MX but when the speed picks up, they readily blow through the stroke, so I would like something better.

A friend gave me ride on his new 09 EC300 Racing with the SACHS 48 forks, and I was really impressed with the stability it offers on the high speed sections and the more planted feel it gives the chassis really railing through corners and long sweepers. Really nice bike.

Also, the gassers which have been raced in Europe the past years use the Mazzorchi 50's used on the MX bikes. So my question is should I get a pair of heavier fork springs or can I get the valving closer to the SACHS forks?

[GG27]

Anybody have these problems, I'm sure someone out their can help. Should I just increase the fork oil viscosity/level. Actually I added 10cc of some 10 SAE oil and bottoming is a bit better.

[wence]

I actually went to a 7.5 wt and I found that helped with the bottoming( made it happen less), but I will be getting forks etc done properly over the break in competition at the end of the year.
I now have my bike handling how I want but it is way too plush for motox or any big drop offs at speed, hence getting work done.
Cheers Mark

[Skidad]

7.5wt is the standard weight Marzocchi uses from the factory.

[wence]

[QUOTE=Skidad;32152]7.5wt is the standard weight Marzocchi uses from the factory.[/QUOTE

Well there you go.... Just proves how bad the oil was and how much improvement just changing the oil does for a start.
Cheers Mark.
(p.s when I went to do the oil change I started a post discussing this and I am sure I was told standard wt was 5wt?)

[GMP]

The fork may need a little more low speed compression and mid-valve control for big stuff, and the springs are border line soft for your weight. I know I'm in the same boat with springs and will likely go to .44s. Remember everyting is a compromise to some extent as fasr as valving is concerned.

[GG27]

Originally Posted by GMP

The fork may need a little more low speed compression and mid-valve control for big stuff, and the springs are border line soft for your weight. I know I'm in the same boat with springs and will likely go to .44s. Remember everyting is a compromise to some extent as fasr as valving is concerned.

I just ordered .46s. I thought the next heavier springs from .42s are .46s or are you going to put one .46 in one fork leg to get the required .44?

Thanks

[GMP]

No, .44s are the next rate up and easy to get, at least here. At 185lbs I think .46s will be too stiff, but you can mix one of each for a .44 rate.