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[McRat]

Greetings,

I'm going to buy an FX as a dirtbike.

Specs say the 2014 is a better bike for dirt.  More travel up front, 9lb less weight.

I know the rims are narrower on the 2014 compared to the 2015, but the 2014's are normal sized for dirt bikes.

I have no need for ABS.

Is the suspension terrible on the 2014's?  If so, how tough is it to improve it?

Are there other differences between the two years I need to know?  I'm ready to pull the trigger, but I don't know if the 2015 is better for the dirt.

Thanks in advance!

Pat

[rayivers]

Pat,

I haven't ridden any 2015 Zeros, but I think you'll be quite happy with a 2014 FX for dirt, especially if you get a good deal on it and spend the money saved on the optional Fox shock and good knobbies.

My '14 2.8 "MX" (converted FX) is finally working well in the dirt.  The OEM FastAce fork (rebound 6 clicks CW, compression 0 clicks) seems fine to me, and the Fox shock is excellent, although I'm still dialing it in (didn't like the OEM shock).  I'm now using 12/71 sprockets, a big improvement over the 12/65 gearing of the chain kit.

I'd like to get either a '15 FX 2.5x18 or '14 DS 2.15x19 (front) rim. So many good rear knobbies are only available in 19" these days, and the really wide 130 / 140 18" ones usually specify a 2.5" or wider rim, although there are exceptions.

Ray

[Cortezdtv]

If you can afford it get a 15

If your on a budget you won't be disappointed in a 14, even look for a 13, can be found few thousand less than a 14 or 15


I know my 13s still rip, and I wouldn't get a different bike unless it was a 15, strictly for the Showa front and rear is much better than fast ace!! 

Although like said before a properly valved fast ace can still be good, it's just not going to take 15+ foot jumps as well....

[McRat]

Thanks.

Seems like I want the 9lb lighter weight of the 2014 (no ABS), the tighter rake and trail of the 2014, but the better suspension components of the 2015.

So perhaps the 2014 and upgrade the suspension with the money I save.

[rayivers]

a properly valved fast ace can still be good

Do you know of anyone that can properly valve Fast Ace motorcycle suspension units?  I've only found one bicycle place so far, and I don't know if they re-valve or just rebuild.

Ray

[Richard230]

I think Fast Ace suspension components have been used for some time in the mini-dirt bike racing for some years.  You might contact local dirt bike shops in your area and ask them your question.  Maybe they will know of a suspension specialist that knows how to fool with Fast Ace suspensions.

[steven_first]

I can vouch for the 2015 suspension being very good and the adjustments are objectively measurable.  I ride gravity mountain bikes (downhill or DH) and the suspension on those bikes has about the same tunability and I can tell you that a suspension setup that can't be tuned is not a good thing when riding in varying road/trail/track conditions.