Pre-Race Suspension Checklist — 10 Things Before You Hit the Gate

Race day is not the time for surprises. A five-minute suspension check before you line up can be the difference between a podium and a DNF. Here are the 10 things every racer should verify before dropping the gate.

1. Bleed Fork Air

Air pressure builds up inside your forks from heat and use. That trapped air acts like a secondary spring, making your forks progressively stiffer through the day. Use the air bleed screw on top of each fork leg to release the pressure. Do this before every moto — not just the first one.

2. Check Your Sag

Sag can change. You lose water weight throughout the day. Riding gear gets wet or muddy and changes weight. Springs settle slightly over time. Take 60 seconds to measure your rear race sag with you in full gear. If it has moved more than 3-4mm from your target, adjust your preload collar accordingly.

3. Verify Clicker Settings

Vibration changes clicker positions. This is a known issue on every brand. Before each moto, count your compression and rebound clicks on both forks and the rear shock. Write your settings on tape and stick it to your toolbox so you always have a reference. If you do not know your settings, a safe starting point is 12 clicks out on both compression and rebound.

4. Inspect Fork Seals for Leaks

Run your finger around the fork tubes just above the dust wiper. If you feel oil, you have a leaking seal. A small amount of weeping might survive one moto, but a real leak means oil loss, inconsistent damping, and potential fork failure. Carry a seal cleaning tool (or a thin strip of 35mm film) to clean minor contamination from under the lip.

5. Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure has a dramatic effect on how your suspension feels. Too high and the bike bounces off bumps — your suspension cannot absorb what the tire is not. Too low and the tire rolls on the rim in corners. Check pressure cold (before practice) and set to your preferred race pressure. Typical motocross range: 12-14 PSI.

6. Inspect Shock Shaft and Reservoir

Wipe the shock shaft clean and look for oil weeping, nicks, or scoring. A scored shock shaft will destroy your seal on the next compression stroke. Check the reservoir hose for cracks or bulging. Give the shock a push — if it feels dead or lacks resistance, you may have lost nitrogen charge.

7. Check Linkage for Play

Grab the swingarm and push the rear wheel side to side. Any lateral play means worn linkage bearings. Worn bearings cause vague handling, unpredictable rear-end behavior, and can lead to rear swapping under braking. Linkage bearings should be greased every 15-25 hours and replaced when play develops.

8. Verify Steering Head Bearings

With the front wheel off the ground, turn the bars lock to lock. They should move smoothly without notchy spots or tight detents. Then let the bars fall from one side — they should rotate freely under their own weight and stop near center. If they slam to one side or feel notchy, the steering head bearings need adjustment or replacement. Bad steering bearings cause headshake and vague front-end feel at speed.

9. Adjust for Track Conditions

Track conditions change throughout the day. Use practice and sight laps to evaluate, then adjust:

• Soft/loamy track: Add 1-2 clicks of compression and rebound for more control in the soft stuff.
• Hardpack/dry: Soften compression 1-2 clicks for better traction. Speed up rebound for faster recovery.
• Muddy/wet: Mud adds weight to the bike — increase compression damping to compensate.
• Whooped out: Faster rebound so the suspension recovers between each bump. Moderate compression.

10. Do a Bounce Test

Stand next to the bike, push down hard on the front forks, and release. The fork should compress smoothly and return to ride height in one controlled motion without bouncing back up or topping out. Repeat on the rear by pushing down on the seat. If the suspension bounces back quickly and tops out, rebound is too fast. If it returns slowly and feels sluggish, rebound is too slow. This 10-second test catches major problems before you are on the track.

Bonus: Know Your Service Hours

Track your suspension hours just like you track engine hours. For recreational motocross, plan on a fork oil change and seal replacement every 30-60 hours, and a full rebuild every 50-100 hours. For racing, cut those intervals in half. Desert racing and muddy conditions cut them by another 30%.

If your last service was more than 60 hours ago, race day is not the day to hope for the best. Get your suspension serviced before the event — not after something fails on the track.

“I have woke up in the middle of the night, grabbed a yellow notepad and scribbled out the baddest Supercross valving setting... the rider takes one lap, looks at me and goes ‘are you trying to kill me.’” — Travis Flateau, TBT Racing

The best riders in the world spend as much time on preparation as they do on riding. Five minutes with a tape measure and a click counter before each moto is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.