As the title says, are they cartridge forks or damping rod forks?

I really don't like how the XT handles on the road, the suspension is too soft. I'm thinking that I might use a new set of springs for the front and maybe change the preload on the rear? (haven't touched it, and I've had the bike for... almost 4 years). It's somewhat scary how much the bike dives when braking or how much the rear end sags when I get in the throttle, and that makes it extremely unforgiving and tricky to ride it hard.

What rate of springs does it have? Is the KEV spacer enough to get the front end composed, what about different oil weights?

I weight about 220 pounds with all my gear on, I really doubt that the XT is properly sprung for my weight.

BUT, there is a catch. I didn't got the XT to take it off road, I got it because of how bad some roads within Mexico City are. There are some roads I won't dare to ride on my other bikes...

So I want to get the XT to handle better, but I don't want to make the suspension harsher. The XT is my first DP bike, so I don't really know if the suspension is fine or what. I'm familiar with sportbike suspensions, but there are no adjusters on the XT's suspension, and I really doubt that setting up the sag is the same than on a sportbike.

Bump

I'm interested in this also (before I lay down the cash for an XTR I'd like to know any suspension issues can be sorted).

I'm assuming they are damper rod forks, and if so, has anyone looked at fitting Ricor Intiminators to an XTR? Intiminators have had very good reviews on other sites (both road and offroad). They don't list an XTR version on their website (I've emailed them but no response), but they do models for the Suzuki DR650 and V-strom 650, which it seems have the same fork diameter (43mm) as the XT, so I think it might fit.

Also, this site has very good technical articles on setting up fork and shock pre-load, which might help...

http://teknikracing1-px.rtrk.com.au/...y/setup-guides

Not many of the guys have played with the XTR front end.

If you have the money get a set of progressive fork springs, 15w oil. Or a set of XTX second hand springs. If the funds are short fit my fork spacers with 15W fork oil.

I run 15w oil & progressive fork springs in my X & love the front end, hardly any dive & feels so positive when pushed, I am not worrying about fitting emulators anymore.

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Mods that I have done to my XTX's

My 04 XTX
Stage 1 & 2 DNA filters / Kev fuel mod / snorkel mod / Drilled air box mod / Engine breather mod / Fork Spacer mod / 15w fork oil /
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My 07 XTX
Raptor 700 cylinder 102mm / Modified Crank Case to take a 105mm Raptor Cylinder / 11:1 102mm JE Raptor piston / Stage 1 Raptor Hot Cam / Ported head / Colder Spark Plug / +2mm Throttle body / DNA stage 1 & 2 filters / Modified Air Box / Snorkel removed / Worry Brothers stage 2 filter cover / 6mm & 8mm Bolts Replaced with Titanium Bolts / Recovered seat in Black / O2 Eliminator /

My 09 XTX
59HP at the rear wheel / Stage 2 Raptor Hot Cam / DNA stage 3 Air Box / Carbon Can Exhausts / Modified Exhaust Link Pipes / PCIII With Custom Fuel Map / Wideband Commander O2 Data logger / LCD100 Dyno Jet display & fuel adjuster / 2500 OHM HT lead instead of a 10K OHM XT lead / Extra Coolant Cooler / Protaper Fat Bars / Tail Tidy With LED Tail Light / OKE Protection Knobs / LED indicators / AIS blocked / Modified rear sprocket rubbers / Rear Foot Pegs removed / 09 ECU With 02 Sensor Changed To A 06 ECU / Complete wiring harnes Changed from 09 to 04 / Home made LED resistor flasher / Hole drilled in the fuel tank filler neck to allow quicker filling / Modified Bar End Weights / Progressive front fork springs, 15W fork oil, forks lowered 25mm, used XTR rear links lowering the rear 20mm, rear spring one click stiffer / Changed front & rear guards from blue to black / 47T rear sprocket / Speedo Healer V4.0 / Kev throttle cam mod / Throttle grip mod / The new 2010 O2 sensor mod is out, works a treat, The new 2012 O2 Controller is out, PM me for details

Now ride a 2018 MT09SP ABS + TCS

My KTM 990 SMR Mod book. http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4946