Monster 695 Race Tech fork springs

[LeMonstre]

Hey all, I have an '08 Monster 695. The front suspension is weak on this bike, so I'm looking for a more affordable way to improve it than a fork swap. This led me to Race Tech fork springs. However, Race Tech has nothing listed for the 695.

I looked up the OEM part number for the fork springs (which is 347.2.004.1A) This part number fits other types of monsters like the: 620 from '04-'06, the '02 750IE, the '04 800, '03 800S, the '07 S2R 800, and the S2R standard & Dark from '05-'06.

Race tech sells fork spring kits for these other models (part #FRSP S3827)

My question is, if the OEM part is the same, and race tech sells fork springs for those other monster models, it stands to reason that race tech springs for any of those other monsters will fit, right?

[ducpainter]

Simple answer is yes, and better springs would help.

I'd recommend that you buy a straight rate spring if the spring listed for those models is a variable rate.

[LeMonstre]

I believe it is not a variable rate spring. the springs are 0.90 KG/MM

[ducpainter]

I believe it is not a variable rate spring. the springs are 0.90 KG/MM

Good.

How much do you weigh with your gear?

[stopintime]

You also should take the opportunity to help damping a little with a heavier than standard Shell 7.5 fork oil. The very weak rebound is made even more bouncy by a better spring, so you'll need whatever can be achieved within a modest budget.

[LeMonstre]

Good.

How much do you weigh with your gear?

I weigh 200 without. Not sure how much with it

[ducpainter]

I weigh 200 without. Not sure how much with it

You might even be able to use a .95 spring.

I came up with a different number for .90 springs using the spring calculator.

[LeMonstre]

.90 is apparently the only one they have for Monsters so its kind of irrelevant

[ducpainter]

.90 is apparently the only one they have for Monsters so its kind of irrelevant

I believe there are a bunch of springs available for the Marzocchi forks on your bike.

Use the spring calculator link in yellow at the top of the page.

If you know all the answers...

why do you come here asking questions?

[Howie]

I would be shocked if you have straight rate springs if the forks still have the OEM springs.  Then again, your bike might be unique. 

[LeMonstre]

I believe there are a bunch of springs available for the Marzocchi forks on your bike.

Use the spring calculator link in yellow at the top of the page.

If you know all the answers...

why do you come here asking questions?

The spring calculator recommends a 0.85. Shouldn't I go with the closest spring rate to their recommendation?

[DarkMonster620]

Gonna chip in, their calculations are for riders without gear . . . If not mistaken, that is THEIR  recommendation, you can go one up or one down if you want . . .

Personally in my M620, I've got 0.9 springs with 10W oil . . . my weight, 190 no gear . . . their recommendation, 0.85

[ducpainter]

The spring calculator recommends a 0.85. Shouldn't I go with the closest spring rate to their recommendation?

FWIW...I weigh about 180 without gear and run a .085 racetech spring. The gold valves have been fitted with a custom stack.

From experience...a spring that is one rate too heavy is easier to live with than one that is one rate too light.

If I were you I would not go lighter than a .09.

Another thing about Racetech recommendations is they are somewhat based on their valving recommendations which are based on smooth racetracks.

The world isn't that smooth here.

YMMV

[LeMonstre]

I think I'll go with the .90 If it ends up being too soft, that'll encourage me to lose some weight

[Slide Panda]

There are other suspension shops too. I've been dealing with Traxxion Dynamics and been pleased. They were even cool enough to sell me a single spring to do a 1/2 step tweak for my track bikes forks.