How-To: Set-Up Suspension For Sand

The 2020 Transmoto 6-Hour at Nabiac is just around the corner and being that the course is going to be predominantly made up of fast, wide-open sand tracks, we thought we’d give you guys an insight on how to set up your dirt bike’s suspension for riding in sand.
So, who better to offer advice about chassis geometry and suspension set-up than the experts from WP Suspension? Here are some topline tips from the WP guys about how you can make sure your bike is set up to suit Nabiac’s sandy terrain…

CHASSIS GEOMETRY

Drop the forks through the triple clamps 5mm or to the top line of your forks. This will increase the trail of your bike, slow the steering down, increase your bike’s stability on straights and allow the bike to flow through the corners.
Steg Pegz are an effective way to take pressure of arms by locking your body forward under acceleration. This reduces arm pump and rider fatigue. We don’t see any need to change the position of your controls in sand.

SUSPENSION SET-UP

Increase your sag on high-speed and sandy tracks to improve stability. The general rule is 112-116mm of rider sag.
In sandy whooped out conditions, harder springs will optimise your riding experience. Alternatively, on WP’s Xplor fork with Preload Adjusters (aftermarket PowerPart for KTM machines, stock for Husqvarna machines) turn the fork adjuster caps from 0mm to +3mm. The goal is to have the front-end ride higher in the stroke than normal so the bike can find its own way around the track without feeling twitchy or nervous.
If you have an air-sprung fork – such as WP’s AER Fork – bring the fork pressure up 5psi when riding in sand and add a couple clicks of rebound dampening to slow the return effect of the extra air pressure.

TUNING THROUGHOUT THE RACE

When the bumps start to get deep and mini G-outs occur the rear-end could be improved by stiffening up the high-speed compression +2 clicks and low-speed compression by +4 clicks. Adding +2 clicks on the rebound will also be beneficial.

WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

Why not look at the aftermarket suspension options from WP – what it costs and how it improves performance.

WP’s aftermarket suspension is referred to as WP XACT Pro for motocross and XPLOR Pro for enduro. A set of front and rear suspension retails for around $8500. For this outlay you get factory suspension as used by factory riders (such as the 2019 Finke Desert Race where WP’s Pro Component Suspension was used by the top three Outright finishers).

WHY UPGRADE?

Fork

More comfort when using stiffer set-ups.
Unlimited opening up of WP cone valve so harshness reduced.
No sealing surface so minimum drop of pressure after valves open.

Shock

High-and low-speed compression dampening on separate circuits, reducing interference.
Spring preload adjuster needs only an 8mm T-bar for quick easy adjustments.
WP’s Trax Shock allows for more surface contact over bumps.
Friction-optimised components.