SHAYNE KING 1996 500cc WORLD CHAMPION
Your normal
racing weight? How do you like your steering
head set – free or firm?
87kg I always like a firm steering head so I can
maintain full control in all conditions.
Front and rear spring
rates you typically
ran when racing
at your peak?
Fork 4.8kg
shock 5.4kg
Do you have a
preferred steering
head angle and fork
offset?
It depended on the circuit
but, yes, I always changed
this for hard or sand.
Rear suspension rider sag?
Were you particular?
I was always checking this, the
rider sag is so important to the
set-up of the bike and the riding
position. I run between 90mm for
hard tracks and 105mm for sand.
Front to rear balance, your thoughts?
I always run a plush front end
with a lot of bottoming resistance
as I was a front brake mad man,
and liked the pressure on the
tyre in cornering. For the rear I
always ran it on the harder side.
How do you like your
suspension to feel?
Always plush with plenty of
bottoming resistance.
Ever ridden another top
rider’s bike and been amazed
by their suspension?
I guess all the top bikes I have
ridden have always been set
up and balanced so have never
been amazed by their set up.
48 KIWI RIDER
Any suspension advice for our readers?
Set-up is key, making sure you use the
adjustment in the clickers. Always checking
the sag before racing is so important.
What is the bike you most enjoyed racing?
The 1996 Factory KTM 360. This was the easiest
and most neutral bike I ever raced.
Shayne King’s favourite bike:
1996 KTM 360