KIWI RIDER APRIL 2018 VOL.2 | Page 53

2ND PLACE Like I said above, I liked the initial stroke soft for good contact feel, I tended to ride over the front a lot therefore I needed good feel. Ever ridden another top rider’s bike and How do you like your steering head set – free or firm? I’d say neutral, when the bike is on the stand I like to flick the handlebar from one side and have it stop before it reaches the other side - so almost like stock. Any suspension advice for our readers? champ’s bike. He’s super fast, yet it was way Many people have a belief that you have to change your suspension a lot, but once you have a good setting and are comfortable the truth is you should be a few clicks and a balance adjustment away from the perfect setting on any track. too soft for me. It was always in the bottom What is the bike you most enjoyed racing? half of the stroke and I had to use a lot of My 2007 YZ 450 because it was perfect for me, I felt I could win anywhere any time on that bike, the comfort & confidence on this bike was great. been amazed by their suspension? Yes, Romain Favbre’s 2017 YZ450FM. It was SO soft I was amazed this was the 2015 world energy to hold on to it. Like I said, I like a plush bike, but not so plush that it’s soft. KIWI RIDER 53