Race Tech suspension on the 2021 Kawasaki KX450 showed amazing gains in front-end traction and cornering. Professional riders love these upgrades for good reason.
Stock suspension makes riders choose between comfort and control. Our testing shows how Race Tech’s suspension fixes this problem completely.
The Race Tech Gold Valve system gives better bottoming resistance and a smoother ride. It comes with precise spring rates of 5.4 kg for forks and 5.8 kg for shocks.
These upgrades are worth every penny for serious riders at $100 each for fork and shock re-valving, plus the cost of Gold Valves and fluids.
The system also gives riders more room to adjust their setup. You can easily tune the suspension for different trails and riding styles.
Our detailed review will get into every part of Race Tech suspension’s performance. We’ll cover everything from how to install it to what it costs to maintain. This will help you decide if this popular upgrade is right for you.
Race Tech Gold Valve System Explained
Race Tech’s Gold Valve system transforms motorcycle suspension performance through smart piston design and adjustable valving stacks.
Core Components and Design Features: Race Tech Suspension
The Gold Valve system uses precision-engineered pistons that work in both forks and shocks. The system shines with its larger compression ports compared to stock pistons.
This design creates the best possible oil flow patterns. The design lets riders adjust both compression and rebound valving to get their suspension’s response just right.
You can set up the system’s special valving stacks in single-stage or two-stage configurations. These setups use carefully picked shim stacks that work with the Gold Valve to give you exact damping control.
How Gold Valves Differ from Stock
Stock suspension pistons make rides harsh because their ports are too restrictive. Race Tech’s Gold Valves fix this by tripling the flow area compared to stock parts.
The increased flow puts most of the control on the valving stack instead of the piston. This gives you better traction and helps prevent bottoming out.
The system comes with two types of compression valves:
- Type 1 valves give high flow and work well in all riding conditions
- Type 2 valves have smaller ports for aggressive riding but feel a bit firmer
Installation Requirements and Tools
You’ll need these special tools to install Gold Valves properly:
- Digital torque wrench (0-50 in-lbs range)
- Metric calipers and micrometers
- Shaft holding tool
- High-strength Loctite (included in kit)
- 400-grit or finer sandpaper
Getting the torque right is crucial – too tight and you’ll compress the valve stack wrong. The shim stack must be assembled in the exact right order and direction. Small mistakes here can really change how it performs.
Race Tech’s Digital Valving Search system helps you get the perfect setup. It picks the best configuration from over 300,000 possible combinations. The final steps need careful bleeding of the cartridge and exact oil level measurements to get the performance you want.
Real-World Performance Testing Results
Race Tech suspension components showed remarkable performance gains during our testing at Glen Helen’s challenging track. The results remained consistently impressive after 50+ hours of thorough testing in different conditions.
Track Testing: 50+ Hours Analysis
The original testing showed better front-end traction as riders tucked into corners. The fork managed to keep excellent stability without bottoming out, even on Glen Helen’s steep downhill sections. Riders experienced better mid-stroke comfort and improved damping control.
The rear shock tracked the ground exceptionally well and cut harsh feedback by about 50% over square-edge bumps and holes. The suspension’s consistent performance let riders stay aggressive longer without getting tired.
Race Tech Suspension: Handling in Rough vs Smooth Terrain
Race Tech’s setup delivered precise cornering control and better throttle response on smooth terrain. Riders could tuck into corners more confidently as the front end stayed planted under hard braking. The suspension adapted smoothly to rougher sections:
- Braking Bump Performance: The rear shock absorbed impacts with a “dead feel” quality that eliminated the typical rear-end kick found in stock setups
- Mid-Corner Stability: Better traction showed up right when rolling on the throttle in flat corners
- Jump Landing Control: Substantially improved control to land and immediately move into tight inside ruts
The suspension held lines exceptionally well on heavily watered surfaces with deep ruts. It performed consistently across different track conditions and just needed small clicker adjustments to optimize the setup. To cite an instance, backing out the compression by two clicks gave the perfect balance of comfort and control on rougher tracks.
The system really shined in challenging situations like steep grade deceleration zones and choppy acceleration ruts.
Race Tech’s valving eliminated the common pitching sensation you get with stock suspension. This improvement helped riders achieve higher corner entry speeds without losing stability or control.
Cost vs Performance Benefits Analysis
Race Tech suspension represents a smart investment for riders who want to boost their bike’s performance. Let’s look at what it costs and what you get.
Complete Installation Cost Breakdown
A simple fork and shock rebuild costs around $500, which includes everything you need. Riders who want individual-specific setup based on their weight and riding style should expect to pay about $900. Here’s what each part costs:
- Fork Components:
- Fork Re-Valve: $100
- Fork Gold Valve: $175
- Fork Rebound Gold Valve: $169.95
- Fork Fluid (2 qt): $39.98
- Shock Components:
- Shock Re-Valve: $100
- Shock Gold Valve: $169.99
- Shock Fluid: $24.99
- Rear 5.6 Shock Spring: $119.99
Race Tech Suspension: Performance Gains per Dollar Spent
You’ll see real improvements in your riding performance from this investment. Simple revalving with springs ($500) makes your bike handle better and feel more comfortable.
The complete Gold Valve upgrade package costs more but gives you better adjustability and performance.
Race Tech lets you choose how to get your upgrades installed:
- Do it yourself with their tech support
- Send it to the factory
- Take it to a local Race Tech Center
Long-term Maintenance Expenses
The good news is maintenance stays affordable after your original investment. These parts usually last longer than stock components, which helps offset the upfront cost. Here are some smart ways to save money:
- Start with simple upgrades like fork springs to see how much support you need
- Add components one at a time to spot any issues quickly
- Get to know local tuners who can work faster and charge less
Track day riders often find the 20mm valving option gives them professional-level performance without paying racing prices. Getting the work done at authorized centers near you usually costs less than shipping everything to the factory.
Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid
Your Race Tech suspension’s performance can suffer drastically from even small setup errors. Riders should know these common mistakes to get the most from their suspension investment.
Incorrect Spring Rate Selection
Spring rate selection is the most important yet often mishandled part of suspension tuning. Expert suspension technicians all agree that wrong spring rates for a rider’s weight rank among the top setup mistakes.
Race Tech keeps strict manufacturing tolerances with precise spring rate specifications. Most manufacturers let spring rates vary up to 5%. A spring marked 5.0 kg/mm might actually measure between 4.75 and 5.25 kg/mm. Riders should make sure they:
- Calculate their weight accurately before choosing springs
- Measure spring preload correctly (between 3-30mm)
- Think about their riding style and terrain type
Vintage motorcycles need different spring rates based on their fork diameter:
- 30-35mm forks: 26 lb/in spring at 2-4 turns
- 35-41mm forks: 40 lb/in spring at 2-4 turns
- 41-46mm forks: 64 lb/in spring at 2-4 turns
Race Tech Suspension: Oil Level Measurement Errors
Wrong oil levels can hurt your suspension’s performance, especially in the last 30% of fork travel. Riders often make these measurement mistakes:
- Measuring with springs still installed
- Not fully compressing forks before measuring
- Using different measuring techniques between fork legs
Oil level changes should happen in 10mm steps, measured from the fork tube’s top to the oil surface. The right measurement needs:
- Removed fork spring
- Completed Gold Valve installation
- Chrome tube at bottom stroke
- Calibrated measuring tools
The right oil level matters because it controls bottoming resistance and fork stiffness near full compression. Many riders don’t realize how oil viscosity and temperature work together, which leads to uneven performance in different riding conditions.
Riders should also watch out for these problems:
- Fork legs pinched at the axle
- Linkage that needs grease
- Chain tension problems
- Axles out of alignment
Conclusion
Race Tech suspension upgrades are a game-changer for riders who want professional-level performance. These modifications deliver real improvements in a variety of riding conditions. Front-end traction and cornering stability see the biggest gains based on extensive testing.
The Gold Valve system clearly outperforms stock components. It has triple the flow area and lets riders make precise adjustments. Riders feel less tired during long rides while the suspension performs consistently on any terrain.
A complete installation costs between $500-$900. The investment pays off through better durability, longer service intervals, and remarkable performance gains. Dedicated riders will find Race Tech’s modifications worth every penny.
The system’s success depends on the right setup and maintenance. Riders must pay attention to spring rates and oil levels. Regular maintenance is crucial.
Working with authorized Race Tech centers helps avoid installation issues and gets the most from your suspension’s potential.
Race Tech’s components bridge the gap between stock limits and pro-level performance. Riders gain the confidence and control they need for aggressive riding.
These upgrades boost both the riding experience and lap times. Any serious motorcycle enthusiast should think over making this change.
