ASK THE MXPERTS: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF DESIGNING YOUR OWN FRAME GEOMETRY

> Fork height is typically set at 5mm at the factory, but experienced riders can improve handling by moving the forks up or down to change the frame’s head angle.

FORKS UP OR FORKS DOWN?
Dear MXperts,
I don’t understand how sliding the forks up and down in the triple clamps can have any effect on the bike’s head angle or its frame geometry. Just this year, you recommended sliding the forks down in the clamps on the YZ450F, Kawasaki KX450, Honda CRF450 and several other bikes. Can you tell me how the frame geometry can be changed by moving the forks? Don’t give me any of that frame geometry gobbledygook. Explain it to me in plain English.

See bike sit on the ground. See how high the steering head is. See the forks slide up in the clamps. See the steering head get lower. Steering head down, fork angle steeper. Steering head up, fork angle slacker. Has anybody seen my dog Spot?