MXA TEAM TESTED: WP FACTORY SERVICES 4CS FORK MOD

WHAT IS IT? This is a re-valve of WP 4CS forks on the 2014-’15-’16 KTM 250SXF, 350SXF and 450SXF. The kicker is that these fork mods are done by the same group who work on the suspension of Ryan Dungey, Dean Wilson, Justin Hill and Marvin Musquin (although it should be noted that they don’t run 4CS forks on their works bikes). No matter, the men who re-valve their KTM forks will also re-valve yours.

WHAT’S IT COST? $275.00 (plus oil).

CONTACT? (951) 234-2254 or www.wpfactoryservices.com.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with WP Factory Services’ 4CS fork mods.

(1) Who? WP Factory Services is the U.S. branch of WP Performance Systems, which is located in Munderfing, Austria. WP Performance Systems makes suspension components for KTM, Husqvarna, Sherco, Triumph and BMW. They also produce KTM’s frames, exhausts and radiators.

(2) What? Originally established to provide suspension components for KTM’s (and now Husqvarna’s) factory race teams, WP Factory Services has expanded to provide the same services to local racers that they do to the AMA stars.

(3) Where? WP Factory Services is located a stone’s throw from KTM’s Murrieta, California, offices and within shouting distance of the Red Bull KTM, Rockstar Husqvarna and Troy Lee Designs KTM race shops.

(4) Why? It’s no secret that from its original Dutch days as White Power to its more politically correct name change to WP, the European-based suspension company has missed the mark on fork setup more often than not over for the last 30 years. The effect of this bad reputation is that WP is downgraded by American racers, and WP gets very little support from the American suspension shops. In response, WP decided to take matters into its own hands and build its own state-of-the-art suspension shop in the USA. Additionally, WP has set up five authorized service centers across the country. The goal is simple—to make KTM owners happy.

(5) Performance. The MXA wrecking crew is happy with what Factory Services did to our 4CS forks. They took a fork that we hated and made it feel plush in the first half of the stroke, well-metered in the mid-stroke and resistant to bottoming over big hits. It is true that we had WP Factory Services re-valve our test forks several times before we were satisfied (they were too stiff)), but we think of this as a public service for two reasons: (1) Factory Services was learning more about what KTM owners want and need from our input, as opposed to the wants and the needs of highly paid Supercross racers. (2) Our fork settings are for local racers who go to war every Sunday on their own dime. If you don’t need AMA Supercross forks, ask for the “MXA setting.” If you do need them WP Factory Service has it also. The MXA wrecking crew has tested a lot of 4CS forks over the last two years, but we think our final settings are predictable, adjustable, and usable by a wide range of speeds and skills. It should be noted that the authorized WP service centers come up with their own valving specs—ours came from WP Factory Services.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? We have no reason to complain about any mod that improves WP 4CS forks, but this info only relates to the valsing from WP Factory Services. if you go to one of their authorized Factory Service providers the valving can and will be different.