Vanilla 125 R vs the 125 RLC, is there much of a difference

[BlackhillsBob]

Hello, the diference between the forks is mainly the compression adjustment, I dont really care about the lock out, so does the factory compression setting that is unadjustable on the R model ride well enough, or is it better to spend the big bucks and get the RLC with the compression setting?

[SwisSlesS]

Yeah, those two things are the only extras between the R and RLC. However, I think those things are all very important extras would probably be worth the extra money, if you could spare it :).

[VTinCT]

I ride the r and love it. I have the heavy springs (220lb w/ gear) and have no complaints with the ride quality what so ever. When I do the spring tune up, I may swap out the oil for a different weight, but I haven't really gotten past winter yet!

[Arutha]

I use a Vanilla R and really like it. Eats up everything. I am 160 and rode the green springs in the 125mm setting for trail riding. I have swapped the green for the yellow for DJing and just messing around.

As for the RLC, I hear that the low speed compression adjustment doesn't do alot. But again that is just what I have heard, I have no experience on one.

[SuperJ]

Get the RLC. Its worth the extra dough. the compression adjustment works well on the 2003 and the lockout is the first one I have tried that works. I have the heavy spring in and the compression in 5 clicks and its perfect for street and dirt jumping.

[FRzealot]

the RLC is key- or at least the RC-

The best benefit of the low-speed compression damping is that when it's dialed up, there is very little front-end dive from braking. When it's off, there's quite a bit.

You can also notice the difference on sparse washboard and small ridges.

Worth the money.

[slcpunk21]

Here's another thing to think about.... you can also change the compression damping rate by changing the oil. So if it's to slow or fast then play with different oil weights, and then adjust your rebound accordingly. (lighter weight will make things faster and just the opposite for heavier weight oil)

Just for a little info to help you out too.....
Low speed compression damping is to control things when you are moving at slower speeds. I.E. if you're hamering up a hill you don't want the fork to bob as much. High speed compression damping is for when you're haulin butt down a hill and you're hitting things hard. Hard to explain all this, but the high speed damping controls the fork bottoming from big hits.
Most DH forks have the high and low speed compression damping adjustments. XC and other forks like that usually only have low speed compression damping. I hope that all made sense, and that it maybe gives you a better understanding of everything.