The Talaria Sting MX5 came with better suspension than the older Stings. Talaria lists 220 mm of fork travel on the MX5 Pro and an 85 mm-stroke linkage shock out back. It's still tuned soft and budget-built, though. Heavier riders and anyone jumping will feel it blow through the travel. Here are the five suspension upgrades that make the biggest difference on an MX5, using parts listed to fit it.
Before You Buy: Set Sag
Set rear sag and spring preload for your weight with all your gear on, then try the clickers. It costs nothing and sometimes fixes most of the complaint. If you can't get the sag right with preload alone, you need a different spring or shock. That's when the upgrades below make sense.
1. Front Fork
The fork is where most riders feel the difference first: less dive under braking, better small-bump feel, and more bottoming resistance on landings.
- RFloXa Hawk33 Max for Talaria Sting MX5: designed around MX5 dimensions with widened triple clamps, 203–228 mm of travel, a 95.5 mm caliper mount for 220 mm rotors, and adjustable compression, rebound and preload.
- RFloXa Hawk33 Max Plus: the step-up version with DLC-coated stanchions, bronze-coated tubes and SKF seals for smoother action.
- TECH E39 E-Moto Fork: a 39 mm dual-crown fork with 230 mm of travel. It needs the Tech E39 Talaria MX5 Front Brake Adapter to fit the MX5.
2. Rear Shock
These shocks list the MX5 in their fitment:
- EXT Arma MX Rear Shock: our top pick for serious riders. It's a direct bolt-on. EXT's spring chart runs soft for Talaria Stings, so go one spring rate higher than the chart suggests for your weight.
- RFloXa RAB53RV Rear Shock: a strong performer for the price. The Sting linkage runs soft, so we usually recommend the 550 lb spring.
- RFloXa RAB50RC and Fast Ace Rear Shock: budget-friendly coil-over upgrades.
Measure your stock shock and confirm the eye-to-eye length before ordering, especially if your bike has had any linkage changes.
3. Linkage and Triangle
Cast stock linkage parts flex and can crack under big hits. Billet replacements stiffen the rear end without changing geometry:
- TB Talaria Sting Upgraded Linkage (MX3 / MX4 / MX5, same dimensions as stock)
- TB Talaria Sting Upgraded Linkage Triangle (MX3 / MX4 / MX5)
- Heavy Hitter Billet Reinforced Suspension Linkage: pre-assembled with new bearings and seals, and fits the Sting MX3 / MX4 / MX5.
4. Riser Linkage for 16" or 18" Rear Wheels
If you've switched to a 19/16 or 21/18 wheel setup, the rear sits lower and the steering gets lazy. The Warp 9 Rear Suspension Riser Linkage raises the rear to bring head angle back to stock. It fits the Sting MX3, MX4 and MX5.
5. Hardware and Service
- Warp 9 Titanium Linkage Bolt Kit: fully shanked bolts that don't chew into the frame or swingarm. Fits the MX5.
- Service the fork oil and seals on a regular schedule, sooner if you ride in mud or sand. We carry Maxima Fork Fluid and the Motion Pro Seal Mate for clearing out a leaky seal.
- Check linkage bolts for torque and bearings for play every few rides.
Where to Start
- Light rider, trail riding: set sag and add the TB linkage triangle.
- Heavier or aggressive rider: a rear shock with the right spring, plus the linkage parts.
- Jumps and fast rough terrain: the full package, with the RFloXa Hawk33 Max fork and an EXT Arma shock.
Shop the rest in our Talaria Sting MX5 parts and Suspension collections. If you need help picking a spring rate, email support@tbelectricmoto.com with your weight and riding style. Our support team rides these bikes.
