250X spring question
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    Codeman00
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    250X spring question

    by Codeman00 » Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:49 pm

    I have a 2006 250X and am looking at sizing my springs correctly for my body weight. I've used 2 different online calculators and an ebay online shop that sells Showa springs to size the perfect spring rates for me. However, it looks like my stock springs are very close to what I need....?

    Weight 175 lb without gear....assume 187-190 lb with gear.
    Riding is Enduro / Trails mostly / occasional MX track

    Racetech (based on rider weight)
    Stock Front 0.42 kg/mm
    Suggested Front 0.435 kg/mm
    Stock Rear 4.8 kg/mm
    Suggested Rear 5.12 kg/mm

    GnarlyMX (based on rider weight)
    Stock Front 0.42 kg/mm
    Suggested Front 0.44 kg/mm
    Stock Rear 4.8 kg/mm
    Suggested Rear 5.1 kg/mm

    MX-Tech
    Stock Front 0.42 kg/mm
    Suggested Front 0.44 kg/mm
    Stock Rear 5.1 kg/mm
    Suggested Rear 5.2 kg/mm

    1) Why does AS post that the stock 250X spring is a 5.1 but the Racetech calculator says that the stock 250X spring is a 4.8? Which one is correct?
    2) Am I going to feel any real difference by going to the correct rear spring? Especially if I can already set the sag with my current spring (although barely)
    3) I would assume a 5.2...or would a 5.1 be enough?
    4) Am I going to feel any real difference by going to the correct fork springs with only a 0.2 kg/mm difference?
    5) Can you change fork springs without replacing the seals?
  • Asmith
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    Re: 250X spring question

    by Asmith » Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:05 pm

    Codeman00 wrote:1) Why does AS post that the stock 250X spring is a 5.1 but the Racetech calculator says that the stock 250X spring is a 4.8? Which one is correct?


    Because he's an idiot...(where did he say that?)

    Standard is a 4.8kg/mm

    Codeman00 wrote:2) Am I going to feel any real difference by going to the correct rear spring? Especially if I can already set the sag with my current spring (although barely)


    Having a heavier spring with less preload is better than a light spring with alot of preload.


    Codeman00 wrote:3) I would assume a 5.2...or would a 5.1 be enough?


    Either would be fine...splitting hairs.

    Codeman00 wrote:4) Am I going to feel any real difference by going to the correct fork springs with only a 0.2 kg/mm difference?


    Yes. You will feel fork differences much more than rear spring differences.

    Codeman00 wrote:5) Can you change fork springs without replacing the seals?


    Yes. But new seals are cheap and if you don't change them when you have a good opportunity, Murphy's law dictates that they will start leaking on your next ride.
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    Codeman00
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    Re: 250X spring question

    by Codeman00 » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:42 pm

    ~ wrote:
    Codeman00 wrote:1) Why does AS post that the stock 250X spring is a 5.1 but the Racetech calculator says that the stock 250X spring is a 4.8? Which one is correct?


    Because he's an idiot...(where did he say that?)

    Standard is a 4.8kg/mm


    LOL....Follow this link....that's why I was confused...I didn't want to buy something I already had...
    http://www.crfsonly.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25483&highlight=rear+spring+250x
    Last edited by Codeman00 on Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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    Codeman00
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    by Codeman00 » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:55 pm

    Another question....What does the term "Showa" actually mean? I thought it was a manufacturer...but on MX-Tech, it shows two different manufacturers making a Showa spring. Is Showa a type of spring?
  • Asmith
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    by Asmith » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:54 pm

    Showa is the manufacturer of the suspension. It's a Japanese company owned by Honda.
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    Codeman00
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    by Codeman00 » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:23 pm

    One more question AS....would you hesitate buying springs from this guy on ebay? gnarlymoto-x
    The brand is called Diverse Suspension. Have you ever heard of them? They seem less expensive than the rest.

    http://www.diverse-mfg.com/motocross/forkshocksprings.html

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHOWA-SHOCK-SPRING-4-7-kg-mm-CRF250-CRF450-KX250F-RMZ_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a481d2faQQitemZ230393238266QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
  • Asmith
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    by Asmith » Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:05 pm

    Codeman00 wrote:One more question AS....would you hesitate buying springs from this guy on ebay? gnarlymoto-x
    The brand is called Diverse Suspension. Have you ever heard of them? They seem less expensive than the rest.

    http://www.diverse-mfg.com/motocross/forkshocksprings.html

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHOWA-SHOCK-SPRING-4-7-kg-mm-CRF250-CRF450-KX250F-RMZ_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a481d2faQQitemZ230393238266QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



    I've never heard of that company before. I can't advise either way.

    We use springs from Factory Connection, Race Tech and Eibach.

    They do look good though, and the price is about 25% less than the others.
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    Codeman00
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    by Codeman00 » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:29 pm

    I went ahead and placed my order today for the Diverse springs...front .44 kg/mm and rear .51 kg/mm. They should be here sometime next week. The total was $149 shipped....not bad really. I'll report back.

    AS, Once I get my spring rates correct and I set my sag the recommended level, can you recommend some clicker settings for trail / enduro riding? I've never messed with the rebound settings on the front and honestly have never adjusted anything on the rear shock except sag.

    Is there a starting point that would be good to try?
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    Codeman00
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    by Codeman00 » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:13 pm

    I placed the order for my new Diverse front and rear springs. Since I did spend $150 with them, I asked for some recommended rebound and compression settings and they emailed me right back with the answers. I'm impressed so far. It will probably be a month or so before I ride next, but I will definitely post back the results. I can't wait to try them out.
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    TRD
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    by TRD » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:10 am

    My friend drives 2005 250X and he´s 220lb. There is 0,46 in front and 5,3 back if I remember right. There is made revalving few times and that bike is excellent! Even I liked it and my weight is 200lb.

    I have on my own 2008 250R same springs 0,46 and 5,3. I try those for enduro and I acquiescent that rather stiffer springs then soft. Suspension have to carry.

    In Finland usually tracks are very rocky so suspension have to be sensble too.

    I think there is a reason why Mika Ahola driver Honda 250 ;)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR5dlm2HlfE
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    by Codeman00 » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:44 pm

    I finally set the race sag set today after installing my new 5.1 Diverse spring. After setting the race sag at 101mm, the static sag measures about 32mm.

    The manual and every other piece of literature says that that static sag needs to be 10-25 mm and if its over 25 mm, the spring is too stiff. Two race calculators told me that a 5.1 was perfect for me, the other even said a 5.2 !! Is it common for the calculator to be off?

    Do I have anything to worry about here? I really don't want to order a 5.0 spring and do this all over again.
  • detox
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    by detox » Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:52 pm

    I ran into the same thing with my stock shock spring on my 450X. Everybody told me I'd need a stiffer spring, but the free sage said otherwise. Just ride it. Remember what AS said above, it's better to have an excessively stiff spring then one too soft.
    06 crf450x
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    Codeman00
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    by Codeman00 » Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:33 pm

    Yeah, I don't understand it either but I really want to understand what's going on. I thought I was doing a good thing but maybe not?

    It seems to me that a stiffer spring would bring the rear end up more and give me less static sag....but the book says that if I set the proper race sag and I have more than 25mm of free sag then the spring is too stiff?

    Someone else told me to press the rear end down and let it up slowly to measure the static sag...the raise the back end up and lower it slowly to measure it again...and average the results. Unfortunately, that gives me 42 and 32mm with an average being 37 mm...which is even worse.
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    TRD
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    by TRD » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:00 am

    Don´t worry! Believe what experts calculators say. Did you notice that there is difference in what angle do you measure sag? I think it´s not necessary to measure it by one mm. Important is that you don´t tight too much preload. That makes it harsh. I think common rule is max 10-15mm preload on rear spring.
    I think too it´s better drive "too stiff" then too soft spring. My friend have 2005 CRF 250X and he weight about 100kg. He uses 5,9 spring and it´s quite ok for me to ride and I use 5,3 in my own CRF.
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    TRD
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    by TRD » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:06 am

    ~30/100 sag is ok. It´s hard to measure exact.

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