January 23rd, 2011, 06:10 PM | #1 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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2008 250J shock installed
Today I installed a 250J shock that I purchased from a forum member. Installation was very easy and took only about 30 minutes.
After the install I sat on the bike and noticed that the sag was way less than the OEM shock. I weigh about 185-190 with gear (178 without) and have the shock set on the second lightest pre-load setting. Took a brief ride to check out how the new shock felt and can only say that the rear of the bike felt firmer. Overall the rear felt more controlled and less like a marshmallow. I can not wait to get a little more time on the bike (It has been a wee bit like the frozen tundra around here lately) and play around with the pre-load. Replacing the OEM is one of those mods to the 250EX that really makes a difference if you are are a heavier rider.
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January 23rd, 2011, 07:11 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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you'll notice a bit quicker steering, too, as the new shock raises the back end a bit and thereby decreases steering head rake. people that I know who have done this mod to their pregens love their bikes with the shock change.
better tires help too. |
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January 23rd, 2011, 09:28 PM | #3 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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Kelly, I didn't notice the steering being quicker....yet. However the little 15 minute ride was not enough to notice.
Better tires - check. Pirelli Diablo Scooters.
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January 23rd, 2011, 09:31 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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January 25th, 2011, 02:05 PM | #5 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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I think the geometry of the linkage is a bit different between the two gens. Cause the 08(up) is a bit stiffer over all, swap does make a diff. But I was a little dissapointed it wasnt as firm.....
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January 28th, 2011, 04:06 PM | #6 |
Smoker
Name: Bob
Location: SoCal
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): Guess.... Posts: 556
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It doesn't change the height of the rear. It only seems that way since the bike isn't sagging under its own weight anymore, and is compressing less with the rider's weight.
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January 28th, 2011, 05:24 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
also, IIRC, the newgen shock is longer, eye to eye, than the pregen shocks. I tried looking for a picture that was posted on this forum before, but was unable to find it, but I think I remember it showing the newgen shock next to two iterations of pregen shocks and I remember it being about an inch longer. |
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January 28th, 2011, 06:29 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
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Hi Kelly -
Here's a link to a pic of the two shocks next to eachother. The new-gen sure does look a bit longer: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...6&postcount=15 Here's another link of Craig's that tends to agree that the bike sits approx 1" higher in the rear: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...85&postcount=2
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January 28th, 2011, 06:40 PM | #9 |
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thanks, Alex.
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January 29th, 2011, 07:52 PM | #10 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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It's a tad longer. When its on the center stand, the tire is still on the ground.
You have to put the center stand on a 1/2" piece of wood |
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January 30th, 2011, 07:27 AM | #11 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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With Pirelli Diablos, my rear tire just clears the ground when the bike is on the center stand, no wood needed. The rear ride height only matters when you are on the bike. That is the geometry that will change rake angle when riding.
Clearance issues aside, it is the amount of sag that is the biggest initial difference. My OEM shock compressed a lot when I sat on the bike. I haven't measured sag, before and after, but it is now only about 2 inches. Prior to changing the shock, it had to be about 4. Yesterday, I went for an hour ride, on city streets, and I am pleased with the transformation. The bike now feels more balanced fore and aft. The OEM sprung bike felt like I was overwhelming the rear suspension and would compress and unload a ton over bumps. I used to worry about bottoming out when cornering. Once I actually did and never wanted to repeat that surprise. So far I am pleased. Not a bad upgrade for $50 and thirty minutes of my time.
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July 19th, 2011, 01:27 PM | #12 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: jim
Location: cleveland
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha R6 Posts: 5
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Quote:
For $40, and a little more time, you can also install a fully adjustable OEM GSX-R shock that includes: spring pre-load, compression damping and rebound damping. For several hundred dollars, you could install a used Penske or Ohlins from a GSX-R. |
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July 19th, 2011, 02:09 PM | #13 | |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
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Quote:
I considered the GSX-R but went with ease of installation of the new OEM ninja unit. Jeff
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"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer |
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July 19th, 2011, 02:27 PM | #14 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: jim
Location: cleveland
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha R6 Posts: 5
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Quote:
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July 19th, 2011, 02:31 PM | #15 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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Pictures?
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July 19th, 2011, 02:38 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: jim
Location: cleveland
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha R6 Posts: 5
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July 19th, 2011, 02:47 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
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I just purchased a 250 J shock from a member and am waiting for it to arrive. While I have the rear wheel off for the shock mod I am thinking about pulling the swingarm off and painting it black like the newgens.
My stock shock is sticking so this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade. |
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July 19th, 2011, 03:00 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: jim
Location: cleveland
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha R6 Posts: 5
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Quote:
I wanted to paint my ZZR600 frame and swingarm black so freakin' bad. I did it a little differently though, I sold the ZZR and bought an R6 that already came black from the factory. Black swingarms and frames are nice looking! |
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July 19th, 2011, 03:55 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
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JeffM,
How hard is it to adjust the preload after the shock is installed? Do you have to take it off to re-adjust? |
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July 19th, 2011, 04:10 PM | #20 | |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Oh, and you will really like the difference. I weigh 180+- and initally had it set to the second to lowest setting and found that stiffer than the old-gen OEM. For my track day I set it to the next to stiffest setting and have left it there. Good for the canyons. Jeff
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July 19th, 2011, 04:35 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
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JeffM, Addjuster wrench. That is something I have not thought of. Where is the best place to buy and adjuster wrench and what size do I need?
Thanks, Rick |
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July 19th, 2011, 06:55 PM | #22 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Probably your best bet is to buy a tool kit from someone selling parts from a crashed newgen. |
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July 20th, 2011, 01:11 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Cuong
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.
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It's a spanner wrench. Cycle gear sells a spanner attachment that connects to a ratchet, but it's not as sturdy as the one from the toolkit. It's only $6.58 from bikebandit, part 92110B. I do recommend also getting the extension tool to add leverage, part 92111.
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...7215#sch550353 |
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July 20th, 2011, 05:13 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
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Thanks for the link Cuong.
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July 20th, 2011, 05:58 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
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Thanks for the reminder. I need to do mine! Got it about 2 weeks ago and it's just been sitting.
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July 20th, 2011, 06:06 AM | #26 |
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this sounds dumb, but if you do this swap, make sure to re adjust your headlight. I finally adjusted mine and it helps a ton
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July 20th, 2011, 07:24 AM | #27 | |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Thanks!
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July 20th, 2011, 09:30 AM | #28 |
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Yeah I never thought to either until I realized even my bright light wasnt cutting it on a backroad. Duh it was way too low. It took like 3 full turns of the screw driver in the adjuster to get it closer. The low beam is actualy not worthless now and the high beam is perfect
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