January 3rd, 2010, 11:26 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Donger
Location: So CAL
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): "Is that a Ninjer 1000?" Posts: A lot.
|
Fork/shocks to match my weight
Does anyone know how to adjust the forks/shocks to a rider's weight?
|
|
January 3rd, 2010, 01:05 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
how heavy are you?
The rear shock should sag (with you on it) approx. 1/3 the total travel. you adjust it using the preload adjuster on the rear shock. with no adjustments on the forks, the options are replacing the stock springs with stiffer rate springs or preloading them with some inexpensive washers the same diameter as the inside of the forks. There is more you can do, of course, but doing these things will at least get the stock suspension in the ballpark for most. |
|
January 3rd, 2010, 01:37 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Dude!!
Location: Southern California
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r Posts: 443
|
Don't mean to thread-jack but would a stiffer shock (for your weight) be better performance-wise? Or is it always best to match the weight to the rear shock setting (as described in the manual)?>
|
|
January 3rd, 2010, 01:48 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
the first step in setting up any suspension is to obtain the correct sag measurement for your personal weight which deals with selecting the correct spring for your body weight. riding style differences can make a difference for individual suspension setups, but initially, one has to set a baseline and the 1/3 travel method is a time honored standard.
|
|
January 3rd, 2010, 01:51 PM | #5 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Dude!!
Location: Southern California
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r Posts: 443
|
Quote:
|
|
|
January 4th, 2010, 05:55 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: LA
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 07 GSXR600 (N250 sold :( ) Posts: 415
|
imo you should just take it to a shop, it cost like $20 and it will completely change your ride.
|
|
January 6th, 2010, 07:11 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Donger
Location: So CAL
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): "Is that a Ninjer 1000?" Posts: A lot.
|
Im 205pounds
|
|
January 6th, 2010, 07:22 PM | #8 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
You'll definitely need new front springs .44 is stock if i remember correctly I think racetech goes to .8 something which is more in your range. But the stock shock should last you.
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 6th, 2010, 09:16 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Donger
Location: So CAL
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): "Is that a Ninjer 1000?" Posts: A lot.
|
Thanks for your input.
|
|
January 11th, 2010, 01:04 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brendon
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 11
|
|
|
January 11th, 2010, 03:16 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steven
Location: los angeles
Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r green(sold) 2009 zx6r green Posts: 96
|
oh wow, im 230lbs , so i need to go to a shop to adjust? i didn't feel any uncomfortable though...
|
|
January 11th, 2010, 05:58 AM | #12 |
You are sleeping
Name: Casey
Location: LMFAO!!!
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.
|
I'm 165lbs..
the front end feels OK to me but the back end feels a little stuff actually. Can't get any less on the setting either. I still think the front end is a little light though even though it feels OK. I can see that I've been close to bottoming out the forks. I also mess around with wheelies so probably not the best on the forks. Thought about putting stiffer oil and springs in them in the future.. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 11:44 AM | #13 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
Ok I'm just going to do this. Here is what I did with the calculator from race tech. They say to use the closest available to the number given. Weight is for without gear on.
If you are a little guy or lady try doing this. (Not sure if the forks switch between pregen and new gens though someone who know pregens pretty good should know): http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/EX500_springs_option WEIGHT STREET RACING 155 .656 .721 160 .664 .729 165 .671 .736 170 .679 .744 175 .686 .751 180 .694 .759 185 .701 .766 190 .709 .774 195 .716 .781 200 .724 .789 205 .731 .796 210 .739 .804 215 .746 .811 220 .754 .819 225 .761 .826 230 .769 .834 235 .776 .841 240 .784 .849 245 .791 .856 250 .799 .864 255 .806 .871 260 .814 .879 265 .821 .886 270 .829 .894 so go out and find one that suit your needs. Sonic springs or race tech should have one to suit you
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 11:46 AM | #14 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
It won't be uncomfortable. But after replacing the spring you will notice the difference.
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 11:47 AM | #15 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
If I read it right, then it is set up to handle about a 100-115lb rider
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 12:10 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brendon
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 11
|
WOW thats light, hmm guess my next question is has anyone changed the springs? If so what brand did you use?
After a quick research i was wondering about dropping a few washers in and putting in a heavier oil, opinions or comments on this cheap fix? P.S. Im 75 KG |
|
January 11th, 2010, 12:14 PM | #17 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
while going out and buying new springs may solve your problems by matching with proper spring rate for your weight and riding style, it may not. what you really need is adjustability to dial in what really suits your needs.
a simple/cheap trick that I am employing to tune the spring rate of my dirt bike forks is to use regular flat washers found at a hardware store. you will need to experiment to see what fits inside the ninja forks. I think I'm using 1 1/8" washers on the 37mm forks on the crf230. also, stainless steel washers were recommended in the thread I got the idea from, but I'm using regular steel washers and am experiencing no problems. add a couple washers and that will preload the spring, which effectively raises the rate. I'm talking about stacking the washers between 1/8-1/2" just a small bit of preload makes a big difference in how the spring affects the front end, so careful with the number of washers you use. That will take care of the proper spring weight, but revalving and/or a higher weight/height of oil in the forks may be needed to combat the higher spring weight. The cheapest way to redo the valving is to purchase Race Tech's cartridge fork emulators which effectively lets you tune the compression stroke of the fork. This is all being done to the dirt bike... I have no issues with the front forks of the 250 ninja, but then again, I'm a slow, old guy anyway. have fun. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 12:21 PM | #18 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
^ kelly we all say your twisties video. So no excuses.
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 02:39 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Kelly, When I had my Norton, the front end felt mushy. I completely drained the fork---letting it drain overnight. In the morning I refilled the fork with a heavier oil carefully measuring the oil in a graduated cylinder in order to get exactly the same amount into each tube. That solved the problem nicely. I am wondering if the same can`t be done with the Ninja.
|
|
January 11th, 2010, 03:12 PM | #20 |
The Sportisi Master
Name: Matt
Location: Chico
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
|
It help to some capacity.But if your over 180 pounds the springs should probably be swapped out as well. 205 pound my front end still feels like a pogo stick even with upgrading the oil.I have race techs sitting in my garage just haven't had time to swap them yet.
__________________________________________________
Sportisimoto USA is born. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 03:13 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
there are 3 things you can do to the stock ninja front forks to help tune them. heavier/lighter springs, more/less oil, lighter/heavier oil. after that, it takes revalving either through the emulators or sending the forks to a shop.
the least invasive/cheapest way to stiffen up the front end is to put a couple of washers in the front end as it is now. perhaps that will be enough. if not, adding about 1/2 ounce of ten weight oil will improve bottoming, if that's happening. I recommend trying the washer trick first. it's cheap and if it does not provide the desired results, the washers can easily be removed and you will be back where you started. it doesn't take many washers to stiffen up the front.... 2 or 3 should make a noticeable difference. |
|
January 11th, 2010, 06:24 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Thanks, Kelly, I`ll try the washer route. I really only need a little more firmness.
|
|
January 13th, 2010, 01:37 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brendon
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 11
|
I've just been thinking about this after adjusting my rear shock, the lightest setting for the rear is for a rider that is 68KGs or 150lb, why would they set the front for someone so much lighter?
|
|
January 13th, 2010, 02:57 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jessica
Location: Calgary, Canada
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Metallic Diablo Black Posts: 298
|
No idea, but I am kind of wondering the opposite! Why don't they match? My rear feels super super stiff (and of course it is if the lowest setting is for someone 30lbs more than me). Feels like a hardtail bicycle.
|
|
January 13th, 2010, 03:14 PM | #25 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
what air pressure are you running in the rear tire?
|
|
January 13th, 2010, 03:30 PM | #26 |
.
Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
|
The rear is stiff for 2 up riding. Most production street bikes are this way.
__________________________________________________
Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up |
|
January 16th, 2010, 06:12 PM | #27 |
Da Duckman
Name: Duckman
Location: Pensacola, FL
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, '06 Chopper, '80 Puch Magnum II, '01 SV650, '99 CR250/CR500AF Sportbike. '02 CRF450/CR500AF Dirt Posts: 480
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Fork oil weight/spring rate | ieathonda | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 72 | June 12th, 2015 07:48 AM |
1988 fork weight | poorfatjames | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 2 | March 13th, 2014 12:10 PM |
Fork Oil Weight | djjontran | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 6 | September 4th, 2013 10:50 PM |
Which fork oil weight should i choose? | Graugaard | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 10 | February 9th, 2013 05:10 AM |
changing fork oil weight | cuong-nutz | Ninjettes At Speed | 6 | July 9th, 2012 07:47 AM |
|
|