Fork/shocks to match my weight

[adri99an]

Does anyone know how to adjust the forks/shocks to a rider's weight?

[kkim]

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.

[Betlog]

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)?>

[kkim]

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.

[Betlog]

Originally Posted by kkim

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.

Thanks!

[andrewexd]

imo you should just take it to a shop, it cost like $20 and it will completely change your ride.

[adri99an]

Im 205pounds

[ztrack157]

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.

[adri99an]

Thanks for your input.

[brendonjw]

Originally Posted by ztrack157

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.

What weight range is the factory front spring set for?

[laraider]

oh wow, im 230lbs , so i need to go to a shop to adjust? i didn't feel any uncomfortable though...

[ninja250]

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..

[ztrack157]

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

[ztrack157]

Originally Posted by laraider

oh wow, im 230lbs , so i need to go to a shop to adjust? i didn't feel any uncomfortable though...

It won't be uncomfortable. But after replacing the spring you will notice the difference.

[ztrack157]

Originally Posted by brendonjw

What weight range is the factory front spring set for?

If I read it right, then it is set up to handle about a 100-115lb rider

[brendonjw]

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

[kkim]

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.

[ztrack157]

^ kelly we all say your twisties video. So no excuses.

[Sailariel]

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.

[ztrack157]

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.

[kkim]

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.

[Sailariel]

Thanks, Kelly, I`ll try the washer route. I really only need a little more firmness.

[brendonjw]

Originally Posted by ztrack157

If I read it right, then it is set up to handle about a 100-115lb rider

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?

[Talonne]

Originally Posted by brendonjw

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?

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.

[kkim]

what air pressure are you running in the rear tire?

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by Talonne

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.

The rear is stiff for 2 up riding. Most production street bikes are this way.

[TheDuck]

hehehe:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36055