budget rear shock upgrade ?

[mikedabike64]

Hi I was wondering about any upgrades to the rear excluding the 1100.00 race tech shock,
I am getting my 250 ready for the track here in NJ.

I will be doing front springs and emulators.
Thanks Mike H.

[oblivion007]

I've read good about a GSXR 750 shock swap. Not sure where the link is.

[cbinker]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106929
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59486

these threads should help

[mikedabike64]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction

[alex.s]

i've used gsxr shocks and r1 shocks. you can get them for cheap on ebay

[mikedabike64]

Ok wow I didn't think I had 2 options nice !

[cbinker]

I got the GSXR 600 shock with rexbo dog bones.

[mikedabike64]

I will check out the dog bones as well thanks

[Bigballsofpaint]

Rexbo doesnt seem to be doing the dogbones anymore, after i put my gsxr shock on im going to see if i need to make a pair of my own.

[sharky nrk]

Does the R1 shock lower the ride height as well?

[Bigballsofpaint]

depends on year, springrate, mounting bolt distances etc. One of those threads has a table on all that info

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Rexbo doesnt seem to be doing the dogbones anymore, after i put my gsxr shock on im going to see if i need to make a pair of my own.

shouldn't be too hard to replicate them if you know someone with the right tools.

[mgentz]

When using a gsxr or r1 shock, the length, spring and valving are all setup for a heavier more powerful bike. Thus it will never act as it should.

You can pick up 250r specific shock for less than $1000.....

[cbinker]

or you could pick up the GSXR/R1 shock for $50-$100 and get another spring for you liking for maybe another $100. I got the GSXR 600 shock and it made great improvements, once i got different dog bones, it was even better. i doubt there is any rider on this forum that is the level of rider where that would make a difference for a 250R special shock vs. gsxr shock.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by cbinker

shouldn't be too hard to replicate them if you know someone with the right tools.

i program CNC machines all day and all we run is 6061 aluminum. Im sure i could pop in on a saterday and run some off. I have a project for another member im trying to do first though, i just need to get off my butt and go to my friends to measure his pregen

[mgentz]

Originally Posted by cbinker

or you could pick up the GSXR/R1 shock for $50-$100 and get another spring for you liking for maybe another $100. I got the GSXR 600 shock and it made great improvements, once i got different dog bones, it was even better. i doubt there is any rider on this forum that is the level of rider where that would make a difference for a 250R special shock vs. gsxr shock.

You're right. What do I know. Proceed.

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by mgentz

You're right. What do I know. Proceed.

Maybe you miss read him when he wanted a "budget" shock, you may have just under $1000 to throw around, but maybe he doesnt. i mean what would i know about budgeting anyways...

[mgentz]

Sportsimoto had 3 shocks for under $500. Others are out there as well. One for like $200.

Buying a $60 shock, a new spring, new dog bones, making mods to make it fit AND still have ^^#& valving is not my idea of "budget." Maybe you cannot tell the difference between proper suspension and not but I can.

To each their own....my opinion is over.

[Bigballsofpaint]

A GSXR swap obviously is not the best solution, but so far ive spent 30 bucks, and i doubt ill spend 20 more. So for 50 bucks or less, it is better than stock. Not near the same level as a penske or racetech, but it does the job.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by mgentz

Buying a $60 shock, a new spring, new dog bones, making mods to make it fit AND still have ^^#& valving is not my idea of "budget." Maybe you cannot tell the difference between proper suspension and not but I can.

The geometry of the suspension linkages is much more important in determining the valving of a shock than the weight of the bike. So while you are right that the valving won't be perfect for this bike (different linkage geometry than the 250, therefore different damping characteristics are required from the shock), your reasoning is wrong. It has nothing to do with weight of the bike.

You can pick up a used GSXR shock from ebay for $30-40. Then get it revalved/resprung/serviced for somewhere around $200 (this is a total guess) or do it yourself if you have an idea of what you're doing.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=126734

Not everyone has money for a Penske or Ohlins and let's face it, the quality/serviceability of a no-name shock from overseas is going to be a bit suspect when you can pick up a used shock from another bike for 1/4 the price that has tons of readily available replacement parts and a bank of documented knowledge available.

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by mgentz

Sportsimoto had 3 shocks for under $500. Others are out there as well. One for like $200.

Buying a $60 shock, a new spring, new dog bones, making mods to make it fit AND still have ^^#& valving is not my idea of "budget." Maybe you cannot tell the difference between proper suspension and not but I can.

To each their own....my opinion is over.

I notice a huge difference between the stock shock vs. gsxr shock. the whole set up cost me less then $125 for bolts, spacers, shock and dog bones. but you are the expert here...

i am also curious what you mean by "weight" of the bike gsxr weight is 161kg 250R is 150kg so a difference of 11kg. now we need to consider "unsprung weight" ie wheels/tires. not sure exact weights there, but when changing tires on the 250R vs ZX6R there is a noticeable weight difference. now lets take into consideration that motorcycles are sprung to the weight of a 150 pound rider, I weigh 180 pounds or 13 kg more then the spring rate, now the combined rider weights are 2 kg different.

[mgentz]

I kept it to weight of the bike to be simple. I could mention horsepower, swingman length and angle, linkage type and ratio, unsprung and sprung weight, rider weight, riding style, surface characteristics, bike geometry, frame and component rigidity....the list goes on.

To the OP, yes there are options out there. Heck, try the gsxr shock...you may like it. In all honesty, our stock shock is not THAT bad depending on your weight.

[old3]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

A GSXR swap obviously is not the best solution, but so far ive spent 30 bucks, and i doubt ill spend 20 more. So for 50 bucks or less, it is better than stock. Not near the same level as a penske or racetech, but it does the job.

It might not be the best option but I have a second one on the shelf that I was planning to revalve when I sorted and tested the one I have on my 300.

Tell ya what, I cant think of anything I'd change after working over the adjustments.

It is damn good out of the gate if you take the time to test and tune it.

[simook]

I'm in the same boat as op. except the gsxr/r1 mod is against my race organization's rules so I'm planning to run just my stock rear shock for now. Unless anyone knows a good $200-500 shock for a dedicated race bike.

[mania]

Originally Posted by simook

I'm in the same boat as op. except the gsxr/r1 mod is against my race organization's rules so I'm planning to run just my stock rear shock for now. Unless anyone knows a good $200-500 shock for a dedicated race bike.

I have no first hand info but I did read about a group buy on their older 2 way shock that never happened
here on this site with this RPM brand.

I am still looking for info but anyway they have this new RPM GII 3 way adjustable shock
sells for $300 in Indonesia
I do see Sportisi lists it as $465 special order too

I have not found other avenues to buy yet & have sent a email to the Taiwan manufacturer


Anyway looks interesting & if I find more info I will post

[simook]

Thanks for the Sportsi link, that's exactly what I'm looking for. But why would I want a 3 way adjustable shock over the 2 way?

I mean, I understand the 3 way provides more control for fine tuning, but does it really make that much different over the 2 way on a dedicated race bike? Keep in mind I'm on a budget and a novice.

[old3]

Depends on how close the valving and spring rate are to your ideal settings. The wrong valving with 3 adjustments isn't as good as the right valving with none.

I'd choose the 3 if you can. Why not? And yes, when you get to know what the differences are you will appreciate the extra adjustments. Each affects the others to a degree.

[simook]

Originally Posted by old3

Depends on how close the valving and spring rate are to your ideal settings. The wrong valving with 3 adjustments isn't as good as the right valving with none.

I'd choose the 3 if you can. Why not? And yes, when you get to know what the differences are you will appreciate the extra adjustments. Each affects the others to a degree.

Sound wisdom but I already pulled the trigger on the G-Plus 2 way. Ideally I'll upgrade to something better later on in the season.

[old3]

Originally Posted by simook

Sound wisdom but I already pulled the trigger on the G-Plus 2 way. Ideally I'll upgrade to something better later on in the season.

I don't know these shocks but I'm sure it is rebuild-able and the valving can be changed so it is still a great upgrade.

[mania]

There is another shock here too made by YSS
model# MX366-320TRCL-13
a bit more pricey than the RPM as even here it runs $450