Pregen rear spring shock alternatives

[greenaero]

Hi, I love my little Ninja but I find it uses a lot of travel in the rear suspension even though I'm no heaveyweight by any means(150 lbs). I was curious about others opinions about different rear springs and rear shocks. I've read that the Ninja 500 shock works on our 250s, does the spring fit also? What are some of the other shocks that fit our bikes and improve the hindling and ride. Please share.
Thank you, GA

[choneofakind]

get a lightly used shock from a new-gen 250R. It raises the tail by about an inch, is a little stiffer with less pogo-ing, and has adjustable pre-load. Mine ran me like $50, and it was completely worth it.

also, any shock that you can find that works for a new-gen, will work for a pregen, and will raise the tail about an inch.

the argument against the ex500 shock is that you have to crank the preload all the way up because it's actually a softer spring than the ex250 shock. It's also shorter. This means it is stiff, and negatively effects turn in.

I love my J-series rear shock

[greenaero]

Thanks Chris, that sounds like what I'm looking for.

[sombo]

Best source of information on this subject found here.....


I was using a used 2008 new-gen shock on my 1994 for almost 2 years before I traded her in. I also got progressive springs for the forks and it made it a whole new bike that handled great.

[EMSRacer07]

i got a zx600 air shock and i love it i got it for 14 plus shipping on ebay. really good for 2 up and for daily use. Def help with ur project needs but its a bit on the haevy side.

[greenaero]

Great feedback, thanks guys.

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by EMSRacer07

i got a zx600 air shock and i love it i got it for 14 plus shipping on ebay. really good for 2 up and for daily use. Def help with ur project needs but its a bit on the haevy side.

That's what I'm running, too!

[EMSRacer07]

Originally Posted by Skippii

That's what I'm running, too!

how u running urs?
im on 14psi and soft setting

[Skippii]

I have no idea.... I adjusted it a few years ago when I installed it and haven't messed with it since.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Skippii]

Wait...you use air instead of nitrogen in the shock?
Posted via Mobile Device

[flynjay]

Originally Posted by Skippii

Wait...you use air instead of nitrogen in the shock?
Posted via Mobile Device

You know air is 78% nitrogen right?

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by flynjay

You know air is 78% nitrogen right?

Yes, I've got a pretty good background in chemistry.
Certainly enough to call BS when someone sloshes a quart of water and soap around on my rim to mount a tire and then tells me to only use "dry nitrogen" to inflate it.

But in a motorcycle shock that came from the factory with nitrogen and has a lot more seals and dampers and stuff? I don't know that much about shocks. More experienced track riders have told me the water in air can be bad. You're the first person who's suggested using air, so I was a little surprised.

I'm not saying pure nitrogen will change the handling significantly, just that it might be better for the shock in the long-term.

On the other hand, I bought it used on ebay, so the previous owner might have filled it up with his farts for all I know.

[AlanDog]

okay guys, tell me more. I'm thinking about the zx600 shock but I'm worried it will end up being too stiff. I want to have enough compliance for rough roads sometimes, but better than stock. I weigh 185 lbs and I feel I sag the OEM shock more than half it's travel. Do you ever think this shock is too stiff? How adjustable is it?

[flynjay]

I went with a newgen shock. Bolt in replacement.

[sombo]

Go for the new-gen shock. The 600 will most likely be too stiff.

[greg737]

The ZX-600 shock is known to be pretty stiff when installed on an EX-250, so it's a good choice for the really big boys and those who do a lot of two-up riding (the Kawasaki Concours bike uses essentially the same shock with a bit more adjustability added in, which should tell you something about how stiff it would feel on a light bike with a light rider).

I use the Hagon rear shock. Very good product, and very adjustable to accomodate any rider's weight. It's a touring/spirited street riding shock, not a remote reservior racing type shock.

[Skippii]

I'm 165 and i think the ZX600 is comfortable. It's also easily adjustable for compression and rebound damping.
Posted via Mobile Device

[AlanDog]

Separate rebound and compression adjustments? I thought the only adjustment was the air pressure? Is this the shock you have:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:ZX600_shock.jpg

[EMSRacer07]

Originally Posted by AlanDog

Separate rebound and compression adjustments? I thought the only adjustment was the air pressure? Is this the shock you have:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:ZX600_shock.jpg

compression being air. and if you look at the pic at the top of the shock is a pull lever that is the rebound or dampening rate of the shock.

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by AlanDog

Separate rebound and compression adjustments? I thought the only adjustment was the air pressure? Is this the shock you have:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:ZX600_shock.jpg

Uh...no, not at all.

Notice the remote reservoir I have on mine by the passenger peg...
Crap, I wonder what shock I have??

[EMSRacer07]

Originally Posted by Skippii

Uh...no, not at all.

Notice the remote reservoir I have on mine by the passenger peg...
Crap, I wonder what shock I have??

can you get a closer pic? idk what shock you have. is it the fat style like the 600zx?

[highpsiguy]

The pregen 500 was a direct swap. Made a big difference on handling for me. I am comfortable. I don't ride two up. I am 275lbs plus gear.

[Countersteer]

I have an shock off my '08 5000mile bike. I just did a GSXR shock conversion. I have not put any effort into selling the shock. If you're interested, let me know.

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by Countersteer

I have an shock off my '08 5000mile bike. I just did a GSXR shock conversion. I have not put any effort into selling the shock. If you're interested, let me know.

PM sent.

[Countersteer]

Sorry for the delay. PM replied to.

[JLinde1339]

Originally Posted by Countersteer

I have an shock off my '08 5000mile bike. I just did a GSXR shock conversion. I have not put any effort into selling the shock. If you're interested, let me know.

I just ordered a GSXR shock myself. Did it affect your ride height any? Seems they are about the same length (new gen shock and GSXR). Also, you only need to make mods to the shock for it to fit, and not the frame. Is that correct?

[Countersteer]

I mod'd the knuckle only and then spaced out the dogbones. Here are some links to consider:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/GSXR600_shock
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59486

Also, I included to some pics of my own conversion. Are you doing this on a pregen?

It lowered the back slightly. I compensated by lowering the front 7mm.

[JLinde1339]

Very cool. Thanks for the info! I saw that 250 wiki, good stuff there. Did you have to replace the top of the shock? I thought it said that they ordered a new eye for the top of the shock...

Edit:
Yup, on a pregen.

[Jim Moore]

OK, I have a new-gen rear shock on the way for my 98. On my CBR I had to put jackstands under the rearsets to hold the frame up. Looking at the Ninja, I think if I put my bike on the centerstand I can simply unbolt the old one and bolt up the new one. Is that right? Would taking the wheel off make it easier?

I weigh about 160 without gear. How many clicks of preload should I use?

Thanks,

[Countersteer]

Originally Posted by Jim Moore

...I have a new-gen rear shock on the way...

Yes you do! I have a tracking number too. PM you shortly.

I would suspend the rear wheel over the seat (using rope or a tie-down) once you have the frame supported.

[Countersteer]

Originally Posted by JLinde1339

Very cool. Thanks for the info! I saw that 250 wiki, good stuff there. Did you have to replace the top of the shock? I thought it said that they ordered a new eye for the top of the shock...

Edit:
Yup, on a pregen.

I missed that. I did have to mod the top of the shock. I drilled it out to fit the 12mm stock hardware.

[JLinde1339]

Originally Posted by Countersteer

I drilled it out to fit the 12mm stock hardware.

Okay. Can't be much then, right? Is it 10mm? I can't imagine they'd go much smaller...

[Countersteer]

Originally Posted by JLinde1339

Okay. Can't be much then, right? Is it 10mm? I can't imagine they'd go much smaller...

Right. Stock GSXR is 10mm, stock 250 is 12mm. I used an Irwin brand 15/32 drill bit (about $7.50) and it worked perfectly! A drill press would have been ideal, however, I just went real slow with a hand drill and made sure I started out good and kept the bit lubricated as I was drilling to keep it cool.

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by AlanDog

Separate rebound and compression adjustments? I thought the only adjustment was the air pressure? Is this the shock you have:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:ZX600_shock.jpg

This is the same model as the one I have, but mine was listed as a 1995 ZX600. Looks like it's actually a 1995 ZX6R shock:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-KAWASAK...sories&vxp=mtr

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by Countersteer

Yes you do! I have a tracking number too. PM you shortly.

I would suspend the rear wheel over the seat (using rope or a tie-down) once you have the frame supported.

Thanks again. That shock makes a big difference. Simple install, too.

[Countersteer]

Happy it all worked out!

[JLinde1339]

Ok, I got my shock, GSXR 600/750. Apparently it mounts to the gixx vertically on top, as there is a bracket in the eye with a threaded bolt on top. I've been trying to get that bracket off with pb blaster, to no avail. Prolly gonna drill the bolt out tomorrow, leaving just the eye. But the bracket rotates as I try to loosen the nut, leading me to think that the eye is rubber, and not metal. Can anyone confirm that? Would make drilling the actual eye out much easier, since I could do that myself with a dremmel, rather than trying top get should of a friend to hit it with a drill press...

[Janeousplaneous]

Helllo all, totally newbess here. I have a ninja 250 from 2003. Everything is stock and after riding a dude around on the back of my bike last summer. The rear shock is super shot. I don't need or want a race quality shock, nor can i afford one. I just need the ride to not feel like on riding a goddamn horse anymore. I see some of you mentioned you can grab a shock off a newer model ninja and install it on an older model. I am specifically curious about what years this "backwards compatibility" exists within or what other inexpensive shocks/year/make/models work. Finding a shock is totally new to me so when i purchase one on ebay or what not i want to be sure i get one that will actually work on my bike.


Thank you all! <3

[Ghostt]

Any rear shock from a NewGen 2008&up will work on any PreGen 88~07.

NewGen has a stiffer spring better suited for rider about 200 lbs, and it also offers a preload adjustment to set sag.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Install...k_on_a_Classic

It's the best bang for the buck, check eBay for a used one.

Also remember that suspension must match, so if you can get fork springs from a NewGen Ninjette, which are stiffer .65kg Vs .44kg. Then it's a matter of cutting them down to get the rate you need, then just use spacers to set the sag, also changing the fork oil effects dampening,
@InvisiBill can explain it better than me.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Rear_suspension_upgrades

On my Ninjette SERENITY, I cut/spacer a pair of EX500 springs to a weight of .85kg, with 15wt fork oil, and installed a ZX600 shock, also with 15wt oil. I weigh about 220lbs with gear.

[agentbad]

Originally Posted by Janeousplaneous

Helllo all, totally newbess here. I have a ninja 250 from 2003. Everything is stock and after riding a dude around on the back of my bike last summer. The rear shock is super shot. I don't need or want a race quality shock, nor can i afford one. I just need the ride to not feel like on riding a goddamn horse anymore. I see some of you mentioned you can grab a shock off a newer model ninja and install it on an older model. I am specifically curious about what years this "backwards compatibility" exists within or what other inexpensive shocks/year/make/models work. Finding a shock is totally new to me so when i purchase one on ebay or what not i want to be sure i get one that will actually work on my bike.


Thank you all! <3

I went with the 300r shock and it was an easy bolt on swap. The newgen rear shock is basically the same and also an easy switch. Both are on ebay for a nominal fee. Also consider getting new fork springs since the new shock will stiffen up your rear but leave your front all loosy goosy. You'll get a more pogo effect and diving up front unless you balance it out with the stiffer springs. I have sonics on my mine but racetech is good to.