Introduction to shock upgrades: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Suspension]]

Any thought of changes to the functional parts of your motorcycle should be carefully weighed before making a buying decision. The stock ~~EX250~~ shock is produced by Showa for Kawasaki. It is a budget shock with no adjustability and is designed for the "average" beginner to intermediate lightweight rider.

Any thought of changes to the functional parts of your motorcycle should be carefully weighed before making a buying decision. The stock EX250F shock was produced by Showa for Kawasaki. It is a budget shock with no adjustability and is designed for the "average" beginner to intermediate lightweight rider.

A common misconception is that more advanced shocks are for "racers only". Without a doubt, a higher quality shock will help the bike handle better and provide more comfort and safety. And that's much cooler than neon ;)

A common misconception is that more advanced shocks are for "racers only". Without a doubt, a higher quality shock will help the bike handle better and provide more comfort and safety. And that's much cooler than neon.

You really should be aware that just because a shock is from a larger displacement motorcycle that doesn't automatically mean it's a "better" shock for your EX250. Don't fall for that hype.

You really should be aware that just because a shock is from a larger displacement motorcycle, that doesn't automatically mean it's a "better" shock for your EX250. Don't fall for that hype. Also, a new shock will not cure all handling and riding woes. In order to perform at its optimum, a replacement shock needs to be wisely coupled with careful adjustment, quality tires and a properly tensioned chain.

Also, a new shock will not cure all handling and riding woes. In order to perform at its optimum, a replacement shock needs to be wisely coupled with careful adjustment~~, chassis geometry monitoring~~, quality tires and a properly tensioned chain.

Some factors for replacement shocks are the type of riding done, expected loads, adjustability and budget constraints.

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*Ride height: Controls the overall length of the shock, but can be built-in to the dogbones or mounting points.

~~Adjusting~~ a ~~rear~~ shock ~~is an art~~, ~~and an iterative process. Make~~ small changes, and keep notes on what works and what doesn't.

When adjusting a shock, make small changes and keep notes on what works and what doesn't.

Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those ~~that~~ do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.

Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those who do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.

A stock EX250 shock measures ~~appx.~~ 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.

A stock EX250 shock measures 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.

It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get a different shock to fit. Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any shock here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification.

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*Get a used [[Finding a good used shock|Fox shock]].

*Install a [[Installing a ZX600 shock|ZX600 shock]].

*Install an [[Installing an 08 shock on a Classic|EX250J shock]].

====Another Option====

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*[http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com/pages/service.htm Aftershocks] performs many suspension-related services.

*[http://racetech.com/html_files/EX250_PROJECT.html] Race Tech] has an EX250J shock rework package.

*[http://racetech.com/html_files/EX250_PROJECT.html Race Tech] has an EX250J shock rework package.

====[http://forums.ninja250.org/viewforum.php?f=44 FDT:Suspension]====

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 [[Category:Suspension]]
-Any thought of changes to the functional parts of your motorcycle should be carefully weighed before making a buying decision. The stock EX250 shock is produced by Showa for Kawasaki. It is a budget shock with no adjustability and is designed for the "average" beginner to intermediate lightweight rider.
+Any thought of changes to the functional parts of your motorcycle should be carefully weighed before making a buying decision. The stock EX250F shock was produced by Showa for Kawasaki. It is a budget shock with no adjustability and is designed for the "average" beginner to intermediate lightweight rider.
-A common misconception is that more advanced shocks are for "racers only". Without a doubt, a higher quality shock will help the bike handle better and provide more comfort and safety. And that's much cooler than neon ;)
+A common misconception is that more advanced shocks are for "racers only". Without a doubt, a higher quality shock will help the bike handle better and provide more comfort and safety. And that's much cooler than neon.
-You really should be aware that just because a shock is from a larger displacement motorcycle that doesn't automatically mean it's a "better" shock for your EX250. Don't fall for that hype.
+You really should be aware that just because a shock is from a larger displacement motorcycle, that doesn't automatically mean it's a "better" shock for your EX250. Don't fall for that hype. Also, a new shock will not cure all handling and riding woes. In order to perform at its optimum, a replacement shock needs to be wisely coupled with careful adjustment, quality tires and a properly tensioned chain.
-Also, a new shock will not cure all handling and riding woes. In order to perform at its optimum, a replacement shock needs to be wisely coupled with careful adjustment, chassis geometry monitoring, quality tires and a properly tensioned chain.
 Some factors for replacement shocks are the type of riding done, expected loads, adjustability and budget constraints.
@@ Line 26: / Line 24: @@
 *Ride height: Controls the overall length of the shock, but can be built-in to the dogbones or mounting points.
-Adjusting a rear shock is an art, and an iterative process. Make small changes, and keep notes on what works and what doesn't.
+When adjusting a shock, make small changes and keep notes on what works and what doesn't.
-Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those that do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.
+Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those who do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.
-A stock EX250 shock measures appx. 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.
+A stock EX250 shock measures 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.
 It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get a different shock to fit. Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any shock here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification.
@@ Line 39: / Line 37: @@
 *Get a used [[Finding a good used shock|Fox shock]].
 *Install a [[Installing a ZX600 shock|ZX600 shock]].
+*Install an [[Installing an 08 shock on a Classic|EX250J shock]].
 ====Another Option====
@@ Line 45: / Line 44: @@
 *[http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com/pages/service.htm Aftershocks] performs many suspension-related services.
-*[http://racetech.com/html_files/EX250_PROJECT.html] Race Tech] has an EX250J shock rework package.
+*[http://racetech.com/html_files/EX250_PROJECT.html Race Tech] has an EX250J shock rework package.
 ====[http://forums.ninja250.org/viewforum.php?f=44 FDT:Suspension]====