Aftermarket Shocks: Difference between revisions
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*Cons: crazy, grumpy distributor; must be ordered from Italy. | *Cons: crazy, grumpy distributor; must be ordered from Italy. | ||
[[Image:bitubo.jpg| | [[Image:bitubo.jpg|100px]] | ||
The Bitubo XZE01 will theoretically fit the Ninja 250. Bitubo has a decent reputation as a maker of suspension components, their products gracing a number of Italian bikes. Their published information is sparse, but we may reasonably conclude that their shocks use a shim-stack valve and an internal reservoir. Adjustments include preload and rebound, but not compression. | The Bitubo XZE01 will theoretically fit the Ninja 250. Bitubo has a decent reputation as a maker of suspension components, their products gracing a number of Italian bikes. Their published information is sparse, but we may reasonably conclude that their shocks use a shim-stack valve and an internal reservoir. Adjustments include preload and rebound, but not compression. | ||
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*Cons: must be ordered from England; emulsion-type (only a factor for racing) | *Cons: must be ordered from England; emulsion-type (only a factor for racing) | ||
[[Image:hagon.jpg| | [[Image:hagon.jpg|100px]] | ||
Dave Quinn is the US distributor for Hagon shocks, and although it's not specifically listed on [http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/ his website], the [http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/HagShocksPr.htm Hagon website] lists a fitment for the Ninja 250 (search for GPX250R/EX250F). The part number is M64007, and the October, 2007 price is $394. If you need an uprated spring (and at 240 lbs in gear, he said I didn't need an uprated spring), there's an additional $60 fee for the larger spring and valving adjustments. | Dave Quinn is the US distributor for Hagon shocks, and although it's not specifically listed on [http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/ his website], the [http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/HagShocksPr.htm Hagon website] lists a fitment for the Ninja 250 (search for GPX250R/EX250F). The part number is M64007, and the October, 2007 price is $394. If you need an uprated spring (and at 240 lbs in gear, he said I didn't need an uprated spring), there's an additional $60 fee for the larger spring and valving adjustments. | ||
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*Cons: very expensive; more capable than the bike | *Cons: very expensive; more capable than the bike | ||
[[Image:ohlins.jpg| | [[Image:ohlins.jpg|100px]] | ||
Ohlins is a well-oiled marketing machine. Their suspension components are good, but they're not generally worth the 30% premium over other good suspension components. That's particularly true on the Ninja 250, where the rest of the bike can't match the shock's capabilities. Avoid Ohlins shocks for the Ninja 250 unless you truly have more money than sense. | Ohlins is a well-oiled marketing machine. Their suspension components are good, but they're not generally worth the 30% premium over other good suspension components. That's particularly true on the Ninja 250, where the rest of the bike can't match the shock's capabilities. Avoid Ohlins shocks for the Ninja 250 unless you truly have more money than sense. | ||
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*Cons: expensive; more capable than the bike | *Cons: expensive; more capable than the bike | ||
[[Image:penske.jpg| | [[Image:penske.jpg|100px]] | ||
Penske is in a similar boat with Ohlins. Like Ohlins, their products exceed the Ninja 250's performance, particularly as regards frame and fork stiffness. Unlike Ohlins, the consensus of opinion is that their components are worth the price. | Penske is in a similar boat with Ohlins. Like Ohlins, their products exceed the Ninja 250's performance, particularly as regards frame and fork stiffness. Unlike Ohlins, the consensus of opinion is that their components are worth the price. | ||
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*Cons: ball valve is old tech -- hard to rebuild and tune; pricey for what you get | *Cons: ball valve is old tech -- hard to rebuild and tune; pricey for what you get | ||
[[Image:works.jpg| | [[Image:works.jpg|100px]] | ||
Works has been making shocks for motorcycles since 1973. Unfortunately, they have stuck with that 1973-era technology, and are still using it in all their products. That is, they're using the now-outdated ball-check valve. This makes them harder to adjust and harder to rebuild. | Works has been making shocks for motorcycles since 1973. Unfortunately, they have stuck with that 1973-era technology, and are still using it in all their products. That is, they're using the now-outdated ball-check valve. This makes them harder to adjust and harder to rebuild. | ||
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*Cons: difficult to find; not actually built for the EX250 | *Cons: difficult to find; not actually built for the EX250 | ||
[[Image:wp suspension.jpg|100px]] | |||
WP (not to be confused with Works Performance -- WP used to be called White Power, but you can imagine why, in this PC age, they changed their name) makes excellent shocks. They don't make a model specifically for the Ninja 250, but they list the EX500 as a supported model. Anything which fits the EX500 will physically fit the EX250, and will be sprung and valved pretty close to correctly. | |||
The only price I've been able to find is $429 over at [http://www.le-suspension.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=48 Lindemann Engineering], but it's for the wrong model of shock. Lindemann has frankly been very snotty to me the last few times I've tried to talk to them, so I'm not inclined to call and see if they can order the correct shock. The WP website had me call the US KTM distributor, who said I should call my local dealership. After calling 7 different dealerships, I haven't found one which can even order WP parts. WP doesn't seem to be making a huge effort to sell aftermarket products in the US; there isn't even a US distributor on their [http://www.wpsuspension.com/company/importeur.php distributor list]. | The only price I've been able to find is $429 over at [http://www.le-suspension.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=48 Lindemann Engineering], but it's for the wrong model of shock. Lindemann has frankly been very snotty to me the last few times I've tried to talk to them, so I'm not inclined to call and see if they can order the correct shock. The WP website had me call the US KTM distributor, who said I should call my local dealership. After calling 7 different dealerships, I haven't found one which can even order WP parts. WP doesn't seem to be making a huge effort to sell aftermarket products in the US; there isn't even a US distributor on their [http://www.wpsuspension.com/company/importeur.php distributor list]. | ||