KDXRIDER.NET

For any of you who are considering lowering your bike...the Kouba link system is inexpensive and works great. My boys like to ride the kdx but it was a little tall in the saddle for them. I bought a Kouba link for about $70 and lowered the bike about an inch. It took all of 30 minutes to do and is totally reversible in that time frame (they also offer links that lower over 2 inches). To compensate, you must raise the forks in the triple clamps a little.. but that is easy enough. Initially, I was concerned about suspension travel and stability at higher speeds...but my fears have proven to be unfounded. Further, I'm right at 6 foot and still find the bike to be comfortable to ride. As an added bonus, the bike seems handle better in tight situations...but that might just be in my head, as the kdx handles better than my crf450x in these anyway you slice it.

All-in-all, this is a great product for those who wish to lower their ride.

Blaze, Which of the Kouba Links did you install? If there is no obvious loss in handling qualities, this might be of more help to me than the kids

Are they made of aluminum or steel?

I made some links out of 1/2" 6061 aluminum instead of the 1/4" steel. I am curious as to the danger factor with the slight loss of strength.

My devol ones are aluminum, and I THINK the kouba ones are too. They are beefier in size than the steel ones to compensate--just like yours.

Besides lowering I swear the longer links makes the whole rear suspension work amazingly better.

I only have a few rides on mine since changing them but I do notice a big difference in the rear suspension- for the better, besides touching the ground.

Question: What length of link did all you happy folk install??

Think mine are 116mm , lowered the bike 1/2".

I bought the kdx1 link. It reportedly lowers the bike 1.125 inches. There are 2 other links that lower more. They are made of aluminum and appear to be be of sufficient strength. I'm sure they have been tested thoroughly.
Here is the web site: <www.koubalink.com>

I have only taken the bike on 2 short rides, but I think it handles great and the suspension is as good if not better with this new addition. And like I said earlier, its cheap and easy to do.

There is a down side however. In my case, I may never get to ride the kdx again; unless I treat it as a mistress and take it out on a date...just me and her!

Besides lowering I swear the longer links makes the whole rear suspension work amazingly better.

That's why my WR was lowered...It wasn't for rider height issues...Apparently every 93-95 YZ250 (94-97 WR250) with a correctly working rear susp had this link. Maybe the KDX benefits from the same thing.

Another plus I neglected to add earlier is that it makes it much easier to lift my tired and creaking bones over the fender bag when I mount up!

I'm short, (5'5" and 140lbs now after thanksgiving) and I lowered the bike with the koubalink 2 and set up the sag at 3.5" with gear (they recommend 3"). Also have one softer spring 4.8kg if I can remember. Anyways, I rode this thing for 2 years (sag set at 4" with softer spring) and now with the lowering link I'm way more confident on it. I still tippy-toe with both feet, but just being 1" lower so I can flat foot to kickstart is great. I would definitely recommend it.

I bought my 200 with the #1 link and tried the #3 for my girlfriend, we both like the stock one better for the desert.