Shock spring rates needed!

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

I'm ordering new front/rear suspension springs but I get differing answers on different sites. I'm 200 pounds without helmet and boots, so say 215 total. I've been recommended a .46 for my Klx front forks and a 5.75 for the rear rate. I prefer my suspension stiff, so let's say I need to spring for a 230 pound rider just to be safe. Any suggestions?
2002 KDX 200
User avatar
Sullyfam
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 459
Joined: 12:19 am Dec 10 2013
Country:
Location: Fort Worth, tx

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Sullyfam »

I've used the Race Tech site and found it to always be spot on and then used valve changes to fine tune it to my style. Having said that, I have not redone the kdx suspension as it is my sons bike and stock is perfect for him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

I've found that klx300 apparently use 5.8 rear springs stock. It actually calls for .44 for a front spring, but a .46 would match a 5.8 rear better I'd imagine.
2002 KDX 200
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by KDXGarage »

How did you get recommended a 5.75 rate shock spring?

Are you riding a KLX300 or a KDX200?

For a KDX200, I would think .46 and 5.4.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

The race tech site recommended a 5.7 rear and .44 front for a 230 pound rider. I only weight about 210 but I added in a few for tools and boots/ helmet. As my wife advises, it's better to be a little too stiff than not stiff enough lol.
2002 KDX 200
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

Jason wrote:How did you get recommended a 5.75 rate shock spring?

Are you riding a KLX300 or a KDX200?

For a KDX200, I would think .46 and 5.4.
I ride a kdx, but I can get a stock Klx spring on eBay for $35 if it is indeed 5.8kg. Beats $115 from race tech. I wish I knew of another fork with springs that fit the Klx fork.
2002 KDX 200
sarrant
Member
Posts: 463
Joined: 02:47 pm Aug 10 2012
Country: USA
Location: Sac, Ca

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by sarrant »

Actionman wrote:
Jason wrote:How did you get recommended a 5.75 rate shock spring?

Are you riding a KLX300 or a KDX200?

For a KDX200, I would think .46 and 5.4.
I ride a kdx, but I can get a stock Klx spring on eBay for $35 if it is indeed 5.8kg. Beats $115 from race tech. I wish I knew of another fork with springs that fit the Klx fork.
If you really want to widen your search, YZ/YZF shock springs from (around) '90-06 fit, as well as KX shocks from (circa) '89-97. Look up the model for the shock spring you are shopping on ebay against Racetech's model lookup to find out the stock spring rate. There's a pretty wide variety of rates to choose from out there among all the models/years
Last edited by sarrant on 11:33 pm Dec 31 2013, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by KDXGarage »

No way in heck a 5.7 is correct. That is .7 more than stock.

If you were local, I could let you borrow a spring. :neutral:
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

Jason wrote:No way in heck a 5.7 is correct. That is .7 more than stock.

If you were local, I could let you borrow a spring. :neutral:
Really? Well then, I don't know what the hell I need lol. Now it says .46 front and 6.0 rear. I must've been doing it wrong , or insane lol. That's for a 230 pound total weight by the way.
2002 KDX 200
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by KDXGarage »

It is about .02 Kg/mm rate addition for each 25 pounds of rider weight.

Stock spring is around 180 rider weight, so 5.4 sounds about right for a 230 pound rider.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

Jason wrote:It is about .02 Kg/mm rate addition for each 25 pounds of rider weight.

Stock spring is around 180 rider weight, so 5.4 sounds about right for a 230 pound rider.
Race techs spring rate calculator is way off then. What fork springs would suit me then?
2002 KDX 200
vlxk98
Member
Posts: 54
Joined: 06:47 pm May 14 2012
Country:

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by vlxk98 »

There is a section on the planetklx.org forum that has a pretty extensive list of interchangable parts for the KLX. The reply from Surrant above suggests other makes/models that might be an option.

Just a quick glance at it and the shock spring list has many options. I didn't go any further to see if any of it would help your search for a KDX spring, but it might be something to look at or to confuse the issue even more which seems to happen to me more often than not! :grin: The KLX forum doesn't have much on forks because they go right to KX swaps.

When I was looking at KLX forks for my KDX I used the Racetech site to see what the stock spring rates were KLX to KDX.
The KLX ,being heavier I guess, has a higher spring rate than the KDX. For me, I don't weigh as much as you, the KLX spring worked very nicely on tight single track. I have only one ride on the forks and there is significant stiction from the new seals that may be a factor, I'll find out as the seals wear in a bit.
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by KDXGarage »

Jason wrote:...For a KDX200, I would think .46 and 5.4.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
Actionman
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 621
Joined: 09:08 pm May 22 2013
Country:
Location: Parts unknown

Re: Shock spring rates needed!

Post by Actionman »

Jason wrote:
Jason wrote:...For a KDX200, I would think .46 and 5.4.
Didn't see that up there! Thanks!
2002 KDX 200
Post Reply