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Hey this is my first post, new to kdxrider and to my kdx. I picked up a '97 kdx200 a few months ago with almost all the necessary upgrades done (fmf gnarly, reeds, etc.) I just need to get it jetted right (seems too rich, i think its stock jetting) and set up the suspension for my weight and I'll be good to go. I only rode it twice last season before winter and had a blast, my only complaint was the soft front end. I plan on rebuilding the forks before the season begins, Im just having trouble deciding what weight i should go with. I want to do the xr400 spring swap (i can get brand new OEM XR fork springs for about the same as aftermarket race tech or eibachs, and hear the hotwound OEM are better quality). Should I go with the .38 kg springs from a '96-99 XR400 or the heavier .40 kg springs from the 2000 and up?

-My weight before gear is 165 lbs
-I ride trails/harescramble/enduro, some pretty technical stuff with a few friends who are members of the South Jersey Enduro Riders
-I rode dirt bikes when i was younger but not too aggressively, just recently got back into the dirt (from streetbikes) so I would classify myself as a beginner trailrider, but not entirely green

Jeff Fredette recommends the .38 kg for my weight, and the race-tech calculator gives me between .39 and .41 depending if I input my skill level as beginner or intermediate. I'm pretty sure the .38's would be more appropriate/forgiving for me now, but I plan on riding a lot this season and don't want to go through the expense and work and then wish I had gone stiffer halfway through the year. If I continue to ride a lot and get better and more comfortable on the bike, I might spring for a KX fork swap next year (pun intended ). I just want to make the best interim upgrade for this season.

Any advice?
Any tips from someone who has done the XR400 spring upgrade?
Anyone with an E series KDX want my stock H Series .35 kg fork springs when I'm done?

I put .41s in my 94 forks....love those springs, makes the bike "poundable" thru whoops and big hit no prob, also doesn't feel hard hitting in the slow stuff either. I think that you'd be pretty well off with either.

I'd say .38.

Welcome to the site.

40's...look for used on eBay or elsewhere

BTW, check a Honda microfiche. 1996 - 1997 is .38 and 1998 - 2004 is .40, if I remember correctly. A lot of folks get this wrong.

Julien D wrote:I'd say .38.

+1 ,,,, .38 work great for me and I'm a little heavier.

I'm sure racetech makes a good product but have always found they recomendations on the high side.


"" Jeff Fredette recommends the .38 kg for my weight ""
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I have an 03 220 with 1993 XR600 stock springs in it. Rated at .41. They are longer and spec out with 10mm preload without any spacer. Ie youmcan toss the giant metal spacer and one of the flat washers on top.
I also have the oil at 130mm from top.

and compression out 14.

bike sits flat now, very stable, takes big hits nicely now and is still sufficiently plush. I might get around to pulling the base valve at some point.

btw, I weigh in at 180 with gear an tools. And ride tight singlet all the wat to wfo sand washes.

I weigh 160 lbs w/o gear and would say with stock valving .38 would be a better fit.

I have 4 shims removed from the compression valve stack (increased compression speed) in each fork leg and I have .41's they work well for me.

Keeps the suspension up in the stroke, no diving, but a bit rough in the rocks, but I manage OK, as long as I stand.

Feels very balanced front to rear.

120mm oil level with Mobil 1 ATF. (Slowed down rebound)

Michael

What weight fork oil are you guys running with either one of these springs ?

7wt. I might be able to get you what my settings are later today. They are in my van, and it's at a race today. If the card is still there when I get my van back, I'll post all my settings.
I have mine set up for whoops and rocks. Slow B rider, w/some dessert racing. It works great for me, even in the woods. Last ride was whooped out trails, both single track and two track and I was carrying 20mph avg. Faster in the 2 track, of course. I can jump it (I've never done a double) and pop it up over logs w/o any problems.