KDXRIDER.NET

I am 140lbs without gear on.

Fredette recommends a 4.6kg spring but race tech recommends a 4.4kg spring. Factory connection only makes a 4.4kg and 4.8kg making me use a 4.4kg from them, and Eibach doesn't even tell me which to use lol.

Which recommendation did you guys use when purchasing new springs and what was your experience?

Thanks

NO WAY IN HECK a 4.4 is correct. If you have the stock 5.0 spring, see if someone with a 1989 - 1994 model needing a 5.0 will swap with you. Stock on those is 4.6.

My shock is not a factory shock but I'm running a 4.4 on mine and I'm 145 without gear. Seems about perfect to me.

Is your shock the same length as stock? If not, that might throw it off a touch.

No, it is a bit longer. It's an '01-'04 Showa shock from an RM125.

Wow that is very misleading info ss109. Thanks for catching that Jason

I think he was just trying to help.

Yup, just sharing info.

Willbilly wrote:Wow that is very misleading info ss109. Thanks for catching that Jason

Sorry but I don't see it that way. I said my shock wasn't stock so take it for what it's worth. There isn't that much of a difference between the two from what my suspension guy said. He went with standard KDX spring recommendation and it has worked out great.

Lastly, lighten up, Francis!

SS109 wrote:

Willbilly wrote:Wow that is very misleading info ss109. Thanks for catching that Jason

Sorry but I don't see it that way. I said my shock wasn't stock so take it for what it's worth. There isn't that much of a difference between the two from what my suspension guy said. He went with standard KDX spring recommendation and it has worked out great.

Lastly, lighten up, Francis!

Good thing i didn't spend $110 on misinformation.

Willbilly wrote:

SS109 wrote:

Willbilly wrote:Wow that is very misleading info ss109. Thanks for catching that Jason

Sorry but I don't see it that way. I said my shock wasn't stock so take it for what it's worth. There isn't that much of a difference between the two from what my suspension guy said. He went with standard KDX spring recommendation and it has worked out great.

Lastly, lighten up, Francis!

Good thing i didn't spend $110 on misinformation.

Really? The info is relevant and and I'm sorry you can't see that. Most agree Racetech tends to recommend springs on the stiffer side. Why Fredette is recommending something stiffer is beyond me. Unless you're a really fast guy (A level/Pro) I would bet the 4.4 would work great. If you want a stiffer suspension then go for it. Your bike and your money. However, suspension is a matter of what works for you and is subjective. So, in closing, your claim of erroneous and misleading info is BS (EDIT by Jason spelling correction?? ). (I have edited out the last sentence as to not be a d... as that just isn't who I am)

This is more exciting than Easter dinner at the in-laws...lol

Sorry about the language Jason and fellow forum members. I was not in a good mood yesterday as the output shaft bearing on the 220 decided to fail in the middle of nowhere. It was a really long and bad day and I tend to get a little riled up when someone accuses me of trying to intentionally give bad info to a forum member. Everyone that has been here for a while knows that just isn't me.

Anyway, my whole point was that what I use works for me so I know it's in the ballpark for another rider of similar weight. Perfect for you OP? Maybe, maybe not. You never know as different riders like their suspension set up different ways. Some like a really stiffly sprung bike, some like super soft. Same goes for valving, 2T vs 4T, Brand X tire vs Brand Z, etc., etc. It really comes down to personal preference. Good luck with your suspension.

Peace!

Remember, spring for the bike, not the shocks on it, just like when you do a fork swap. Just because you used X brand of forks off of an X brand of bike doesn't mean you put springs rated for the x brand. You use springs for a kdx. I used Race Techs calculator, but played with riding type (mx, trail etc) and class (A, B, C, Novice), as well as what gear I rode with, and was quite surprised at the spring weight difference.

Sent from my KIW-L24 using Tapatalk

Remember though that forks are straight rate linear and shocks have the linkage with various geometry an rising rates.

I ended up buying a race tech spring at 4.6kg. Feels pretty good to me. Thanks for the input all.

Did you measure sag?

Thanks for reporting back.

Jason wrote:Did you measure sag?

Thanks for reporting back.

Sag is stock spring length vs. static spring length correct?

Well, take a measurement with it on a work stand,
then with it by itself,
then another measurement with you in full gear and equipment sitting on the bike.

Take the full measurement minus the seated measurement, should be around 100 mm for a 1989+ KDX. Adjust the preload to get it to 100 mm. After that, see what the measurement is with the bike off the work stand, under its won weight. That is what is going to tell you if the spring is too soft or too stiff.