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Just got my new 2000 KDX200, the seller gave me the original spring and told me the bike was setup for a 175lb rider. I read other threads on here that the original spring from factory was set for 180lbs. I didn’t think it would be worth it to change it out. I am 215lbs. Where can I get a spring that would work for me, or is this not that big of a deal?

I would just preload the spring with the adjustment nut and see how it rides. I’m between 215 and 220 and my sag is good. The guy I bought it from was probably the same weight as us and he cranked it up. I did buy stiffer fork springs and will change the oil to 7.5 wt.
I haven’t rode my bike since I just purchased it in the fall and been giving it a do over.

What is your weight in full riding gear?

Do you use an oversize fuel tank?

Do you carry extra parts or tools on the bike?

What terrain do you ride?

What level of rider are you? (putting around to follow the grandkids, fast racer or somewhere in the middle?)

Can you post pictures of the two springs?

Both the front and rear should be set to the rider's weight and skill level. As it is, it won't keep you from going out and riding around. I wouldn't try to get too fancy or fast without it set up properly, though.

kick, that's not really the way to go. I doubt you are getting good free and race sag numbers at your weight with a stock spring.

I will post some pics of the springs when I get home. It does feel a bit loose in the back but who knows I am no expert rider. I live in south texas in sand and loose soil around a couple hundred acres riding trails mostly. There is a MX track near by but I just chase kids around on it no real racing and only mild jumps. The spring on it now is blue and I was given the black factory spring as well. Sorry I know that doesn’t help much

KDX garage you may be correct but my initial thought it feels good enough to ride. I have owned many bikes and done things both ways. Do it right with springs and valving and also just work with what I had. I figured with purchasing a 20 year old bike he isn’t looking to practice and race every weekend (not that you couldn’t). Probably trail ride.

Brandonbb76, thanks for the reply.

The stock spring is blue (kind of a medium sky blue)



A Race Tech aftermarket spring is dark blue:



Eibach made black springs.

Maybe we can figure out what is on there and go from there.

It'll be OK for riding around, but could be better.

It is a light blue like the factory one you posted, the seller acted like the factory spring was the black one? I will look at it all closer when i get home and try to get some numbers

I was also reading the manual about how to set the adjustment screws back to factory and go from there.

Stock spring:

SPRING,SHOCKABSORBER,K=5.0,BLU 92144-1830-W1

The threaded portion is for preload adjustement. The screw on the bottom is for rebound and the top is for compression.

You ever see a truck bed that holds 750 pounds of weight and someone has put 1,500 in it and the tires look like they are about to pop? The truck does not have the correct spring rates to haul that much weight. I am about the same weight as you, so I am not saying that by sitting on the KDX, we are about to pop a knobby tire.

To get it all level, it is supposed to have a certain rate of spring(s) front and rear.

Again, it will be all right, just could be better.

And honestly, getting the bike sprung correctly will do more to improve your riding than anything else you could do to the bike, it's that badly mismatched front to rear. Is it rideable stock? yes. Riding in sand will exacerbate the stock suspension, especially for us Clydesdale riders lol.

The bike height drops about 2.5” when I am sitting on it

Look up how to measure sag.

The black one looks mighty clean. Is it the exact same length as the manual says for a stock spring? Did someone paint a stock spring?

I'd measure static sag and race sag, then see where you are. Generally, if you are 225 or so in gear, then a 5.4 is about right.

175 pounds stock

200 or so 5.2

225 or so 5.4

ROUGHLY

ALWAYS... check the sag numbers. That is how to know for sure.

Just saw this on the bottom of the black spring

Fredette racing products (the KDX guru) actually recommends the stock spring for a 180-220lb rider. He also mentions 5.6kg for 290lbs plus rider. Honestly your front springs need more attention.

Man, I'm only 140 and I've always ran 4.8 on the rear of my KDX's and still bottom at times. I must be much faster than I thought! LOL

SS109 wrote: 09:47 pm Mar 04 2021 Man, I'm only 140 and I've always ran 4.8 on the rear of my KDX's and still bottom at times. I must be much faster than I thought! LOL

I don’t claim to be a suspension expert but if your bottoming out that has more to do with valving.
Suspension 101
Springs= ride height
Shocks (valving) = damping

Obviously there are many variables when it comes to suspension set-up. Speaking in general if people would educate themselves on the basic principles they will get the most out of what they have.

kick wrote: 10:45 pm Mar 04 2021

SS109 wrote: 09:47 pm Mar 04 2021 Man, I'm only 140 and I've always ran 4.8 on the rear of my KDX's and still bottom at times. I must be much faster than I thought! LOL

I don’t claim to be a suspension expert but if your bottoming out that has more to do with valving.
Suspension 101
Springs= ride height
Shocks (valving) = damping

Obviously there are many variables when it comes to suspension set-up. Speaking in general if people would educate themselves on the basic principles they will get the most out of what they have.

Yeah, I know. It was my lame attempt at humor.

You said you weigh 215. Is that with all your riding gear on or you in your birthday suit? Unless you ride in your birthday suit, I need to know your weight when you are fully "suited up", even if that is no helmet, cut off jean shorts, tank top and flip flops.

I am assuming you don't need a 5.6 spring (and matching fork springs).

kick, I think Mr. Fredette is off a touch on those recommendations. That's a bit wide of a range on those springs. Fork spring rate recommendations are another can of worms.