Rear Shock questions and Ideas

[Chopperpilot]

I have a 2001 KDX 200. Last summer (short here in Alaska), I got much better at off road riding techniques and hill climbs. I've already grafted a set of 93' KX250 forks to the KDX and will either gold valve them this winter and/or try putting on a 2003 YZ250 front end that I got a crossover bearing to fit the KDX frame. I'm pretty decent at rebuilding and shim stacking for suspension (I first learned this on mountain bike forks and shocks).
Anyway, onto my question. I've read a lot from Chuck78 and SS109 on fitting Showa suspension pieces to the KDX (notably the rear shock). I have 2 dirt bikes, the KDX and a 1996 KLX 650R (I rebuilt the forks on this bike with gold valves). I have a good feel for what I want out of a fork, but am looking this winter to spruce up the rear end of both these bikes. Both bikes have essentially the same shock on them, which everyone agrees is 'a pretty decent shock'. Having never tore down or done any maintenance to the rear of these bikes, I'm sure just a standard rebuild/grease will show significant improvement, but what's the fun in that? So I'm going to either install gold valves in the shocks, or replace the 'pretty decent shock' with Showa 50mm versions (probably also gold valved or shim swapped at least). I'm curious from people here who have modified the rear end, will a Showa (rebuilt and valved nice) be that much of an improvement over a Gold Valved KDX shock? I think the improvement I'm looking for, or hoping to get, is better stability/tracking when climbing hills with semi large rocks (basketball and bigger) on them. Something that will 'float' over these things with a little less commotion than I currently have. I've heard the Gold Valves (and recommended shimming) should do this exact thing....... will a Showa do it that much better?

[KDXGarage]

I can't remember. What have you already done to the shock?

What is your weight in full riding gear and the current shock spring's rate?

[Chopperpilot]

I've done nothing to the rear end at all. I assume I have the stock 5kg spring on the KDX. In full gear I'm about 200lbs.

[KDXGarage]

I think you will need the 5.2. It will ride better after proper linkage / bearing maintenance and fresh oil and nitrogen. Don't place too much faith in your current worn out setup to make decisions off of.

[Chopperpilot]

Noted and thanks! I ordered 2 of the Gold valve kits for the KYB 44mm shocks (the KLX650r essentially has the same shock). I'll just rebuild and gold valve both of them. I have two Showa 50 mm shocks I got cheap off ebay (1 DRZ400 and 1 RM125) and I'll tear them apart at the same time to see if I notice anything worth the extra expense in fitting to either bike. I'll also check to see if either will easily fit to either bike. I suppose I can also actually check sag and race sag on both prior to disassembly and see about springs for either if necessary.

[KDXGarage]

Good luck with it all. Congratulations on getting the Gold Valve kits. It will take a lot of guessing out and should get you in very good shape.

[Chuck78]

Regarding the 44mm KYB vs 50mm Showa, critics really praise the 50mm KYB on the 2024 Beta 200RR Race Edition, and talk bad about the standard 200RR & older model years of the 200RR Race Edition - citing the 46mm(?) Sachs shock doesn't have enough fluid capacity or shim stack diameter/surface area to really be competitive... It's all relative though, as a KDX guy that lives his KDX200H with Race Tech Gold Valves in the stock suspension (44mm KYB shock) also was saying this same thing that the Sachs 46mm shock was too small versus the new Beta model 50mm KYB shock...