[Codeman00]

I have a friend that would like to convert his 250R suspension into X suspension because he rides more trails than tracks. What are the differences in the forks and the rear shock? I can do the fork seals...therefore I can swap out parts if needed. I'm not sure what I can do to the rear shock setup.

[Asmith]

Spring rates and shim stack configurations are different.

The wall of the fork tubes themselves are slightly thicker on the R and therefore a wee bit stiffer.

Everything else is the same.

[Codeman00]

Interesting...So is it worth swapping parts to make the R feel like an X? Abouth what kind of part cost am I looking at and is there a how to anywhere that you know of? Do the bikes use different weight fork oils?

[Asmith]

Interesting...So is it worth swapping parts to make the R feel like an X? Abouth what kind of part cost am I looking at and is there a how to anywhere that you know of? Do the bikes use different weight fork oils?

Sure...you can soften the valving a bit to make it feel just like an X.

No how-to's on the subject that I know of.

Same oil in both X's and R's.

[Codeman00]

Agent...I'm going to put new fork seals in my friend's 2006 250R (he's the one that wants the X type suspension).

I plan to use 5W fork oil, just like the X....how many mL should I use if I want a softer feel? Stock is 369 mL. Or does it matter?

[Asmith]

The amount of fluid affects only the last 1/4 of the stroke, sort of for bottoming out resistance. It's actually the airspace left after the oil height is determined. That airspace will compress and become an airshock. The more oil you use, leaves less airspace and it will compress more quickly.

I would run 370ml. That won't soften up the forks though. That is achieved by revalving and or using softer compression springs in the base valve.

[Codeman00]

Thanks for the explanation...preciate it. 370 mL it is.