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What are the differences between 250R and 250X suspension?

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:56 pm
by 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.

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:59 pm
by 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.

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:34 pm
by 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?

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:46 pm
by Asmith
Codeman00 wrote: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.

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:47 pm
by 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?

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:58 pm
by 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.

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:29 pm
by Codeman00
Thanks for the explanation...preciate it. 370 mL it is.