[jc]

Per my local Honda dealer parts guy he suggests replacing my stock valves with after market stainless steel ones due to the stock intake valves tightening up to often and stainless valves should correct this problem. I am getting ready to pop the top and check clearances and or shim mine if needed. Has anyone changed to the stainless valves yet and if so whats the verdict so far, are they working well / staying within proper clearances?

JC
05 250X

[Asmith]

Two schools of thought:

School One- Replace with Kibblewhite SS valves and springs. Either have seats recut and seals replaced or Switch to a new 06 or 07 head. (Optional go with an R head for increased porting).

School Two- Replace with Ron Hamp Steel Ferrea coated valves. Either have seats recut and seals replaced or Switch to a new 06 or 07 head. (Optional go with an R head for increased porting).

[jc]

Thanks for the valve info I really appreciate it, I will price out all the options and let that make my decision.
JC

[Monkeywrench]

JC,
I went the Kibblewhite valves & Springs route, and had the seats recut by a local shop. First impression was that it lost a bit of pep, probably due to the (incredibly) strong Kibble springs. Not a lot of pep, but I know my bike well and it did lose some. Then I did the pink-wire mod which I felt gave back the "hit" she lost after going to the SS valves and springs. Agent and others have mentioned it's not just a rev-limiter increase, but also changes the timing mapping, which is likely what I felt changed, since I stay away from rev limiter as much as possible.

To sum it up, I am pleased with the way it's set up now, although I'm not sure it was the least expensive way to go. But was also ok with sacrificing a little "hit" for more riding time (instead of doing the valve shim game all the time). But like I mentioned, trying that pink wire mod I think went very well with the SS valves and springs.

Good luck to you - if I had it to do over again, I'm not positive what I'd do (which I know helps you very little ). To go with '06 stock replacement valves and the '06 head does put a lot of faith in whatever improvements Honda has made, rather than go out on your own and switch to something like SS valves/springs or Ron Hamp's setup. I'm definately not suggesting Honda couldn't have fixed whatever was wrong by '06... but would just hate to be the guy who saw valve movement yet again and wished I chose stainless. (That would have been my luck).
-matt