Just poking around while doing some maintenance on my stock shock with the help of members from this forum in another thread (BIG THANKS AGAIN ALL). I came across this entire shock replacement for really cheap. Wondering if anyone has had any or knows anyone that has any experience with them:
Says it fits the 09 KLX S :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/253553359773

Is it really that cheap or is it just cheap? Normally I side with "you get what you way for" but, so curious. I emailed the poster to see what the rating on the spring is.

 

The stock shock runs pretty good, even better with a Gold Valve upgrade. If it turns out your shock won't run right, you get get a used on one ebay for around the price of that cheap one. I'd stick with the OEM.

 

Well that's interesting. You also see some cheap Chinese made mountainbike shocks occasionally also that no one has heard of. No idea who or where these are being produced. Won't badmouth them totally, as I don't know anything about them...but I'd be cautious and do some homework.

I find it interesting that this shock is 320mm long and the check list indicates it fits both 2006 and 2009 KLX's. Does the '09 not have a slightly shorter shock? Anyway, I don't see any rebound or compression adjusters. Also, this outfit seems to make a lot of other length shocks, and they call some of them "air" shocks when clearly the shock pictured is a coil. Anyone notice the brand is called "Possbay"?

Be careful. I think it screams, "I'm cheap for a reason".

 

The company sent me the following sheet about the shock


i might have to buy one and give it a test run.

 

My bike is in storage so I can't easily check, but if I remember correctly, the reservoir on the KLX is offset to the side, not directly in-plane with the mount as is the case on the eBay shock. Can't see how it would fit.

 

Some thoughts...

I'd take the money and have a suspension shop rework the OEM shock to suit. The OEM shock can be upgraded to the point where it will be approaching an $800 shock or it can be simply rebuilt with fresh fluid in it for probably less than that ebay special and maybe work better too.

The stock shock is a decent piece, fluid and spring are set up for a 150 lb rider is the problem. Actually the remote reservoir shocks aren't complicated, getting the snap ring out is probably the hardest thing. Chances are good someone here like TNC could give information on using the Gold Valve, if you can do the work. I did a CR250R shock some years back and was surprised how uncomplicated the process of fluid change is. Shim stack would add complication, but only to know what to put in and that information probably can be had easily.
If you measure up the spring it is possible to buy sprint car shock springs of similar length and same ID/OD with a stronger spring rate. I bought a 400# spring for a DRz shock, the recommended weight to use the shock on a KLX650, for $35. Found a sprint car driver/builder selling off his old springs, because he got a sponsorship for springs and was getting new ones. It was the correct ID/OD and 1/2" shorter, so I put on a 1/2" spacer if not enough threads and have the correct spring rate for the application. Learned about the shock spring thing in the Yahoo KLX650 group. If you look at Eibach you will find they don't actually list the spring for the bike, but rather the spring rate and sizes since they can be used on any sort of coil over shock set up.

 

Just now thought about it and I wouldn't trust them too much either. Seems a Chinese company lists a cam chain tensioner that is supposed to fit the KLX250 and KLR250. I can tell you the part when ordered doesn't fit the KLX. I have riders who contact me that bought them only to find they didn't work. I reassured them I knew mine worked, because I actually have a KLX. Don't bet the shock will absolutely be right.

 

Anyone notice the translation hiccups in that info from the company? That usually indicates a problem when your marketing skills can't even find a decent English speaker to put the final polish on your product text.

And this concept of the "universal" shock application is almost ridiculous. Any of us who've tinkered with our suspension know it's not that easy to provide a one-size-fits-all...or even fit just a few different bikes.

klx678, you're right on the OEM shock. It's a very decent KYB shock that IMO is easier to service than the front fork. Our complaints are usually more about the front fork than the rear shock anyway. When I did the Race Tech Gold Valve install on the rear shock, RT supplied some very good detail on the shim selection and provided the shims. It was pretty darned easy.

fzrcraig, your observation of the piggyback orientation is correct. I've seen some shocks that allow the piggyback to be turned/oriented by the end user for better fitment. This shock has a one-piece eyelet and piggyback.

vital04, we would all be very interested to see how it works out just for curiosity's sake if nothing else. However, I think you'd be better served in putting that money into servicing your OEM shock.

One other thing I notice on this company's text is the description in the spring rate column...Load/1 Pair...one pair?

 

Trying to look at it logically, take a look at the different bikes they say it is a replacement for. I doubt that a shock that is valved and sprung for a 1200 Ducati would work well on a 250 dual sport.
It may work but it would require setting up from scratch.

 

I'm thinking these may be like those cheap pair of shocks to decorate the back of a twin shock street bike. I thought about a pair for the SR, but I have a set of Works Performance shocks I got for the Zephyr and the guy at WP said the valving should be good, the springs may be a shade stiff, but maybe not. So I'm doing them.