my info(if it matters)
5'10"
215 lbs
90% road/10% off.

we all know the suspension is really weak,prob not as much of a big deal on road,but the front feels like I would go *** over tea kettle in an emergency stop.plus the idea of a nicer suspension in case i off roaded a lil more,small jumps.so...new springs and oil up front? what make/size? still must handle the street very well, just more adequate for me.

 

I weigh 160 lbs and to lift the rear off the ground, you really have to lean into it, and grab a LOT of front brake.

I'm used to riding 8" travel Downhill MTBs, to the suspension on the KLX doesn't bother me at all.

 

i have 60 lbs on you, and a small jump i bottomed out.

 

I bottom out on small jumps @ 185lbs. Just sitting on the bike with the rear spring adjusted to its max weight settings the bike has way too much sag. It simply wasn't met for someone in the range of 200lbs.

 

I ride long travel MTB's too and work at a shop. The KLX suspension is pretty bad for the majority of riders. The fork is the worst as it has horrible compression spiking. You're in a little shape because of your weight. The springs are better suited to your weight. Even then the damping in the fork is just plain bad. I revalved my fork and shock with Race Tech Gold Valve kits, and the difference is somewhat amazing. I've had many, many dirt bikes with some very good suspension components and damping, and the KLX was about the worst.

 

which kit? how about rear spring?

 

Are you on a S or SF, this makes a big difference in the setup.

Next week i'm gonna try & make some "zomby woof" 1 inch fork spacers & shove them into my SF forks to give a bit of more pre-load as i'm 220lbs & having big problems (bottoming out) when i slam on the brakes!! If it works i've saved some money & loads of time & BS getting springs shipped to Thailand. The zomby woof thread on this subject seems almost to easy....i gotta give it a go

 

I did the KLX300 kits front and rear on the valving. Mine is an '06, so I was able to utilize the damping and springs for a 300, as they're fairly identical on the suspension travel and such. I used .44 Race Tech fork springs for my 190 pound weight, along with a 6.0 spring for the rear. For an '09 and later model with a little less suspension travel, I'd go with Moto Pro's valving and springs. John has a very good package for those models that I think is every bit as good as RT's. The '06/'07 can use the 300 components.

 

Turning your front damping adjustment all the way in, and then backing it out 4-5 clicks will get rid of the front-end diving! It's FREE, and it works!!!

I get a little annoyed when people compare the KLX suspension to other dirt bikes. It's kinda unfair to do that. Dirt bikes perform equally p!ss-poor as dual-sport bikes! If I needed dirt bike suspension, I would have bought a dirt bike. Rather than knock the shortcomings; celebrate the fact that the KLX can be upgraded with very good suspension options. When you compare the stock KLX250 suspension to other dual-sport bikes in its class, the KLX comes out pretty near the top... Just sayin'.

 

agreed..its not a motocross bike. i actually chose it over a wr....just needs a lil lovin for the suspension