Hey,

I understand from 09 onwards the stock fork spring length changed on the klx250S. I also read that moto-pro know this length and stock it, however not many (anyone?) else does.

I live in Aust and want to buy locally so have found someone that distributes race-tech springs, however they are not sure on the correct length. If they get the correct length they will modify some springs to fit and still get them cheaper for me than ordering from the USofA.

So can anyone confirm the length of the KLX250S fork springs, 2010 model, for me? I would rip them out of my bike myself but I work away from home and won't be home for a bit and would like to get home and have the springs in my hands!!!

Help is appreciated!

 

I've asked this question a couple of times out of curiosity but don't think I ever got an answer. I was thinking you could e-mail John at Moto Pro for that length, but some might look on that as bad form if you're not purchasing from him. However, you do live in Aus, and he might understand your dilemma.

The KLX300 springs are 455mm, and oddly the '06/'07 KLX250S springs are 15mm longer at 470mm, even though both of those bikes have the exact same fork travel. I used the Race Tech KLX300 springs with a small spacer in my '06 KLX250S. I'm relatively sure the '09 and later fork springs won't be any longer than the 300 springs at 455mm. All KLX250/300 fork springs are in the 38.2-38.3mm diameter range. I notice that Eibach Springs makes a 38.3mm X 486mm fork spring and a 38.3mm X 512mm that could both be cut down and finished out on the cut end to properly fit any of the KLX forks from any year.

So it sounds like your supplier who intends to cut down a fork spring will probably have a good candidate to cut down. An interesting approach, and one that would work just fine as far as I can tell.

 

Hey...after I posted my response, it came to me that the factory shop manual always has the free spring length listed on the specs page for the given model listed. Anyone with a manual or the downloaded manual should be able to turn to section 12 and look on the specs page. At least it's section 12 on my KLX manuals for the older stuff.

 

I found the fork spring free length...but the rear spring free length seems to not be listed.

The Front spring free length is 412.3mm for '09 klx250s and 387.3mm for the '09 klx250sm.

 

That's interesting they don't list the rear shock free length. That's the way you usually tell if the spring is sacked out or not...at least without a more sophisticated spring tension reading tool like a suspension shop might have.

That's a pretty good drop in spring length for an inch in travel reduction. Still, it is what it is.

 

Doesn't truly fit in this thread but I'll post it here anyway:

rear spring free length:235mm (average, the two ends aren't parallel, barely used '08 KLX250SF)
I think the measurement is valid for the "S" as well, just that the two have very different rates.

 

ol'k, I am not familiar with all the differences between the S and SF models, but I was curious about a couple of things. You mention an '08. I really thought thought there is no such year model, but it just comes up when it's a late '07 or an early '09. And on the issue of the rear spring length, judging from NDK's numbers in his post, it appears that fork spring length is different between the SF and S. That would cause me to assume that the rear spring could likely be different too...buy you know what they say about "assume".

 

I'd have to check with maninthesea about the history of that spring. He sent it to me. He had written on it " '08 KLX SM ". I've already tucked my bike away but I'll measure its white spring next time I can get at it. Mind you it has some preload on it, but to get some idea. That measurement I posted is for the red spring.

 

Thanks guys, I should have looked in the manual first...

Section 13 of the 09 onwards manual. Also, I have assumed the KLX250T is the S and the KLX250W is the SF. Silly designation.

 

Indeed the spring length is about 415mm.
However, in the spring of the damper is identical to the rest of the KLX 300/250 no matter the year (SF except that I know nothing on this bike.
In fact, my bike has installed one of KX250 and the same, just change the hardness.

The KLX250S is able to reduce seat height by means of long 119'5mm link rods, which act differently on the dock. And the piston rod is trimmed about 5mm.