Suspension and General Upgrade for Large Rider
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Joined: Apr 2021
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Suspension and General Upgrade for Large Rider
Hi Guys,
Just managed to pick up a clean 2009 KLX205S for a great price. This will be my second bike (I had a brief stint with a KDX200 when I was 16). Will mostly be riding on fire roads, snowmobile trails, etc. with minimal street use. At 6'5" 250lbs, I know I'll need to make some adjustments to the stock bike. I don't have much experience wrenching on bikes, but started by adjusting preload/sag all the way. The rear suspension is still far too soft so I'm assuming I'll need a new spring. I've also seen bar risers recommenced for taller riders.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Just managed to pick up a clean 2009 KLX205S for a great price. This will be my second bike (I had a brief stint with a KDX200 when I was 16). Will mostly be riding on fire roads, snowmobile trails, etc. with minimal street use. At 6'5" 250lbs, I know I'll need to make some adjustments to the stock bike. I don't have much experience wrenching on bikes, but started by adjusting preload/sag all the way. The rear suspension is still far too soft so I'm assuming I'll need a new spring. I've also seen bar risers recommenced for taller riders.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,728
From: Cottonwood, AZ USA
1st Gear Member
You will need new front & rear springs. Racetech can do a fork rebuild for you, you'll want to have the valves redone, if your not racing you probably will not need the gold valves, I didn't get them. They can work over your shim stack while they are in there.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 286
From: Lower Alabama
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EDIT: For reference, I'm 53, ride a 2009, am 6ft and was as high at 245lbs (now down below 215... Keto = Woot!)
Springs for sure. You can get a rear 7.0 from Cogent that should be close enough (I haven't seen anything larger 'off the shelf'). For the forks, at least a set of .48's if not .50's (Cogent or Racetech)
The forks benefit greatly from Gold Valves. It is said that the stock valve bodies can't flow enough oil to ever work well even if you change the shims. You might not ever ride hard enough to notice a difference. I did mine, and I would do it again if I got another KLX. I also did Gold Valves in my shock, but didn't notice enough difference to do it again.
I'm 6 ft with a long upper torso and run 20mm of riser.. Some bikes need to have a longer clutch and/or throttle cable to fit risers, my 2009 did not.
Hope that helps.
Springs for sure. You can get a rear 7.0 from Cogent that should be close enough (I haven't seen anything larger 'off the shelf'). For the forks, at least a set of .48's if not .50's (Cogent or Racetech)
The forks benefit greatly from Gold Valves. It is said that the stock valve bodies can't flow enough oil to ever work well even if you change the shims. You might not ever ride hard enough to notice a difference. I did mine, and I would do it again if I got another KLX. I also did Gold Valves in my shock, but didn't notice enough difference to do it again.
I'm 6 ft with a long upper torso and run 20mm of riser.. Some bikes need to have a longer clutch and/or throttle cable to fit risers, my 2009 did not.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by Abramsgunner; Apr 23, 2021 at 04:39 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,050
From: Abilene, TX
1st Gear Member
EDIT: For reference, I'm 53, ride a 2009, am 6ft and was as high at 245lbs (now down below 215... Keto = Woot!)
Springs for sure. You can get a rear 7.0 from Cogent that should be close enough (I haven't seen anything larger 'off the shelf'). For the forks, at least a set of .48's if not .50's (Cogent or Racetech)
The forks benefit greatly from Gold Valves. It is said that the stock valve bodies can't flow enough oil to ever work well even if you change the shims. You might not ever ride hard enough to notice a difference. I did mine, and I would do it again if I got another KLX. I also did Gold Valves in my shock, but didn't notice enough difference to do it again.
I'm 6 ft with a long upper torso and run 20mm of riser.. Some bikes need to have a longer clutch and/or throttle cable to fit risers, my 2009 did not.
Hope that helps.
Springs for sure. You can get a rear 7.0 from Cogent that should be close enough (I haven't seen anything larger 'off the shelf'). For the forks, at least a set of .48's if not .50's (Cogent or Racetech)
The forks benefit greatly from Gold Valves. It is said that the stock valve bodies can't flow enough oil to ever work well even if you change the shims. You might not ever ride hard enough to notice a difference. I did mine, and I would do it again if I got another KLX. I also did Gold Valves in my shock, but didn't notice enough difference to do it again.
I'm 6 ft with a long upper torso and run 20mm of riser.. Some bikes need to have a longer clutch and/or throttle cable to fit risers, my 2009 did not.
Hope that helps.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 760
From: Young Harris, GA
1st Gear Member
I did Gold valves in the forks and the shock.
I'm at 200# and I found that the oe front Springs worked for me and a 6.0 on the rear works well.
I agree that you'll need springs at a minimum and revalving WILL make a world of difference.
I'm at 200# and I found that the oe front Springs worked for me and a 6.0 on the rear works well.
I agree that you'll need springs at a minimum and revalving WILL make a world of difference.
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