Installing an 08 shock on a Classic: Difference between revisions

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[[Category: Suspension]]

~~This~~ is a direct swap~~, physically~~. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. ~~Not much feedback on~~ handling ~~yet, but since~~ it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.

The 2008-12 shock is a direct swap onto the older EX250F. This has become the first choice for riders who want a firmer shock but don't want to pay the price for an aftermarket one. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. It should make the handling better (YMMV). Since it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.

The 08-12 shocks all ~~have~~ the same part number, 45014-0234-23J~~, so they are the same~~.

The 08-12 shocks are all the same, part number 45014-0234-23J. Here they are, an '08 EX250J shock on top and an '06 EX250F shock on bottom:

Here they are, an '08 EX250J shock on top and an '06 EX250F shock on bottom:

[[image:shocks_01.jpg|150px]]

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Installation takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. The only extra adjustability on the new shock is preload. It still doesn't have compression or rebound damping. Our suspension man says that the difference in spring height doesn't have any meaning one way or another.

One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.

One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike, you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.

Here are photos of the EX250J shock installed.

[[image:08 shock – 2.jpg|150px]]

[[image:08-shock-installed-2.jpg|150px]]

[[image:08 shock – 3.jpg|150px]]

[[image:08-shock-installed-3.jpg|150px]]

Initial impressions from one person who sold his bike shortly after he did it:

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And initial impressions from a new rider who made the switch:

*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop~~. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better~~.

*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop.

~~That's all the test information we have. It will be up~~ to ~~you to do some testing should you decide to do this mod. Start~~ with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the ~~change~~. ~~Please post your reaction and experiences~~.

Our recommendation for preload adjustment is to start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the new shock. If it feels like you could use more preload, adjust it one notch at a time until you get to where you're comfortable.

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 [[Category: Suspension]]
-This is a direct swap, physically. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. Not much feedback on handling yet, but since it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.
+The 2008-12 shock is a direct swap onto the older EX250F. This has become the first choice for riders who want a firmer shock but don't want to pay the price for an aftermarket one. The J model shock is stiffer. Sag is much less than with an OEM F shock. It's much better when riding 2-up, and the bike will squat less at the rear when accelerating. It should make the handling better (YMMV). Since it's designed for basically the same bike, there's not much chance it will be too stiff for most people. It will only cost you about 20 minutes of your time and the price of a used shock to find out.
-The 08-12 shocks all have the same part number, 45014-0234-23J, so they are the same.
+The 08-12 shocks are all the same, part number 45014-0234-23J. Here they are, an '08 EX250J shock on top and an '06 EX250F shock on bottom:
-Here they are, an '08 EX250J shock on top and an '06 EX250F shock on bottom:
 [[image:shocks_01.jpg|150px]]
@@ Line 20: / Line 18: @@
 Installation takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. The only extra adjustability on the new shock is preload. It still doesn't have compression or rebound damping. Our suspension man says that the difference in spring height doesn't have any meaning one way or another.
-One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.
+One thing to keep in mind is that with Sport Demon or other 90-series tires on the bike, you'll probably have to put a piece of plywood under the centerstand when you need to get the rear tire off the ground.
 Here are photos of the EX250J shock installed.
-[[image:08 shock – 2.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:08-shock-installed-2.jpg|150px]]
-[[image:08 shock – 3.jpg|150px]]
+[[image:08-shock-installed-3.jpg|150px]]
 Initial impressions from one person who sold his bike shortly after he did it:
@@ Line 33: / Line 31: @@
 And initial impressions from a new rider who made the switch:
-*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop. I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does feel better.
+*With the preload on the softest setting, the back of the bike felt MUCH stiffer... much better. Even coming off the center stand, the back didn't drop the way it used to. Sitting on the bike, it didn't sag like it did with the stock shock. If I dropped my weight on it (205#) it felt like it fought back to not drop.
-That's all the test information we have. It will be up to you to do some testing should you decide to do this mod. Start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the change. Please post your reaction and experiences.
+Our recommendation for preload adjustment is to start with the softest setting, and be careful until you're used to the new shock. If it feels like you could use more preload, adjust it one notch at a time until you get to where you're comfortable.