Introduction to shock upgrades: Difference between revisions

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Type of riding: Many street riders just want a "better" shock, perhaps with minimal adjustability. Racers and more aggressive riders tend to opt for a firmer shock that has more adjustability and resists fading under extreme conditions.

Load: The stock EX250 shock is simply not well suited for heavier riders, and can easily bottom out riding two-up or in ~~aggresive~~ cornering over bumps.

Load: The stock EX250 shock is simply not well suited for heavier riders, and can easily bottom out riding two-up or in aggressive cornering over bumps.

Adjustability: Shocks can have several modes of adjustability. The most common are:

*Preload: Adjusts the initial compression of the rear spring. This determines [[How do I adjust the rear preload?|sag]] and, to some extent, height.

*Preload: Adjusts the initial compression of the rear spring. This determines [[How do I adjust the rear preload?|sag]] and, to some extent, height. Preload is basically adjusting the length of the shock to match your body weight.

*Compression damping: Strikes a compromise between soaking up bumps and squatting under acceleration.

*Rebound: Can sometimes be set correctly before you ride the bike. Bounce down on the seat to judge return rate.

:In brief, compression damping controls how much the shock goes up when you hit a bump, and rebound is how fast it recovers (returns to static position).

*Ride height: Controls the overall length of the shock, but can be built-in to the dogbones or mounting points.

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Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those that do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.

A stock EX250 shock measures appx. 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower.

A stock EX250 shock measures appx. 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.

It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get a different shock to fit. Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any shock here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification.

~~In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.~~

====Recommendations====

~~It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get~~ a ~~different~~ shock ~~to fit~~. ~~Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any~~ shock ~~here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification~~.

*Find an [[Aftermarket Shocks|aftermarket shock]].

*Get a used [[Finding a good used shock|Fox shock]].

*Install a [[Installing a ZX600 shock|ZX600 shock]].

====Another Option====

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 Type of riding: Many street riders just want a "better" shock, perhaps with minimal adjustability. Racers and more aggressive riders tend to opt for a firmer shock that has more adjustability and resists fading under extreme conditions.
-Load: The stock EX250 shock is simply not well suited for heavier riders, and can easily bottom out riding two-up or in aggresive cornering over bumps.
+Load: The stock EX250 shock is simply not well suited for heavier riders, and can easily bottom out riding two-up or in aggressive cornering over bumps.
 Adjustability: Shocks can have several modes of adjustability. The most common are:
-*Preload: Adjusts the initial compression of the rear spring. This determines [[How do I adjust the rear preload?|sag]] and, to some extent, height.
+*Preload: Adjusts the initial compression of the rear spring. This determines [[How do I adjust the rear preload?|sag]] and, to some extent, height. Preload is basically adjusting the length of the shock to match your body weight.
 *Compression damping: Strikes a compromise between soaking up bumps and squatting under acceleration.
 *Rebound: Can sometimes be set correctly before you ride the bike. Bounce down on the seat to judge return rate.
+:In brief, compression damping controls how much the shock goes up when you hit a bump, and rebound is how fast it recovers (returns to static position).
 *Ride height: Controls the overall length of the shock, but can be built-in to the dogbones or mounting points.
@@ Line 28: / Line 30: @@
 Budget: Aftermarket shocks can be expensive, reaching $1000. However, there are less expensive solutions for those that do not want or need all the bells and whistles of the high priced shocks and like to get their hands dirty.
-A stock EX250 shock measures appx. 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower.
+A stock EX250 shock measures appx. 12 1/4" "eye-to-eye". Increasing that distance means the bike will ride higher. Decreasing it means the bike will ride lower. In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.
+It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get a different shock to fit. Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any shock here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification.
-In some cases you can modify the new shock's lower mounting point to account for the difference, or, if you're lucky, the new shock may have a built-in ride height adjuster.
+====Recommendations====
-It is not recommended to play with the length of the dogbones in order to get a different shock to fit. Racers will sometimes do this, but we won't recommend any shock here in the FAQ that requires dogbone modification.
+*Find an [[Aftermarket Shocks|aftermarket shock]].
+*Get a used [[Finding a good used shock|Fox shock]].
+*Install a [[Installing a ZX600 shock|ZX600 shock]].
 ====Another Option====