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Discussion ZXR250 suspension settings.

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Linkin, Oct 15, 2018.

  1. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    What do our ZXR owners have their front and rear suspension settings set to?

    For me, standard settings were both too stiff (rear) and too harsh (front).

    I went down to #2 setting on the rear shock. Much better, but the rear would sag and the front would do nothing when sitting stationary. No good.

    Getting the front sorted has been a bit more challenging as there are three parameters to play with. The standard spring preload setting of 8.5 marks (20mm) was way too soft. My previous setting of 13mm was far too stiff. I have dialed it in at 17mm.

    Then I had to get the compression and preload done. The harshness was coming from the rebound. The standard setting of 7 clicks from fully clockwise was too much rebound, and resulted in sharp bumps and an unstable front end during turning. I went to 8 clicks. Bouncing the bike while stationary, it was already evident that it was far better

    As for compression, having already set the spring preload, I have adjusted it one click stiffer than standard, so 6 clicks from fully clockwise.

    With these settings, sitting on the bike and bouncing the front and rear at the same time results in even sag and return. Happy days.

    I took the bike for a run around town today (RDO, whoo!) and the bike handles much better. Immediately the front end was providing much more confidence and predictable action in turns, handling the bumps better and not pogo-ing.

    I'm about 60kg and my settings are condensed below

    Spring preload - 17mm
    Rebound - 8 clicks from fully clockwise
    Compression - 6 clicks from fully clockwise.
     
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    Last edited: Oct 15, 2018
  2. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Should also play with the tyre pressures .... a few PSI here and there made alot of difference on the FZR between things like wallowing in corners if they were too low to it being positive and 'solid' when higher but not too hard for the big bumps on your arse and spine ... probably moreso when I was +30kg :D
     
  3. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    I keep them at 29psi on the road and 26 hot at the track.

    My first set of alpha 14's either had a problem or my suspension settings were messing with them, this set are much better in that regard
     
  4. Qimbo

    Qimbo Active Member

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    Wow, that's quite low! I'm 75kg and I was advised by the Dunlop guys at Broadford that I should be running with 32psi front and 36psi back.
     
  5. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    The standard pressures are 29/29psi. I trust Kawasaki on that regard.

    The modern ninja 250 runs 28/32psi as standard.

    Smaller bikes do not need the higher pressures found in larger bikes and tyres.
     
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