KYB or Showa Rear Shock

maddog1927 · Post by **maddog1927** » October 28th, 2011, 1:55 pm

I am speaking of the shock (rear) only. I have WP forks up front. I have both KYB (2004 CR125) and Showa (2004 CR 250). Both are in very nice condition. Either one I chose I will only be "springing" for my weight (not re valving).

Does anyone have a recommendation on which of these shocks would be a better choice either from a "future build up" platform, or which may have better stock valving for what I am doing? Weight 220#, riding type Sand.

Any input appreciated.

Also Do you guys feel using the race tech suspension calculator for the cr125 (if using KYB) or cr250 (if using showa) for "motocross" will get me close for sand, and the 500 conversion, or should I get a little heavier or lighter spring?

The Bike:

The Build:

http://www.bannedcr500riders.com/boa...ic.php?t=10808

Rhino89523 · Post by **Rhino89523** » October 28th, 2011, 3:58 pm

O.K. I have zero advice on your shock but I have to say your bike looks sick! As far as the spring rate calculator goes I have always found race tech to be a little on the firm side for me but I am more of a singletracker.

scooter5002 · Post by **scooter5002** » October 28th, 2011, 4:38 pm

From all my sand experience, and thats a LOT, almost exclusively what I ride, you should consider valving for your weight. Now I'm speaking from moto perspective, but sand is a pain if the suspension isn't set uo for you. Especially on the rear. Shock plows through the travel fast, even with the proper spring. If you are riding at high speeds in the desert, I would think that would be as horrifying as a whooped out sand track. I can't say what shock is best, perhaps it comes down to the mechanical condition of either. Likely though, the Showa is the better, I think it will have stiffer OEM valving being off a 250. If you absolutely don't want to valve.
I clicked on your build thread, got a 400 errror, so I can't tell what bike you have. However sag is sag, regardless of bike. I have an 04 450 chassis with a 5.9 spring in it, and I'm 265 in gear. That was the choice off their chart, and it was bang on for me.

maddog1927 · Post by **maddog1927** » October 28th, 2011, 9:14 pm

http://www.bannedcr500riders.com/board/ ... hp?t=10808

Maybe this link will be better.

Thanks for your input.

scooter5002 · Post by **scooter5002** » October 29th, 2011, 4:17 am

Yup, that link worked. Remember it now. Your welder did an awesome job, that whole bike looks sweet. Not sure what to tell you on a spring choice, the 125 obviously would be lighter than the 500 motor, so whatever spring is recommended for your weight on that bike might be a tick off. Maybe by .1 or .2. Anyone you can swap springs with before you pop for the right one?

Tharrell · Post by **Tharrell** » October 29th, 2011, 4:32 am

Damn, that is a sweet looking bike!

Skillet · Post by **Skillet** » October 29th, 2011, 6:20 am

That scooter is the sickness!

Showa = 'mo betta.

Tharrell · Post by **Tharrell** » October 29th, 2011, 11:59 am

That looks like a nickle cone pipe, what is it?

maddog1927 · Post by **maddog1927** » October 29th, 2011, 12:35 pm

CPI nickle plate

Fits well on the gen 2 250 and gen 3 250. tire hits on the gen 3 125

seanmx57 · Post by **seanmx57** » October 30th, 2011, 5:55 pm

My $$ are on the showa. If you go much bigger on the spring it will rebound too fast and toss you over the bars or at least try to. Dial up some slower rebound settings and see if it will do the trick.

BannedCR500Riders.com

KYB or Showa Rear Shock

KYB or Showa Rear Shock