Suspension choices

[Tony]

After considerable internet research, I found the following suspension shops were often recommended to sport bike riders.

Traxxion Dynamics
Aftershocks
Pettersson Pro Suspension

Their expertise involves you removing and mailing your front forks to them. If you choose to have your rear shock rebuilt and revalved, you would have to remove and mail your rear shock as well. Buying a new rear shock is simpler. Each company will build you a new, high performance shock based on your bike and weight though this comes at a higher price. Petterson Pro Suspension (PPS) is local so you could realistically drive your parts to their shop.

I think most riders tend not to upgrade their suspension first because it lacks the "bling" value of other upgrades. As a Ninja 250 rider, the money I could spend on improving performance could be solved quicker by buying a bigger bike. For those that ride a bigger bike such as a 600, do you really need that 5-10 extra horsepower? or would it be better to have a better handling bike?

In my quest to upgrade my suspension, I made the decision that I didn't want to go through the trouble of removing my own forks. So I ordered a new rear shock, fork springs and Race Tech emulators through Traxxion Dynamics. My mistake is thinking I could ride my bike to PPS for the fork removal and installation. Wrong! Mail or drop-off only. In the end, I'm going to have 2 Wheel Tuning perform the suspension work because I was happy with the 3000 mile service they performed, they have experience installing Race Tech emulators, and I can ride my bike in and have them remove the forks.

My Ninja 250 suspension parts upgrade:

Rear Shock
Traxxion Dynamics Sport Shock (made by Penske)...$474.95
Shock Spring, Hyperco...$95.00

Front Forks
Traxxion Dynamics Fork Spring Kit...$109.95
Race Tech Gold Valve Cartridge Fork Emulator Kit...$149.95

Installation will likely be another $150-$200 for labor and incidentals such as fork oil.

[30-30]

Take care that you do not get anything too harsh!

I have heard guys get certain replacements, especially progressive type replacements, and it just was way to harsh to be comfortable.

[Tony]

Take care that you do not get anything too harsh!

I have heard guys get certain replacements, especially progressive type replacements, and it just was way to harsh to be comfortable.

Definitely. The shock was set up for the street. Any good suspension shop will inquire about your experience and the type of riding you do.

I'm sure 2 Wheel Tuning will also consider this information when they install my fork springs and emulators.

[flstc2003]

After considerable internet research, I found the following suspension shops were often recommended to sport bike riders.

Traxxion Dynamics
Aftershocks
Pettersson Pro Suspension

My Ninja 250 suspension parts upgrade:

Rear Shock
Traxxion Dynamics Sport Shock (made by Penske)...$474.95
Shock Spring, Hyperco...$95.00

Front Forks
Traxxion Dynamics Fork Spring Kit...$109.95
Race Tech Gold Valve Cartridge Fork Emulator Kit...$149.95

Installation will likely be another $150-$200 for labor and incidentals such as fork oil.

Wow trueblue, with these items and the other up grades you have done I bet you are over 1/2 what you paid for the bike.  I thought HD riders were were bad sheeesh  

Bob

[Tony]

Wow trueblue, with these items and the other up grades you have done I bet you are over 1/2 what you paid for the bike.  I thought HD riders were were bad sheeesh  

Bob

Labor of love...and I haven't even mentioned the new Sargent seat that I've been riding with. Most of the upgrades have been for improved comfort.

But I must admit that I had one impulse buy that was for pure visual appeal.

[zerog]

Wow trueblue, with these items and the other up grades you have done I bet you are over 1/2 what you paid for the bike.  I thought HD riders were were bad sheeesh  

Bob

Yea, and all that added together probably still cost less than one of your HD wheels  

[30-30]

I think the EX250 is worth it!

Once you replace the parts that Kawi cut corners with, the 250 is fantastic!

Let me know how it goes TB.

[flstc2003]

............the EX250 is worth it! Once you replace the parts that Kawi cut corners with

 the bike is worth it AFTER you spend another 1,500$.  

Yea,and all that added together probably still cost less than one of your HD wheels

I wouldn't know, I like the wheels that came with it, Profile Chrome Laced Spokes, not enough o's in smoooooth for those babies.

Bob

[Owen]

Sorry I'm so late on the subject but... you do know that RaceTech is Corona and will rebuild you forks right?

If you look closely I have a pair of little racetech stickers on my forks.  They were "free".

O

[Tony]

Sorry I'm so late on the subject but... you do know that RaceTech is Corona and will rebuild you forks right?

If you look closely I have a pair of little racetech stickers on my forks.  They were "free".

O

I'm okay with RaceTech performing the gold valve upgrade but I'd be worried about buying fork springs from them. I've read that their fork springs run soft (suppier issue?). Also, for some reason the fork springs RaceTech recommends through their website calculator run considerably lower than most other suspension shops I've asked.