xr250r forks

[cheeseclip]

hey guys, i just bought a xr250r :yes: and was wondering if i can make the forks a little bit harder by just adding more air? or maybe thicker oil? or are there any other ways?

thanks for any help

[arj127]

be careful how much air you put in them forks, i wouldn't go above ten psi or you may blow the seals. Use a bike tyre pump to fill the forks for safety reasons.
Probably best to get them serviced by your mechanic and go from there.

[cheeseclip]

ok thanks what about the oil thing though?

[rocketman1]

Hey there cheeseclip
I have just reconditioned my forks on my 95 XR250
The air pressure should not exceed 2.8psi thats abour 2 pumps of a push bike pump. ie.not much at all.
You should check the have have the correct amount of oil in each shock, must be exact.
I use medium 10W Motul Medium seems to work fine.
If your oil is abit low in the forks it will seem a bit soft & spongy ( I have mine a 180mm from the top) when front wheel is off the ground)
See how you go

[F5 Dave]

Read the whole thread & ignore the detractors & those with the hard of thinking. Works well if you play within the rules.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=7474&highlight=spring

[Robert Taylor]

Your question raises questions. I.e, what you are using the bike for and your personal height and weight etc. Thicker oil will not preclude bottoming out, it will make low velocity fork movements ''lazy'' and harsh. Chances are the springs are too soft for your personal stats, allied with damping control that is on the soft side. Remember this is a trail bike. Also as it is getting on 12 years old there will likely be internal wear issues that will allow it to blow through its stroke a little more readily, perhaps even a little trapped debris in the damping control mechanisms etc.

Dont be tempted to add longer preload spacers to the stock springs. Over preloaded soft springs will feel too harsh in the first part of travel because there is too much pre-energy wound into them. BUT, they will still bottom out as preloading doesnt change the rate of an oversoft spring! ( I shake my head in disgust when I see such suggestions in print.) Moreover there is a second set of springs in your forks, the trapped air volume above the set oil level. If you raise the oil level ( within sensible limits ) you will have a much more progressive air spring characteristic in the second final stages of travel. But the level should not be so high so that the fork just bottoms out over the worst bump you commonly ride over.

Also, dont be tempted to pre-pressurise these forks with air. All it does is to create further seal stiction and then friction as the pressure forces the seal lips harder onto the tubes. It also shortens the life of your seals.

The result you get will depend on how much you are prepared to spend. If you want a cheap fix that is what you will get without it actually being a fix.