Akatombo
New member
The Kawasaki EX250F is a nice little bike, but supplied with 20 year old suspension technology. For instance, it still uses a rod damper suspension for the front forks. With the stock springs extremely soft and undersprung, the 250 is uncomfortable and rather rough to ride around at low or high speeds.
First, what do Fork braces do? I've been looking at the Telefix Fork Braces from SpecII. There doesn't seem to be much written about the fork brace on the interwebs, so I wonder if it is effective or not. Comments are that the triple tee of the EX250 is made of poor quality steel, and is prone to flex and warpage. It is my assumption that the fork brace acts as an additional structural member, helping alleviate the shortfalls of the original triple tee of the 250. But what does a fork brace do, in terms of riding? Will I feel a difference? Or is the point of a fork brace NOT to feel anything - and prevent unusual sensations from ever happening?
It is also my understanding that the only other way to fix this problem of having a weak triple tee and fork clamps is to do a front-end swap with another bike, and changing out the front end entirely. This approach takes far more skill, experience, and money than I can commit. The front-end swap also has the danger of changing the handling dynamics of the bike quite dynamically, possibly towards a less safe direction. So that is out.
Who has used a fork brace? Do they work as I believe they do? Will they benefit the EX250, unlike the perennial "frame slider" suggestion? These are all questions I cannot answer alone.
Next, I must admit to hating my 250's front suspension. It is scary to brake, as the weight transfer to the front at low to moderate speeds is jerky, and rough. Especially after trying out a friend's Honda f4i, the suspension feels very uncomfortable. I really should learn better brake modulation, but I can't let the funky front suspension go scott free. The obvious solution is well documented, and I've decided in investing in race-tech Valve Emulators. I'm here seeking any criticism in my plans, or suggestions if you have them.
Race-tech's website and suspension calculator gives me a spring rate of 0.613 kg/mm for my body weight.
the stock springs are 0.440 kg/mm. My god, I'm quite shocked to see these numbers. Either race-tech and kawasaki engineers disagree in defining what constitues an acceptable suspension setup, or the EX250 is sprung to carry elves, midgets and fairies. I am not a very big guy at 130lb or so.
The EX500 Springs are .585 kg/mm, and the softest Race-tech spring is 0.800 kg/mm. I'm planning on using the EX500 springs, as the discrepancy from the suggested values are far less.
I think/hope the 0.020kg/mm shortfall is well within the adjustability of changing fork oil viscocity, and the adjustability of the GVEs. (Not to mention, the ex500 springs are cheaper, and availible on eBay)
I haven't had much issue with the shocks, probably because I am so preoccupied with the front end jerking down every time I brake. I also weigh little, and that must help with the undersprung rear shock. I do dream of upgrading to a shock with some adjustability in it, so that I may experiment with settings, or adjust for touring loads. Most likely canidate for replacing the stock shock is the Steeltracker from works suspension, as it has been mentioned by other ex250 as being fantastic investments. While I understand the suspension of a motorcycle should be tuned to work as a system, and not piece meal, cost and time are definate constraining factors. It is just that the front end issues are well defined, and more pronounced in my mind.
Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear the voice of experience and reason.
First, what do Fork braces do? I've been looking at the Telefix Fork Braces from SpecII. There doesn't seem to be much written about the fork brace on the interwebs, so I wonder if it is effective or not. Comments are that the triple tee of the EX250 is made of poor quality steel, and is prone to flex and warpage. It is my assumption that the fork brace acts as an additional structural member, helping alleviate the shortfalls of the original triple tee of the 250. But what does a fork brace do, in terms of riding? Will I feel a difference? Or is the point of a fork brace NOT to feel anything - and prevent unusual sensations from ever happening?
It is also my understanding that the only other way to fix this problem of having a weak triple tee and fork clamps is to do a front-end swap with another bike, and changing out the front end entirely. This approach takes far more skill, experience, and money than I can commit. The front-end swap also has the danger of changing the handling dynamics of the bike quite dynamically, possibly towards a less safe direction. So that is out.
Who has used a fork brace? Do they work as I believe they do? Will they benefit the EX250, unlike the perennial "frame slider" suggestion? These are all questions I cannot answer alone.
Next, I must admit to hating my 250's front suspension. It is scary to brake, as the weight transfer to the front at low to moderate speeds is jerky, and rough. Especially after trying out a friend's Honda f4i, the suspension feels very uncomfortable. I really should learn better brake modulation, but I can't let the funky front suspension go scott free. The obvious solution is well documented, and I've decided in investing in race-tech Valve Emulators. I'm here seeking any criticism in my plans, or suggestions if you have them.
Race-tech's website and suspension calculator gives me a spring rate of 0.613 kg/mm for my body weight.
the stock springs are 0.440 kg/mm. My god, I'm quite shocked to see these numbers. Either race-tech and kawasaki engineers disagree in defining what constitues an acceptable suspension setup, or the EX250 is sprung to carry elves, midgets and fairies. I am not a very big guy at 130lb or so.
The EX500 Springs are .585 kg/mm, and the softest Race-tech spring is 0.800 kg/mm. I'm planning on using the EX500 springs, as the discrepancy from the suggested values are far less.
I think/hope the 0.020kg/mm shortfall is well within the adjustability of changing fork oil viscocity, and the adjustability of the GVEs. (Not to mention, the ex500 springs are cheaper, and availible on eBay)
I haven't had much issue with the shocks, probably because I am so preoccupied with the front end jerking down every time I brake. I also weigh little, and that must help with the undersprung rear shock. I do dream of upgrading to a shock with some adjustability in it, so that I may experiment with settings, or adjust for touring loads. Most likely canidate for replacing the stock shock is the Steeltracker from works suspension, as it has been mentioned by other ex250 as being fantastic investments. While I understand the suspension of a motorcycle should be tuned to work as a system, and not piece meal, cost and time are definate constraining factors. It is just that the front end issues are well defined, and more pronounced in my mind.
Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear the voice of experience and reason.
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