Ideas for a LOW COST front suspension upgrade?

[ballzdeep38]

ok so i am going to start looking into upgrading my front shocks. cost IS an issue so i was thinking about 450R shocks but had a few questions.

How is the handling affected after the swap? I hear the front end rides higher than stock.

Is there a preferred model year to look for? i weigh about 165 w/gear and do mostly desert and trails and would like to start getting more track oriented.

Also has anyone tried any other shocks from different manufacturers? (kfx450, ltr450, yfz450?)

Finally are the 450R shocks compression and rebound adjustable?

oh and this will be going on an 87 250R. Thanks

[Foxracing047]

I have 450r shocks on +3 a arms and it doesnt sit high at all. I think there like an inch taller than stock.

there for a rider who weighs about 220-240 I beleive. I weigh 170 and they work fine.

There fully adjustable.

[86 Quad R]

from the factory the springs on the 450r shocks are a bit too stiff for stock a-arms and IMO are a tad bit too long. by either changing the springs or resetting the spring tension for a lil sag i believe they'll be ok.

[troybilt]

I bought a set of Elka dune editions off of ebay $250 for +2+1 aarms, also found some factory blem, Burgard aarms, brand new, actually haven't found anything wrong with them for 175 bucks. I think now they have been putting a "buy it now" of $300 so I lucked out.

[MossboysRacing]

450r shocks CAN be a good upgrade, if you get them revalved/resprung. I personally ride 450r shocks on my 250r that have been re-valved and resprung w/triplerate zps springs. The 450r has longer a-arms, which give the shocks a better leverage ratio. If you put stock 450r shocks on a 250r/400ex with stock a-arms, it will ride quite stiff, especially for how much you weigh. Im 220 ready to race and they were stiff on me! They are fully adjustable(comp./rebound) but will be pretty stiff. Derisi racing, C&D racing, JHracing, and plenty of other companies do conversions to give you your choice of springs, valving, ride-type etc. It costs a little bit, but it gives you great performance.
you should do a serch on this topic, its been talked about before

[troybilt]

I looked at going 450R shocks before, they usually go for about $200 on ebay + revalving, not sure how much that is. Gets fairly, pricey, IMO.

[ib2strokin]

Originally posted by troybilt
I bought a set of Elka dune editions off of ebay $250 for +2+1 aarms, also found some factory blem, Burgard aarms, brand new, actually haven't found anything wrong with them for 175 bucks. I think now they have been putting a "buy it now" of $300 so I lucked out.

yeah i was tryin to get a set of those!! they quite selling em auction style and only do a buy it now for like $300-315.

Anyways, i just bought a set of 05 450r shocks on ebay for $135 and i talked to C&D and they told me it would be $450 to revale/respring my 450r shocks with triple rate zps springs settup for tt, $800 including same settup on rear ohlins.
Maybe this will give you an idea of some prices.

[woodsracer144]

IMO the stock 450 shocks are gonna cost as much as a use after market set... so just take your time and look around.

[Rich250RRacer]

I know this will probably cause alot of bashing, but my first race 250R has a set of Works triple rate with rezzies, nothing fancy, and they work VERY well. Not quite up to par with my PEP's or Elkas, but still a good shock. If you're not doing any hardcore racing, they should be fine. By the time you figure in the cost of revalving a set of 450R shocks, or buying a set of used top line shocks and getting them set up, you can probably get a set of new Works and save some money.