frame clearence

[Honda 250r 001]

my shocks and a arms are sorta mis matched so i wanted to make sure this is correct. My front end when fully compressed, makes the frame about 5 inches from the ground. Is this too close or can i go even lower?
Thanks

[SilverLake250R]

I have stock A-arms and stock shocks, and an 88 frame, and this spring I jumped a ditch onto the road and my frame actually hit the ground and scraped the pavement a bit. This makes me think you can still go a bit lower.

[05LSR250R]

Too far off the ground! Somethin' isnt right!

[deathman53]

fully compressed and bottomed out, the frame should hit the ground, to get the most out of your suspension. Depending the size tires you are using, you want 6-8" under the front of the motor and 3/4" less under the footpegs/back of motor. This measurement is taken with you and all your gear sitting on the bike.

on elka's site they say 7.5-9" for mx, 8-10" for xc, 6-8" for tt, this is with you and all your stuff sitting on the bike, "ride height", and 1/4-3/4" lower for the rear. I guess they figured it out so that the frame just clears the ground at full compression.

[Honda 250r 001]

6-8 inches from the ground? ****! my frame is over a foot off the ground when im settin on it. I really need to get a good set of shocks...

[D Bergstrom]

5” off the ground is way to high, but I do not think the frame hitting the ground is a good idea either. (Check your rear suspension also.) From what I have read, most suspension experts seem to set the frame about an inch and a half off the ground at full compression. (This is metal to metal, once you take into account the bumpstops, this number will increase a bit.) Then at full extension the frame should be 12” off the ground just before the tires leave the ground. This seems to be true regardless of tire size, so the shock lengths will actually change depending on what size tires you run.

I have no idea what my 250R is set at, by my 450R’s are about 3” off the ground at full compression. This is a desert setup, with 23” and 22” tires. With the big rocks we have to go over, I would not want to be any lower.

Doug

[MossboysRacing]

my shock builder asked me to take off the front shocks, put a 2X4 under the frame (so only 1.5 inches) and then take measurements for my LT custom axis i had done. So the frame wont hit the ground at full compression/ bottom. that was for XC with 21" front tires

[Honda 250r 001]

Alright thanks guys, Im gonna shoot for 2 inches right under the motor. I sure dont want my frame to hit but i want maximum travel.

Thanks