front shocks ?

[bigmatt61]

I'm looking for an inexpensive replacement for my 24yr old front stockers. It's a tree beater so they don't have to have alot of adjustment.
I've seen 400ex and 450r's on them and was wondering if someone out there has done the leg work to know which one fits best and gives the best trail ride?

Thanks for your input,
Matt

[dynofox]

I've got a set of 450r fronts on mine but I had them re-valved and re-sprung as I thought they were too stiff. I'm also using +2 a-arms.

If you want straight bolt on and go I'd suggest getting the newer Z400 front shocks (06 and newer). They are piggy backs and are compression / rebound / preload adjustable but are valved and sprung for trail riding on stock width a-arms. Just bought a pair for my father's 400ex using stock a-arms.

[muddymess]

if your just wanting something cheap you can usually find a set of works shocks for around $100 on ebay. I got a set last year that where leaking and they still where 100 times better then the factory shocks.

Iv also switched over to 450r shocks but they have been reworked and resprung as well but that's because i race mine. For trail riding the works would of been fine.

[fearlessfred]

i have a set of ohlins off a cannondale that are the correct length and shouldnt need any work for 100.00 and shipping they have remote rezzy that i added

[NY Rider]

Do the Suzuki Z400 shocks raise or lower the ride height or is everything about the same?

Also is there any change in height or stiffness by putting 400ex shocks on a 250R? I know there is with the 450R shocks but not sure on the 400ex.

[dynofox]

Originally posted by NY Rider
Do the Suzuki Z400 shocks raise or lower the ride height or is everything about the same?

Also is there any change in height or stiffness by putting 400ex shocks on a 250R? I know there is with the 450R shocks but not sure on the 400ex.

The Z shocks will raise the front slightly on stock width arms just as 400ex shocks do. They are valved and sprung softer than 450r shocks. I personally thought the 450r fronts were too stiff on my +2 arms, much better now that they were revalved and resprung.

[250Renvy]

400ex shocks are a direct bolt up. They raise the front a slight bit, but are much softer than 450R shocks.

IMO 450R shocks and Z400 shocks will be too long for stock a-arms and will affect handling quite a bit.

If you can do a little grinding - 2006 YFZ450 SE shocks work great. They are the right length, have a ton of adjustments and look good too. The only thing is the mounts are slightly too wide so you will have to grind or machine them down.

They can usually be had for under $200 unlike the 450R shocks which can go upto $350 then still cost a bunch to setup right.

[dynofox]

How much of a difference in length are the Z shocks from the EX? I'll know tomorrow when the Z shocks show up for my dad's EX. They should be very close to the same length.

[250Renvy]

My Z shocks are around 17. The 400ex shocks I had before were 16. Stock 250R are about 15.5.

A half inch = 1 inch raise.

[NY Rider]

Originally posted by 250Renvy
My Z shocks are around 17. The 400ex shocks I had before were 16. Stock 250R are about 15.5.

A half inch = 1 inch raise.

That's some good info 250Renvy. Do you have any pictures with the YFZ shocks? Are the YFZ shocks 15.5?

You are grinding down the shocks where the bolts go through, is that right?

[dynofox]

Originally posted by 250Renvy
My Z shocks are around 17. The 400ex shocks I had before were 16. Stock 250R are about 15.5.

A half inch = 1 inch raise.

I'll be interested to see what the '06 Z shocks measure I just bought for my dad's EX when they get here tomorrow. From what I've read in the EX forum they were supposed to be almost exactly the same length as the stock EX shocks.

[250Renvy]

Originally posted by NY Rider
That's some good info 250Renvy. Do you have any pictures with the YFZ shocks? Are the YFZ shocks 15.5?

You are grinding down the shocks where the bolts go through, is that right?

I don't have any pics, but I think I can dig some up. I just have to remember where I saw them.

They look pretty trick too because they are black bodies with red springs.

Yeah, it should be no big deal to shave off some metal from the shock mount.

[NY Rider]

I just found a nice chart on Works' website that gives the overall length.

http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/app_guide/atv.pdf

They list the 250R and 400ex front shocks as being the same length, 16.25. Unless it's a difference in springs, the 400ex and 250r shocks should be pretty interchangeable without much difference in ride height. The 450R on the other hand is 16.75 so I could see how that would add some height.

The Z400 is 16.88 and the YFZ450 is listed at 15.75.

[fearlessfred]

16 3/8 length
1 3/16 bottom with spacers
no frame mods only spacer mods

[Gregjy]

I have the YFZ shocks on mine with plus two plus one arms! I love them! Ton's of adjustment! I just ground down the top of the shock where you bolt it on. Nothing major! Look and work Great!!!

[250Renvy]

Originally posted by NY Rider
I just found a nice chart on Works' website that gives the overall length.

http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/app_guide/atv.pdf

They list the 250R and 400ex front shocks as being the same length, 16.25. Unless it's a difference in springs, the 400ex and 250r shocks should be pretty interchangeable without much difference in ride height. The 450R on the other hand is 16.75 so I could see how that would add some height.

The Z400 is 16.88 and the YFZ450 is listed at 15.75.
.

The one thing you guys are forgetting is that there is no Standard across the board for shock lengths.

Tire size plays a huge roll in what length shocks you need.
I can guarantee 400ex shocks are NOT the same length as stock 250R shocks.

[fearlessfred]

Originally posted by 250Renvy
.

The one thing you guys are forgetting is that there is no Standard across the board for shock lengths.

Tire size plays a huge roll in what length shocks you need.
I can guarantee 400ex shocks are NOT the same length as stock 250R shocks.
x2 and if they are two long u could be putting your ball joints in a bind