Could use some clerifying

Ok, looking for someone to clerify some terms for me and explain where and how to make these adjustments :bang: . Me and my daughter are new to the sport and I am just trying to get both bikes setup just to ride for now without it feeling weird when riding. Both bikes are too tall and suspension's are way too stiff.

BIO: Myself - I am 37 and I am 5'6" at 150lbs. and I am riding a 1996 Kawasaki KX250. Purchased from guy who was about 6' and 200lbs.

BIO: My Daughter - She is 13 and she is 5'6" at 160+lbs (you know how woman are about weight, they never tell) and she is riding a 2000 Kawasaki KX125. Purchased from collage student who was about 5'7" and 180lbs.

First question: static and race sag - Can someone explain this and where these adjustments are made and what they do. Would making these adjustments help with ride height? My daughter cannot touch the ground on either side. Would an adjustment here make a difference?

Second question: Rebound and Compression - Again where are these settings made and what does it do? Would an adjustment here solve the issue with the bike being to stiff (both bike were setup for someone much heavier). Right now when we sit on the bikes, the seat hardly sags at all. Not enough to get her feet to the ground and I am on my toes.

Third Question: Rear Shock Linkage and Tie Rod - Is there an adjustment I can make here to lower the seat height without spending money on a lowering kit and without causing the rear tire to bottom out in the wheel well (fender)?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I am sure your answers will create more questions.

Sincerely,
James

minutz said:

You will find 2 out of 3 of your questions answered on MX-Tech under "Support". At the bottom is a Tuning guide download. As for as lowering, depending on how far, some spacers will need to be installed, rather inexpensive if you install them yourself. If your 250 is set-up for the 200lbs. guy it will need different springs for your 150lbs.

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I was wondering about the spring issue. I have looked over MX-Tech and what they say there may as well be in greek. I am comming from the street bike world, and these kind of adjustments are not needed, nor available in street bikes, so I am having a hard time understanding some of the terms and jargon used on some sites. That is why I was asking for someone to give it to me in laymans terms so that I can understand the mechanics of these bikes.

:)

whenfoxforks-ruled said:

Get a manual for each bike. A priceless investment and has model specific information regarding set up and parts location.

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I do have a manual for both bikes. I just do not understand the jargon and terms there are using. I am very mechanically inclined (can tear down the bike to the frame), I just don't understand the whole suspension setup stuff (turn 11 clicks for this and 8 clicks for that). And the manual does not use terms like "SAG", so that is throwing me off when everyone here talks about "SAG" height.

I got it all figured out now. The manual say "Default Factory Settings" are 4.43" messured on the spring ("SAG"), which is where it was at and the top screw is now set to the factory setting of 18 clicks and the lower one set to 13 clicks. My daughter can now touch with her tippy-toes now (with no gear on), so I figure she will touch just fine when she adds the 30lbs or so of gear (boots, helmet, goggles, gloves, pads, chest protector and so on).

Thanks for all the help guys. I am sure I will be back again for more questions as we both learn the sport. We both plan to just trail ride for now and will look into maybe Hair Scrambles next season once my daughter is more familure with the bike and riding (she has never drove a bike before).

Thanks again.