What Years Did KLXs Use Inverted Forks

[RM80kid]

What Years Did KLX 250 Use Inverted Forks

Well thats my question. What year did KLX 250 use inverted/upside down forks.Thanks in advance ;) .

 

[Jimmy!]

I believe all of the KLX's(250 & 300) have USD forks.

 

[sparkymarky]

my klx manual has instructions for conventional forks and upside down ones. all the 300's have USD forks, but i bet some of the older 250's came with regular ones, tho possibly not US models, i dunno.
mw

 

[dirt bike dave]

The old '79-80 KLX250 had conventional forks. To the best of my knowledge, all the newer '94-96 KLX250R's have upside down forks.

 

[Mongoose]

Are the Upside down forks on the KLX 300 what you would call a "progressive" suspension. (I'm new to the dirt bike scene)

From what I gather as the suspension compresses it gets increasingly stiffer in an effort to prevent the forks from bottoming out. I think I may be confusing USD forks with a progressive suspension. They are not the same thing are they?

 

[sparkymarky]

no, they are not the same thing. a progressive action can be accomplished with a progressively wound spring (a company aptly called "progressive" sells these), or some kind of position-sensitive damping, or with a linkage (in the case of rear suspension). the "progressiveness" of a fork is independent of whether it is upside-down or conventional.

 

[Mongoose]

So why then are USD forks so much better then conventional forks, besides of course the superior ground clearance through ruts and obstacles?

Just a thought: The KLX and WR come with USD forks, the DRZ and the XR have conventional cartridge forks. What are the pros/cons to each?

 

[dirt bike dave]

Mongoose - inverted forks are supposed to be more rigid due to the larger diameter of the upper tubes. This is probably an advantage at supercross or MX. On the trail, a little more fork flex might help the bike from seeming too rigid.

However, the internal design and valving of the forks have a lot to do with fork performance, so you can't say one type is always better at a specific application. Manufacturer's costs and marketing decisions are also going to play a role in what forks end up on the bike.

 

[Vic]

I think the Australian version of the later models (' 94+) have the conventional KDX like fork.

 

[strokerklx]

The only newer KLX that I know has inverted forks is mine (that I know of). All of the KLX's made for America has USD forks on them..