I am not sure if the springs have been changed on my 2000 XR 650R. Can anyone tell me what color the stock rear spring is on a 2000, 650R? Mine is yellow and it seems too stiff. The guy I bought it from doesn't know if they were changed. I have a complete shop manual but it doesn't list the optional springs. Thanks!
XR650R Shock Spring Question?
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- Feb 14, 2002
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My stock one is yellow I believe...they come set up for someone in the 160-180lbs range I believe and are a 9.0 or .5 I THINK? You may want to try adjusting your compression or see what your preload is set at. It seems to me that either one of these would make the ride harsh if you are lighter than the person who it was previously set up for. Hope this helps.
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I am working this issue for my Dad. He has adjusted the compression and rebound damping and the preload. He is a 185-190 pound Senior Expert level rider/racer, so he should be in the range for the stock spring. I assume that with the preload set so he has proper sag with the rider on, the rear end is still harsh. The bike is in Baja. I will be flying down next week, and will get a chance to "test" :) it in person. If anyone has a way to identify if the spring is stock or modified, let me know.
You want the race sag around 4 inches. The front end will get more harsh as you run less than that. The back end gets harsh as you run more than that.
If there's any doubt about the rear spring, you should replace it with an Eibach (the best) for $80. Your dad should probably be running a 9.5 or 10 KG anyway. The stock spring is 9.2 KG. The rear end gets really harsh when it's undersprung because the shock runs too low in the travel.
I put an Eibach 10.5 KG spring on mine. It's black and has the Eibach logo stamped on it in white ink. The stock spring was yellow. I also put Eibach .47 KG fork springs on as well.
For big guys like me (I'm 230 lbs dry), springs are a necessity. I think its' the best $150 I ever spent on the bike. It made a huge improvement in handling for me. Before I replaced the springs, both the front and rear end were very harsh.
If there's any doubt about the rear spring, you should replace it with an Eibach (the best) for $80. Your dad should probably be running a 9.5 or 10 KG anyway. The stock spring is 9.2 KG. The rear end gets really harsh when it's undersprung because the shock runs too low in the travel.
I put an Eibach 10.5 KG spring on mine. It's black and has the Eibach logo stamped on it in white ink. The stock spring was yellow. I also put Eibach .47 KG fork springs on as well.
For big guys like me (I'm 230 lbs dry), springs are a necessity. I think its' the best $150 I ever spent on the bike. It made a huge improvement in handling for me. Before I replaced the springs, both the front and rear end were very harsh.
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