2000 Ohlins shock spring help

[nknudsen]

I was looking at both rear springs that came with my bike tonight. A 4.8 is on the bike and a 4.6 came extra.

-Would my 2000 EC250 have come with a 5.2 rear spring?
-At 195lbs is a 5.4 best?
-I think my shock had been revalved for a lighter rider/spring will the 5.4 spring make my rear shock a pogo stick??

Thanks in advance!

[Zman]

Depends on what type of riding you do and your ability. Check out this link. http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1/...springRateCalc

5.4 sounds stiff for 195lbs unless you are racing motocross with big jumps.

[GMP]

Not really. I'm 176, 205 geared up. I have a 5.4 on my '07 and its on the soft side for race speeds. I just sprung my '12 stiffer, 5.6/.46, and its very stable at higher speeds. Small stuff feels good because the preload is very light (8-8.5mm). Only down side is being bike rides slightly higher in the stroke, and being a tall bike anyway, makes for some occasional extra tipovers in some of the trials like sections here. My feet are out of the trash on the trail though, and the skid plate never hit anything all day. Wheelies over 2-2.5' downed trees were a snap.

I'f you have the 5.4 try it, but if the shock was valved for the very light springs then yes you will have a rebound issue. A 4.6 will be unridable so its a no brainer to try it and find out. That has got to be the lightest spring I have ever heard of fitted to a 250!

[jhendr3702]

my 01 had a 4.8.. i am pushing 200 geared up and ended up with a 5.2.. i think a 5.4 would be a good start..

[GMP]

On the older bikes especially, with the lower clearance compared to the '12/'13, stiffer is better. Don't think stiff spring means harsh ride, its quite the opposite when the preload is reduced compared to a light spring with it jacked up. Same applies to the fork.

[nknudsen]

Thanks everyone, I don't have a spring yet. I wasn't sure if the early bikes ran lighter springs and that's why it came with those. The bike is used for trails & single track. I ride a little faster than average but not a racer.
- It sounds like a 5.2-5.4 would be ok?
- Do you think the shock could just be adjusted to work with the stronger spring?
-So the 4.6 & 4.8 are odd balls? Do light weight riders look for these springs?

[GMP]

Yes, those are for featherweights. Stock rate has been 5.2 on the 250s. The shock can be revalved for any spring/terrain/weight/ability. If it was revalved for a lightweight with a 4.6 spring, you will most certainly need it corrected for you. Forget the 5.2, If your 195 in street clothes your looking at a 5.6. Gear really adds up weight fast. Basic gear plus a 70 oz Camelback, just my harescrambles stuff(no tools, etc.) is 30 lbs over my gym shorts weight!

[nknudsen]

I just spoke to the previous owner and he said it came from Smackover with the 4.8 spring and he installed the 4.6. Was it common for Smackover to re spring the bikes when new? The owner didn't sound like he had requested it. The good thing is that he said the shock was not revalved softer. Now to find a new spring.

[nknudsen]

Originally Posted by Zman

Depends on what type of riding you do and your ability. Check out this link. http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1/...springRateCalc

5.4 sounds stiff for 195lbs unless you are racing motocross with big jumps.

I just looked at this site and it says a xc300 from 2000 uses a 4.8 spring stock??
http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1/.../XC%20300/2000

[GMP]

RT is wrong, I had a '00 XC250 and it had a 5.2. 200s had a 5.0 I think. Back theen the importer did a lot of stuff to the bikes before they got to the dealer, so stuff like springs could vary.

edit:

I just realized you did the KYB conversion, what springs are up front?