Has anyone lowered a KPX 250?
 

Hello All, My wife likes my new KPX 250 so much that we ordered one for her. (Thanks in part to Itchy Boots on YouTube!) The bike is a bit tall for her though, and I am looking for a good way to lower it. The front should be easy, but that back not so much. Does anyone know which lowering links will fit the KPX?

How much you need to lower? What's her inseam? Backing off the pre-load on the rear shock and raising the forks in the triple tree will give you an inch or so. You might have to use handlebar risers in order to raise the forks.

The most common method used in the biz would be lowering links, but as far as I know, no one has attempted to adapt any commercially available link.

Attachment 31251

The geometry of the linkage, and the length of the new lowering link both contribute to the final drop, And you can add some "sag" by lowering the tension on the rear shock spring (preload). The latter can reduce performance of the rear suspension and isn't really advised.

The other consequence is that the kickstand ends up being a bit too long to use in most cases.

If you would like to try this method, get some measurements of the existing link with a micrometer. The key values would be the mounting width of the main bushing, the diameter of the holes (10mm is pretty common), and the distance between the mounting holes, center to center (bushing to end of leg).

Then shop around. Adjustment at the triple clamp can give you another 1/2" or maybe a little more, as Jerry sez. And if you add handlebars risers, you will have a little more room, though the diameter of the fork tubes may change, limiting how far you can move that.

FYI- one other method that can work with some bikes is to effectively shorten the existing rear shock by drilling new mounting holes. Your KPX may already be on the "shorter" optional mounting holes (I have heard), and there may not be room for any additional shortening. But here is a full thread on the process applied to the Templar X.

https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31860

Thanks for the suggestion's guys. I do believe the KPX does come set to the lower mounting hole in the shock.

Every bit we can lower it would help. She can touch on her tip toes, but Would be more comfortable a bit lower. Her inseam I would guess to be about 29 inches. I'll try the way suggested by Jerryhawk250 first, then apply Thumpers method if I need more. A project for this weekend.

Csc sells a seat concept seat that lowers the seat height 3 inches and is supposed to be very comfortable. It fits hawk TBR7D and the tt250 which all look a lot like the Lifan. I’m probably going to purchase the Lifan myself and at 5’6” am looking to be able to get my feet flat footed.

The TT250 seat will not fit the KPX. Completely different style seat and the way it mounts. You could shave down the foam on the seat though.

What about swapping in a shorter, progressively wound aftermarket high-quality shock spring?

The Lifan expect comes with 19 front 17 rear wheels. I wonder if they would fit? Many of the small Japanese adventure bikes bikes come with 17 19 wheels. This bike isn’t a complete dirt bike that you’re going to be doing gnarly single track with anyway.

I have a 6’ tall daughter I would like to be rid of ,how about a trade ? She rides a yz450 ,has a nice fishing boat ,and has pretty much taken over my Cessna .

Still Looking
 

I had to put off the lowering of the KPX250 for a while. The idea of a lower shock occurred to me as well. There is a local guy here that has lowered quite a few dirt bikes, so I plan on bringing my wife's KPX to him next weekend. I'll let this forum know how it goes.


My wife says no to the trade!

How is the lowering project coming along?

The dirt bike guy wasn't interested in doing any R&D on the KPX. He is used to ordering lowering links and installing them for his customers. Back to square one I guess. In the meantime the wife has learned to ride it by getting her left foot on the ground while stopped, keeping her right foot on the rear brake. That may not be a workaround off road though.

So put the bike on a lift, remove the link and make measurements. Then use that information to find a lowering link.

It is your motorcycle, so you are allowed to do this. No KPX owners have bothered to do this (on this website). It would be great if you could share the results for other KPX owners.

Here is the info for the Templar X. We now know that the link is essentially identical to the Honda CRF 250F links for a range of years, as noted in the posts.

https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=32177

Look at posts 56 and 57.

Measure the lower link today
 

Attachment 31788


Now to search the web for a lowering link that will work.