ASK THE MXPERTS: (02/23/10)

On Feb 23, 2010

Dear MXA,
    My Son and I have YZ250s. I have a 2004 and he has a 2003. We both weigh 190 pounds. What are the best fork and shock settings for those years?

    Here are some quick tips for that era YZ250.
    Gearing: We added a 49-tooth rear sprocket to make carrying second gear through the corners easier. It also makes third gear more usable. Faster riders stuck with the stock gearing.
    Fork settings: On the 2004’s 48mm forks and the 2003’s 46mm forks, run the fork caps flush with the triple clamps, the compression and rebound on 10 clicks out from all the way in.
    Shock settings: The stock shock spring rate is too light for riders near 190 pounds. Go to a 4.9 kg/mm spring. We set the sag at 100mm, low-speed compression on 12, high-speed at 2 turns out and rebound on 10.