ok so i am going to start looking into upgrading my front shocks. cost IS an issue so i was thinking about 450R shocks but had a few questions.
How is the handling affected after the swap? I hear the front end rides higher than stock.
Is there a preferred model year to look for? i weigh about 165 w/gear and do mostly desert and trails and would like to start getting more track oriented.
Also has anyone tried any other shocks from different manufacturers? (kfx450, ltr450, yfz450?)
Finally are the 450R shocks compression and rebound adjustable?
I have 06 450r front shocks on my 87 r with +2 a arms. They are fully adjustable and they work great for trail riding and play riding. I haven't done much jumping with them, but they feel great and for a low cost alternative, they are a lot better than stock 250r shocks. It does sit a little high, but for trail riding, I like it. If you went with +3 a arms it may not sit as high in the front. If you try them with stock a arms, they will be really stiff so make sure you if you get a set, get a arms as well. From what I hear, the 06 and up shocks are better than the 04 and 05 shocks, but I couldn't tell you for sure.
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1987 TRX250R...Flotek porting, Flotek lightened flywheel,
V-Force 3 Reed Valve, FTZ pipe, Curtis Sparks silencer,
Cool Head w/18cc dome, Keihin 38 Airstryker carb,
Burgard +2 a arms, 06 450R front shocks, TAG bars,
Janssen steering dampner, Janssen coil, AC bumper, AC nerf bars,
Maier plastic, Elka valved stock rear shock w/DRS,
ITP Baja black wheels, Kenda Klaw front tires, ITP Holeshot GNCC rear tires.
Coming soon...Fasst Flexx Bars, 4 gallon tank,
Dynatek ignition, Nology coil & wire
They will bolt up, but you really need at least +2 a arms to work well. They are too stiff with stock a arms. 06 & up shocks are supposed to be better than 04 & 05.
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1987 TRX250R...Flotek porting, Flotek lightened flywheel,
V-Force 3 Reed Valve, FTZ pipe, Curtis Sparks silencer,
Cool Head w/18cc dome, Keihin 38 Airstryker carb,
Burgard +2 a arms, 06 450R front shocks, TAG bars,
Janssen steering dampner, Janssen coil, AC bumper, AC nerf bars,
Maier plastic, Elka valved stock rear shock w/DRS,
ITP Baja black wheels, Kenda Klaw front tires, ITP Holeshot GNCC rear tires.
Coming soon...Fasst Flexx Bars, 4 gallon tank,
Dynatek ignition, Nology coil & wire
They will bolt up, but you really need at least +2 a arms to work well. They are too stiff with stock a arms. 06 & up shocks are supposed to be better than 04 & 05.
Right on i had 450r shocks on my old 250r with stock arms and it was way to stiff and sat up very high even with the pre load all the way loose. They are a direct bolt on. I have no idea wich years are better. I imagine with +2 or +3 a arms it might be soft enough.
I would do some research on 450r shocks,and see if there was a year where the suspension was too soft,then buy that year.
Honestly though,you get what you pay for with suspension. 450r shocks might work well with +2 a arms,but i would never go buy +2 a arms just so i can run
450r shocks.
LOW COST front suspension upgrade? 
Linear Mode
