Need info on K5 supension changes

[Dioxide211]

I have a 93 K5 and I am curious if that will be adequate for MX with a revalve and respring  or is there a big enough of a difference on the newer ones to justify buying one. I am a 260lb rider and I am not sure what class. I never really race I just go to tracks for open practice. I would guess B class. I keep up with all but the fast guys.  Any input in this are would be great ......Dioxide

[Paul]

The 93 has a 43MM front fork but they offer a .48 front spring for that. The largest front spring they offer for the 46MM is a .46. That spring (.46 is good for a 225 or so pound rider so they 43MM with a .48 would be your best bet.

[Dioxide211]

Thanks for the info Paul. What year K5 would I have to get to get suspension on par with my 97 KX250? Did the K5's get updated in 97 as well? Thanks in advance...........Dioxide

[Dioxide211]

Anybody??

[91kx]

the 96 500 had the same as the 95 250 and the 97 & up I believe had the 96 46mm forks.My 91 has the same forks as yours and i like them but I need to change the oil and set them up for my weight.They're so much better than my 92 cr forks even after having the cr forks resprung and revalved.The only thing I do not like is the blue anodizing.

[Dioxide211]

I thought the 250's changed to the bigger forks in 97. When the 250 got the newer forks did the 500 get them the same year or later? I iwsh there was a sticky here with all the updates done to the 500 from year to year. It doesn't seem like there were many of them so it shouldn't be too hard for a guy that had the knowledge. I think it would be a great tool for anybody looking to buy a KX500 or update.............Dioxide

[91kx]

96 was the year the 250 got the 46's

[Dioxide211]

Thanks...... Did the KX500 get those forks in 96 as well?.......Dioxide

[Paul]

I believe so...

[mikesmith]

Yes.

[KXcam22]

What's the best overall mod for the '92 forks.  I have .42 springs (200lbs) but I can't seem to find a happy medium between smoothness (need low oil level) and preventing bottoming (need high oil level).  I have thought of the race tech base valve, the do-it yourself kit since I am too far away to send my forks for a re-valve. Any ideas would be appreciated. Cam.

[Paul]

What's the best overall mod for the '92 forks.  I have .42 springs (200lbs) but I can't seem to find a happy medium between smoothness (need low oil level) and preventing bottoming (need high oil level).  I have thought of the race tech base valve, the do-it yourself kit since I am too far away to send my forks for a re-valve. Any ideas would be appreciated. Cam.

.42's are good for about 150lbs. I run .46's and they are for 210lbs.

[KXcam22]

Is it worth getting progressive rate springs? Cam.

[Dioxide211]

Thanks for the info guys. That little detail was driving me crazy. I think I am going to try and tune the suspension on the K5 and see if I can get it close to my KX250. I am guessing it will need a revalve and new springs in both ends though. I wiegh 260lbs without my gear on. If not I guess I will start looking for a 97+ K5.  

The 96-97 update was the last suspension upgrade on the K5, correct? ..........Dioxide

[mikesmith]

Yes.