Has anyone lowered a KPX 250?

[Rule6]

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?

[JerryHawk250]

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.

[Thumper]

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.

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.

[Thumper]

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

[Rule6]

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.

[Lbrandon]

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.

[JerryHawk250]

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.

[TominMO]

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

[Lbrandon]

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.

[Bruces]

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 .

[Rule6]

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!

[Lbrandon]

How is the lowering project coming along?

[Rule6]

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.

[Thumper]

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.

[Rule6]

31788


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

[Rule6]

The Yamaha TTR 230 and Honda CRF 230 both have a similar shape to the link on the KPX. So far I have not found any measurements for those links yet. If anyone knows, just post it here.

[Thumper]

31788


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

Very good. Now we're talkin. :tup:

Real specs. You have just broken new ground!

[Rule6]

Thanks Thumper! When I checked with Kouba Links, he of course never heard of a KPX 250, and did not appear eager to learn about them. It would be great if Lifan were to produce a link. Cheers!

[Rule6]

The link in place...

[Rule6]

Does anyone out there have a Yamaha TTR 230 or Honda CRF 230? If so, would there be any chance that you could measure the lower link at the bottom end of the rear shock? So far I have not found any measurements online, and I would rather not purchase one just to measure it. Thanks to all involved in Chinariders.net! Lots of great info here.

[mark hall]

I did. 32" seat height is possible with Stock wheels/tires if you drill another hole in the shock AND Add an inch to the bottom link. The bottom link on the KPX250 is mild steel.. so just cut it and weld in some new 1/4" steel. Welds like a dream with MIG. If a Really nice 34" height is acceptable with stock wheels/tires, leave the shock in the stock hole and just add the inch. That's where I ended up, ample travel.. turn in with street tires is AWESOME! Also you can lower the front 2 full inches if you get a handle bar set back kit and diddle the triple clamp. The USD forks have a full 2" of adjustment lower. I may see if I can nab another inch lower with internal mods.. That w/the real super moto 17" wheels should be ideal. Use the stock KPX hubs, but get 17" Hoops/rims ($275 Ebay) that take 8 gauge/4mm thick spokes and buy the spokes to lenghth ($100 2 wks ship). Pretty easy to respoke the stock hubs for 17" hoops. I'd like to compare mine to a KLX300 SM at over twice the price if anybody has one near annapolis MD?

[mark hall]

I have pics of my mods to the lower bracket and drilling the lower link. I would like to add a KPX250 Super Moto Conversion forum if possible? Maybe under Jerry's awesome content somewhere?

[mark hall]

Koubla and adjustable screw bearing end assemblies probably won't work right depending on how the bearings work when bolts torqued. The stock design is actually pretty sophisticated with sealed roller bearings at every joint.. IMO far easier to just weld in an extra inch between the two holes. Best to check the clearance through out whatever travel you end up with before you weld it up. The whole rear suspension assembly MIG welds beautifully.. it's cast Steel, not cast iron. Pics of mine coming..

[Rule6]

I did. 32" seat height is possible with Stock wheels/tires if you drill another hole in the shock AND Add an inch to the bottom link. The bottom link on the KPX250 is mild steel.. so just cut it and weld in some new 1/4" steel. Welds like a dream with MIG. If a Really nice 34" height is acceptable with stock wheels/tires, leave the shock in the stock hole and just add the inch. That's where I ended up, ample travel.. turn in with street tires is AWESOME! Also you can lower the front 2 full inches if you get a handle bar set back kit and diddle the triple clamp. The USD forks have a full 2" of adjustment lower. I may see if I can nab another inch lower with internal mods.. That w/the real super moto 17" wheels should be ideal. Use the stock KPX hubs, but get 17" Hoops/rims ($275 Ebay) that take 8 gauge/4mm thick spokes and buy the spokes to lenghth ($100 2 wks ship). Pretty easy to respoke the stock hubs for 17" hoops. I'd like to compare mine to a KLX300 SM at over twice the price if anybody has one near annapolis MD?

Sorry it has taken so long to get back on here, We just got power back last night.

I am very glad to hear that you were successful in lowering the bike. My wife is getting comfortable riding on the road, though it does bring her some challenges. She is eager to do some off-road riding, but I would rather lower her bike first.

Thank you for doing the work and posting it here! Maybe I will buy a new stock link and do the surgery on it.

[Rule6]

Koubla and adjustable screw bearing end assemblies probably won't work right depending on how the bearings work when bolts torqued. The stock design is actually pretty sophisticated with sealed roller bearings at every joint.. IMO far easier to just weld in an extra inch between the two holes. Best to check the clearance through out whatever travel you end up with before you weld it up. The whole rear suspension assembly MIG welds beautifully.. it's cast Steel, not cast iron. Pics of mine coming..

True about the Koubla links. I was hoping I could find one that was close enough to modify. Your solution is very much to be considered. Looking forward to seeing the photos!

[mark hall]

Thanks for the thumbs up.. Got the 17" rims, spokes and tires for the super moto.. plus the spoke threading tool just in case. Decided I'd wait to respoke the wheels over the winter.. having way too much fun on tubed street stock size tires (90-21 front and 12-18 rear) and lowered. The best way I figured out was to extend the stock bottom link.. it has perfect ball bearings and spacers.. low friction and perfect alignment. If you go Koubla link style, the two links are totally seperate, some possibility of binding plus there is parallogram movement possible.
Two issues so far:
1. Ran Out of Gas with 3 bars left!! I guess I need the second two inch drop on the front by switching to 17" front from 21".
2. Front end brake dive.. Not really a problem.. just would rather a bit less. I actually like the non-adjustable front shock valving.. near perfect damping, just too much movement. Two possibilities: Cut the spring, and/Or increase the viscosity of the shock oil. I will need to dissassemble the shocks to see what's possible with spacers and spring winding and end configuration. Otherwise I may try taking out some of the stock shock oil and replacing with 20 weight shock oil.
Love this bike.. street tires made ALL the difference! I'm actually a VG driver.. just didn't know it with the Dual nothing tires. Pushing 1200 miles!

[NinjaSICKthirtysix]

To put my 2 cents in. I owned a brand new 2021 tt250 in 2021 obviously. I no longer own it, for no other reason than I had to sell it. Wish I still had it, but recently have been looking to get another. I then came across the Lifan 250, and the extras it has over the tt250 made it more attractive to me, mainly it being a real 250cc, and the addition of a 6th gear. I was psyched for it until I saw the seat height. Really depressed me because I had flashbacks to my tt250. When my tt250 came I unboxed it but didn't remove the tie down straps and sat on it and was thrilled I could flat foot it!! UNTIL.... I removed the tie down straps and boy did it stretch it's legs UP. With my boots on I was on the very tips of my toes, to where I had to lean on my right foot to feel more stable when on it. I don't like that, and it didn't give me any confidence when riding through tight trails or any off road riding in general.
BTW, having just looked at the seat height for the tt250 and the lifan 250, the lifan 250 states 35 inches and the tt250 states 33 inches. Seeing how I was on my toes on the tt250 I am now so bummed out about the additional 2 inches on the lifan 250. I don't understand why they are so high, especially being from China when traditionally Chinese people aren't much taller than 5'8 on average.
But it really comes down to inseam, which my inseam is 30 inches.

That being said, on my tt250 I did all the usual things first like raise the Forks as much as possible, and adjusted the front and rear suspension to its lowest setting. It didn't really make a difference, not worth the loss in off road capabilities anyway.
I should mention also that I ordered my tt250 with knobby tires, not the standard dual tires they come stock with. The knobbys were awesome and made the bike look so bad ass, but probably added a solid inch to its height. And if I got a lifan 250 I would want the knobby tires, which would only worsen the height issue for me.
So after a month with the tt250 I dropped nearly $300 on the aftermarket seat that is said to lower the height by about 2 inches. I was confident that would be the answer. The seat was amazing quality in case you're wondering, and gave the bike a unique look. I actually got alot of compliments on it. However, what wasn't great about it was that in an effort for the company to achieve a maximum lowering height it made it so that your balls were basically smashed against the fuel tank. It was slightly sloped forward so it was not possible to adjust your seating position when riding sliding yourself back a bit to be in the middle of the seat to avoid being pushed up against the tank, I kept sliding forward. It changed the ergonomics obviously, in terms of the way your legs and feet were repositioned on the pegs, being all the way forward instead of your legs and feet being aligned perfectly with the foot pegs, the new seat had it so your body was ahead of your foot pegs, i.e. your feet were behind the center of gravity. Also, with the stock handlebars, being pushed forward onto the tank made my arm positioning on the bars awkward, and to remedy it I had purchased a pro taper Handlebar and bar risers to align myself better.

Bottom line was that because of the seat height being as high as it was and me being as short as I am, it made the experience go from wonderful to uncomfortable.

The only thing I can think of other than major modifications to the suspension or smaller radius tires overall would be to find boots with the thickest soles available.

I originally looked at getting a KTM in the very beginning and went to my local shop that had KTM, I remember walking over to it and immediately knowing there was no way I'd be able to touch the ground, as the seat was up to my waist!! It was something like 37 inches!!

Anyway, as of now I have realigned my sites on the Lifan Xpect, as the seat height shows 32.7 inches. I think with tall enough boots, and slightly adjusting the suspension I MIGHT be okay.
It also seems like the seat itself is super cushy and I think a good half inch or more of seat material can be removed.

I have to say I am bummed out about it though, as it being only 200cc. I really REALLY wanted the experience of a real 250cc dual sport.

I also plan on using it for my primary vehicle and will be doing highway riding at times. I don't know what the top speed on the Xpect is, but if it can achieve atleast 65mph, even if I have to change the sprockets I'll be satisfied. My tt250 was capable of 65mph and stable even with the knobbys

I forgot to mention regarding the lower seat on the tt250, I STILL was not able to flat foot it. I was still on my toes, but admittedly it WAS ALOT closer to being flat footed than it was prior where I was literally like a ballerina on my very tippy toes hahaha

[TominMO]

I had an Xpect and sold it to get the KPX. At 65 mph the Xpect feels unstable; too light. I would not recommend it for highway use. That was about its max speed, and I had geared it up two teeth in front, from 15 to 17.

[mark hall]

In my opinion, if you're going highway, the KPX is pretty much maxxed out power/stability wise at 65/70.. Even lowered 2+ inches and street tires, just doesn't feel that stable. I'd do it for a couple/few exits, but that's about it. Got a Trailer Hitch bike carrier for long trips..

[TominMO]

In my opinion, if you're going highway, the KPX is pretty much maxxed out power/stability wise at 65/70.. Even lowered 2+ inches and street tires, just doesn't feel that stable. I'd do it for a couple/few exits, but that's about it. Got a Trailer Hitch bike carrier for long trips..Agreed, it's not a long-trip bike. Not that it couldn't be done, but still.

[mark hall]

To All:
Just ordered a Xpro Palladin.. 2 weeks to delivery. $3100 shipped. You can order on Amazon if you don't mind paying an extra $200. Hopefully it's taggable and similar quality to the KPX. The KPX is wonderful.. ample power.. 1500 miles of Not a Hiccup so far. BUT another 10 HP, DOHC, 2 balance shafts???, water cooled, a few suspension screws to turn.. A older model KLX300 engine clone apparently. Advertised at 302 Lbs which could be shipping weight? Anyway, it's LIGHT! Can't resist. wish there were more reviews out there. Living the Dream.

[wildbill1969]

Did you ever find a lowering link just got my kpx and I'm on my tipy toes

[wildbill1969]

Was just wondering if the expected rear link would fit the kpx? Or are they completely different

[mark hall]

For the KPX, the rear link is cast steel, and I extended it 1" by welding in a 1/4" plate on each side. Welds Beautifully with MIG.. nothing special required at all unlike Cast Iron. The front is capable of dropping a full 2" thru simple dropping the forks. I ended up with a 33" seat height.. maybe a tad less? Kick stand had to be shortened a bit. I'm dropping the bike for handling, not seat height. The skinny street tires on stock rims and hubs makes this a super fun bike for street. For the Plalidin (Doing a conversion to 17" SuMo wheels) the drop link is aluminum, and a tighter, more folded geometry that makes any link extension effects complicated. Considering re-drilling the shock arms, there is some additional space to lower the rear that way. Roughly an inch but unclear how this translates to seat height with the link geometry. The Pallidin can be dropped in the front only 1" thru fork drop. Anything more will require interior shock mods. But 17" wheels starts with a 2" drop in the front. The KPX is a wonderful bike, so easy.. everything fits well, and it's steel (easily Hacked)! Try 93 octane in it.. i think the EFI is advanced enough to recognize the good stuff and advance the timing. Seems to make a difference, although I haven't swapped back to 87 to test in quite a while. Good Luck!

[mark hall]

Wild Bill.. you can easily drop the front a full 2" by simple adjustment.. that might be enough.. You might try dropping the rear preload some.. that might help depending on where the bike was initially set. On mine had to be a couple inches of preload as delivered.