Chassis Adjustments - Honda CRF250X 2006 Owner's Manual & Competition Handbook

The following suggestions may improve a
specific concern. Subtle changes in overall
handling may also be noted.
Rear End
If you have a problem with rear wheel traction,
raise the rear end of your motorcycle by
increasing the rear spring pre-load. Instead of
running 3.9 in (100 mm) of sag, you can run 3.5
in (90 mm) so the rear of the bike will sit a little
higher. This should produce more traction
because of the change to the swingarm and the
location of your motorcycle's center of gravity.
If you have a problem with the steering head
shaking when you use the front brake hard or if
your motorcycle wants to turn too quickly, lower
the rear of the motorcycle by reducing the rear
spring pre-load. This will increase fork rake and
trail and should improve stability in a straight
line. The effective suspension travel will be
transferred toward the firmer end of wheel travel.
Keep the race sag adjustment (page 120) in the
90 - 100 mm range.
Fork Height/Angle
Standard Position
The position of the outer tubes in the clamps is
not adjustable. Align the top of the fork tube (1)
with the top of the upper fork clamp (2).
(STANDARD POSITON)
(1) top of outer tube
(1)
(2) upper fork clamp
(3) standard position
(3)
0 in (0 mm)
(2)

Chassis Adjustments

Wheelbase
Adjusting your motorcycle's wheelbase can offer
subtle changes in overall handling. You may
adjust wheelbase by adding or removing links on
the drive chain. If you change the wheelbase, be
sure to re-check race sag and adjust, if necessary.
In the past, a general rule was lengthen the
wheelbase to add straight line stability, shorten
the wheelbase to improve turning. However, we
suggest you do not lengthen the wheelbase of
your motorcycle unless you are racing on a track
with more fast sections than normal.
As a general recommendation, keep the
wheelbase as short as possible. This positions
the wheels closer together, improves turning
response, increase weighting (traction) on the
rear wheel, and lightens weighting on the front
wheel.
With your motorcycle, you will probably find
that the standard setting or a shorter wheelbase
will offer more overall benefits.
Adjustments for Competition
133