SFF vs Ohlins vs 2nd hand A-kit

OnedayWhip
Edited Date/Time 5/28/2015 5:15pm
Hey Guys,

Another question, what suspension would you recommend, once again for a 2012 CRF250R (Actually a AF CR250 project).
Dogger's super sweet AF builds have got me wanting a more modern CR250.
A-kit would be first choice if I had $12 000, once you convert that to South African rands its enough money to buy a small car.

So lets say on a budget of $3500, would you go for :
- 2nd hand A-kit suspension
- SFF air take-offs from a 2014/2015 bike
- Ohlins TTX inserts

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mxb2
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mxb2 5/23/2015 10:58am
5/23/2015 10:58am
imo, i wd always buy new stuff, ohlins, or a race team refurbished A kit, private sale on A kits are deceiving by pictures, unless you see it in person. roost pits, ding, nicks, then $$ for spring, revalve etc. old saying, get what ya pay for, second option , coated b kit stuff, cheaper, and use oem stuff.
WileCyot
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WileCyot 5/24/2015 10:06pm
5/24/2015 10:06pm
OnedayWhip wrote:
Hey Guys, Another question, what suspension would you recommend, once again for a 2012 CRF250R (Actually a AF CR250 project). Dogger's super sweet AF builds have...
Hey Guys,

Another question, what suspension would you recommend, once again for a 2012 CRF250R (Actually a AF CR250 project).
Dogger's super sweet AF builds have got me wanting a more modern CR250.
A-kit would be first choice if I had $12 000, once you convert that to South African rands its enough money to buy a small car.

So lets say on a budget of $3500, would you go for :
- 2nd hand A-kit suspension
- SFF air take-offs from a 2014/2015 bike
- Ohlins TTX inserts

A-kit all day.
OnedayWhip 5/25/2015 12:58am
5/25/2015 12:58am
mxb2 wrote:
imo, i wd always buy new stuff, ohlins, or a race team refurbished A kit, private sale on A kits are deceiving by pictures, unless you...
imo, i wd always buy new stuff, ohlins, or a race team refurbished A kit, private sale on A kits are deceiving by pictures, unless you see it in person. roost pits, ding, nicks, then $$ for spring, revalve etc. old saying, get what ya pay for, second option , coated b kit stuff, cheaper, and use oem stuff.
I hear you there, and I'm sure some of the kits have worked hard and might be 5 years old plus. There is a nice kit on currently for $6000 on Ebay, but man that's a lot of money.

The Shop

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tek14
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tek14 5/25/2015 2:51am
5/25/2015 2:51am
Öhlins is best of these options both cost and handling.
If you want to spend much money as possible for no reason, go Öhlinsh full kit like i have... Smile
Been running KYB factory kit (one you can buy) and WP factory set... I would still go Öhlins.
mxb2
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mxb2 5/25/2015 6:15am
5/25/2015 6:15am
mxb2 wrote:
imo, i wd always buy new stuff, ohlins, or a race team refurbished A kit, private sale on A kits are deceiving by pictures, unless you...
imo, i wd always buy new stuff, ohlins, or a race team refurbished A kit, private sale on A kits are deceiving by pictures, unless you see it in person. roost pits, ding, nicks, then $$ for spring, revalve etc. old saying, get what ya pay for, second option , coated b kit stuff, cheaper, and use oem stuff.
OnedayWhip wrote:
I hear you there, and I'm sure some of the kits have worked hard and might be 5 years old plus. There is a nice kit...
I hear you there, and I'm sure some of the kits have worked hard and might be 5 years old plus. There is a nice kit on currently for $6000 on Ebay, but man that's a lot of money.

buy junk, ya get junk.
Justin345
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Justin345 5/26/2015 11:36am
5/26/2015 11:36am
Just rode my 2nd hand A kit this past weekend and OH MY GOD is it amazing. I'd keep an eye out for used A kit, ask all of the right questions and get a feel for the person selling it. If you get the warm and fuzzy, then go for it. My kit has upper tubes that are pretty beat up. The price I paid reflected it though. My friend just bought an A kit that is in cherry condition for under $3K. Both being older spring style. I don't know if I can ever ride anything without A kit again...talk about being spoiled..
jhansen510
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jhansen510 5/26/2015 2:11pm
5/26/2015 2:11pm
I also recently purchased a lightly used A kit. It is not even set up for my weight yet but agree with Justin345. I can not wait to have it set up. I was going to go local but might send if off to one of the bigger shops with more A Kit experience. Justin345 who set yours up?
Justin345
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Justin345 5/26/2015 2:26pm
5/26/2015 2:26pm
Pro circuit. I send all my stuff to them and every set they've done has been amazing. Minor clicks here and there depending on track condition. My opinion - if you're going to shell out the $ for an A kit, send it to the guys with A kit experience (any of the big guys). Kind of neat having Bones dictate the settings/setup on your suspension! enjoy that kit man, I can't wait to race with mine for the first time this saturday.
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jhansen510 5/26/2015 2:44pm
5/26/2015 2:44pm
Justin345 wrote:
Pro circuit. I send all my stuff to them and every set they've done has been amazing. Minor clicks here and there depending on track condition...
Pro circuit. I send all my stuff to them and every set they've done has been amazing. Minor clicks here and there depending on track condition. My opinion - if you're going to shell out the $ for an A kit, send it to the guys with A kit experience (any of the big guys). Kind of neat having Bones dictate the settings/setup on your suspension! enjoy that kit man, I can't wait to race with mine for the first time this saturday.
My pm's do not seem to be working on here or I would have messaged you. Do you mind if I ask you what you paid to have the A kit revalved? Was there any wear parts that needed replacement? Did you get new uppers? I have some slight wear on mine but not bad enough to be concerned with yet. I will probably get them kashima coated again down the road or stripped and ano'd as the ano seems to hold up much better than the Kashima on the uppers. Lastly do you know what size base valves your kit has? I did not realize how much there is to learn about Kit suspension and now I am constantly trying to gain knowledge on the stuff. It is a dream come true to finally have a set on my bike!
jhansen510
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jhansen510 5/26/2015 2:58pm
5/26/2015 2:58pm Edited Date/Time 5/26/2015 3:01pm






Thread would be worthless with no pics!
Justin345
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Justin345 5/26/2015 3:18pm
5/26/2015 3:18pm

Agreed! Kawasaki with A kit FTW!







jhansen510
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jhansen510 5/26/2015 3:25pm
5/26/2015 3:25pm
If you do not want to go into the details on here hit me up at Justin@familyfirstconstruction.com. I would not blame you with the trolls that can be found in here!
jhansen510
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jhansen510 5/26/2015 3:38pm
5/26/2015 3:38pm
Really digging the blue stanchions!
scagle3
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scagle3 5/26/2015 6:05pm
5/26/2015 6:05pm


My A Kit is at Pro Circuit right now getting valved for me !! Can't wait
scagle3
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scagle3 5/26/2015 6:07pm
5/26/2015 6:07pm


And it all together!!

Pit Row

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slackinoff
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slackinoff 5/26/2015 6:28pm
5/26/2015 6:28pm
So glad you guys are posting pictures!
OnedayWhip 5/27/2015 1:20am
5/27/2015 1:20am
This is awesome to hear! Thanks for the feedback guys. Its a big purchase for me to make, especially once converted to South African Rands and shipping costs are factored in.
Have you guys looked for certain year forks, ie not too old, or do you just judge from images?
The ohlins 48RXF DLC fork and TTX rear shock together come in at $3700 and it seems like you guys have got your A-kit for less than that.
The other factor for me is that there is no big suspension tuner here in South Africa, well not on the A-kit tuning level anyhow.

Appreciate the feedback, it really helps!
jhansen510
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jhansen510 5/27/2015 6:32am
5/27/2015 6:32am
I have not ridden it set up for me yet. I have never ridden Ohlins. Different people are going to tell you different things based off of their experiences. I personally would go A Kit just because I like the look better than the Ohlins stuff. I find the rear Ohlins shock to be hideous. Either way you are looking at a nice upgrade. If I were you I would start contacting shops like FC, PC, RG3, Enzo, and let them know what you are looking for. You would be suprised what you can find when you have money to spend with these companies. Keep us in the loop!
njracer46
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njracer46 5/27/2015 10:16am
5/27/2015 10:16am
I really don't know, has anyone tried ohlins inserts for newer ktm forks? But since were all adding pics, picked this up from a member on here. Dropping it off at rg3 tomorrow.

kelroy_leon
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kelroy_leon 5/28/2015 5:15pm
5/28/2015 5:15pm
I have an '09 crf450 that was stock when I purchased it. Then went to an Ohlins set up, much better feel to the bike. I also went with the PC link for the rear. With that being said, I also have a '10 crf250 with PC worked production Showa goods and the PC link. The worked Showa goods give the Ohlins a serious run for their money. Currently the '10 has a second hand A kit, spring not air. Having ridden them all, If I could go with one only... I'd go A kit. It is a great deal of personal preference though. Many feel that the A kit is too stiff, not spring rate but flex.

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