Honda KYB vs SHOWA forks

adamwedge
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adamwedge
I've got an 01 125 with KYBs set up for me. I just got an 04 250 that has showas on it. Put my shock off my 125 that is set up and it feels great. Now I'm curious about the forks.

Who makes a better fork? KYB or Showa? I have another set of KYBs laying around and am going to get either or set up and valved. Pros and cons to each?
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MXandSXracer21 10/10/2016 6:39am
10/10/2016 6:39am
Of those two, the Shows Twin Chamber forks are the better forks in my opinion.
adam8781
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adam8781 10/10/2016 9:58pm
10/10/2016 9:58pm
adamwedge wrote:
I've got an 01 125 with KYBs set up for me. I just got an 04 250 that has showas on it. Put my shock off...
I've got an 01 125 with KYBs set up for me. I just got an 04 250 that has showas on it. Put my shock off my 125 that is set up and it feels great. Now I'm curious about the forks.

Who makes a better fork? KYB or Showa? I have another set of KYBs laying around and am going to get either or set up and valved. Pros and cons to each?


which kybs do you have? which showas are we talking about?. the newer showa and kyb are all twin chamber design and work great once set up.

there are even a bit of a cross over, for example
kyb 06-current forks are the same free pistons as a 10-12 crf250 showa fork etc

Bruce372
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Bruce372 10/10/2016 10:14pm
10/10/2016 10:14pm
I've got a bunch of 46mm Kyb fork seals and bushings for sale if you need them
adamwedge
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adamwedge 10/11/2016 3:16am
10/11/2016 3:16am Edited Date/Time 10/11/2016 5:11am
adamwedge wrote:
I've got an 01 125 with KYBs set up for me. I just got an 04 250 that has showas on it. Put my shock off...
I've got an 01 125 with KYBs set up for me. I just got an 04 250 that has showas on it. Put my shock off my 125 that is set up and it feels great. Now I'm curious about the forks.

Who makes a better fork? KYB or Showa? I have another set of KYBs laying around and am going to get either or set up and valved. Pros and cons to each?
adam8781 wrote:
which kybs do you have? which showas are we talking about?. the newer showa and kyb are all twin chamber design and work great once set...


which kybs do you have? which showas are we talking about?. the newer showa and kyb are all twin chamber design and work great once set up.

there are even a bit of a cross over, for example
kyb 06-current forks are the same free pistons as a 10-12 crf250 showa fork etc

To be honest I'm not sure of the model or anything really haha. I'm assuming both sets are current for their time period. The KYB's are 2001 and the showas are 2004. Are there any identification markings anywhere? If it helps, both sets of upper fork tubes are the same diameter.

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mx621
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mx621 10/11/2016 8:25am
10/11/2016 8:25am Edited Date/Time 10/11/2016 8:40am
The 98-07 kyb cr125 forks are all 46mm open bath/chamber forks. They are not bad if set up but have their limits.

Only the 125 came with these forks on Hondas. From 97+ the cr250 and all the crfs until 09 for the 450 (went kyb) and 2010+ for the crf250 (I think that year went 48mm) had the 47mm Showa twin chamber. internal changes and updated came along the way but relatively similar. At factory connections advice I put the Showa twin chamber from a 2003 450 on my 02 cr125. And they are fantastic.
adamwedge
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adamwedge 10/11/2016 8:30am
10/11/2016 8:30am
Thanks mx621. So at this point since I can go either or, it seems the showas have a bit more potential to get dialed?
mx621
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mx621 10/12/2016 1:58pm
10/12/2016 1:58pm
I asked FC the same question And they said the Showa twin chambers are a far superior fork terms or adjustability and performance. I found my set on eBay for 180$ shipped. If your not gonna have them valved by a susp shop ( where the Showa can far excell the kyb ) then it may be a waste of money. Since u have an 01 u will need 03 and older Showa fork or the brake caliper won't bolt up or change the caliper . .They changed it in 04 I believe.
adam8781
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adam8781 10/13/2016 4:53pm
10/13/2016 4:53pm
i meant which kybs do you have laying around?

the stock kyb open chambers on that bike arent very good, the showa 47mm twin chambers are great forks.

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