klr 250 off road performance

[Bogdan Swider]

When my rear suspension was long gone I considered my options. There were three: Chain the shock, change the spring, change both. It seemed obvious that the spring was gone but was the shock ? The criteria I was taught long ago was repeated to me by people whom I queried. If the shock leaks it's shot if it doesn't it's fine. Recently Tom V. (I believe) posted that shocks wear out in time, he seemed to suggest, whether they leak or not. What do you guys think ? Bogdan, who's always learning. What a guy.

[aseat@hotmail.com]

I had the klr 250 out on a narrow, rocky, deeply rutted and muddy MX trail today. Took the mirrors off and adjusted mixture to improve bottom end, otherwise completely stock. Was up to almost the axles in mud several times and it made it through. The KLR 650 behind me did not make it. The Transalp did not go past the gravel access road. The 250 is a lot heavier than a real dirt bike, and less power, but did better than I thought it would. I could not keep up with the KDXs and CRs of course, but the stock dunlop 750a tires don't seem to clean the mud very well and that was a problem. The engine starts to missfire after going through water of a certain depth, I wonder what I can do to improve that situation? http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/klr250.jpg Gary Canada