SXF Shock: Stock or Ohlins?

red_leader
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red_leader
Edited Date/Time 7/8/2018 4:59pm
Hey gang, I just picked up a used Ohlins flow for my SXF350 just cause it seemed like a good deal.
I ride mostly MX.

I'm a huge ohlins fan for my streetbikes. For a given stiffness, they just seem to offer the best plushness, big bump absorption, and mostly importantly rider feedback, than anything else I ever tried.

Yet I've heard mixed reviews on the flow for MX.

I haven't tried it out yet, nor have I revalved my stock shock (only has 10 hours). It feels like the stock shock has room for improvement, but it doesn't noticeably lack in any area for me.

Has anyone tried the two and have an opinion? I'm going to try to ride them back to back and see if one "speaks" to me more. Any particular things I should try to pay attention too when I do this?

Since I'll probably get one of these revalved at rebuild time, I'm just looking for tips on picking the right shock for me. Thanks, sorry for the long winded post!
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BR8ES
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BR8ES 6/13/2018 1:52pm
6/13/2018 1:52pm
I have an SX 250 and have the latest Flow shock... love it. Better than a revalved and bladder WP. In my case anyway.
40acres
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40acres 6/14/2018 9:04am
6/14/2018 9:04am
Ohlins, always ohlins. Your service intervals will be much shorter than the stocker but you'll be hard up to ride on anything better than a properly set Ohlins.
aees
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aees 6/15/2018 1:20am
6/15/2018 1:20am
What do you weight, and what spring will you run? Fork is what? What is the part number of the Ohlins shock?
I have WP OEM, WP revalved, Trax and Ohlins.

They all differ.

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BR8ES
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BR8ES 6/15/2018 5:01am
6/15/2018 5:01am
I have the 1794 shock and 18 model fork. Great setup, love it. Some of the older stuff may be nothing to write home about and naturally any shock can be made to feel like rubbish if the settings are not right, that goes without saying.
red_leader
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red_leader 6/15/2018 6:48am
6/15/2018 6:48am
I weigh 205 with gear.
My stock shock has a 45 spring, the Ohlins (KT 1893) has a 44.
Right now the forks are stock 2017 AER. Will probably have FC upgrade them in the future, but I like the forks and I don't want to change to spring.
aees
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aees 6/15/2018 6:54am
6/15/2018 6:54am
With that setup i think the Ohlins works good if it is stock valving. 45 and 44 is on the soft side but 48 is to stiff. 46 would be best and should still work with stock 1893 valving.
red_leader
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red_leader 6/15/2018 10:03am
6/15/2018 10:03am
Thanks for the advice!
You're right on the money, a 46 would be perfect.
Do you have one? Lol
I feel like the ohlins tried to implement a little of the "trax" philosophy, just to a lesser extent.
Could be wrong though.
Can't wait to try the stock and ohlins back to back. See if my amateur ass can fully appreciate the difference.
BR8ES
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BR8ES 6/17/2018 5:08am
6/17/2018 5:08am
Looks great!
red_leader
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red_leader 7/8/2018 10:20am
7/8/2018 10:20am
Still haven't tried it yet! I was waiting for a spring.
Picked up a YZ125 Ti spring which should be right about 46 N/m.
Super tight fit, but I got it on!
The Ohlins was 15 oz heavier than stock. With the spring it's down to 5 oz heavier than stock.
I plan to do a shock swap at the track so I can give a full report.

BR8ES
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BR8ES 7/8/2018 10:53am
7/8/2018 10:53am Edited Date/Time 7/8/2018 10:58am
red_leader wrote:
Still haven't tried it yet! I was waiting for a spring. Picked up a YZ125 Ti spring which should be right about 46 N/m. Super tight...
Still haven't tried it yet! I was waiting for a spring.
Picked up a YZ125 Ti spring which should be right about 46 N/m.
Super tight fit, but I got it on!
The Ohlins was 15 oz heavier than stock. With the spring it's down to 5 oz heavier than stock.
I plan to do a shock swap at the track so I can give a full report.

Good to know on the spring, but difference there. Looking forward to your report.

Edit- did you get a washer for the lower shock bolt?
red_leader
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red_leader 7/8/2018 12:23pm
7/8/2018 12:23pm
Do I need a washer for the lower shock bolt? I don't remember the stock bolt having one
aees
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aees 7/8/2018 12:31pm
7/8/2018 12:31pm
red_leader wrote:
Do I need a washer for the lower shock bolt? I don't remember the stock bolt having one
Yes, must use, very important. Alternative is to add 2-3mm more threads on the bolt so it does not bottom out.
red_leader
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red_leader 7/8/2018 1:25pm
7/8/2018 1:25pm
Wow, that's a huge tip!
I might not have noticed that.
Thanks guys!
BR8ES
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BR8ES 7/8/2018 2:43pm
7/8/2018 2:43pm Edited Date/Time 7/8/2018 2:58pm
Glad to help. Would have been bummed to hear if gouged or bound linkage, etc Yet, the flange doesn't bottom out on the clevis. The shoulder of the bolt hits on the inside of the threaded side. Thin washer is all you need..
mx317
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mx317 7/8/2018 4:58pm
7/8/2018 4:58pm
The washer size is 10.5mmX22mmX2mm according to the mounting instructions. I have one on my Rockstar 450 Husky now. I ran the same one on my 2017 KTM 450 SXF and liked it. I really liked the way it stayed flat going into corners ( if that makes sense) and it jumped straight with no kicks.

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