The Fiendish Rider Put the book down

The garage

Latest from the shed

Greased and back together at 109 hours. Torque wrench still to go over it.

Garage card KX250F 2023

KX250F 2023

Updated 2 November 2026

The race bike. 2023 KX250F, fresh top end this winter and both ends of the suspension revalved to a softer brief at the same time, the idea being to get it feeling more like the 125 at speed. Forks sit flush in the clamps and the axle's back, chasing a front end that liked to twitch on fast sand. Runs a scoop rear and a soft front because sand turned into most of the riding, and the hardpack trade-off is accepted. It's the bike that gets the oil changes, the filters and the notes. Currently about right, which for this one is saying something.

Where it sits

Fork
16 out compression, 14 out rebound
Shock
14 out low speed, 1.5 turns out high speed, 18 out rebound
Sag
110mm cold, set at the August service
Fork height
Flush in the clamps since 19 Oct. Was 5mm showing.
Axle
Back in the adjusters, wheelbase stretched
Tyres
MX14 scoop rear, AT82 soft front. About 11.5 psi on sand.
Hours
109. Top end about 10.

What's been done

  • Late Oct 2026 Linkage, swingarm and steering head greased. Firm bar cones in. Graphics on.
  • 19-20 Oct 2026 Oil and filter at 108 hours, air filter, MX14 and AT82 on, new grips. Forks dropped to flush.
  • Sep 2026 Back together after the suspension work, steering head bearings done at the refit. Three days at Reds on the new valving.
  • Aug 2026 Forks and shock serviced and revalved to the softer brief, new seals both ends.
  • Jul 2026 Top end at 99 hours. New piston, cylinder replated, valves decarboned, cam chain, oil and filter. New chain, 50T rear, chain guide and slider. Brake and clutch fluid.
  • Jun 2026 Pro Circuit T6 Pro full system on. Steering head bearings replaced, wheel bearings greased.

Owed

  • Torque wrench over the swingarm and linkage bolts
  • Rear rebound two clicks in next ride, chasing the twitch at speed
  • Holeshot device, still in the box