I have a 2004 DRZ 250. I am now 6 feet 180 lbs. I have had it for four years. I have gotten significantly faster on it and and am now bottoming out the rear suspension. I have the compression valve all the way to high. Is there any other way to stiffen it up other than lowering the rear spring collar, thus increasing tension in the spring? Thanks

Edited by D-rek07, 28 May 2012 - 05:09 PM.

Good to hear you are improving to a point where the bike is not set up good enough for you. I have a DRZ250 also and although I love the bike, it is not a serious dirt bike. Luckely it can be improved without much cost to be much better in the dirt.
What you need to solve your problem is a stiffer rear spring. Adjusting the collar will not do it. Your spring is too soft for your weight and riding speed. Contact your local motorcycle shop and have them advise on what spring to buy and install. It is not a big job to install but if you are not up to it your local shop can do it for little cost. You will be real happy that you did it.

I agree for your weight you need to change the spring. I am 185lb and experienced similar problems with the rear suspension. The bigger problem with the DRZ250 rear shock is that it is a sealed unit and not easily rebuilt. The repeated cycling of the shock heats the oil and over time it needs to be changed. I sent mine to Race Tech, had it revalved and resprung for my weight and type of riding. They remove the sealed cap of the nitrogen reservoir and replace it with a machined billet cap with the nitrogen recharge connection. Total cost for revalve, rebuild, spring, and cap with shipping across the country was $450 USD