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Fork platform · Showa

Upgrading the Showa cartridge fork.

Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Ducati build their motocross and cross-country bikes around Showa's cartridge fork. One Tintic kit fits all the bikes below.

Bikes with the Showa fork we fit

  • Honda: CRF450R, CRF450RX 2017+ · CRF250R 2018+, CRF250RX 2019+
  • Kawasaki: KX450, KX450X 2024+ · KX250, KX250X 2025+
  • Suzuki: RM-Z450 2018+
  • Ducati: Desmo450 MX 2026

The compatibility finder confirms your exact year and model.

Ways to improve it

From the least to the most of the fork replaced:

OptionWhat changesGood first step when
Springs and setupSpring rate for your weight, sag, oil level, clickersThe fork has never been set up for you
RevalveA tuner rearranges the stock shim stacks for your weight and terrainSetup is right but the damping isn't
Cone-valve mid-valveThe compression shims under the mid-valve are replaced with a machined cone and springSquare-edged hits, braking bumps and landings still spike and deflect the front
New cartridges or a fork swapThe fork internals, or the whole fork, are replacedYou want a different fork altogether

The Tintic cone valve for Showa

The Showa - Tintic Reds CV Upgrade is a drop-in replacement for the Showa mid-valve: $330a pair, one valve per fork leg, and a pair does the full bike. A machined cone and spring take the place of the compression shims. It's machined and assembled in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and the kit includes two valves, two replacement piston bands and an install reference card.

A qualified suspension tuner installs it in about 90 minutes, normally during a standard fork service, and sets it up for your weight and riding. Many riders have it done alongside a revalve. Find a tuner on our dealers page.

New to cone valves? How a cone valve works, and how it compares with WP's own cone-valve forks.

Questions

Is there a cone-valve upgrade for the Showa fork on my CRF or KX?

Yes. The Tintic Reds CV for Showa forks fits the Honda CRF450R and CRF250R families, the newer Kawasaki KX450 and KX250, the Suzuki RM-Z450 and the Ducati Desmo450 MX. It's $330 a pair, and a tuner installs it in about 90 minutes.

Does it work for motocross?

Yes. The cone stays firm through the normal stroke and opens wide on sharp hits, which suits braking bumps, square edges and hard landings on a track. Your tuner sets it up for your weight and speed during the install.

Should I revalve my Showa fork or add a cone valve?

They do different things. A revalve rearranges the stock shims. The cone valve replaces the mid-valve's compression shims with a cone and spring, and your tuner sets it up for your weight and riding during the install. Many riders do both at once since the fork is already open.

My bike has a Showa fork but isn't listed. Will it fit?

Not necessarily. The kit is built for the Showa cartridge forks listed above. Check the compatibility finder, or get in touch and we'll tell you.