The Ohlins KA1490 STX 46 MX is a rear mono shock absorber developed for the Kawasaki KX 85. It’s built around Ohlins’ motocross damping architecture to provide consistent control through changing track conditions. Designed for riders who want a more tunable and composed feel from the rear of the bike without relying on generic settings.

Ohlins | Made to race, perfected to ride

Ohlins suspension components are engineered with a focus on damping control, stability and predictable feedback. The STX 46 MX family is intended for motocross and off-road use where repeatable performance and adjustability matter. This unit is configured as a dedicated rear shock for the KX 85 application.

Who this shock is for

• Motocross riders chasing improved rear-wheel control and clearer chassis feedback.
• Riders and tuners who want practical damping adjustability for different tracks and conditions.
• Owners prepared to select the correct spring separately to suit rider weight and use.

Shock design & features

This shock uses a separated oil/gas layout with a remote reservoir to help maintain damping consistency under heat and repeated impacts. It’s a single rear mono configuration for modern MX linkages and swingarm loads. The architecture is intended to keep damping stable while allowing effective external tuning.

Tuning controls

External adjusters are provided for rebound damping and compression damping, including separate low-speed and high-speed compression control. This allows you to tune how the shock responds to chassis movements versus sharper hits, without changing internal valving. As with any performance shock, correct spring rate and sag settings are essential to make the damping adjustments meaningful.

Before you install

No spring is supplied with this shock. It requires a spring from the 00698- series (sold separately), so confirm the correct rate for the rider and intended use before installation. After fitting, set sag and baseline damping settings first, then fine-tune on track to match traction, support and comfort.

Serviceability/lifecycle

This is a rebuildable Ohlins unit intended to be serviced as part of normal motocross maintenance. Regular oil and seal servicing helps keep damping response consistent and protects internal components, particularly when the bike is used in dusty or muddy conditions.