Suspension Upgrades!

[bigE]

I decided to upgrade my suspension this winter on the SV. I put a 2005 ZX6 rear shock in and it is soooo much nicer than the stock shock (no more pogo stick effect). It only cost me $50 ($40 for shock and $10 for misc hardware from ACE). I recommend it to anyone dissatisfied with the stock shock. For more info see:
The Kawi 636/GSXR/Busa Shock Install and The How to NOT cut the battery box. - SVRider Board

I am also going to put stiffer springs and thicker oil in the forks, but havent done it yet cause the weather got nice again after the rear shock install. I'll let ya'll know how that works out.

B4


After

[Clint]

Nice! I love cheap upgrades as a result of someone else's expensive one. My Hayabusa rear cost me $38.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bigE

I am also going to put stiffer springs and thicker oil in the forks, but havent done it yet cause the weather got nice again after the rear shock install. I'll let ya'll know how that works out.

OK, I just gotta ask.

All shocks are not created equal but a spring is just a spring.

Unless you are putting a large "load" on the bike, why would you want stiffer springs?? Trying to get back that pogo-stick effect that you just lost ??

[bigE]

The springs in the SV forks are soft. Which results in a "jumpy" front end in corners that are anything but silky smooth; it also is fairly easy to bottom out the forks. I'm not putting really stiff springs in the forks, just stiffer ones that are better for some one of my weight. I'm using a thicker fork oil to get better dampening....

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

... a spring is just a spring.

Oh, I beg to differ. It's very important to keep sag and suspension action in the appropriate area. Many sporty riders install springs suitable to their weight. You just don't have enough adjustment with preload alone many times.

Then there's the whole other issue of constant-rate vs. progressive winding.

[SVZuki]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Oh, I beg to differ. It's very important to keep sag and suspension action in the appropriate area. Many sporty riders install springs suitable to their weight. You just don't have enough adjustment with preload alone many times.

Then there's the whole other issue of constant-rate vs. progressive winding.

+1

Springs can be as different as shocks, my friend.

[bigE]

I've been riding around with the new springs in for a few hundred miles now and they are great! The extra dampening the thicker oil provides is much better than stock. The forks really soak up small to medium bumps and the large bumps aren't any more jarring than they were before... The stiffer springs really reduce brake dive too which is nice.

[oklahoma_mike]

It has to be a lot better than the mash potatoes they put under the sv from the factory.

[bigE]

Yeah mine was extra mashed too with 25k+ miles on it; 10k of which I left on the 2nd lowest preload setting cause I didnt know any better

[oklahoma_mike]

yea I am looking at new springs up front and a new rear shock this coming winter. It is ok for now. I threw some spacers in the front to increase preload and the rear is highest setting and that works good I just hated the front end dive on braking! She squats and scoots and gives a lot more feedback than stock so for $3 I am VERY happy.

[bigE]

Yeah, springs cost more than the rear shock! I got mine from RaceTech for $90 something shipped. Not a bad deal... I think they have some progressive SV springs on eBay for $65ish.... Put some 15 or 20w oil in there. It will help a lot and costs about $12.