Handling Dilemma

[paiste]

Went out for a ride on Sunday. Had a go on my mates sv1000 and now I'm gutted!
I knew my bike wasn' brilliant but riding another has really highlited it.
The question is, as budget is a contributing factor do I replace the BT020's that have quite a bit of life left but are squared off, or replace the rear shock for 636/ zx10 and the front springs and fork oil?
I will undoubtedly do them both, but which is the best order to do it in?

[paiste]

Thanks in advance BTW :)

[Neeja]

I'd get the front sorted first...did it to mine and it gave me tons more confidence instantly. Bike feels massively more planted when leaned over, particularly if you hit a minor bump...no more feeling skittery on wet roundabouts, too!

[Mr Speirs]

Get the tyres sorted first if they are Squared off. When I first got my bike the tyres were squared off. I rode on it for 2 months like that and got dispondant as I couldn't ride it, it really made my bike handle badly I.e doesn't want to turn in then when u lean over further suddendly drops!!!
My advice is replace the tyres first.

[Dappa D]

mine were also squared off when i bought it, didnt realise at the time what the problem was, when having it serviced the guy reccomended new tyres as i had mentioned it felt like it was tipping in too much sometimes and not enough other times....i changed the tyres and difference was huge, much better

[Alpinestarhero]

Check the tyre pressures first....I found with my MEZ6's, that having the rpessure a few psi higher than the handbook valvue helped the handling massivly.

New springs will help.....rear shock will also help, specialy if your SV is high milage

[fizzwheel]

Tyres first, 020's aer Ok, it'll be the sqaured off profuile thats making the handling weird I would think. Have a read of the tyre section for info on what to replace with.

Then look at front springs and oil, then do the rear shock.

Leave time in between so you can evaluate the changes you've made also 1or 2sdi in the tyres can also change the way the bike feels to ride.

[johnnyrod]

I thought my 650 (pre-mods) was much more chuckable than the 1000. As noted check the rear shock still works, it's not that bad but the ZX6 is a good replacement, better still to go for a proper one. Forks are terrible, at least get stiffer springs (see plenty of threads on there about it).

[jambo]

Be pragmatic, and sensible.

You say your mate's SV1000 handled better than your SV650. Replacing squared off tyres will undoubtedly make the tip-in feel more predictable. If the front forks have standard springs, and old oil, then it's a fair bet that replacing these to suit your weight and riding style will give you more confidence in the front end. If the back is feeling bouncy and squirming then it may be that the shock's past it's best. There are about a million threads debating the merits of various shocks that fit, and bespoke after market items that would suit you. Use the search function.

You can throw a lot of money at GSXR front ends, and cartridge internals for the standard SV forks. But that's getting into a reasonable amount of effort, and money.

All of the above costs cash, and time. Think about what you consider to be the biggest issue and sort it in that order.

Jambo

[paiste]

Thanks for all the advice.
I think what I was trying to say is that the 1000 felt a lot more solid, planted etc. But then again it has less moleage and is newer than mine, so what do I expect!!
Mine has 20,000 miles on the clock and I've not got any history that states any servicing/maintenance has been done to the suspension.
I have avidly reading all the tyres and suspension threads with great interest for a while now and have more or less decided to go for a pair of Avon storms. My mate raves about michelin pilot road 2's but so many on here recommend the Avon's.
When fund allow progressive springs and 15w oil? (13.5 stone)
Off now to fit my new lowers:smt040

[fizzwheel]

at that kind of milleage, you'll benefit definatefly from a fork oil refresh, you might aso find your rear shock is getting tired as well...

but yep make sense to change the tyres first and see how that feels I think.

[arcdef]

would simply a fork oil change help the feel as well or would you need to change the springs to really notice a difference?

[fizzwheel]

would simply a fork oil change help the feel as well or would you need to change the springs to really notice a difference?

Fresh fork oil made quite a big difference to how the front end of my sv felt, but springs and fork oil should give another noticeable difference over just an oil change alone.

[paiste]

Off now to fit my new lowers:smt040
Lowers are completely different colour :mad:. Don't know why, but I expected them to be similar, not an exact match but not too bad. Complete newb mistake I thinks as they are unpainted and need to be sprayed.
Just had a quote of £150 per panel!