Ohlins suspension kit opinions?

[aoleks]

Hi there!

I was browsing ebay in search for some suspension upgrades and I came across this kit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kit-Basic-Naked-Ohlins-Shock-Mono-Molle-Forcella-Olio-Suzuki-SV-650-2003-03-07-/110859585436?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_101&hash=item19cfbf079c

Basically, it's an ohlins shock (46DR) with a spring to match your weight, ohlins front fork springs to match your weight and some ohlins oil for the fork, all for around £500.

does anyone here have this kit? I would like to know how much it would cost to have it installed and if it's worth the upgrade.

without willing to sound harsh, please don't recommend other brands, as I'm a big ohlins fan and I don't really dig it's not the best suspension out there. maybe there are better shocks if you race the sv, but I don't race at all, it's mainly urban riding that I do, with once in a while a trip to cornwall...

[maviczap]

Anythings better than standard SV, its a DIY job really.

But as you're such a big Ohlins fan, I don't understand why you're asking our opinion, its a done deal, whatever we say :confused:

[aoleks]

1. yes, probably, but then again, I would like to know if it's worth that money. otherwise, a zx shock would also be better than standard...

2. it might be a diy job, but I'm an international student living in shared accommodation, I don't even have a screwdriver in house, let alone space to work on a motorcycle, so I need someone to do it for me.

3. I'm not an ohlins freak, but I would very much like to go with it. however, if some of you have this kit and you feel sorry for spending that money, then I won't buy it, despite being a big fan :).

[Bibio]

there is more to just chucking a shock on and putting springs in. installing a lovely nice new shock will do nothing if all the linkage and swingarm bearings are shot.

[jambo]

1) How hard is it to install: Not bad but you need more facilities than you have. A garage will probably charge you 1-2 hours for the springs, oil & shock.
2) Will the bike feel better, yes I suspect so, but there's nothing magic about springs and oil, springs for your weight are about £90, oil about £10 or so for a Litre.
3) If you need a new Ohlins shock, that's the cheapest of the ones they do I believe, the other options are to look for a used shock or one from another make, which you're not wanting to do.

Jambo

[NTECUK]

Erm aren't we forgetting the lack luster front end.
No point havin a top gun rear and a Joe 90 leading the way...

[maviczap]

Erm aren't we forgetting the lack luster front end.
No point havin a top gun rear and a Joe 90 leading the way...

Front springs are included in this kit.

What's wrong with Joe 90 :confused:

[squirrel_hunter]

I run Ohlins front and rear on my curvy.

The front isn't much difference from heaver weight fork oil on standard springs.

The rear is night and day. I can't remember the exact model of Ohlins shock I have, its the one with a remote reservoir. But I rode a stock bike the other year and it nearly kicked me off as the standard rear shock couldn't cope, where as my Ohlins can.

Yes there are cheaper options. Secondhand can be between £200 and £400 depending on make and model for a good spec shock. Fitting from another model is cheaper and is still an improvement. Bit finding one can take time. Budget for a garage to do it, but depending on where you are someone might have the ability to assist.

[NTECUK]

Front springs are included in this kit

But it's the dampening that needs addressing
And a Ohlins is so going to show the stock up big style.

Joe 90, is a bit like one bump, glasses off and his in the smelly stuff!
Joe 90 theme (stereo mix): http://youtu.be/2d9QZFdW8uQ

[SV650Racer]

Good deal and well worth it. Adding an Ohlins to the rear wont make the front feel any worse or actually make it worse. Adding Ohlins springs to the forks, resetting the oil height etc will be much better.

[aoleks]

I thought so myself... I guess I'm just gonna buy it then.

Thanks

[aoleks]

is there any tool to calculate the required spring stiffness based on your weight and riding style?

[maviczap]

Think there's an online one on the k tech site, if not one of the other online sites

[speedyandypandy]

It's gonna be night and day, but then again a new oem with right rated spring would also be night and day, since the damper oil should have been changed atleast every year.

[wideguy]

For mainly urban riding, I don't expect you'll notice much difference.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned proper rate front springs and emulators, which make the front end work very well, even for track use.
For the rear, I guess it depends on how you ride, but I never had a problem with the stock shock for 30,000 miles. The cheap Penske (compared to their other shocks) I put on is better, but it wouldn't lower my lap times, since my brain is the limiting factor there, and my refusal to purposely push the front tire into turns.