Newbie suspension question

[pheasant_hunter]

I'm a new rider, the SV being my first bike; I've read various things about the SV suspension not being the greatest and the front on mine definitely feels rather soft (preload isn't very high so I'll be increasing that shortly) however how would I tell if I should be looking at getting my suspension looked at/overhauled?

The bike's got a little over 17.5K on the clock but I'm not sure what people would expect to get from the OE parts before looking at replacing/uprating.

cheers

Jamie

[Khewett]

Definatly worth repalcing springs with Hagon progressive or simaler and new fork oil like 10W.

A new rear shock or fit a GSXR one.

With 17.5k anything will be past its best suspension wise and whatever you do will improve your handling.

:D

[lukemillar]

Definatly worth repalcing springs with Hagon progressive or simaler and new fork oil like 10W.

A new rear shock or fit a GSXR one.

With 17.5k anything will be past its best suspension wise and whatever you do will improve your handling.

:D

Really comes down to how much you want to spend. New springs and oil will set you back about 70 pounds (give or take depending on what you go for) and up to (am I guessing here) around 500-700 for a full GSXR front end swap? As Khewett said anything you change should be better than stock.

If you do a search (http://forums.sv650.org/search.php) then you will find a whole load of info on all the front and rear end suspension mods, costs, advantages etc.

[northwind]

and up to (am I guessing here) around 500-700 for a full GSXR front end swap?

I think after I sold the SV bits, it set me back about £200-£250, including a new front tyre and some powdercoating. If I'd done it on the cheap, it would have been about £100. Cheaper than emulators ;)

But, that's still doesn't mean it's going to be the best option. I did springs and oil before and I was fairly pleased with that. It was still basic, but effective. And if you decide it's not enough for you later, emulators are a good next step (or these cartridge kits we're hearing more and more about) and wouldn't waste the springs.

[TSM]

GSXR is good, but it does cost and very dependent on what year GSXR stuff you are going. After doing it all it may not suit you. Still, best i think would be to get better springs and oil. Try that and if you still dont like it then think about going the GSXR route. Ive gone GSXR, but not the fancy USD stuff, its good but i still have some issues that i cant figure out, overall i am happy though.

[Biker Biggles]

I bought a brand new pair of progressive springs on Ebay (for £1 plus post :oops: )and used 10W oil with the advised air gap ???450mm.For normal road riding this is ideal,but it shows up the limitations of the rear shock a bit.I'm quite heavy so I may try the ZX636 shock I have laying about.

[lukemillar]

and up to (am I guessing here) around 500-700 for a full GSXR front end swap?

I think after I sold the SV bits, it set me back about £200-£250, including a new front tyre and some powdercoating. If I'd done it on the cheap, it would have been about £100. Cheaper than emulators ;)


...if you sell the SV stuff :wink: Guess it depends on your long term plan for your SV, but I'm hanging on to all my old SV bits if/when I sell it. I don't know why because surely the mods improve the bike, but being able to sell a bike as stock seems to actually be an asset.

My suspension mod costs are currently at £220 for racetech springs, emulators, oil and a new gsxr rear shock. Personally I think this is a bargain given the change it has made. I love the way my bike is handling - I just wish this sh*t weather would disappear so I could actually ride it! :D

[svrash]

....after I sold the SV bits, it set me back about £200-£250

I kept track of all the stuff i brought and sold, using excel, while doing my GSXR swap, I've still got clip-ons, yokes, mud guard and bar ends on ebay and it only owes me £105 8)

This does exclude powder coating the wheel. I kept the SVs tyre and put it on the SRAD wheel because it was almost new :wink:

I still have the excel file if anyones curious :wink:

[northwind]

...if you sell the SV stuff :wink: Guess it depends on your long term plan for your SV, but I'm hanging on to all my old SV bits if/when I sell it. I don't know why because surely the mods improve the bike, but being able to sell a bike as stock seems to actually be an asset.

I could sell the GSXR bits and buy some more SV bits ;)