Suspension config wrong?
 

Couple of days I had an oportunity to test ride Aprilia Tuono (briiiiliant). Howcome that bike did manage to turn from the flat to the left tight 90 degrees corner heading uphill without any hasitation and problem? Stable as a train in any other corner...
On my SV I always have problems with that one, bike seems to fall into the corner and tighten the line suddenly... I know that that is not fair to compare these two, but I am ambicious...
There may be some kind of an error with my suspension setup (front maxton springs, thicker oil, dropped appr. 5mm) back standard, preload one click from max (80kg - that's me).
Air tyre pressure 36/42 psi.
Any suggestions?

I'm heavier than you and run less pre-load :?

Like you say, it doesn't make much sense to compare- the SV's suspension, even fettled, is very crude. It does work, but the Tuono, even the standard one, is massively better quality.

But having said that, the difference you describe aren't what I'd expect- falling into the corner and rapid changes in line are more of an instability factor than being down to quality of components. Your geometry's not massively aggressive either. Question- what tyres do you use? Profiles can make a big difference to turning characteristics.

As northwind said really … also does the rear have a ‘flatspot’ in the middle?

I have been battling against my modified front suspension recently, I have backed everything off (actually fitted 7.5w oil in the end!!), not fully happy yet, but it is now much better than it was.

What’s going on with your rear swinger too??? (looking at you avatar).

My swinger was braced by suzuki dealer couple of years ago (nice work 8) )- it wasn't broken if that is what you mean :)
I have Bridgestones 020 on, rear is not squared yet...
I am starting to think that it may be my rear shock, I think it may be still original (18000 miles). Is there a way of checking if it is fine? (when compressed, bike returns to normal position without swinging up and down, so I think it is fine :? )

I found that it is possible to go through this cornet without problems, but it requires a lot of attention. Aprilia did it herself, I was only sitting there :D I want one baaaadly (7999 quid) :cry:

A simple check of the bikes suspension operation is to have the bike upright, then press down on the tank. The bike should go down smoothly and evenly (front and rear about the same) and return evenly. As you mentioned, excessive yo-yo ing is a sign the shock has seen better days. Doesn’t sound like this is the case with yours mind.

In short, the SV is not the best handling bike in the world!! Get saving :)

At 18,000 miles, depending on how it's been used, the rear shock is probably way past its best... It won't be utterly knackered, but it also won't be very good.

The suspension may be a factor, but as the Tuono is an entirely different bike with completely different geometry, there isn't any sort of realistic comparison between the two.

They feel different because they are enormously different bikes.

Sabestian, before you get the handling to be close on your SV, you will need to level the playing field a little. The Aprilia has cartridge forks and proper rear suspension, so for you to compete you will need to get a GSXR rear shock (or better, with spring matched to your weight) and to change the fork internals to be cartridge rather than damping rod, or at least get a cartridge emulator. It sounds like you have already got the front springs sorted.

One click from max is more like a 140Kg setting! Wind it down! If in doubt set it (or perhaps everything) to the middle and see how it feels, when its that hard it will probably be skipping on little bumps. I'm 86Kg and needed some preload spacers in the forks when I had the standard ones, but that was more 'cause the front would sag and drift with the soft springs.
I have a 32K shock and its still fine, and thats with some mild off roading and a lot of speedbump jumping :lol: