Suspension improvments for a fat bloke.
 

Yes I am a large bloke, and the poor old sv's suspension is having problems lugging round my 17.5 stone frame. Due to recent events (engagement and house buying) the SV will probably be a longer term bike than I intended, that isn't a bad thing mind. So I was wondering what could be done to improve the situation. I am looking at a GSXR1000 rear shock and ideally I would love a GSXR front end too but I think that is probably out of my price range (although I'm not sure how much that would actually cost but I know it can't be cheap) not to mention my mechanical range. What other options do I have which is cheaper and easier to do.

Uprated Springs, Fork Oil.

I'm only15 1/2 Stone.

Running Ohlins Springs with 15W Oil.

It's still a bit too soft for me though.

Creamery,

New springs and oil in the forks really is an improvement - though less noticeable on the K2 and onwards I think, because they have adjustable preloads.

Given your size, upgrading the rear shock is a must - especially if you upgrade the front as well. It's quite a fiddly job - at least as fiddly as doing the forks, and being prepared with the right tools, and the new nut and bolt you'll require for the bottom or the shock. The end result is noticeable from the moment you sit on the bike, and in particular on the first corner you take!

What you might want to consider are emulators for your forks... Flamin Squirrel has done this, and should be able to give you some useful information.

Is there any difference between 600/750/1000 gsxr shocks?

In the k-series GSXR's, I think the 600 and 750s are Showa and the 1000 are Kayaba. All 3 will fit a SV K3+, though the spring rates on the 600 and 750s are less than the stock SV, so will probably make the back softer. Best off looking at the GSXR-1000 K3-4 or K5 shocks.

Do a search, there is a hell of a lot of info on this forum and some good links on the subject. :D

There certainly are a few threads :lol: A couple of questions I couldn't seem to find the answers for are :is the bolt the one from a GSXR and therefore easily sourced from a dealer? Also how much of the battery box needs to be removed and does it leave a hole (any pics would be nice)?

Also How easy is replacing springs in the Forks? And what would be better progressive or normal ones?

Yes bolt is easy to get from any Suzuki dealer

http://people.tamu.edu/~redaggie03/S...hock%20001.jpg

'how to' guide here;

http://people.tamu.edu/~redaggie03/S...ar%20Shock.htm

Consider the emulators. They rock. Way better than simple spring/oil change.

The nut and bolt you need to fit the gixxer shock, are actually exactly the same ones that fit the stock shock at its top mounting point - so you need the same components again at the bottom of the gixxer shock.

The difference is that you need to reverse the side they insert from... I think inserting from the right of the bike, and applying the nut from the left.

The part numbers have been quoted numerous times, certainly in my threads on this subject.

The GSXR springs are *weaker* than the SV spring, so is not really a good plan for you. A previous thread mentions Kawasaki 636 springs as being much stronger.