Which alternative rear shock? K3.

Hi all,

After one year of riding (and owning an SV650S K3) I have decided to keep my bike for a few more years. As such, I am thinking I might start upgrading a few components for better quality ones.

I have done some research via the search button and would like to validate what I have found before I go and spend money on something that isn't right for me.

Key Stats:
Height: 5ft 8
Weight: 71kg (plus motorbike gear)

Using this information (and for road riding) Race Tech's spring rate calculator recommends a Rear Shock Spring Rate of 7.213 kg/mm. Now applying this to the SV Rear Shock Compatibility Chart provides a close match to the GSX-R750 04-05 model with a Spring Rate of 7.3 kg/mm. It also seems fairly close in length at 332.5mm (only 2.5mm longer than the standard SV shock?). This would be good for me given my height, I am comfortable on the SV as it is. Any noticeable increase in height of the bike would bring my on my toes at rest which might be uncomfortable given my experience.

So the two questions I have:

1) Can someone check my logic and provide some reassurance that a GSX-R750 04-05 rear shock is right choice for my build/experience?
2) Do I need to upgrade the front suspension at the same time or can this be done at a later date?


Regards,

Ravi

[MJC-DEV]

On your second point, for my particular bike (good condition OEM shock and and being 70Kg ex bike gear) I found upgrading the front end (0.9 K-tecK springs and Debrix emulators + RSF Pro 10W) made a much greater improvement (in fact, transformed!) than changing the rear shock (to Nitron) which I had changed first. So if anything, unless your shock is past it, then the front end may be worth doing first (IMO).

[Bibio]

yup do the front first.