Suspension - again - sorry!!

I have a K3 with stock suspension. I was thinking about the GSXR front end, but I think thats going to be too much initial outlay atm, so Im after new springs/oil in the meen time. What are a cheep option?

I find on fast sweeping corners (100mphish) that the rear bounces around afair bit and dosent really inspire confidance. The Hagon rear shock seems to be the best for sub ?300.

Would it make sence to get Hagon springs and rear shock, or does it not matter that much to keep it the same brand, like tyers.

Cheers

You don't need to stick to the same supplier for all the suspension bits, however a Hagon shock is allegedly good and their forks springs work by all accounts. Order it all from them and save on the postage, plus you might possibly get more of a matched pairing, as they'll sort springs to your weight and style of riding needs.

Yeah, would they know what the best settings for the ajustable bits are? As I know its abit of an art, and I have no idea what I would be doing!

[Biker Biggles]

Depends a lot on your weight.If you are around 10 stone the stock front springs are fine,but a change of oil(?thicker)will work wonders.

im 12 3/4 stone without gear. I definatly feel like my supsension needs up grading, but I dont want to spend more than I need to, ie emulators are more than I want to spend! lol

[northwind]

Personally I reckon on the SV the front benefits much more than the rear- I just did a trackday with my lovely GSXR front, and my 20000 mile old standard SV rear as my Ohlins needs fixing... And while the rear was a distraction, there was only one place it slowed me down and mostly it was pretty unobtrusive. But with stock forks there's no WAY I would have been braking as late, and I probably wouldn't have had the confidence in corners either. Don't get me wrong, a better rider could go faster on stock parts than I do on my good bits, but I would definately be slower.

So if I was on a tight budget, I'd do springs and oil, and maybe emulators if I could stretch to it, and leave the rear standard or drop in one of the bodge options of a shock from another bike. An upgraded rear shock is GREAT, don't get me wrong, I really miss it but I'd miss the front end work far, far more.

I'm a big fan of the GSXR swaps, I think it's much preferable to polishing jobbies, but you're spot on- it's an up-front outlay even if in the long term it's fairly cheap. It can also snowball if you get bad parts, which is easily done with the discs in particular.

yep, and snowballing is what I cant affort to do. When I was doing a SM conversion to my DRZ I used GSX wheels, which got expensive when I got the wrong model due to differnt cush drives.

I think the rear will be changed and used for the duration of the bike, but the different springs will just be for a year, once Ive finished uni I will be after a GSXR front end inital outlay.

So, springs and oil now, rear will depend on what/when I get a summer job, as Im happy to spend a couple 100 on a rear shock if I will keep it once Ive done the GSXR swap. What bodge would be best for my weight (near 13 stone without gear) if I cant get a job soon!

hope my mind makes sence!

[northwind]

I'm not sure what of the GSXR shocks will work best for you tbh, I'm not very good at the pointy SVs.

Personally, I wouldn't use Hagon, they're OK but it seems like there's better options now for not neccesarily much more, Nitron frinstance. I got my Ohlins used for about £200 but that's always a gamble, you never know if it'll need serviced or revalved (and lets be honest here, most people aren't very good at suspension, I had no clue with mine, it could have been bent in the middle and I wouldn't have noticed! Luckily it was in good shape) So more snowballing.

I think most people will be happy with a GSXR one if there's one with an appropriate spring rate for them though. I would have been. I'm not convinced that Hagon is a big enough upgrade over them to justify the 5x price increase.

Originally Posted by northwind

I think most people will be happy with a GSXR one if there's one with an appropriate spring rate for them though. I would have been. I'm not convinced that Hagon is a big enough upgrade over them to justify the 5x price increase.

Ok, ill have to do some more reading about the GSXR ones and see if I can find one for me. Cheers.

I'm a bit heavier than you, and had pleasing results with just putting 13W (mix of 15w and 7.5w) oil in mine. Sure the emulators and springs are good if you have the cash, but stock and 13W oil is plenty good enough unless you are riding like a donkey!!

What tyres you got on there and how knackered are they?

The rear being a bit flighty might be down to tyres.

I'm an advocate of the ZX6 shock for the curvy (assume gixer for the pointy gives similar positive results?).

So, bearing in mind you say you want to spend the minimum, my recommendation is to change the fork oil and get a gixer shock in the back ... you should be able to get and almost new one for ~?60 ... so you are talking ~?70 all and you will get a marked improvement!!