Updated info for 02 curvy rear shock

[Tamsen Cooper]

Hey all,

I know this topic has been done to death (and I have trawled through all the posts I can find on this and other forum sites on the topic). I have a curvy SV650s 02 and a recent failure on the MOT means I need to get the rear shock replaced (at least it will make a cool video!)

Many of the posts I have read are 10+ years old, and I was wondering how much, if anything, has changed since they were written.

My options seem to be the following (although I am open to suggestions)-

1. Get a second hand oem one off eBay for about £80 (but I am worried how long it will last as very little info of the bike it has come off is available)
   
2. Get an OEM replacement (fowlers are selling this one) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402057665...evt=1&mkcid=28 for £193.54
   
3. A YSS shock https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/suzuki/...ries_monoshock for £290.52
   
4. Hyperpro https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hyperpro-...0AAOSwbCVc7mvZ £399.99
   
5. Nitron https://www.brooksuspension.co.uk/su...bsorber-99-02/ £489

I have also fallen down a rabbit hole reading about various shocks that can be fitted from other bikes. I am not keen on the idea of cutting the battery unit so ideally would like something that would be a direct replacement. Could you suggest what would be worth looking at?

It is likely that none of the bolts in the area I need to work on have been undone for 10+ years (I think this would be a good time to service the swing arm whilst I am at it) so would welcome any watch outs/ top tips for any issues I may come across.

I am 105 Kg and the bike is only used on the road for weekend/ evening fun. I don't intend to sell the bike anytime soon. I am wondering with the price ranging from £80-£500 what is the best value for money, getting a good replacement without breaking the budget. Or does spending £500 transform the bike so significantly, it is worthwhile?

I also intend to replace the front fork springs with progressive as I also hear that is a massive improvement.

Thanks for taking the time to read, and for any help you are able to offer.

[Grant66]

Originally Posted by Tamsen Cooper

I also intend to replace the front fork springs with progressive as I also hear that is a massive improvement.

From what I remember from advice when I did something similar to my 02 curvy 10+ years ago was to use linear springs and cartridge emulators. Think mine were debrix ones which were a lot cheaper than the racetechs.

Rear had a 06 R10 shock (it'll need a proper service, as you said you don't know the history), cutting the battery box isn't a big deal and gives you a lot more (cheaper) options. The battery box can be kept watertight with a bit of pond liner/roofing felt off cut/bag for life. Bit of rubber foam to cushion the battery as it might touch the reservoir.

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[embee]

At the front I'd recommend going with linear springs and decent oil as a first step, you may well find that's enough to give you a sufficiently better ride (best bang for buck).
I recommend K-tech, but others are available. I just looked and the 02 SVS isn't listed but I'm sure a phone call or email will get you the info and they will recommend suitable rate, they have been very helpful to me in the past.
https://www.ktechsuspension.com/ . The Racetech site lists the springs at 35mm OD nominal and 340mm long, you may well find you end up with a slightly different length and need to make/cut/pack the spacer tubes, but that is a relatively trivial job.

The problem with "progressive" springs is knowing what it is you are buying, they very rarely give the spring rate information so how do you know what it is? At least with linear you know for sure where you are relative to OE.

At 105kg you are going to need something like 0.95kg/mm I'd suggest, others will be able to give a better recommendation, or you can check spring calc tools on other sites. https://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1...ki/SV650S/2002

I'd recommend Fuchs/Silkolene "Maintain" RSF fork oil, for you and some stiffer springs probably 10W would be the starting point (I use 7.5W with 0.8kg/mm springs, std is nominally 0.7kg/mm), but you may find it needs a bit higher viscosity to control things, try it and see. The RSF viscosities are higher than the nominal weight rating would suggest.

[admin]

Do Hagon supply a shock for the SV? They tend to be a cheaper option.

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[Bibio]

are you sure your 16.5st?


it wont be just the shock it will be all the linkage and swingarm bearings that need replacing as well.


get 0.95kg linier front springs and weld the rebound holes up on the damper rods and use 10w silkolene RSF.


any shock you buy make sure that you get the correct spring for your weight, top tip Nitron tend to over spec their springs on the heavy side. as admin said try giving Hagon a phone. or give YSS a phone/email http://www.yssshocks.co.uk/ and ask if you can specify a spring rate.

[yokohama]

Can I add the M shock to your list - only because I had one on my SV and liked it. He'll match a spring to your weight. https://shock-factory.co.uk/649-shoc...i-650-sv-99-02 However, although it's a British company, it's based in France so I don't know much the prices will change because of Brexit and customs rules.
As Bibio says, while the shock's out, it's a good opportunity to remove the whole rear linkage and swingarm and clean/regrease/replace the bearings as necessary.

[squirrel_hunter]

Is upgrading the suspension worth it? Yes every penny. I have an Ohlins rear on my SV and the difference is night and day. I remember riding back to back my bike and a SV with stock suspension on the same roads. The stock bike nearly highsided me as the suspension couldn't keep up. Even my Grom has upgraded suspension. I'm thinking about getting a new to me bike and the first modifications I'm looking at is suspension.

So what shock to go for? Ohlins. If that's outside of your budget (and it was mine, I was lucky someone had already paid for and fitted it for me) then I'd recommend Nitron. I run a Nitron on my TZR and am very happy with it, they also stand up to use well. Hagon not ridden one but not been impressed with the build quality that I've seen. YSS I have one on the Grom, not a huge amount of difference to stock but I do have another of their shocks, the next step up, waiting to go on. I don't have experience so much of other brands, but wouldn't go OEM.

As for the front forks, at a very minimum change the oil. Again night and day differences can be had with fresh against old oil. Heavier weight oil with stock springs is the next step up. After that spring changes and setup I have Ohlins springs but not adjustable caps, never got round to that for some odd reason. All of that is from experience. After that there are other mods such as emulators or full fork swaps. Some of the well covered almost bolt in changes are well covered for a reason.

As for changing the bearings yes well worth doing based on the age of the bike now. Supporting the bike as you take the suspension and arm out isn't to bad but needs planning to make sure the bike is stable and secure. After that a breaker bar and bearing pullers are really the only specialist tools needed, a press makes it easier but the old fashioned way will still work. Worse case take it all off and pop down the local bike shop to get them pulled and pressed for a couple of beer tokens.

[Toooldtodie]

I went with Ohlins linear springs front and 10W oil which makes the front dive a lot less under heavy braking, gives a more planted feel in corners and almost entirely eliminates the clunk.


Nitron rear was a real indulgence, but with 0% finance available it was set to my use and weight and 3 years on still looks like new despite being ridden in rain, salt and other unpleasantness which left the OE shock looking like something dug up from an archaelogical trench.


Just my tuppence worth.

[johnnyrod]

Do go for linear not progressive springs, I made that mistake. If you're staying on the road then you have plenty of choice of shocks better than stock, if it were for the track I would suggest Ohlins personally but again other good ones available. I'd avoid something not made for the job, the curvy has a stiff spring on the rear shock which is presumably to do with the geometry of the linkage forced upon it be the length of the engine. I also went the emulator route for the forks, it takes some of the choppiness out on crap roads; good but not mind-blowing, the springs are 90% of the forks' problems.

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by Toooldtodie

I went with Ohlins linear springs front and 10W oil which makes the front dive a lot less under heavy braking, gives a more planted feel in corners and almost entirely eliminates the clunk.

That reminds me, 10W oil with the Ohlins springs, yes.

If you put 15W in as thats the basic SV fork upgrade you will be pulling the front end back off the bike to change it just minutes after completing the rebuild and taking the bike for a test ride as the handling will be terrible. Ask me how I know...