Front end -changing springs
 

im thinking of changing the front fork springs, however serching the topics has left me confused,

there are many brands to choose from, but thats not what gets me confused,

ktech have 3 different models for different weights etc so assume i ring them and ask them the correct one,

brands like ohlines dont seem to have multiple choice orders for different weight riders, so is it a one fits all?

and what about oil where do i start?

btw im about 5'10, 5,11 and weight around 14 stone, any advice is helpful,

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Good morning.


In a word Hagon. The best all round spring in the universe.:D


Cheers.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

You sound like alpinestarhero going on about some lardy VFR or something.


You need springs for your weight, sticker on box doesn't matter. Racetech do the full range, IIRC so do maxton.* I'm not a progressive fan.

For your weight I would try .85 or .9kg/mm



*They definitely do a full range of spring weights but whether they do a specific SV kit I'm not sure.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

I can understand linears being prefered on track where masses are fairly static, but are they really better than good progressives for road use?

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

forks are adjustably progressive whatever springs you have in there anyway.

How does suspension work differently on track to road?

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Doesn't work differently, you use it differently. Are you suggesting that track and road suspension should be set up exactly the same?

Roads are not as smooth as tracks and, generally, you don't push as hard; You may or may not have a pillion on board or luggage. The sites where you can calculate your spring rate give stiffer springs for racing than fast road than touring. I understood that progressive springs were intended to give a compromise between comfort on normal surfaces and stiffness for when you are pushing on.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Yes, same setup, different variables.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

So the same spring rate is ideal for touring and racing on a given bike? (don't want to reopen the whole pre-load not changing spring rate debate) Does this mean that you think progressives are just marketing?

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Spring rate is one of the variables you change along with valving, geometry and rest of it.
Would you want to go on a racetrack and suddenly have a completely different feeling bike?


Here is my view
People fit progressives not knowing owt, compared to standard they feel ace. However... has anyone fitted linears and thought "needs to be harder in bottom of travel" or "could do with being softer right at the top"?

Personally I don't like hagons advertising of one spring fits all, it's BS, there are a million ways suspension behaves. And none of the progressive spring makers supply charts showing you what rate you're getting and where.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Forgive me if I'm being thick, but surely you can't change the rate of a linear spring; you need to swap it for a different spring with a different rate? I would argue that changing the spring for track use means it's not the same setup as road, despite your assertion that it is only a variable.

I would also argue that a good many riders (myself included) want to improve the SV suspension without delving too deeply into the rate curve of the progressives, or whether a linear is a touch too soft at the bottom or too hard at the top; they just want something better all round and understand that it won't be perfect in all situations.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Spring rate is one of the variables you change to set the bike up, and yes that means changing springs.

Ok so nobody with linear springs in stock forks ever figured their springs were too hard on the top or too soft on the bottom? So why fit progressives?

Linear will give you something which is better all around and won't be perfect in all situations either. IMO progressive springs introduce another unknown which you don't need.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

well considering i know "nowt" , and the suspension feels horrible, is progressive an easy way to go if its meant to give a balanced feeling?

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

One spring does not fit all actually. In the case of an SV they produce different springs for the faired model as opposed to the un-faired. You wouldn't believe the amount of research they've done on their fork springs.




Not done much research then have they?

Considering I started doing this for a living when you were at infants school:D I consider myself reasonably well qualified to voice my opinions. Which, in the case of Hagon springs extends to some 500+ sets supplied & fitted. I've not had a complaint yet. & there's nothing wrong with VFR's.


Couldn't have put it better myself!:D



Cheers.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

They have, I haven't :-D
Ring them and ask, I'm sure I've fitted a maxton full kit for somebody and they supplied oil, springs and new spacers BUT I'm not sure. Hence my uncertainty.
TBH I'm not sure many people accuse a company that outfits bikes for the TT and produces their own bespoke shock absorbers and fork internals of not doing their research! It's not a lack of research so much as a different chunk of the market, hagon want to sell a million springs to commuters and people with harleys and stuff, maxton want to make bikes go quickly and happen to sell springs as a side effect.

Hagon supply a different kit for naked and faired models, but then don't ask you about rider weight or riding style? Where is the logic in that, the different riding position is probably worth half a spring rate or so where the extremes of rates could be needed between 0.7 up to 1.1 or something.

I know you were put in with the foundations when you had to stick your feet out of the bottom of the bike all flintstones-like... but I still don't agree one size fits all :p
(and lets be honest, I'd argue with the tide...)

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Good morning all.


Enough of this churlish Willy swinging:D

We all know that Maxton, & Racetech etc are very good at what they do, but as has been said, most riders want a simple upgrade, that isn't too costly. You should bear that in mind before launching into your usual tirade of 'Ya need owt but a GSXR front end' Technobabble :D

I also can't see the point of your comment about Hagon not asking about riders weight etc. If you went & bought a new bike from any of the major manufacturers they don't ask what your weight is do they? Got you there!:D


Cheers.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Willy swinging BS... I am a geek when it comes to bikes and no apology, usual Yorkshire motto applies, I say what I like and I like what I bloody well say :smt043

What you mean "got me", shot yourself in foot more like. Manufacturers set up is a compromise, like GSXR for example has compromised setup to try and please thin people who want to go fast and fat people who want to do wheelies in the same setup. When you mess about with suspension you simply make the bike more focused for you by removing the compromises put in place by factory.

How can you not see point? A fat bloke needs a stiffer spring than a thin bloke and that is fact!

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

He He. Do I detect a touch of indignation:D Well I am an EXPERIENCED geek when it comes to bikes, so, Knickers! What's more, I do it with a proper accent!:D:D

All joking to one side, indeed any manufacturers set up is a compromise. As are Hagon springs. They just do it rather better than the manufacturers, end of!

There's nothing at all wrong with advocating extensive modifications to standard bikes. Such as, changing front ends etc. However, it's usually beyond the needs, wants, & often budget of the majority of riders. Remember that next time you launch into one of your black pudding laden, grammar distorting, tirades in favour of the above.:takeabow::takeabow::takeabow:


Cheers.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

well ill be ordering the hagon springs, so thats settled, just want ease and fromw hat ive read on here alot of people are happy with them,

just got to work the backend now, got a gsxr 600 shock but think im overwieght for that , so think i need to find a zx10 shock , as i think there easier to get inaswell , not having to cut battery box etc

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Good show! You wont be disappointed with them I'm sure. (despite what some folks say):D

A ZX10 shock does require some modification of the battery box however.


Cheers.

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

My last two Bandits, one had hagon springs, the other stock - the Hagons stiffened up the front quite a bit - stopped the usual dive on heavy braking - I personally feel the SV is a bit soft up front too and will be looking at Hagons next time it goes in!

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

i thoughtyou just had to remove something on them rather than butcher it judging my this post

http://forum.svrider.com/showthread....highlight=zx14

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

You sir, have offended my whippet. :p

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

Never mind mate, I'll send him a biscuit or two:D

Re: Front end -changing springs
 

And for my last post on this forum, I shall present you sir with

[-(:smt018[-X:smt071:smt102=;#-o:smt014:smt120:why:

I bid you all happy riding :)