the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

Well I tried to hi-jack this thread (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=119062) but the people who replied managed to keep firmly on topic, and I decided I'd actually have to put in some effort and ask a question myself...

I've acquired a mint gsxr-1000 k5 shock with about 1000 miles under its belt. I'm not ashamed to say I'm a bit on the heavy side (about 16 stone in the buff, so add another half stone for kit)... but I'm finding a bit more time to get in the gym these days so I'm working on it.

It sounds as though a k5 gsxr thou shock will stiffen & show a slight improvement over the standard shock in a k5 pointy, but since I'm heavier than your average 12-14 stoners, would it make more sense to look at the firmer kwak shocks? If so, it's not too late to flog the gsxr shock on and put the money towards something which is more suited to me.

Or will the gsxr thou shock improve the bike quite alot but without being ridiculously firm?

Just a quick note: I'm aiming to sort the front out at the same time as the shock swap so I won't have to worry about the standard front end being 'shown up'...

all advice/comments etc muchly appreciated :)

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

Can't say about the shock, but I can say you are a tall bloke so your not that heavy really ;-)

Would the shock make the rear a little taller, or will it squat it? Always wondered that about putting different shocks on rather than direct replacement like a Hagon or summat

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

I have a Busa shock to go on mine, I'm on the large side :D

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

Talk to xXBadgerXx. He has a pointy with a GSXR thou shock and says it is perfect for him. He is *cough* a girthy fellow :) and on NW4 had a pillion (although it was foxy who is a dainty lass) and still claimed it was ideal.

In the interest of running the risk of offending either foxy or badger I will now compliment them both. Badger and Foxy you are both attractive windswept and interesting people. :)

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

think the gsxr shock is meant to jack the rear up a bit, and having sat in my living room holding/talking to it, it does look quite long. As long as it's not ridiculously taller I can only see it quickening up the steering a tiny ting tiny bit and maybe sacrificing a bit of motorway sleepiness (i.e. making it slightly twitchy at higher speeds?)

forgot to mention that I'm 6ft 3" (previously thought I was 6' 2" but it turns out there's an extra inch up there). So heavy & tall = stiffer shock?

Haven't really got the money for a proper replacement like hagon, and it looks as though they do a shock for the 99 on and k1 to k3, nothing listed for k5/pointy etc... maybe I'm missing something.

could do with shaving some weight intime for all the beer at christmas, so maybe I should just shut up and use it as something to motivate me for the gym lol

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

they stiffer still?

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

I've heard badger refer to himself as a "Mountain of Man" - I like it :D I should use that one more often

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

Yessir :D it holds a Busa up.

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

lol, just wondered with it not being as 'focused' a bike as the gsxr1000, but then again it was and still is the fastest production bike in the world. I might get some veyron suspension for my mondeo next :) will keep my eye out, just pm'ing badger now

Re: the shocking truth about shock absorbers... (noob questions as asked by myself)
 

I'm not sure that the 'Busa shock fits a pointy. Also, stock shock on a pointy is 'softer' that on a curvy due to different suspension linkage, so a 'Busa shock is probably way too stiff for a pointy.

Here is the handy table....

<Swiped>

YEAR MOTORCYCLE LENGTH SPRING
===== ========= ===== =====
00-03 GSXR750 325mm 400#

01-03 GSXR600 325.5mm 325#

01-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 430#

03-08 SV650 330mm 430# <<<==== stock 2nd gen...05 should be the same

99-03 GSXR1300(Busa) 330mm 700#

04 GSXR750 332.5mm 408#

04 GSXR600 332.5mm 425#

05 GSX-R 1000 332.5mm 450#

03-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 480#

99-02 SV650 337mm 510# <<<====stock 1st gen

04 ZX10R 338mm 540#

03-04 ZX6R(636) 340mm 540#

96-99 GSXR750 345mm 375#

97-00 GSXR600 375mm 375#

<end>