Spring upgrade.
 

being a fairly big guy.... ;)

I am thinking i need to replace the springs in the front of the bike....
Can any one advise what i should be looking for.... I have been told progressive springs will be a better option...

Something like this any good?:

http://www.intobikes.co.uk/products/...but_0&x=38&y=3

Cheers

Dave

Re: spring up grade....
 

hagon and hyperpro are the most popular on this forum, you should also be able to get non-progressive springs and oil to suit your weight from hagon too.

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

Progressive/linear is a taste thing. I would go linear in case you want to upgrade to proper internals some time in the future.

But, progressives will give you mostly the same improvements and that is a pretty decent price on that site there.

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

I quite like the feel of linear springs personally, but it is a personal thing as YC says.
Mine were from http://www.k-tech.uk.com/

I'd be inclined to check out what you actually need in terms of spring rate to suit your weight, for example use a site like Racetech , click on the Calculator link and see what they recommend.

Progressive springs by definition have variable rate through the stroke, but you want it to be in the right parish for your weight at the normal ride height. Alternatively talk to someone like Hagon direct to make sure you get what you need, not just some generic "stiffer" spring.

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

I recently read the view - wish I could remember whose because it was someone who should know - that progressive springs are a mistake. This is because they make it impossible to get the right level of damping. The soft spring rate works on small bumps and at slow speed. This needs less damping or it will be stiffer than it should be and possibly pump down. The firmer rate comes into play for larger or faster bumps and needs greater damping or else the front will pogo. Linear springs allow the right balance between spring rate and damping.

Perhaps you should get advice from a supplier on that basis, in relation to your weight.

Cheers.

Bill

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

Dave you looked bloody quick last week, so the spings ain't holding you up at present.

I am er.....well padded as well, changed to progressive & was a huge change for stock. Don;t know what make they were, was 2nd had forks with springs. In my experience the change was huge with the switch to progressive, I never think about the front end any more. Get then changed I enjoy !!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

This is the compromise of progressives. You will always end up with too much damping at the top of the travel, or too little at the bottom, or vice versa.
In practice on the SV it doesn't seem to be too much of an issue, but this is why they are a waste of time if you are going to fit emulators or cartridges.

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

Thanks for the advice guys... Still a bit lost with it all to be honest... I am not looking to mod or upgrade the bike totally but i think i do need to do something about the front as its just too soft... The old cable tie is all the way up!!!

Taking this into account am i right in saying that the progressive are a decent way forward??

Dave

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

progressives are a good way forward....:-)

I have both linear and progressive in my bikes, and I lean more toward the progressive camp....but its my preference. I think its time to have a fiddle with the linear ones as the oil isn't heavy enough...hhhhmmmmm YC!!!!!!!! :-)

Re: Spring upgrade.
 

Dave lad, either linear or progressive springs will be a good change for you. Progressives will be fine as long as you get the sag right when you fit them. If you go linears you will need quite a strong spring (probs around .90) and that may need some fiddling to get the damping right (changing oil weights or fitting emulators).

I'd talk direct to the manufacturers to discuss suitability of their springs and which weight oil they recommend.