kawasaki suspension on a used SV650S. Why?

I just got myself a lovely 2002 SV650s, and noticed the suspension, (red curly one, sorry I'm not that technical) is made by Kawasaki. Why would someone replace the original with that? Any ideas? It is longer than the original one would have been.

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by ninasilvert@mac.com

I just got myself a lovely 2002 SV650s, and noticed the suspension, (red curly one, sorry I'm not that technical) is made by Kawasaki. Why would someone replace the original with that? Any ideas? It is longer than the original one would have been.

Because the standard SV shock is pretty pants, so it's been upgraded. The kwak shock is usually a cheaper option than an Ohlins etc.

Cool!

A nice surprise

It might be worthwhile checking that it is set for someone of approximately your weight. If the previous owner was an 18 stone chap and you're not, then it could be that the suspension setting that worked for him will not work for you.

I'm an 8 stone female, so yes, that could be an issue if he was man as mountain. Someone else said it was just an upgrade

Originally Posted by ninasilvert@mac.com

I'm an 8 stone female, so yes, that could be an issue if he was man as mountain. Someone else said it was just an upgrade

Unless you start eating pies the ZX6R shock is probably going to be a little oversprung for you?

The ZX636 shock 'upgrade' is quite often used on the older 'curvys' (I put one on mine), plenty of past discussion on here about doing it if you dig around a bit.

There are doubters, but I am personally in favour of it. It is generally done for people that find the originals a little UNDER sprung ... at 8st this won't be the case, a standard shock will be ok spring wise.

Oh and yes the 636 shock is a bit longer, which rases the rear end a bit (I think it equates to 5mm or summin at the rear seat, so not a massive difference).

If you have one with a red spring, I think they are the later ones which were fitted with softer springs. (I have one of the ones with a black spring which are harder/stronger)

At the end of the day either way it'll be fine and all you need to know to put your mind at rest is it was done with reason in mind, not blind stupidity ...

If at a later date you feel the rear end is a bit stiff, then that is why and you can do something about it.

Oh and welcome to the .org

As Blue said, I have the black kawaka shock on one of my SV's, though if you need something a tad softer then you could also think about the GSXR shock.

Ok, thanks, I'll see how it goes. I'm light, so I'm guessing it won't matter that much.

Being light can matter just as much as being heavy. Without the extra weight to compress the spring down when you sit on it the rear end will skip and slide around on the road. However having said that it may be set up just fine for you. The only way to know is to ride the bike and see. If you find the back end looses traction when you go over a set of short sharp bumps then the shock is probably too stiff.

Had an idea ... rather than pies, just wear a big rucksack full of stuff (makeup, hair strightners etc?!?! ) ... I got all sorts of stuff in my rucksack ... with my riding gear and rucksack combined, I weigh in at 3.5st more then when nekked!!