suspension

i have a sv650s and have been riding it for about two month now, my previous bike was a nc29 and the suspension was alot better for the type of riding i do, (backroads and around the lakes) i was wondering if there was any recommendations for what type of fork oil i should use, any uprated springs etc? it seems to be mostly the front end but any suggestions on the rear shocker? i've heard that gsxr shockers can fit? weather this is true i don't know. i weigh around about 13.5 stone

Much help would be appreciated.

[johnnyrod]

Hitler question! i.e. search before posting. Tonnes of stuff on here about this. Forks springs are too soft so yes upgrade, best with linear not progressives. GSXR rear shock fits but not that simple, spring is probably too soft, ZX6R is better or just pay for a real replacement from Nitron, Ohlins etc. For the full deal you could go for a GSXR front end, if you have a pointy SV then it's easier than on the curvy.

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by johnnyrod

Hitler question! i.e. search before posting. Tonnes of stuff on here about this. Forks springs are too soft so yes upgrade, best with linear not progressives. GSXR rear shock fits but not that simple, spring is probably too soft, ZX6R is better or just pay for a real replacement from Nitron, Ohlins etc. For the full deal you could go for a GSXR front end, if you have a pointy SV then it's easier than on the curvy.

what do you mean by this? and who makes the different types? this isn't something i've heard about before.

yeah, front springs are 6.3 factory fit, most sites recommend arounf 8.5, check race-tech, k-tech and ohlins. Linear springs have a continuous spring stiffness throughout the range of compression, progressive springs get a bit stiffer the further it's compressed.

Standard oil is Showas SS8, which is a 10w oil. Getting my front sorted tomorrow by Motorcycle Performance, chap there said 15w is too heavy for any bike.

As far as front is concerned, stiffer springs and 10w oil should make a difference.

ok thanks for the replies think my first step is strip the forks down new oil and purchase these spring's glad i asked as i was going to buy the progressive fork springs but now i think i might take the advice and go for the linear's any website's which i can purchase these from recommended? as for the zx6r shocker. what year model will fit? also just one more thing, what are these emulator's and are there worth buying or not?

Much appreciated tom

[johnnyrod]

Emulators - from PDQ, RaceTech is the brand. Yes a big difference over the rubbish stock damper rods (to be fair they're good for damper rods, as in a stone axe is good for killing things). Yep 15W oil generally overdoes the rebound damping. For the ZX6 shock, do a serach on here!

[yorkie_chris]

Linears are OK, progressives compromise one end of the travel or another, since the damping cannot change to match the spring rate.

Best results are from either emulators or cartridges.

Most of the gain is in setting it up properly, i.e. the proper weight springs. Go on the racetech website and find out. They have a spring calculator.

There are lots of other bikes shocks which can be fitted which have improved damping as well as a closer spring rate.

Originally Posted by Cam_73

Standard oil is Showas SS8, which is a 10w oil. Getting my front sorted tomorrow by Motorcycle Performance, chap there said 15w is too heavy for any bike.

Tell him to stop talking balls.
15w and better springs can work very well on the SV.

Got it tweeked yesterday by the Mmotorcycle Performance guys in Glasgow. Instantly better.

After fitting the K-tech fork springs (upto 85 from factory 63) and new 15w oil, the bike felt a bit stiff and skippy at times.

Stewart done a basic sag and preload setup (stage 1 tune) the bike was out a little. slightly too high front and rear. So adjusted and feels much better. Rather than skipping it floats and absorbs more as it's supposed to. It feels more stable in turns too.

Stewart advised that even a 15w oil in the SV, because the internals are so basic, wont make much if any difference.

Definately a worthwhile trip. What i did find in addition is that the steering head bearings, fitted a couple of months past are alittle tight. So looks like some pre-load adjustment on the bearing needed too.

Cheers

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Cam_73

Stewart advised that even a 15w oil in the SV, because the internals are so basic, wont make much if any difference.

So what happened to '15wt is too heavy for any bike'? The guy must like the sound of his own voice or summat.

Glad you like the change though, it is great when you change something and can feel the difference right away.

The 15w comment was made assuming the 650 had more than pre-load adjustment i.e. rebound damping etc.

I think it will make some difference, it's a case of whether it's actually noticeable. Which may or may not be down to the rider.

Anyway, main thing is it's sorted now