Springs - Single rate or progressive? - SV650.org

10-09-04, 03:34 PM

Okay, for those that have them fitted, which do you think is best and why: Single rate (such as Ohlins) or progressively wound springs (Hagon, Progressive etc).

There's so much controversy on this subject and I've heard both sides of the argument that I really can't make up my mind which to buy.

.

10-09-04, 03:35 PM

Excellent Topic.... I'm intregued

10-09-04, 03:49 PM

I have had both the std(progressive) and non standard (linear) springs. i feel much more confident on the linear springs i cant really explain why they seem to work better but i just feel like i get more feedback from the front end without sacrificing comfort. i guess it helps having the correct weight of spring.

11-09-04, 07:40 PM

quality single rate every time greg

I removed a set of hyperpro progressives from a sv that had aready been "sorted" but the springs combined with the oil were causing chatter which was overheating the front tyre. 'Cos the tyre was being overworked, grip was rubbish and expected front tyre life was approx 3k.

11-09-04, 08:01 PM

In order to set sag correctly on a progressive spring, you have to wind out most of the progressive part of the spring.

Andy

11-09-04, 09:42 PM

Single rate race tech springs in my SV, as set-up by Elmer.
Much better on the road now, without the diving on the brakes it's much quicker than before.

13-09-04, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmerfud

quality single rate every time greg

I removed a set of hyperpro progressives from a sv that had aready been "sorted" but the springs combined with the oil were causing chatter which was overheating the front tyre. 'Cos the tyre was being overworked, grip was rubbish and expected front tyre life was approx 3k.

what if the oil had been the right viscosity and air gap?, would the progressives improve the suspension over the stock springs?

all im asking is will installing the progressives with correct oil and air gap improve it over the stock suspension or will it be worse?, and if so how??

(if we forgot about the single rate jobbies for a minute)

13-09-04, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmerfud

I removed a set of hyperpro progressives from a sv that had aready been "sorted" but the springs combined with the oil were causing chatter which was overheating the front tyre. 'Cos the tyre was being overworked, grip was rubbish and expected front tyre life was approx 3k.

Once my rear shocks been done (with help from Mark D) then I really must get Elmer to sort my front end out

14-09-04, 02:00 AM

I'd do the front end first. Unless you race on a bumpy goat track, the rear shock is still ok. Get the front done, and generally that make the rear perform a lot better. With suspension you have to always adjust both ends, or you'll upset the other one.

Progressive are better than stock cos they suck unless you weigh 140lbs. But I prefer single rate. The reason: Because progressive have varying spring rates, you can never have exactly the right amount of spring rate, rebound and damping for 'x' bump as the spring compresses.

With single rate your spring rate is always the same. So you can set up the bike to react properly to 'x' bump.

14-09-04, 08:29 AM

I read an article on fork tuning this week-end, for 'simple' non-adjustable items on a Laverda Jota for track work. Single rate springs were recommended over progressive. One of the reasons being that the air gap provides progressive springing as it is compressed, so why bother with springs that do it as well.

FWIW, I have started experimenting with the air gap in my SV order to get a better ride - I don't like the way the front end feels like it's going to be ripped out out my hands on bumpy corners. I have standard springs, no pre-load but 15W oil. I had 12.5W oil but the front feels *much* better in corners with 15. I have increased the air gap to 114mm (from 104mm) and the way the forks now dive on braking is frightfull - almost bottoming out on not too hard braking.

Looking at the forks when riding at a constant speed, it's clear the ride height - the sag - is much greater than when I did it at rest, with me on the bike and daughter #2 wielding the ruler. I'm going to get the sag sorted properly, then start gradually reducing the air gap to deal with the diving.

View Poll Results: Which fork springs are best?
Single rate (Ohlins)	11	78.57%
Progressive	1	7.14%
No great difference between the two in real world riding	2	14.29%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

10-09-04, 03:34 PM	#1
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	Springs - Single rate or progressive? Okay, for those that have them fitted, which do you think is best and why: Single rate (such as Ohlins) or progressively wound springs (Hagon, Progressive etc). There's so much controversy on this subject and I've heard both sides of the argument that I really can't make up my mind which to buy. .

11-09-04, 07:40 PM	#4
elmerfud Guest Posts: n/a	. quality single rate every time greg I removed a set of hyperpro progressives from a sv that had aready been "sorted" but the springs combined with the oil were causing chatter which was overheating the front tyre. 'Cos the tyre was being overworked, grip was rubbish and expected front tyre life was approx 3k.

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10-09-04, 03:35 PM	#2
Iansv Guest Posts: n/a	Excellent Topic.... I'm intregued

10-09-04, 03:49 PM	#3
Itching 2 go Guest Posts: n/a	I have had both the std(progressive) and non standard (linear) springs. i feel much more confident on the linear springs i cant really explain why they seem to work better but i just feel like i get more feedback from the front end without sacrificing comfort. i guess it helps having the correct weight of spring.

11-09-04, 08:01 PM	#5
Andy4us Guest Posts: n/a	In order to set sag correctly on a progressive spring, you have to wind out most of the progressive part of the spring. Andy

11-09-04, 09:42 PM	#6
BURNER Guest Posts: n/a	Single rate race tech springs in my SV, as set-up by Elmer. Much better on the road now, without the diving on the brakes it's much quicker than before.

14-09-04, 02:00 AM	#9
Lockers Guest Posts: n/a	I'd do the front end first. Unless you race on a bumpy goat track, the rear shock is still ok. Get the front done, and generally that make the rear perform a lot better. With suspension you have to always adjust both ends, or you'll upset the other one. Progressive are better than stock cos they suck unless you weigh 140lbs. But I prefer single rate. The reason: Because progressive have varying spring rates, you can never have exactly the right amount of spring rate, rebound and damping for 'x' bump as the spring compresses. With single rate your spring rate is always the same. So you can set up the bike to react properly to 'x' bump.

14-09-04, 08:29 AM	#10
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	I read an article on fork tuning this week-end, for 'simple' non-adjustable items on a Laverda Jota for track work. Single rate springs were recommended over progressive. One of the reasons being that the air gap provides progressive springing as it is compressed, so why bother with springs that do it as well. FWIW, I have started experimenting with the air gap in my SV order to get a better ride - I don't like the way the front end feels like it's going to be ripped out out my hands on bumpy corners. I have standard springs, no pre-load but 15W oil. I had 12.5W oil but the front feels much better in corners with 15. I have increased the air gap to 114mm (from 104mm) and the way the forks now dive on braking is frightfull - almost bottoming out on not too hard braking. Looking at the forks when riding at a constant speed, it's clear the ride height - the sag - is much greater than when I did it at rest, with me on the bike and daughter #2 wielding the ruler. I'm going to get the sag sorted properly, then start gradually reducing the air gap to deal with the diving.