SV650 suspension improvements?

[jambo]

The GSXR front end is, I'm sure, lovely. It's not the wrong decision. However, I'd just suggest that mini-twin riders don't do it as it's banned by the rules and they are waaaaaaaaay faster than I am.

Decide what you want to spend, and think about a road map. There's no point upgrading the sv fork springs and then buying the GSXR forks next month as it's money down the drain. I have a few SVs in the garage at the moment and the setups are as follows:

1) Road SV - Progressive springs, emulators (search for Debrix emulators / racetech emulators) and ~10w fork oil. (Roads here are a little rough so a standard fork oil suits me). Standard shock (would like to replace it but this one's not too bouncy just yet. I won't go as far as suggesting it's a great unit though)

2) Track SV - Linear springs to suit my weight, debrix emulators, 12 - 15w oil depending, 2nd hand after market shock (Technoflex - now out of business).

Both bikes work well for what they do and the total outlay on either was very moderate. SV brakes when in good condition can stop you just fine. With the debrix / racetech emulators you can seperate out rebound & compression but it's not nearly as convenient as a cartridge fork. You change the fork oil to suit the rebound characteristics you like with the springs, then you can take the fork caps off, spacers & springs out, remove emulators & adjust preload on the emulator and put it back in. It sounds like a faff but you don't need to change the oil and it only takes a few minutes when you get used to it.

If you want the looks, uprated calipers and ease of adjustment then the GSXR front end makes sense, if you just want the forks to work better than they do now, emulators, springs and fresh oil can get you a fair way.

Jambo

Thanks jambo much appreciated. I was thinking of this today actually before reading this post and you just seconded that .

I am not a racer but can say i am a competent and perfectionist so at some point would want to get every second out of my lap or maybe race in sv class.

If people do manage to race with sv which means they are fast or should be unless they are all the way at the back then i should be able to ride my sv without fork swap to its limits

2ndly as i am just starting i don't want to spend fortunes on suspension . It may well be that i binned my sv or even decided to change it

When i did my track day in lydden hill my bike felt very unstable and soft/divvy
I don't know if the oil has ever been changed it has done 28k on the clock and i have had it since it had 22k on the clock

As i am heavy , would a liner be a better option or progressive ?

Regarding oil , i have never changed it and don't know how often i should change it. What type of oil do i need to put in ? Would using a thicker oil reduce compression ?


Also a gsxr swap would cost around 400 500 and selling mine for 200 ish i guess so will be investing 300 ish

With the oil and spring i will be investing less than 100 , wouldn't i ?

With emulators do i need to drill holes into the fork at the bottom?

[Nobbylad]

Gixer front end will cost up to £7-800 depending on bits. You should get around £400 for all your stock front end bits (£150 forks, £100 wheel, £100 discs, £50 calipers). Emulators, springs and oil would be around £150+ I reckon, if not more.

I can't see to see emulators in the uk. I am searching on ebay and they are all mostly from us which will have duty import etc

is installing emulator difficult ?

Look on the existing forum threads for information on emulators. Group buys were previously organised and some may be knocking about spare if you post in the 'Wanted' section. You're very unlikely to be charged import duty for a single pair of emulators as there is a threshold. Re: hole drilling etc, see existing thread (and yes, holes in the "damper rod" inside fork). Do your research to ensure you get the right ones. The reason the emulator is a cheaper fix is because they were originally made for Harleys but share a similar spec to the much more expensive racetech emulators. Got mine for £30. The cost is in the springs, oil and getting the holes brazed/drilled. Fitted myself ... then soon after got a front end swap.

Re: the brakes. SV brakes are good on suitable springs and the right oil. But they are not as good in comparison to the front end. As a heavier rider I want to know exactly what I'm getting as I think learning to use the brakes well is one of the most important and difficult skills to master. Yes, the Supertwin guys use the stock front end. But they also set up the bike, lighten it and remove all the superfluous stuff like the road loom, use better springs and better tyres. So its not like they just pick it up from the showroom and swap the fairings. Unless you're gonna do all that, or simply just get on the bike and ride it every day until you're ready to swap for something else, I'd again recommend a front end swap.

Good luck.

thanks very much , I will do further research on this .

I guess for the rear end I can use kawasaki zx 6r i think it is.

re drilling holes, did you do it or took it to a professional ?

Originally Posted by stranger12

thanks very much , I will do further research on this .

I guess for the rear end I can use kawasaki zx 6r i think it is.

re drilling holes, did you do it or took it to a professional ?

For brazing of the holes and drilling I used a professional (£15) but you can do it easily if you know how and have the tools (I didn't).