Is my suspension screwed or do I need an upgrade?

[northwind]

Remind me on the rideout about this! Not any sort of expert on the stock bits but I might be able to help you out a little.

Originally Posted by northwind

Remind me on the rideout about this! Not any sort of expert on the stock bits but I might be able to help you out a little.

Splendid

[northwind]

Tell you what, now I think about it I've got a pair of Ohlinsed-up forks with 15W oil and preload adjusters in the garage, you're welcome to give them a try to see how that suits you...

Might take you up on that. Is it worth doing the front and not the back? or will that just be wierd?

I'll talk to you about it next weekend. You coming to the BBQ afterwards?

Hey Matt. The SV is my first bike too (faired 2001 curvey) and I've just sorted my suspension out after about 8 months with the bike. As you rightly said you'll notice its shortcomings now as you get more confident and experienced. I did the front first, with Maxton springs for 12 stone rider in kit and new 10w oil (about £65 all in). It's a simple job really, the only hairy bit is making the bike secure before you start. I used a rear paddock stand, a £7 bottle jack, a 25kg bag of sand on the back to balance it and a (I'm paranoid) rope to the garage joist. Two points are:

1. Loosen the fork caps when they're still in the yokes

2. Remember remember remember to tighten the axle pinch bolt when you're done.

The difference was instant, it felt so much better its untrue.
The back was sorted with a SRAD GSXR600 shock - £15 off eBay. Depending on what undertray you have, you may need to cut the battery support box to accomodate the gas/fluid reservoir on the top of the shock. I have a TCP one and I didn't need to do anything. The reservoir will be VERY close to the battery but apparently thats OK. The combination of the front and back literally makes it feel like a different bike! I'm now trying to wear out the crappy Metzelers on it to justify getting me some decent tyres. Some people will disagree but I'd say its the best £80 you can spend on the SV, do that before £250 on an end can!

Originally Posted by Hulsey

Hey Matt. The SV is my first bike too (faired 2001 curvey) and I've just sorted my suspension out after about 8 months with the bike. As you rightly said you'll notice its shortcomings now as you get more confident and experienced. I did the front first, with Maxton springs for 12 stone rider in kit and new 10w oil (about £65 all in). It's a simple job really, the only hairy bit is making the bike secure before you start. I used a rear paddock stand, a £7 bottle jack, a 25kg bag of sand on the back to balance it and a (I'm paranoid) rope to the garage joist. Two points are:

1. Loosen the fork caps when they're still in the yokes

2. Remember remember remember to tighten the axle pinch bolt when you're done.

The difference was instant, it felt so much better its untrue.
The back was sorted with a SRAD GSXR600 shock - £15 off eBay. Depending on what undertray you have, you may need to cut the battery support box to accomodate the gas/fluid reservoir on the top of the shock. I have a TCP one and I didn't need to do anything. The reservoir will be VERY close to the battery but apparently thats OK. The combination of the front and back literally makes it feel like a different bike! I'm now trying to wear out the crappy Metzelers on it to justify getting me some decent tyres. Some people will disagree but I'd say its the best £80 you can spend on the SV, do that before £250 on an end can!

Sounds like good advice. I reckon i'll be in the same boat with tyres after i've upgraded the suspension. I think it's dunlops of some kind that are on there and I think it starts to slide before it gets to the end of the tyre (that's how i'm explaining my chicken strips anyway) but i'll know for sure once I can feel more of what is going on.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by MattTheLoony

I'll talk to you about it next weekend. You coming to the BBQ afterwards?

Aye, will be... Might not be able to do the full run but we'll see.

I've got a 2000 S, which has now done 43,000 miles on its original suspension... (it had done 19,000 miles when I bought it just under two years ago)
Do I need to think about reworking the suspension?

On a more serious note, I fully intend to do something about it, it certainly needs doing, it's just a matter of time and money...
I am kind of used to it bucking around all over the place now though.

Originally Posted by Mech

I've got a 2000 S, which has now done 43,000 miles on its original suspension... (it had done 19,000 miles when I bought it just under two years ago)
Do I need to think about reworking the suspension?

On a more serious note, I fully intend to do something about it, it certainly needs doing, it's just a matter of time and money...
I am kind of used to it bucking around all over the place now though.

If you don't want to invest in new springs, just change the fork oil anyway. Wont cost more than a tenner.