Hagon progressive springs

Sorry I was just being pedantic.

As a summery (and teaser) ... I am not convinced ...

Put the new springs in. Bearing in mind I had put new oil in fairly recently and it was a special Blue_ mix of ~13w Motorex fork oil, I decided to leave the oil I had in there. The recommended oil is 15w, so not far off. I obviously set the air gap correctly (well it recommends 140mm, I set at 115), topping up with 15w oil.

The springs are ~10mm longer than stock springs. I had ~5mm of preload (02 adjustable preloaders) on there with the stock springs, so decided to wind the preload right out and bang it in like that as a starter for ten. I couldn’t be bothered to check the sag, it was unlikely to be miles off …

So that was the install. Now out for a burn.

The front was notably soft over little bumps. But then I guess with an initial rate of 6.5, that isn’t massively surprising? It did feel under damped though, but this might just have been the lightness of the initial rate? There was still a fair bit of dive under normal-moderate braking.

Out on my fave backroads now, so time to wind the wick up … the front was a bit ‘pattery’ over the smaller bumps and there was a fair bit of fork movement. Bearing in mind I was using the higher rate of the spring now, I was certainly underdamped.

So that was the initial impression. But I did a few more miles to settle in/get used to it/just ride it.

My conclusion …

To give them a fair chance, I need to put at least 15w oil in there and try it again. - I think with thicker oil (night even need 20w, but will try 15w) the front will be pliable over the smaller bumps, but not feel so ‘pattery’.

I still think the front is moving more than the rear when going over bumps, I wanted a bit more even compliance.

From what I recall from when I fitted/tested the Reacetch springs and emulators on the road, I really didn’t like the harsh ride they gave over the slower bumps, but they came to life when roadspeed and ‘aggression’ was increased.

Are the springs a revelation? – no
Does the bike dive a bit more evenly front and rear – yes
Are the springs better than stock – yes (see above)
Do I think I was wise to go for progressive over stiffer linear? – I really didn’t like the slow speed riding on the linear (with emulators) … so for the road, and standard damping, I’d say yes, progressive is better.
Have I got £70 (by the tie I factor in postage and oil) of benefit? – Jury is still out until I have put the thicker oil in, set the sag and given it a more comprehensive try …

People don't seem overly interested in my feedback ... but anyway ... here is the next instalment ...

Had another go ... 3hrs riding this time ...

I randomly set 2 rings more preload on the front and set off for a burn ... thought I'd give it a second/longer go to make my mind up.

My thoughts:-

Basically they aren't a revelation.

Front feels 'pattery' when going slow.

In faster smoother roads the front does behave.

Bike still dives too much under braking for my liking.

Bearing in mind they are supposed to be 9.5 at the top rate .... I just can't see it ...

Are they an improvement on stock? - Yes -> but it is not like the bar was set very high

Have I wasted my money? - No

Do I wish I had bought 80 linear springs like I have in my trackbike? - Yes - I think I prefer the linear feel .. having a soggy front for the first few CM of travel isn't that confidence inspiring (to me).

Is it probably the primitive damping making things feel like they are, not really the springs? - Probably.

Would I spend the full £250 to get linear and emulators on my road bike? ... not on your nelly ... these are good enough and if anything having slightly inferior suspension that you don't have 100% confidence it will handle anything you throw at it, keeps road speed a bit more sane .. to my mind that is a good thing!

I do still need to put 15w oil in it before its a closed case, but to be honest, with ~13w in there at the mo, I can't see it making gargantuan changes ..

So do I recommend this mod?

I recommend if you can justify to yourself spending 1/4 the bikes value on sorting the front end out then go for Emulators and linear springs. But if you are like me and think that is just insane (or you are on a tight budget) progressive springs are deffo a step in the right direction. Its all personal preference, but I do feel I would have been better off putting another £25 in the pot and buying linear springs ... but as I haven't compared like for like (might take the springs out of my trackbike one day and try), that is just supposition ...

That is a really interesting read and has made me think twice about buying the Hagons over the linear 0.85 springs. It would be interesting if someone could do a back to back with the Hyperpro progressives but it would be a bit cost prohibitive!

Where did you get your linear springs from the race bike? I'm thinking with my weight and 15W oil those are the best bet. My biggest dislike is the dive under braking and if the hagons dont help "enough" with that I'll go for pricier hyperpros or linears.

cheers for the writeup

Originally Posted by rossinio

That is a really interesting read and has made me think twice about buying the Hagons over the linear 0.85 springs. It would be interesting if someone could do a back to back with the Hyperpro progressives but it would be a bit cost prohibitive!

Where did you get your linear springs from the race bike? I'm thinking with my weight and 15W oil those are the best bet. My biggest dislike is the dive under braking and if the hagons dont help "enough" with that I'll go for pricier hyperpros or linears.

cheers for the writeup

I think the dive under breaking is a function of being progressive, not Hagon, therefore I would think the more expensive hyperpros would not resolve this 'feature'.

I have to point out that suspension is very subjective topic ... what I like/dislike others may not ... but I can only report on my perspective/wants

As I said, I'll stick my linear springs in as some point (that I like in the trackbike - but they are running emulators too) and see if I prefer non-emulated linear to non-emulated progressive ... ON THE ROAD ... I know I felt that the linear with emulators felt a bit too stiff/non compliment at slow road speeds ... so didn;t like them at SLOW road speeds (they came into their own at higher speed!! ).

I am in a similar situation as you blue.

I have a curvy and want to improve the front end handling. I was considering just going and get a CBR600RR 6/7 but feel that it is too expensive to use on a regular basis. Leaving the sv in a car park I feel quite confident that it'll be there when I return but a newish CBR would get be worried.

I find it hard to justify spending too much on a bike worth around £1500.

You are recommending getting linear springs and emulators to improve the front end instead of hagon. I have only been riding for 3 years, will that still be good on the road, will it ok comfort (I use the bike for fun)?

What springs/emulators do you recommend?

Amrik (ricky_t)

Originally Posted by ricky_t

I am in a similar situation as you blue.

I have a curvy and want to improve the front end handling. I was considering just going and get a CBR600RR 6/7 but feel that it is too expensive to use on a regular basis. Leaving the sv in a car park I feel quite confident that it'll be there when I return but a newish CBR would get be worried.

I find it hard to justify spending too much on a bike worth around £1500.

You are recommending getting linear springs and emulators to improve the front end instead of hagon. I have only been riding for 3 years, will that still be good on the road, will it ok comfort (I use the bike for fun)?

What springs/emulators do you recommend?

Amrik (ricky_t)

When I got the springs and emulators (both racetech) for my trackbike, I tried them out on my roadbike first. Personally I felt they were a bit to solid/non compliment for slow road riding (through town, and really dodgy back/minor roads). I actually preferred the stock road setup for this. But when you start putting the SV through its paces, boy did the springs and emulators come into their own

If you use the bike on the track or for fast smooth 'scratching' and need the front end confidence, linear and emulators are the way to go (if you can justify that silly expenditure). I don't think the emulators and springs are well suited to commuting/town/bumpy minor roads.

If you use the bike for commuting and weekend fun I'd say linear or progressive (I need to try the linear before I can decide on which I prefer/would recommend for people that like the same feel as me) but no emulators would probably do the trick and less wallet emptying.

There is obviously the GIXER swap which I haven't tried, but lets face it, it has to be better than anything with the SV forks

[embee]

Just to re-iterate, I have 0.85 linear springs from K-tech in my curvey and find them very nice.

In theory they ought to be a touch stiff for my weight but I have slightly higher clip-ons on my SVS so don't have so much weight on my wrists. With stock bars I might find it a touch harsh and tiring, but as it is they are fine.

I haven't tried progressives so can't compare, but I certainly don't get any of the characteristics Blue describes from his. They feel exactly what they are, linear, the same stiffness throughout with no surprises.

I guess in the end you pays your money........................

It's good to read this Blue- I was dithering on whether to go for Hagon progressive or Ohlins linears- now I am convinced to go for the latter. I also don't like the way the front end dives and would like to have a far more solid front end (!).

So- when I've got the cash after sorting my issues out (clutch next), I will be getting all modded up...