Fork springs, linear or progressive?

I have an 01' Curvy, and obviously am looking to fix the suspension issues. Have been searching this forum for ages and found what different people prefer and have done, but am yet to come across the reasoning behind this and of each spring, hence unable to decide which is best for me, is there that much of a difference between linear and progressive?

Use my bike mainly for fast road use, winding A/B roads etc. Emailed JHS and they recommended the Hyperpro front spring kit, and Elka rear shock, but those rear shocks are a little out of my price range, so have decided to go for the GSXR option on the rear.

The bike runs near enough standard power and i'm 13st and 6"1. Can someone explain to me please the concrete differences between these two spring setups and which they think would be best for me. Also, GSXR rear shocks, should i use 600/750/1000 and from which years?

Thanks, Tom.

I cant say i've ever seen any real evidence to saw there's a huge diff, it's more personal choice, as for the rear shock, zx10R shock will fit better then a gsxr, as you loose no height in the rear.

[yorkie_chris]

SRAD750 shock works alright too, gives you about an inch of extra height on rear IIRC (didn't measure)

Springs I doubt there's much in it, general consensus seems to be progressives for the road/comfort, linears for the track/fast road.

Hagon shocks are ?255

[yorkie_chris]

GSXR or ZX-R probably closer to 50

[northwind]

A lot of people- Traxxion and Racetech included- say that with streetbike forks they're too short to get the real benefit of progressives... No idea meself, I used Ohlins which are linear and they worked fine but I never used progressives.

[embee]

I have linear springs from k-tech in my SK1.

They are 0.85kg/mm which is slightly stiffer than ideal for my weight according to the charts, but are by no means harsh. They'd probably be spot on for you. They are a direct replacement for stock items, use 10W oil.

Improvement is huge, best value mod going.

Can't comment on linear/progressive debate. Pros and cons both sides.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by embee

Can't comment on linear/progressive debate. Pros and cons both sides.

True.

Originally Posted by northwind

A lot of people- Traxxion and Racetech included- say that with streetbike forks they're too short to get the real benefit of progressives... No idea meself, I used Ohlins which are linear and they worked fine but I never used progressives.

Truer.

JHS know what they are on about, I personally have progressive forks fitted to my three bikes.

[northwind]

True, but then JHS have also sold linear springs with just as much enthusiasm