Sv suspension

[chickenfunkstar]

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about replacing the rear suspension on the Sv.
I'm on a limited budget so I can't afford to spend a heap of money.

I'd certainly describe the stock suspension as a bit 'bouncy' when going over rough road. I've never really ridden a bike with good suspension so I don't really know what good suspension is supposed to feel like. I've also ground the bottom of my exhaust on the road a few times.

Is it worth my time doing a 'cheap' upgrade? (I hear lots of people in the USA have had sucess with 636 shocks) Or should I just live with it?

I've tried a search on this site but can't afford $1xxx for an Ohlins or similar.

Thanks

CFS

[White trash]

try getting on E-bay and scoring a stock rear shock for a GSXR1000.

They're a dime a dozen over there because everyone fits Ohlins. A little modification and it'll fit the SV primo, both bikes being the same weight.

[Lou Girardin]

Or a GSXR600, but these shocks are a 1/4" shorter than the SV. You'll need longer dogbones to retain correct ride height.

[GSVR]

I've got a GSXR shock fitted to my SV (same year as yours) and they go on fairly easy.

They are softer than the standard shock (even with the preload wound up) but that suited me as I'm a very light person.

Main issues are that your battery box has to be chopped and the battery has to be lifted up about 50mm to clear the remote reservoir.

http://www.svrider.com/ has a link to what fits here:

http://www.kuhnco.com/SV650/GSXRShockSwap/

I found the back of my SV way to hard even on softest preload (when I sat on the bike the suspension didnt sink at all) and front was sagging and bottoming out alot.

A cheap fix for the front is heavier oil and spacers but cartridge emulators are the way to go.

Hope this helps.

[Grumpy]

Head into Colemans and have a talk with Craig. He's pretty clued up on suspension problems. He specialises in offroad but I found him very informative on road stuff as well.
He may be able to come up with some mods for the standard unit.

[chickenfunkstar]

So the upgrade would be worth my while?

I've tried to do as much reasearch as I can on the internet, not sure if a GSXR shock would be suitable as i'm a reasonably big guy (95kgs).

I usually get my bike serviced at Colemans so i'll have a chat to them the next time i'm in the area.

[GSVR]

A worthwhile upgrade would be to get someone like Robert Taylor from Hawera motorcycles to weigh you and then sell a complete Ohlins upgrade for the front and rear. But you probably need the best part of $2000.

A second hand GSXR shock shouldn't cost much more than $100. Maybee email SVS and ask him as he's got/is selling a 1999 SV with a GSXR shock on it and he's a fairly big guy.

[svs]

I've got a gsxr shock which I've taken off my SV (went back to standard). I'm about 85kg but it was a bit soft. If you got it re-valved and re-sprung it would be better since the control is better than the stock.

Another bet may be Hagon. They're much cheaper than Ohlins or Penske.

[chickenfunkstar]

I've got a gsxr shock which I've taken off my SV (went back to standard). I'm about 85kg but it was a bit soft. If you got it re-valved and re-sprung it would be better since the control is better than the stock.

Another bet may be Hagon. They're much cheaper than Ohlins or Penske.


What made you change back to standard?

Had a breif look at the Hagon website, they do seem alot cheaper, i'll look in to it.

[svs]

What made you change back to standard?

It wouldn't make any difference to the selling price of the bike, so I put it back to stock thinking I'd get more on trademe for a used gsxr shock than the sv one.

However I went for a blast over the rimutakas after putting the standard shock back and it felt pretty good. A lot firmer. The gsxr one was just too soft. I'd put it back in if I could get a decent spring for it though.

[Nutter34]

Stay away from the 636 shocks.... I want it for my Z1000!
We can't all be bidding on them, now can we?

[chickenfunkstar]

Thanks for your help and suggestions guys.


Stay away from the 636 shocks.... I want it for my Z1000!
We can't all be bidding on them, now can we?

Lol, I'm sure there's more than enough to go around.

[Nutter34]

Some of the guys on the Z1000 forum mentioned that the Gixxer 600 rear shock might be the same as the 636 one. I'm not too sure about that.
Have you found any other info yet?

Just kidding previously..... Hope you can get it sorted....

[Blackbird]

There's a front and rear suspension setup guide in the issue of Performance Bikes which is in the bookshops right now. As an aside, it's a good issue; celebrating 20 years of PB with some weird and wonderful stuff in it. Great history of the GSX-R 750 too.

Geoff

[HenryDorsetCase]

My 2c is that the shock on the SV is fine, but the fork is shithouse.

Its too soft (even for my 66kg) and it sags too much but there is no small bump compliance, run soft it blows through its travel really quickly esp under brakes. budget model.....

I think I read on one of the SV650 boards that one of the GSXR600 forks is a bolt up, but that would be expensive...



I have that PB test also and they use a set of Maxton springs and slightly heavier fork oil from memory, and recommend emulators.


I also looked at the Racetech (US) website and they will sell me a set of springs and cartridge emulators but I have to deal with the local agent who make me deal with my LBS.... so two markups and it might be here by October. screw that.

There is a guy in Auckland who I emailed also (Norm Cobb?) but he never got back to me... so he can get stuffed.

I am going to try and get a set of springs and emulators from Maxton.

That is a really good PB, I agree.

[Nutter34]

Riderforums has a SV racing section... You guys can see what they do to sort suspension woes....

http://www.riderforums.com/

Other than that, they might be able to suggest something....

Edit: I've never actually been there, so I'm not sure what they have or know....

[Lou Girardin]

What made you change back to standard?

Had a breif look at the Hagon website, they do seem alot cheaper, i'll look in to it.

I thought hard about Hagons, the decided against them. Partly based on some negative opinions as to their quality since an ownership change at Hagon. Comments centred around inconsistant damping.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have decided I am (more than likely) not going to spend any money on upgrades for the SV

What I want to do (fork internals upgrade, exhaust upgrade, power commander, airfilter, hugger and fender eliminator, different bar end weights etc) will add up to nearly 3 large.

Since a brand new Ducati Monster S2R is $19k, and I would get a decent trade in on the SV, I would rather spend the money upgrading to a new bike than on the one I have



*I know, I know, an S2R has about the same HP as an SV650, weighs about the same, and goes probably the same. As a mate said to me the other day



"But its a Ducati", and really, thats all the justification I need or want.....


:love: Ducati. In fact when I first started looking at bikes, I wanted a Monster 900, but for the money second hand I thought they werent good value... the $10k I spent on a brand new SV would have bought an 8 to 10 year old Monster, with a tired motor and an unknown history.....

how did that go again?

Oh yeah, "But its a Ducati"

[FROSTY]

if it helps--whats been done to the ol911 is its had the front end rebuilt with 40mm longer spacers and 25 weight oil.
Its made a huge improvement in the front end.
The back shock has been backed off fairly soft But --Hey SVS I'd be keen to borrow the shock for one meeting see how much difference it makes.

[chickenfunkstar]

I have decided I am (more than likely) not going to spend any money on upgrades for the SV

What I want to do (fork internals upgrade, exhaust upgrade, power commander, airfilter, hugger and fender eliminator, different bar end weights etc) will add up to nearly 3 large.

Since a brand new Ducati Monster S2R is $19k, and I would get a decent trade in on the SV, I would rather spend the money upgrading to a new bike than on the one I have



*I know, I know, an S2R has about the same HP as an SV650, weighs about the same, and goes probably the same. As a mate said to me the other day



"But its a Ducati", and really, thats all the justification I need or want.....


:love: Ducati. In fact when I first started looking at bikes, I wanted a Monster 900, but for the money second hand I thought they werent good value... the $10k I spent on a brand new SV would have bought an 8 to 10 year old Monster, with a tired motor and an unknown history.....

how did that go again?

Oh yeah, "But its a Ducati"


See if you still feel the same once you get the exhaust done. It's a sound that you'll never get sick of. Gives the bike heaps of character :Punk:
If i had the money I'd probably upgrade but a '99 SV would only be worth about 6-7K and living on a student loan / allowance money is pretty tight as it is.

What do you think of the rear end? I can't really say i've had much of a problem with the front.

[chickenfunkstar]

if it helps--whats been done to the ol911 is its had the front end rebuilt with 40mm longer spacers and 25 weight oil.
Its made a huge improvement in the front end.
The back shock has been backed off fairly soft But --Hey SVS I'd be keen to borrow the shock for one meeting see how much difference it makes.


Sorry if this is an ignorant question but whats the ol911?

[justsomeguy]

Sorry if this is an ignorant question but whats the ol911?

It's his second race bike, the other being the famous mella yella.

So what have you done about your bike now??

I am dreaming about thinking of buying an SV650 in 10'ish months time.... when I get my full.

But have been told that they have crappy suspension, baaaad brakes and are very top heavy.........

What do you (a SV rider) think??

And other SV riders what do you'll think??

Wouldn't simply changing to a heavier fork oil sort the problem?? I understand that the shocks are fine and only the forks are crap......

How much will it cost to fix it with an oil change -- and what are emulators??

[WINJA]

TGEBE BRUIN ON THE NORTHSHORE HAS MODDED STOCK SHOCKS FOR ME , IM OVER 100KG AND MOST BIKES ARE SPRUNG AND VALVED FOR 65KG, HE DOES A GOOD JOB AT A FAIRPRICE , HE CAN ALSO MAKE REPLACEMENT SHAFTS

[justsomeguy]

TGEBE BRUIN ON THE NORTHSHORE HAS MODDED STOCK SHOCKS FOR ME , IM OVER 100KG AND MOST BIKES ARE SPRUNG AND VALVED FOR 65KG, HE DOES A GOOD JOB AT A FAIRPRICE , HE CAN ALSO MAKE REPLACEMENT SHAFTS

Sweet!!!

So dreaming about a Sv is a realistic dream then, maybe even a new one....... naah.... uh...... dunno......


bythewaythanksfortheinfoWINJAyouwretchedfatprick. :motu:

[WINJA]

Sweet!!!

So dreaming about a Sv is a realistic dream then, maybe even a new one....... naah.... uh...... dunno......


bythewaythanksfortheinfoWINJAyouwretchedfatprick. :motu:
HEY CUNT MY WAHINE JUST READ THAT TO ME AND SAID ITS RUDE AND INCORRECT

[justsomeguy]

HEY CUNT MY WAHINE JUST READ THAT TO ME AND SAID ITS RUDE AND INCORRECT

What's a WAHINE??

[WINJA]

What's a WAHINE??
MAORI WORD FOR WIFE. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WIFE AND A JOB? THE JOB STILL SUCKS AFTER 2 YEARS

[justsomeguy]

MAORI WORD FOR WIFE. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WIFE AND A JOB? THE JOB STILL SUCKS AFTER 2 YEARS


:lol: ..............:Punk:

[FROSTY]

Sorry if this is an ignorant question but whats the ol911?
ol 911 is my 02/03 sv650 race bike--currrently under development.
Definitely the front end work we have dione so far has HUGELY improved front end handling. A word of warning though -Im 68kg and douggie my co rider is 70kg -a setup that suits us wont suit you as well--but it sure would make a good starting place.
It may be that in your case -with the xtra20kg you have on us the rear might work fine.

[chickenfunkstar]

It's his second race bike, the other being the famous mella yella.

So what have you done about your bike now??

I am dreaming about thinking of buying an SV650 in 10'ish months time.... when I get my full.

But have been told that they have crappy suspension, baaaad brakes and are very top heavy.........

What do you (a SV rider) think??

And other SV riders what do you'll think??

Wouldn't simply changing to a heavier fork oil sort the problem?? I understand that the shocks are fine and only the forks are crap......

How much will it cost to fix it with an oil change -- and what are emulators??


Still haven't done anything about it yet, i'll probably wait untill next summer then have another think about it.

I don't have any issues with the brakes, they seem to work fine when I need them to.
I don't tend to use the brakes that much anyway.
My front tire tends to have a 'triangular' wear pattern.

Forks have never bottomed out whilst cornering or anything, they do tend to get a bit of dive under heavy braking, but then again I rarely brake heavily.

Don't really like the rear shock at all, too soft and bouncy, particularly whilst riding 2 up. I've nearly ground a hole in the bottom of the exhaust from it hitting the ground going over bumps.

Not really sure what you mean about the top heavy thing.

Hope this helps.

[Lou Girardin]

I've got a pair of 10mm overlength spacers for an SV650, free to a good home.
Call me at AMPS

[chickenfunkstar]

Well, I've finally done something about it.

Ordered a ZX10R shock from the US in the middle of last month and got it 7 days later (was pretty surprised it came that fast). Took it around to a mate's place yesterday afternoon to install it.

Took us the best part of 4 hours to change them over, partly due to the various modifications which needed to be done for everything to fit. I might see about getting a thinner battery, because at the moment it's sitting on top of the shock reservoir. We covered the shock reservoir in foam but it's still less than ideal.

I haven't really had much of a chance to test it out, but it did feel better on the way home. I suppose the acid test will be on the coastal road from Thames to Coromandel town. I'll have to get down there sometime soon and try it out.

Cost for the shock was $185NZ shipped plus a dozen beers for my mate and a few miscellaneous other items. I'll post up what I think about how the shock perfoms at a later date for those interested.