Help needed, suspension set up on SV1000

[boman]

Hello all, I require assistance and advice on setting up my SV. I have owned the bike for 1 year and done 10,000kms on the factory settings. Just recently I fitted a set of lower fairings to her, and they are bottoming out mid corner. I feel the rear might need to be stiffer but don’t really know where to start. I weigh about 105 kg with the gear on. I have not touched a thing on the suspension yet, as I didn’t want to change the handling too much without other people’s feedback.

I have found these, cannot remember if it was here or Sv portal, they look promising whats your opinion?

Thanks for your time.

[Robert Taylor]

Hello all, I require assistance and advice on setting up my SV. I have owned the bike for 1 year and done 10,000kms on the factory settings. Just recently I fitted a set of lower fairings to her, and they are bottoming out mid corner. I feel the rear might need to be stiffer but don’t really know where to start. I weigh about 105 kg with the gear on. I have not touched a thing on the suspension yet, as I didn’t want to change the handling too much without other people’s feedback.

I have found these, cannot remember if it was here or Sv portal, they look promising whats your opinion?

Thanks for your time.

What model year and spec code is the SV?

[Fatjim]

I don't believe it. Someones actually asking for bike related information on KB.

Alert the media!

[Fatjim]

What model year and spec code is the SV?

Its a black one.

[pritch]

I have not touched a thing on the suspension yet, as I didn’t want to change the handling too much without other people’s feedback


I recently bought "Sportsbike Suspension Tuning" by Andrew Trevitt. It explains the various suspension components, how they work, and how they react to adjustments.

Reading the book won't make you into an instant Dr Robert, but it may enable you to have a conversation with him that he can understand?

[Robert Taylor]

Hello all, I require assistance and advice on setting up my SV. I have owned the bike for 1 year and done 10,000kms on the factory settings. Just recently I fitted a set of lower fairings to her, and they are bottoming out mid corner. I feel the rear might need to be stiffer but don’t really know where to start. I weigh about 105 kg with the gear on. I have not touched a thing on the suspension yet, as I didn’t want to change the handling too much without other people’s feedback.

I have found these, cannot remember if it was here or Sv portal, they look promising whats your opinion?

Thanks for your time.

I first asked what model year and spec code the SV was because there have been several specs imported into NZ over the years. In terms of the suspension the internals of the front end have varied greatly. The earlier versions had a servicable cartridge system but the later models have a swaged together sealed for life cartridge. That is a nasty development that we have seen now in a few makes and models.
But irrespective of that there is a common issue that concerns you, the bike is undersprung for you at both ends.
No amount of external fiddling around is going to get beyong the fact that the spring rates are too light.
In the front the springs are progressive in rate and you need to throw them away as far as you can. They are too light in start rate giving a mushy feel but also ramp up too aggressively towards the end of their stroke. In the rear the spring is linear wind but it is still too soft for you.
As a reasonable cost fix this bike requires a firmer rear spring and a set of appropriate rate linear wind springs in the front with an oil change to a better quality oil and careful attention to oil level to set secondary air spring compression ratio.
If anyone tells you that it can be made good enough by just winding up the preload dont believe them, they are talking through holes in their heads!

[boman]

I first asked what model year and spec code the SV was because there have been several specs imported into NZ over the years. In terms of the suspension the internals of the front end have varied greatly. The earlier versions had a servicable cartridge system but the later models have a swaged together sealed for life cartridge. That is a nasty development that we have seen now in a few makes and models.
But irrespective of that there is a common issue that concerns you, the bike is undersprung for you at both ends.
No amount of external fiddling around is going to get beyong the fact that the spring rates are too light.
In the front the springs are progressive in rate and you need to throw them away as far as you can. They are too light in start rate giving a mushy feel but also ramp up too aggressively towards the end of their stroke. In the rear the spring is linear wind but it is still too soft for you.
As a reasonable cost fix this bike requires a firmer rear spring and a set of appropriate rate linear wind springs in the front with an oil change to a better quality oil and careful attention to oil level to set secondary air spring compression ratio.
If anyone tells you that it can be made good enough by just winding up the preload dont believe them, they are talking through holes in their heads!

I bought the SV1000s new in 2008. K7 should be the spec code. Send me some info please Dr Taylor :yes:

[madmal64]

Robert & his team really made a difference to my ride. Wish I had done the suspension earlier on rather than spending money on "more power" stuff.
Best dollar spend you can make IMO.
Listen to the master, grasshopper.

[boman]

Robert & his team really made a difference to my ride. Wish I had done the suspension earlier on rather than spending money on "more power" stuff.
Best dollar spend you can make IMO.
Listen to the master, grasshopper.

I will listen alright. As soon as Dr Taylor Suspension Guru replies I will listen.
:wari:

[Fatjim]

I think he said.

1. Buy a new rear spring. (~$200)
2. Buy a new pair of front springs. (~???, maybe $250)
3. Replace fluid with a more appropriate viscosity and put the right amount in so that it maximises the performance of the shite internals. (Get a perm, I mean quote)

Then you can start tweaking the setup.


I'd add, find some way to cool the rear shock, cause it gets real hot back there. Plus at your weight, and a stiffer spring, It won't last as long (Please confirm Dr Bob).

[White trash]

I bought the SV1000s new in 2008. K7 should be the spec code. Send me some info please Dr Taylor :yes:
Is it Canadian or New Zealand spec?

[boman]

Is it Canadian or New Zealand spec?

I really have no idea. What is the way to find out?

[Pussy]

I really have no idea. What is the way to find out?

If it has an aluminium VIN plate riveted to the frame, it is an E24 (Aussie spec) bike.
SNZ brought in quite a few E 03 (US spec) K7s, too.
Doesn't make any difference really, they have the same cartridges and springs.
Unfortunately, the cartridges on the later SV1000s are the swaged steel type, which makes valving changes VERY difficult. Not impossible, but time consuming (read: expensive!) to modify

[boman]

If it has an aluminium VIN plate riveted to the frame, it is an E24 (Aussie spec) bike.
SNZ brought in quite a few E 03 (US spec) K7s, too.
Doesn't make any difference really, they have the same cartridges and springs.
Unfortunately, the cartridges on the later SV1000s are the swaged steel type, which makes valving changes VERY difficult. Not impossible, but time consuming (read: expensive!) to modify

Ah well then, it is an Aussie spec bike. As for being expensive, I get the feeling that it is time for an upgrade maybe. something with good suspension out of the factory.

[Robert Taylor]

Ah well then, it is an Aussie spec bike. As for being expensive, I get the feeling that it is time for an upgrade maybe. something with good suspension out of the factory.

Well that rules out 90% of the bikes on the market! Despite all the marketing hype....When you fit top shelf suspension you realise very quickly just how average oem suspension on most bikes is.

[boman]

Well that rules out 90% of the bikes on the market! Despite all the marketing hype....When you fit top shelf suspension you realise very quickly just how average oem suspension on most bikes is.

Oh well, I guess I will have to sort mine out then.

[dipshit]

Oh well, I guess I will have to sort mine out then.


haha... i was facing the same decision as you.

I previously had a SV1000 and thought about upgrading and improving its suspension. Was looking at getting late model GSXR forks for it and then taking it from there.

Ended up trading it in on a GSXR.

Now looking at upgrading and improving the suspension on the GSXR.

:slap:

[boman]

haha... i was facing the same decision as you.

I previously had a SV1000 and thought about upgrading and improving its suspension. Was looking at getting late model GSXR forks for it and then taking it from there.

Ended up trading it in on a GSXR.

Now looking at upgrading and improving the suspension on the GSXR.

:slap:

Thats just it, where do you stop. Buy a new bike, ride it for a while, and the cycle starts again. Whether it is a Triumph, GSXR, or whatever, it will start again.:crybaby:

[madmal64]

Thats just it, where do you stop. Buy a new bike, ride it for a while, and the cycle starts again. Whether it is a Triumph, GSXR, or whatever, it will start again.:crybaby:

From personal experience its well worth the spend on your current ride. You will not be dissapointed. But I suppose you have to look at what the change over cost of changing/upgrading the bike and will that really do it for you.
It might be worth getting some costs together on suspension and put that up againts what it will cost to change the bike.
It will probably be the 1st mod I will do on my next bike instead of the last one I did on my current ride. Its the best bang for the buck spend IMO.

[boman]

It will be the first performance mod I do to the bike. Just waiting on some springs and the like to arrive at Dr Robert Taylors business, then we will see. The prices he has quoted so far are good, but I might wait till winter, the thought of not having the bike during the summer is not appealing. But we will see.

[Pussy]

Racetech do a complete cartridge conversion too, Boman.
Quite honestly... in my opinion... the SV is a bloody excellent bike, but with shite suspension. If your bike was mine, I would spend the dosh for good components, and keep the upgraded bike for many years

[Robert Taylor]

haha... i was facing the same decision as you.

I previously had a SV1000 and thought about upgrading and improving its suspension. Was looking at getting late model GSXR forks for it and then taking it from there.

Ended up trading it in on a GSXR.

Now looking at upgrading and improving the suspension on the GSXR.

:slap:

Note that right after the roadrace nationals we may have a set of in excellent condition Ohlins front fork cartridges and TTX rear shock, respecd to suit end customer

[Robert Taylor]

Thats just it, where do you stop. Buy a new bike, ride it for a while, and the cycle starts again. Whether it is a Triumph, GSXR, or whatever, it will start again.:crybaby:

We do though trade back rear shock units used for new that we sold in the first place, so its got good residual value and is not once only dead money

[boman]

We do though trade back rear shock units used for new that we sold in the first place, so its got good residual value and is not once only dead money

Yea, I am hearing you, as soon as the front springs arrive let me know and I will see when we can do business. As for the rear an Ohlins unit looks to be the biz, but the budget will only handle one shock at a time, so the rear can wait till the winter.

[dipshit]

Note that right after the roadrace nationals we may have a set of in excellent condition Ohlins front fork cartridges and TTX rear shock, respecd to suit end customer

Thanks for the heads up. I will be keeping my ear to the ground on that.

And this isone of the main reasons I traded in my SV on a GSXR. To capitalise on some of the flow on affect of the developing and hardware available.

[davebullet]

Question to ask yourself - anything else about the SV1000 you don't like apart from the suspension only?

If everything else ticks your boxes (engine, brakes, weight, chassis, looks etc...) then sounds like suspension investments are the way to go.

[Pussy]

Question to ask yourself - anything else about the SV1000 you don't like apart from the suspension only?

If everything else ticks your boxes (engine, brakes, weight, chassis, looks etc...) then sounds like suspension investments are the way to go.

Dead right! If I owned a SV1000, that's exactly what I'd do

[SuperSonic]

Yea, I am hearing you, as soon as the front springs arrive let me know and I will see when we can do business. As for the rear an Ohlins unit looks to be the biz, but the budget will only handle one shock at a time, so the rear can wait till the winter.

Hi Boman, I found this thread and I was too looking at my sv1000 springs and thinking what can be done. So was after an update on your bike. Did you get the front springs done? If so at what cost and are they better? Mad quesion that one as with Dr Rob on the case but ya never know.