Which fork springs for a Bandit?

[nzspokes]

Im thinking of fitting stronger springs to me K1 Bandit 1200 as my love affair with pies is ongoing. Should I go for Racetech springs or progressive springs?

Progressive seem to have only one rate and Racetech have a few weights. 1.0 is what they recommend. Not sure which will work out better.

Probably will do oil and seals at the same time.

[mulletman]

Racetech springs , ive got .95s in the SV and im 98kgs, the progressive shit that was in the SV was utter rubbish, heaps of dive then a horrid bash near the end of the stroke, suspension adjustments wound in almost fully, harsh ride, FTS. Now my settings are backed off heaps so i have a much nicer ride wether going quick or cruising, replaced oil with a slightly higher rating - was assuming fact oil was 2.5w im using 5wt. Oil at 18000kms was grey murk.

Had a 07 GSX1400 and put .95s in that, not that much difference tbh, used 10wt oil, i think 5wt was oem on that.

[mulletman]

Maybe a good time to check steering head bearings as well, repack or replace, Mr Suzuki was a bit stingy in that dept.

[nzspokes]

Racetech springs , ive got .95s in the SV and im 98kgs, the progressive shit that was in the SV was utter rubbish, heaps of dive then a horrid bash near the end of the stroke, suspension adjustments wound in almost fully, harsh ride, FTS. Now my settings are backed off heaps so i have a much nicer ride wether going quick or cruising, replaced oil with a slightly higher rating - was assuming fact oil was 2.5w im using 5wt. Oil at 18000kms was grey murk.

Had a 07 GSX1400 and put .95s in that, not that much difference tbh, used 10wt oil, i think 5wt was oem on that.

Yeah I think Racetech will be the go. Will troll Ebay. 1.0 is what the racetech site recommends, guess the bandit is a heavier bike.

Will go up an oil weight.

[hayd3n]

Yeah I think Racetech will be the go. Will troll Ebay. 1.0 is what the racetech site recommends, guess the bandit is a heavier bike.

Will go up an oil weight.

buy local, they are not that dear and you get the help from the local suspension guru too

[roogazza]

Yeah I think Racetech will be the go. Will troll Ebay. 1.0 is what the racetech site recommends, guess the bandit is a heavier bike.

Will go up an oil weight.

All depends how fat you are. I used Racetech Progressives and an early gsxr1100 rear shock.
Oh and 10 wt in the forks. Big improvement at a good cost.
The rear shock was 25ml longer too, for faster steer and clearance.

[nzspokes]

All depends how fat you are. I used Racetech Progressives and an early gsxr1100 rear shock.
Oh and 10 wt in the forks. Big improvement at a good cost.
The rear shock was 25ml longer too, for faster steer and clearance.

Yeah mines got a busa rear shock so taller.

[nzspokes]

buy local, they are not that dear and you get the help from the local suspension guru too

I suspect they will be an epic amount more than from the US. Im not that rich.

[Robert Taylor]

I suspect they will be an epic amount more than from the US. Im not that rich.

$249.90 per pair gst incl, in stock in most rates. Given your geometry change with the rear shock that will also have some influence on the rate required. If they turn out to be not quite to your taste ( the maths isnt foolproof as it cannot calculate rider feel ) we exchange at no further cost excepting freight recoveries. Try that with those parasites from North Mexico.

[nzspokes]

Try that with those parasites from North Mexico.

About $180 landed from Holeshot Performance. Not sure where they are. US somewhere. May get some other toys at the same time.

[Madness]

There's just no helping some people.

[AllanB]

I looked off-shore initially - punched in the details in the calculator. I also contacted KSS and although slightly dearer Roberts gurantee of the correct spring rate or an exchange won the day (he ended up supplying Ohlins as they were cheaper than Racetech). The spring rate Robert recommended was lower than the on-line USA Racetech calculator.

The supplied units are spot on - any higher in spring rating would have been far to firm/harsh. I'm no expert but I suspect the Racetech calculator is for either smooth tracks or USA roads as opposed to our hole/bump infested goat tracks.

Money well spent and not regretted. Overall for a lously couple hundred it is the best value for money modification I have made to the bike.


Be warned though - the front end improved so much that I ended up ordering a new rear shock as the improved front highlighted the limitations of the rear!!!

Hmmm now I wonder what those gold valve thingies would do to my forks ..........

[Robert Taylor]

About $180 landed from Holeshot Performance. Not sure where they are. US somewhere. May get some other toys at the same time.

Yes, another kick in the teeth for NZ business and the ordinary everyday Kiwis who depend upon them for employment,. I guess there is no clearance charges and gst on that?
No wonder many small economies are going down the toilet.

[nzspokes]

I looked off-shore initially - punched in the details in the calculator. I also contacted KSS and although slightly dearer Roberts gurantee of the correct spring rate or an exchange won the day (he ended up supplying Ohlins as they were cheaper than Racetech). The spring rate Robert recommended was lower than the on-line USA Racetech calculator.

The supplied units are spot on - any higher in spring rating would have been far to firm/harsh. I'm no expert but I suspect the Racetech calculator is for either smooth tracks or USA roads as opposed to our hole/bump infested goat tracks.

Money well spent and not regretted. Overall for a lously couple hundred it is the best value for money modification I have made to the bike.


Be warned though - the front end improved so much that I ended up ordering a new rear shock as the improved front highlighted the limitations of the rear!!!

Hmmm now I wonder what those gold valve thingies would do to my forks ..........

Think my rear shock is fine. Ive been speaking with an owners forum in aussie and they run that rate springs with simular weight fatties on them. I will enjoy fitting them up and give the forks a birthday at the same time.

[rustic101]

Spokes

I've dealt with Dale personally and he stands behind everything he sells as have a number of Aus and other Kiwi Bandit owners. I have a few of his parts on my baby and a few more lined up after it comes out of warranty.

Not sure if you've had a good look at his site check out his project bandit, have a link to another of their teams sites somewhere. Dales a former racer and rider and really knows his shit and does not bull shit.

http://www.holeshot.com/