Question for Suspension gurus...
#1
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Question for Suspension gurus...
Ok, so my bike is an 02 SV650...
When i bought it was pretty lowered.. So i did some research and i what i came up with a GSXR 1K rear shock and shorter ebay dog bones that supposedly raise the bike 1"... the bike did go up a little higher, but really, not enough... i'm 6'2" and need higher...
So, my question is.... the gixxer shock is like an adjustable coilover (i wish i could post a pic of my bike) and it looks like i could get about 2 inches out of just rotating the spring extended... WILL THAT AFFECT THE WAY MY BIKE HANDLES? like, would that require revalving or getting anything else adjusted? this is not my bike, but it looks something like this.
also, anyone has the shock tool i can borrow off their gixxer??? lol..
THANKS
When i bought it was pretty lowered.. So i did some research and i what i came up with a GSXR 1K rear shock and shorter ebay dog bones that supposedly raise the bike 1"... the bike did go up a little higher, but really, not enough... i'm 6'2" and need higher...
So, my question is.... the gixxer shock is like an adjustable coilover (i wish i could post a pic of my bike) and it looks like i could get about 2 inches out of just rotating the spring extended... WILL THAT AFFECT THE WAY MY BIKE HANDLES? like, would that require revalving or getting anything else adjusted? this is not my bike, but it looks something like this.
also, anyone has the shock tool i can borrow off their gixxer??? lol..
THANKS
Last edited by chappe; 04-28-2008 at 01:45 PM.
#3
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Re: Question for Suspension gurus...
Call me crazy, but what you're wanting to do probably won't raise the bike any and it will negatively affect your ride. The two collars on top of the spring control your sag and not really your ride height. I'd suggest setting the sag (shock compression) and your rebound. I'm pretty sure the GSXR shock you have currently has adjustable rebound.
To further raise your bike, I would recommend dropping your forks through the triple a little more and get shorter dogbones. Good luck!
Also, to adjust your sag, you don't need any special tools, just use a flat head screw driver and a hammer to get the top collar broken loose from the bottom collar.
To further raise your bike, I would recommend dropping your forks through the triple a little more and get shorter dogbones. Good luck!
Also, to adjust your sag, you don't need any special tools, just use a flat head screw driver and a hammer to get the top collar broken loose from the bottom collar.
#5
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Re: Question for Suspension gurus...
You do not want to adjust the bike's ride height by increasing the spring preload (adjusting the spring collar). what you are going to do it Decrease your rear shock's ability to absorb bumps in the road since it will be so stiff. This will make the handling feel horrible.
On the SV650. the only way to adjust the height is via shorter dogbones as you stated, or spend some money on an aftermarket shock that offers height adjustment (Ohlins, Penske, ect).
You have to remember that by raising/lowering the front/rear of the bike, you are changing the geometry of the motorcycle, which will in turn change the characteristics of how the bike feels in the turns.
I had bought dogbones from a SV race shop that when well with my GSXR rear shock. It wasnt as high in the rear as I was aiming for, but the bike felt really good in the turns.
Higher in the rear doesnt always mean better. I remember setting my 2006 GSXR600, I was raising the front of the bike while keeping the rear the stock height. I was doubtful of doing this until I rode it on the track. It did wonders..
Hope that helps..
On the SV650. the only way to adjust the height is via shorter dogbones as you stated, or spend some money on an aftermarket shock that offers height adjustment (Ohlins, Penske, ect).
You have to remember that by raising/lowering the front/rear of the bike, you are changing the geometry of the motorcycle, which will in turn change the characteristics of how the bike feels in the turns.
I had bought dogbones from a SV race shop that when well with my GSXR rear shock. It wasnt as high in the rear as I was aiming for, but the bike felt really good in the turns.
Higher in the rear doesnt always mean better. I remember setting my 2006 GSXR600, I was raising the front of the bike while keeping the rear the stock height. I was doubtful of doing this until I rode it on the track. It did wonders..
Hope that helps..
Last edited by onepointone; 04-28-2008 at 04:43 PM.
#7
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Re: Question for Suspension gurus...
you can buy a 6' length of steel or aluminum bar stock for less than $20 and experiment with dogbone length. just cut some stock, and drill a few holes. changing dogbones is a dead nuts simple job, and you'll get exactly what you want out of it by making your own.
#8
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Re: Question for Suspension gurus...
Im pretty sure my current dog bones are shorter than stock.. at least that's what rthe vendor on e bay had is advertised as... the sure tho were WAY shorter than what i had before. . . . .
PS. I LOVE how the bike handles... i would just like it a tad higher for confort purposes, that's all.
PS. I LOVE how the bike handles... i would just like it a tad higher for confort purposes, that's all.
#10
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Re: Question for Suspension gurus...
Buy the right suspension and set it up properly is the right way to go........ Backyard solutions dont help in the long run. Or buy a new bike! LOL