Just put on a Katana shock... WOW, what a difference!

[Anonymous]

My stock (2002) shock bled to death and I've been riding on just the spring for about the last month.  

Thanks to you guys (especially Pablo) I knew I could replace it with a better/stiffer Katana shock.  Well, I got one on ebay for $22 delivered to my door.  A great deal considering the dealer wants like $600 for one and $240 for the stock shock.  Anyway, I put it on today along with my new BT45 tire (the last one gave me 10,000 miles!).  WOW, it's so much stiffer than just the spring and much stiffer than I remember the stock shock being.  It rides rougher but feels very stable, I'm impressed.

I ride two-up a lot and we used to bottom out all the time.  Today, I went even faster and didn't bottom out once.  BTW both of us weigh maybe 330 lbs.  

Anyway, I just thought I'd comment on the Katana shock.  It was a 98-02 model shock and it bolted right into my 02 GS.  Besides the hassle of getting into the tight spots to work, it fit just like the stock shock.  It MAY be a tad (1/4-1/2") longer but that's a GOOD thing, it will make your bike lean over a bit more and not be so straight up and down on the side stand.  It's hard to say since I replaced the tire too.

I'm VERY pleased.

Thanks guys!  Thanks Pablo for looking at a picture and telling me it would fit (BTW, didn't get the older one (93) because you were right, it may have been a little "worn").  I got a newer 02 shock.

[neonyello]

My 96 rear shock blew out a while back.  My options were to get a Suzuki replacement, get a Works shock or ebay a Katana shock.  I went with the middle option.  After riding for a month on just a spring, anything was an improvement.  It's hard to remember what the stock shock felt like, but the Works is like buttah.  Combined with Progressive springs up front, Gus handles like a pro.

[Frost]

what's the WORKS?

[neonyello]

what's the WORKS?

http://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

It's cheaper than a factory replacement.  A lil more info at http://www.gstwin.com/racers_corner.htm#susp