Progressive or Racetech for 04-05 models ?

[Nutella_BC]

I've now got about 8700 km on my 05 GS500E bought last october and I've come to hate the front end of the bike.
I'm looking at upgrading the stock springs but I can't find any progressive or racetech springs for the 04 and later models ?
Has anyone installed new springs on their 04- GS500s ?
I'm about 190lb, usually have a tank bag and the front end is way too soft.
I actually find the bike dangerous to ride, emergency braking is nearly impossible, swerving is tricky and it is almost impossible to ride straight at high speed as the front end keep bouncing on the freeway
Really bad 

[fordtech]

i have a 2006 and at 200 miles put the race tech  90kg kit on,my motor cycle shop actually installed them the fit just fine with custom aluminum spacers he made,they ride awsome on the high speed driving he said the progressive springs are shaZam! cause they are poorly made and have uneven spring rates he had a spring rate tester to show me,also the stopping distance has shorten and the bike feels safer check it out at metric cycles.com

[Alphamazing]

I'm getting some '01-'03 RaceTechs pretty soon here. I'll let you know how it goes.

[toobrie]

ive been savin a little money to get new springs. on the svrider board i saw a link for sonic springs.  they are a little cheaper (79.99) and from talking with them they seem like pretty good people.  I plan on getting some from them hopefully in about a month.

[Turd Ferguson]

he said the progressive springs are shaZam! cause they are poorly made and have uneven spring rates he had a spring rate tester to show me

Please tell me that you aren't saying that the springs are bad because the spring rate isn't constant through the spring...  It is a "progressive" spring.  This means that the spring has multiple spring rates at different sections of the spring.  That's the whole idea...  Most automotive springs are not linear, they are progressive.

Anyways, hopefully that's not what you were saying.

-Turd.

[fordtech]

no the springs he tested were not even with each other,they are made out of cheap materials and are not tested to the same standards as the race tec products,i have better results with 90kg and 20w oil in the forks,also they are safer because the stopping distance is shorter with the stiffer rate spring that does not progressively retract with the greater load at higher speeds.

[runsilent]

I've put over 60k miles on a pair of Progressive front springs and they work great for me.  I weigh about 240# and the front hasn't bottomed yet with the Progressives and the handling is very good for street use.

A pair of Progressive front springs and a set of sport touring radials or the newest sport touring bias ply tires like the Demons or Lasertecs and the GS will feel like a sportbike compared to a stock bike.   

If your headed for the track, the Racetec stuff might be worthwile but it's probably overkill for street use.  Looks to me like a Racetec salesman is doing a real snow job here on that spring testing.   

[Nutella_BC]

Thanks for your input.
I'm about to sell my GS500 in a couple of weeks, so not spending too much was crucial.
I went for the spacers + 15W oil and it makes a HUGE difference !
It's a lot more stable at freeway speed and when cornering.

[skoebl]

Can you use the same springs on an 06 as you do on, say, a 97?

[Alphamazing]

Can you use the same springs on an 06 as you do on, say, a 97?

I'm pretty sure. I ordered RaceTechs from the '01 to '03 model series and I'm hoping (I see no reason for them not to) they'll work in the '04.