Opinions: Shock or Tires?

[Alphamazing]

but do you see yourself recouping the cost of the shock when you sell the bike?

I could take it off and sell it to an SV owner with possible profit if I do.

[pantablo]

well, is it an SV shock or a GS shock? If its an SV shock you have to remember that the shock is way longer than stock GS shock...and the Ohlins might be longer still...also have you considered the true value of the shock if its not sprung to your weight? and that the shock works differently on the gs than on the sv, which is okay with the stock sv shock since its so weak but not so the Ohlins...

Seems to me you're spending money on a perceived benefit which is really iffy. You will get much more out of tires and wheels and the Kat shock is sufficient for street riding...

[RVertigo]

Hey Alpha...  Buy me a kat shock and spend the rest of the cash on beer.   

I just don't see the point of spending that much on a shock...  Especially for street riding (and maybe some light track).   Better wheels and tires somehow seem more worth it.

Eh...  It's your money. 

[Toledo Jim]

I would trust Pantablo.

[ukchickenlover]

Unless there is anything wrong with your rear shock I would say spend the money on tyres.

[Alphamazing]

well, is it an SV shock or a GS shock? If its an SV shock you have to remember that the shock is way longer than stock GS shock...and the Ohlins might be longer still...also have you considered the true value of the shock if its not sprung to your weight? and that the shock works differently on the gs than on the sv, which is okay with the stock sv shock since its so weak but not so the Ohlins...

Seems to me you're spending money on a perceived benefit which is really iffy. You will get much more out of tires and wheels and the Kat shock is sufficient for street riding...

Yeah, that's my biggest thought right now. The spring is for a 140lb rider, so not much off from me. I know the shock is longer, which is why I inquired earlier about extending the dogbones. Then it got into a thing of leverage ratios and fabricating parts. I've been thinking more and more about it and think that wheel and tires are going to be the best option for me. Doubly so since my rear tire is almost in need of replacement right now.

So, a new wheel and sticky rubber and a kat shock it is. Cool.

[Turd Ferguson]

Just finished the Katana rear wheel last night Alpha.  It is a direct swap with a 160 rear tire.  I had to (obviously) bend the brake torque rod, and I had to put one washer between the sprocket and hub (1/16" approximately) and everything else clears.  I've got 1/4" on either side of the tire and didn't have to cut on the caliper bracket at all.  There is no fabrication needed, just mount a tire, bend the rod, shim the sprocket and ride. 

Rear wheel and Rotor from Katana:  $140 shipped
Metzeler Sportec M-1 (front: 110/70, rear 160,60) $190 shipped
Mount and balance:  $40

Not bad for seriously improved looks and supersport rubber.

-Turd.

[pantablo]

PLEASE tell us more! what year and model Kat wheel directly bolts in??!? this is groundbreaking. photos please! Make a new thread and I'll get it into the FAQ forum.

[l3uddha]

ok I know a lot of people are recommending the KAT shock because it's an easy upgrade. the only problem is that the KAT shock SUCKS! it's a small improvement from the GS500's shock, but ur just replacing a shitty shock from one bike with a shitty shock from another. one of the biggest complaints from KAT riders is that the rear shock is horrible.

[runsilent]

PLEASE tell us more! what year and model Kat wheel directly bolts in??!? this is groundbreaking. photos please! Make a new thread and I'll get it into the FAQ forum.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25309.0

98-02 Kat 4.5" rear wheel will probably fit GS and the Bandit 400 rear sounds like it may work too.  Pre 98 Kats had same wheels as the GS does.

http://katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15230

[Turd Ferguson]

Yup, write up coming soon.  Runsilent was right, 98-02 Katana 4.5" rear wheel.  The wheel has the "straight spoke" design instead of the OEM GS500 "twisted spoke" design.  No one will ever notice unless you bring it up.  I'll take side pictures and you be the judge, it looks fine.

-Turd.

[Alphamazing]

So I killed my rear Sport Demon this weeekend. I'm going to go for a wheel/tire combo and try and come up with a Kat shock. I realize that the Kat shock sucks, but I'm lightweight and the added adjustability will be nice.

[RVertigo]

No dude...  The GS shock sucks.  The Kat shock is meh.