Just installed new Progressive Springs

[bscott1204]

So, I picked up a 2001 GS500 about a month ago. It's my first bike, and I am really enjoying riding. It was partially modified when I got it (fenderectomy done, full Vance and Hines Supersport Exhaust, Buell M2Cyclone windscreen).

The first thing I noticed about the bike though, was that the front suspension was WAY too soft! After reading about suspension mods on this site, I ordered a pair of Progressive Springs from mawonline.com (their part number: 02517). I was really eager to ride (since it was 70 degrees in Boston yesterday), so I followed Pantablo's lazy-install instructions. Overall, it took about 30 minutes. The hardest part was screwing the end caps back in with the larger and stiffer new spring.

Just as an FYI, Progressive now ships their springs with an 8" piece of PVC to cut your own spacers from. So there is no need to purchase a PVC end cap, or cut the stock ones. I cut two 1" spacers with a hacksaw, and they worked perfectly!

When I took the bike for it's maiden voyage with the new springs I was BLOWN AWAY!! It was literally like a whole new bike. No more nose dives at stop lights, no more bottoming out when pulling into a driveway... but most of all, the bike inspired so much more confidence when cornering. It literally feels PLANTED to the ground, where before it was very bouncy and squishy. Overall, I would say that this is an ESSENTIAL upgrade for the GS500. If you haven't done it yet, DO IT!! You will not be dissapointed.

Also -- with the Buell M2Cyclone windscreen installed, I found the wind at speeds about 70mph to be absolutley unbearable. I popped off the screen, and took it for a rip on the interstate, and it was so much more comfortable. I think the shape and position of the windscreen was forcing ALL of the wind to blow directly on my upper chest and head. Without the screen the wind is evenly spread over my entire upperbody, and I found highway riding to be much more enjoyable. Just a heads up for those of you possibly interested in installing a Buell M2Cyclone windscreen.

Happy riding everyone... hopefully the weekend weather will be nice for all of you!!

[scratch]

Welcome!

Excellent write up/review!

[RVertigo]

My progressives are sitting in my living room...

And my 1/4 fairing is sitting in my office.   

Hopefully both will be back on before I go rain riding tomorrow.

[bscott1204]

Do you think that adding 15wt oil instead of the factory 10wt would make that BIG of a difference. I mean I am already BLOWN away by how much better it is... is it worth it to go through the troulbe change the oil? Or should I just wait until a fork seal blows and I am forced to pull everything apart??

Also -- I just ordered a pair of Third Eye bicycle mirrors so I can rig up some sweet bar end mirrors. But on CraigsList Boston someone is selling brand new round SV650 mirrors off a 2000 SV650. Opinions on what mirror setup will look/function better??

-bscott

[RVertigo]

Thicker oil will make a stiffer ride...

As for the bike mirrors...  No idea...  The round SV mirrrors have a smaller field of view than the stock GS mirrors, but they look cool.

The Gen2 SV mirrors are friggen SWEET IMO.

[secondgen7]

Do you think that adding 15wt oil instead of the factory 10wt would make that BIG of a difference. I mean I am already BLOWN away by how much better it is... is it worth it to go through the troulbe change the oil? Or should I just wait until a fork seal blows and I am forced to pull everything apart??

Also -- I just ordered a pair of Third Eye bicycle mirrors so I can rig up some sweet bar end mirrors. But on CraigsList Boston someone is selling brand new round SV650 mirrors off a 2000 SV650. Opinions on what mirror setup will look/function better??

-bscott

I'm using 15wt oil with my progressives (seals needed replacing so I did everything at once) and, as RVertigo said, it's definitely a stiff ride.  I like it.  MUCH improved over the stock "mush".  I can't say if or how much stiffer it is than 10 wt, though.

Also, I haven't used the sv mirrors (or even seen them on a GS in person) but I can say that I'm happy with my 3rd eye mirrors.  Yeah, they're out of your immediate line of sight, so you have to look down, but it's not unreasonable for a quick glance.  And they're more stable (ie less vibration) than my stock or cheap emgo mirrors.  Plus, they look fantastic!

[bscott1204]

Those bars look sick... how much for a set of them??

[secondgen7]

Those bars look sick... how much for a set of them??

A member here makes them, or used to anyway.  I'm not sure if he still does or not, or for how much (mine came with the bike).  Might want to send him a PM: seshadri_srinath.  I believe they're copies of the SM bars.

[bscott1204]

When you put on the bar end mirrors, did you actually insert them into the bar end, or did you use a clamp ??

[secondgen7]

Inserted them into the bars .. they're hollow (the bars, I mean).  The 3rd eye mirrors don't have clamps. 

They're plenty secure, if that's what you're worried about.  And the fact that they rotate 90 degrees is very handy for squeezing through narrow spaces (like parking gates).

[bscott1204]

So did you completely remove the bar end??

What year is your bike?

[secondgen7]

It's a 2000.  They didn't have bar ends so I just plugged 'em right in.  You'd have to remove them on stock bars.  That's where the clip-on type might work better.

[RVertigo]

You'd have to remove them on stock bars.  That's where the clip-on type might work better.

Depending on the year and the bars...

01+ are the "Rubber Stopper" type bar ends, so any bar ends in that style should work.

[scratch]

Do you think that adding 15wt oil instead of the factory 10wt would make that BIG of a difference. I mean I am already BLOWN away by how much better it is... is it worth it to go through the troulbe change the oil? Or should I just wait until a fork seal blows and I am forced to pull everything apart??

How does it feel now?

If it feels fine don't mess with it.  Also, see: www.peterverdonedesigns.com/introduction.htm

But, do remember that fork oil should be changed every other year.

[secondgen7]

You'd have to remove them on stock bars.  That's where the clip-on type might work better.

Depending on the year and the bars...

01+ are the "Rubber Stopper" type bar ends, so any bar ends in that style should work.

Ah, I did not know that.  Thanks.

[domas]

I am about to order progressives, and i will be replacing oil too. Should i go for 10W or 15W? I am 145lb, but i ride in a quite rough roads.

[Alphamazing]

I am about to order progressives, and i will be replacing oil too. Should i go for 10W or 15W? I am 145lb, but i ride in a quite rough roads.

You might be good with 7W oil since you're fairly light (comparatively).

[domas]

Hmm so maybe i'll go for 10W as the spring manufacturer recommends. Thx again Alpha

[rangerbrown]

what are the springs set up for? what weight. i see there listed on ebay....

[Alphamazing]

Hmm so maybe i'll go for 10W as the spring manufacturer recommends. Thx again Alpha

That might work, but consider the 7W too. It's a bit lighter than the 10W which will allow bumps to be absorbed a bit better, and since you're lighter than most it won't be as rough a ride (although with progressives you might be good with the 10W by their design.