what do progressive springs do

[deathlucky]

im thinking of upgrading and im think about probgressive springs in the front how will this affect bumpy roads and turning

what can i do about the back shock i asked the dude at the shop and he said some thing like $1500 which isnt goign to happen

[bubba zanetti]

In the last thread you started about suspension I gave you the set up I have on mine, didn't you read it?

I paid about $350 all up for new springs & a new mono shock. I installed all myself so I saved money that way.

For $1500 you must have been quoted ohlins or something similar.

[gsmetal]

Not just in the "ride" and "turning" but in the braking as well.

Most people totally forget about this benefit - your bike won't dive as much and you'll have better braking control and control in general. I like to think of it as "stability" under braking.

You'll find won't understand this until you come into a corner too fast and grab a handful of front brakes.  You'll be able to brake, lean and find the line that will get you through the turn.... and not the line that takes you into the guardrail and into the hospital (or morgue).

Suspension is just one of many things that help you control a motorcycle. A few of the others is brakes, tires, road conditions, and your knowledge of how they all work together.

Most people pass on suspension and brake pads because they aren't "sexy" - like a paint job or a cool sounding exhaust. But ask any racer and they'll tell you those two items are paramount.

[deathlucky]

lol sexy did u just quote me for some were lol
breaking ay so u meen when i pull up fast the front wont bottem out and shoot back up
you use you front brake when u turn arnt u ment to only use your back brake while turning
i have the aftermarket pads i just dont have the stainless brake lines... yet

[gsmetal]

I never use my back brake.

All of your braking power is at the front tire  - unless the road is slick / wet - then you could argue the back brake is safer than the front. It's possible under heavy front braking on a slick / wet surface the front end could wash out from under you.

All of your braking should be done BEFORE you get into the turn.

...In my opinion.

[sledge]

Deathlucky, hope this makes sense to you.
Progressive springs are the opposite of single rate springs. With a progressive spring the amount of deflection reduces as the force applied increases. In other words and for example, say you have a progressive spring and you apply 20kg to it in compression, it deflects by 20mm, then you apply another 20kg but this time it deflects by 15mm, another 20kg and it deflects by 10mm. In short the more you push it the harder it becomes. With a single rate spring it will deflect in direct proportion to the weight applied. Example, apply 10kg and it deflects by 10mm, apply 20kg and it deflects by 20mm apply another 20kg and it deflects by another 20mm and so on and so on.
Progressive springs can often be identified by uneven coil spacing and/or a differing coil diameter.

[deathlucky]

so do u mean with them if i brake in the same it will always feel diffrent? or you mean like this?

progressive
20kg deflect 20mm
40kg deflect 35mm
60kg deflect 45mm

stock
20kg deflect 20mm
40kg deflect 40mm
60kg deflect 60mm

[GS Jenn]

I put progressive springs on my 05 a couple of weeks ago. I am new to riding so I don't really have the right vocabulary to tell you exactly what they do, but I can tell you the bike feels better.

When I go over a bump, it feels like I feel the jar of the bump harder than I did with the stock springs, but the jarring moment is over quicker and the bike is affected less. With the stock springs a rough road made the bike feel like it was wallowing and floundering... with the progressives I feel a series of small bumps instead.

I find I am taking turns faster, but I don't know much of that is the springs and how much is simply me getting better with more experience.

[deathlucky]

so what it makes its more of a pain in the ass when u hit a bump?

[sledge]

The figures I quoted are an example, I dont know how much the stock springs deflect. The stock springs will have some progression but aftermarket replacement items have a different rate which some people find more beneficial with regard to the handling of the bike.

[LizardQueen]

I had Progressives installed in mine about a month ago. It's WAY better with them than without them.

The front suspension (original, probably never been worked on either) was pretty flayed so pot holes and heavy braking would make it bottom out. And if I hit a real bumpy patch the handlebars would get ...er.. a little wild, borderline tank-slapper just because the front end was so loose.

It's SO much better now.  Very little dive when I brake, cornering feels more precise and comfortable, no nasty "CLACK" when I hit a pothole.
And I accidentally hit an unfamiliar railroad crossing a bit too fast the other day and did a sort of "Evel Knievel" over it (the slope on the back side just drops away, unlike the front which was a gradual slope).
I think I actually caught a little air (at least my ass did when I came up off the seat ), and the bike was rock solid when it landed. With the old suspension I would certainly have completely lost it.

I highly recommend them.

LQ

[deathlucky]

ok there going in for sure

now about the back what do you all think of lowering links and a gsx-r1000 shock keep in mind im good with a welder and a grinder