Race Tech or Sonic Springs

[coll0412]

I would see what you get with the racetech calculator and pic the nearest one. If you are street riding then I would maybe go  down the next level if it says .76 and up if its above it.

Either way its better than stock, and you can always dial in a bit more preload if you want it softer

[bucks1605]

I just used the calculator on race tech's site. It only asks street or track and rider weight without gear. I get .797 So I'm thinking .80KG/MM would be the best.

[galahs]

Alright you guys have convinced me, I'm going with the race techs. I used the calculator thing to see what springs I need and it said .80KG/MM. I weigh about 180, I'm assuming this is what I should go with.

Go 0.85!

mine said I should go 0.80s but if you consider you might

a. put on weight
b. double someone
c. carry extra gear with you

etc you'll be happy you went alittle stiffer. And 0.85's are that much stiffer anyway, just gives you a better saftey margin.

I'm happy with my 0.85's for road use and touring but if I was going to ride my bike fast of for track use I'd go 0.90s or even 1.00's

[darb85]

I went the sonics because they were cheaper (at the time) and they shipped to Australia.

I think new front springs are the best upgrade I have done to my bike.

I went 0.85mm/kg and am very happy with the balance of comfort and handling.

No more bottoming out, no more diving under brakes!!!

I weigh 75kg 

If you found both for the same price id go with race tech only because of the name but springs are springs in my mind.

10 pounds   I think that's about right.
race tech is what I was kinda partial towards

I'm tired of hitting a little bump and feeling that bottoming out, I'm looking forward to the better handling as well.  

How was the install? I read a how to in the faq. I'm a pretty competant (sp) DIY, you think I'll be fine?

Im with ya man, First suspension then rear sets and clip ons.  being tall doesnt really go along with this bike very well.

[Jaywu]

I thought the whole advantage of sonic springs was that they're cheaper... 

What do I know, I have progressives. 

Yeah that's what I've heard, but I found both for $79.99.

Where???

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I went the sonics because they were cheaper (at the time) and they shipped to Australia.

I think new front springs are the best upgrade I have done to my bike.

I went 0.85mm/kg and am very happy with the balance of comfort and handling.

No more bottoming out, no more diving under brakes!!!

I weigh 75kg 

If you found both for the same price id go with race tech only because of the name but springs are springs in my mind.

10 pounds  I think that's about right.
race tech is what I was kinda partial towards

I'm tired of hitting a little bump and feeling that bottoming out, I'm looking forward to the better handling as well. 

How was the install? I read a how to in the faq. I'm a pretty competant (sp) DIY, you think I'll be fine?

Im with ya man, First suspension then rear sets and clip ons.  being tall doesnt really go along with this bike very well.

At least you don't have to worry about dropping it due to not being able to put even one foot securely on the ground..

[bucks1605]

I thought the whole advantage of sonic springs was that they're cheaper... 

What do I know, I have progressives. 

Yeah that's what I've heard, but I found both for $79.99.

Where???

Here http://www.indysuperbike.com/customer/home.php?cat=23782

[bucks1605]

Alright you guys have convinced me, I'm going with the race techs. I used the calculator thing to see what springs I need and it said .80KG/MM. I weigh about 180, I'm assuming this is what I should go with.

Go 0.85!

mine said I should go 0.80s but if you consider you might

a. put on weight
b. double someone
c. carry extra gear with you

etc you'll be happy you went alittle stiffer. And 0.85's are that much stiffer anyway, just gives you a better saftey margin.

I'm happy with my 0.85's for road use and touring but if I was going to ride my bike fast of for track use I'd go 0.90s or even 1.00's

I was thinking about going with .85. If you're happy with 0.85 for touring than they should be fine for me. I think I'll get them.

[galahs]

Yep, definitely go with with 0.85's 

[bucks1605]

thought' I'd revive this thread instead of starting another. Just ordered my race tech's, (only took 7 months) went with 0.85's and I've got a kat 600 rear shock on its way. i recently installed a kat rear wheel.  this will probably make my bike handle like a whole new bike, hopefully!

[galahs]

Make sure you report back.

Front springs is the first upgrade I recommend to anyone that asks me.



"Hey mate I wanna get an exhaust like yours, where did you get it"

"have you upgraded your front springs yet?"

"no"   

"Then be-gone!!!!" 

[bucks1605]

Make sure you report back.

Front springs is the first upgrade I recommend to anyone that asks me.



"Hey mate I wanna get an exhaust like yours, where did you get it"

"have you upgraded your front springs yet?"

"no"   

"Then be-gone!!!!" 

I will, once I get done with all the projects i've got going on I plan on making a thread to show it all... 

[Teek]

You'll like the springs with the Kat shock. The bike will handle SO much better in corners and just in general. No more diving, no bottoming out. It will feel a LOT less cushy though, mine is like riding a rock. 

[bucks1605]

You'll like the springs with the Kat shock. The bike will handle SO much better in corners and just in general. No more diving, no bottoming out. It will feel a LOT less cushy though, mine is like riding a rock. 

That's what I'm most looking forward too, no more bottoming out. I hate that, and it happens all the time, the better handling is great too.

[Y2K6GS500F]

I did .90 Sonics, as I'm just shy of 200 lbs with all my gear on (lost a few pounds since I installed them!    )  .  The ride is much, much better!!! Firm and Planted, Never Bottoms.
You can see my notes from a previous post I made after the install:

Ok, After testing various oil levels and spacer sizes, this setup seems to work best with the Sonic .90 springs, for my weight and size (5'10 @195lbs without gear, about 207lbs with helmet, boots, jacket, gloves etc..)

Total Spacer Size of about  5.65" or 143mm
(PVC cut to 5.5" and placed 1/8" thick washer on top- removable in case I lose weight  )

Fork Oil Level, as measured from top of fork tube to oil surface, 5.3" or 135 mm
(measured with forks compressed and springs, spacers, and washers removed -oil level increased about 3" with everything in)

This setup has me at a static sag of 1.4" or 35.5mm with my gear on.

The ride is 10x better than stock. It's firmer, but not at all harsh, and No more brake dive. 

Ok, now some advice:

1) Before you start, get some painters tape and wrap it around the handle bars where they meet the clamps. Mark on the tape where they meet the two halves of the cleamp. This will help you get the bars back on the bike in exactly the same place they were.

2) Measure twice, cut once. But, just in case you messed up cuts or want to try different lengths, Lowes hardware store has 5' lengths of 1/2" of schedule 40 PVC for about $2. If you want, pick up some 12mm washers while your there -for a little fine tuning of the spacer size.

3) If possible, use a miter box to cut the PVC. You want to get the cuts as straight as possible. I used one, and they still were not perfect. But, they were real close. The PVC seems to melt during cutting making it difficult. I suppose it's not a big problem, as the spring will conform a bit to meet the spacer.

4) Get some old towels and layer them over your tank and gauges, because no matter how careful you are, some oil will spill out when you remove the old springs. The towels also provide some cushion, just in case you drop a tool on the tank when working. Tools tend to get real slippery when you working around fork oil.


Hope this helps!   

[bucks1605]

Thanks for the helpful tips, I'm sure they'll make the process a whole lot easier.  What weight fork oil did you use? I'm consider 15w.

[Y2K6GS500F]

Thanks for the helpful tips, I'm sure they'll make the process a whole lot easier.  What weight fork oil did you use? I'm consider 15w.

I went with 10w (the factory weight), as I did not remove and fully drain the forks to do the install, and I had a bottle of the 10w sitting on a shelf in the garage.  I just siphoned as much of the old fork oil as I could, then I refilled it with the new oil.

[bucks1605]

I'm assuming when I do the swap, it would be good to replace the fork seals? 

[lnb001]

I'm looking into doing this myself.  I figured hey $350 for an exhaust, $35 for air filter and $40 for jets, whats another $100 for springs?  Anyway, will the racetechs fit an '04 gs even though the site says they are for '89-'99 years?  If not, what else would work?  Do dealerships usually carry these springs in stock?  Im goin on spring break in a couple days and doing a whole bunch of crap to my bike (as noted above) and want to make sure I have them next week.  Thanks.

-Lucas

[bucks1605]

I'm not sure if the forks are the same on an '04, someone else will have to chime in on that. Another company that makes straight rate springs for the gs in sonic springs. On their site they don't say anything about specific years, but I would wait for someone else to verify. I'm doing the same thing, I go on springbreak next week, and after my trip to the keys... I've got a ton of work to do to my bike.