Rear Shock Replacement

Barney · October 03, 2009, 01:09:31 AM

I have the standard rear shock/spring on my GS,but I think It's due for replacement.I was reading a thread on here a couple a weeks ago about someone replacing the rear shock with a Yamaha YZF R6 (06-07)model.Can anyone tell me whether this can be done.I got a price on replacing the old shock with a genuine Suzuki one ,and I was' shocked' at the price of $420.00.I don't know whether the Yamaha is going to be cheaper,but at least if I know that they will fit on the GS,then it gives me another option.

mitch.lax · October 03, 2009, 04:06:15 AM

Replacing with the stock shock isn't the smartest move. I've ordered the r6 shock as recommended from ebay, and it turned out to be $30us with $80us postage (damn living on the other side of the planet).

That's almost a quarter of the price (less if you don't have to pay big bucks for postage) for a shock that, by all reports, is significantly less pogo stick like.

cboling · October 03, 2009, 04:47:41 AM

The R6 shock is as close to a bolt on replacement as anything could be. If you can locate one rather inexpensively, it will work very well as compared to the stock shock.

kml.krk · October 03, 2009, 12:34:17 PM

I just got 2008 R6 shock from eBay and it looks almost the same as 06,07.
I did NOT try to put it in yet, but for $38 shipped it is worth the risk

PachmanP · October 03, 2009, 07:09:45 PM

you can also use a katana shock. I believe they are straight bolt on, but am not sure. With a little monkeying you can get a few year's gsxr shocks on as well. LOTS of info in the forums.

spaceboy · October 03, 2009, 07:24:55 PM

Quote from: PachmanP on October 03, 2009, 07:09:45 PM
you can also use a katana shock. I believe they are straight bolt on, but am not sure. With a little monkeying you can get a few year's gsxr shocks on as well. LOTS of info in the forums.

Confirmed on the Katana shock, I'm running one now.

NF11624 · October 03, 2009, 07:53:26 PM

The Katana shock is probably the closest to bolt-on, since it actually is bolt-on

. The R6 apparently needs some grinding of the swingarm - otherwise the coil touches (note: I do not have the R6 shock but this is what I've gathered from all of the R6 threads). The Kat shock though is really easy to do, I got mine for $35 shipped on ebay and it really improves the ride.

The Buddha · October 04, 2009, 06:12:38 AM

I also like kat shocks, the more I work on the R6 one, the less impressed I am.
I think its a bit too soft - just opinion as of now, but the many many adjustments will keep you entertained for a long time.
Cool.
Buddha.

ecpreston · October 04, 2009, 06:54:47 AM

Barney, if the stock rear was doing it for you, you're not too heavy, don't ride two up a lot, and do all your riding on the street, I'm sure you could get one in decent shape from someone here for close to free. Any of the other shocks we talk about here are stiffer and often raise the rear of the bike a bit, and that's not for everyone.

Some kat shock info here:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46393.0

joshr08 · October 04, 2009, 07:39:34 AM

if you check back in the first poster about putting in a R6 rear shock you wil see where I said that the R6 spring is a softer rating then the kat spring rate.

Bluehaze · October 04, 2009, 09:00:06 AM

r6 06-07 will fit. but apparently the price rose after a few people posted here. You cant get them cheap anymore. So now people are weighing the price/usability and it seems kat shock wins that battle.

If you can get the r6 cheap you wont be disappointed. If you are looking for cheap shock replacement better than stock..then KAT is for you.

jeremy_nash · October 04, 2009, 09:14:44 AM

I have a stock shock in great shape. free plus shipping $11.00 shock was in great shape, less than 10k miles I just upgraded to a gsxr shock

Trwhouse · October 04, 2009, 10:50:25 AM

Hi all,

I just wanted to send out my kudos to Jeremy for offering his stock GS500 shock up for free to someone who needs one!
That is why I love our GStwin.com community.
It's great to always see someone helping someone else out here.
We are a very lucky group of people, do you realize that?

By the way, I've bought some parts from Jeremy and he is a good guy to deal with.

Best wishes, and have a great weekend, comrades.

Yours,

Trwhouse

glynnd89 · October 05, 2009, 09:24:20 AM

I literally just made the swap to an 2002 katan 600 shock, the difference is astounding, I need to re learn to ride this bike, I found the Kat shock on eBay for 40 bucks plus shipping, also have stock shock still, if u didn't already get it, 5500 miles on it, some scratched up exhaust for sale as we. Front cowl for sale, scratched up from being stolen, no windscreen yet, lower fairings are damaged but still look descent

Barney · October 19, 2009, 05:00:12 PM

Thanks guys for all the info.And especially a big thanks to Jeremy for the offer of the shock.Jeremy,I will try to get a Katana shock locally here in Australia,but if I can't get my hands on one for a good price,then if your still offering the shock then I'll take you up on it.Not sure where Bristol is though for postage sake!

The Buddha · October 19, 2009, 07:33:27 PM

I can send a kat shock to australia, I recently sent some similar stuff over there.
Cost 48 bucks, and well ... the shock is 40, so 98 USD. Sorry, 88 USD ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Barney · October 22, 2009, 05:41:15 PM

Thanks for the offer Buddha.Keep it in reserve for me and I'll let you know whether I can get one here first.How did you do the transaction of payment for the other Aussie?

The Buddha · October 22, 2009, 08:09:38 PM

Paypal worked fine for almost all coutries, Israel, Au, england, canada, there is some crazy ass paperwork, but hey, I fill it the same as that dude's cams.

I could send an R6 if you prefer, I have been wanting to open and test it. But well ... I have press tested it, and its solid ... but opening isn't gonna happen, it prolly needs some crazy ass tool.
I'd like 40 for the Kat, 50 for R6 and shipping on either isn't gonna be different, 48 bills ... sheesh. You aussies oughta organise a group buy, cams the jets, the other jets and your shock all could've made the run for the 48 bones. Under 20 lb should work for 48 bananas.
Cool.
Buddha.

mitch.lax · October 24, 2009, 07:31:26 PM

Shall keep it in mind buddha. Incidently I got those carb jets too.

Also, I've take off the stock rear shock. If anyone in aus wants it, they can have it for shipping.

Roguesuzuki · October 25, 2009, 09:26:30 AM

Well let me ask you guys this; After reading the post it sounds like a Kat shock would be better if your riding two up, correct?
I did find that when we ride two up, we're about 60lbs over weight. A couple of times on sharp corners we dragged the center stand. So we stopped riding two up until we lost some weight ourselves.. lol
So getting a Kat shock would "stiffen" up the suspension??? feedback please.
Thanks

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Rear Shock Replacement