.85 Sonic spring data point

[rkjjeep]

I went with the 0.85 because at my weight (215) I'm kinda in between the 85 and 90 and
I'm on track to be around 190 before next summer.  If I knew I'd be keeping it and not getting smaller the 90 mighta been better. Anyway.

Went with 110mm oil height, 15W oil, and about 1.2" of preload.  Works really well.  Better ride and doesn't feel as stiff as I expected.  Just feels "right" where as with the stock stuff it felt like a kids cheap pogo stick.  It will still bottom the forks if I brake VERY hard and hit a bump (not recommended anyway).  Bike is 2006 with 3000 miles.

So if you're near my size or a bit smaller here's a setup worth trying.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

interesting.. i haven't installed mine yet, but i'm 180lbs and went with 90's since i was right on the bubble as well.  i'll be going with 15w oil also. should be getting them in next weekend

probably hard for you to guess, but do you think the 90's would be too much for you?

[burning1]

I think the .85s might be a little on the soft side for you. :\

[rkjjeep]

interesting.. i haven't installed mine yet, but i'm 180lbs and went with 90's since i was right on the bubble as well.  i'll be going with 15w oil also. should be getting them in next weekend

probably hard for you to guess, but do you think the 90's would be too much for you?

The 90's would have worked for me and I think you'll be fine.  At your weight and with 90's you'll probably want to stick with the 3/4 inch Sonic recommended preload.  Given that the caps make up 18mm of preload you'll want to cut spacers that protrude about 2mm above the top of the tube with fork FULLY extended. 

The way I ride this bike the 85's are a HUGE improvement over stock.  I ride local twisty roads, braking early and easily and rolling on around the corners.  I did a bunch of pretend there's a deer in the road panic stops and I still get a lot of fork dive but it will stop.  If my normal riding included a lot of aggressive braking I would go higher rate.  My 85's would be way too soft for track days. 

[slipperymongoose]

I've got .80 sonics at 105mm with 15w and they are brilliant. Bike leans over so much easier now. I set my preload to the instructions that came with them.

[rkjjeep]

Two additional observations:

1)  You don't to loosen or remove the handlebars to do this work.  When you are ready to remove each fork side just slide the fork down below the top triple clamp so that you can get a wrench on the top cap.  Tighten the lower clamp bolt and now you have the fork "in a vice" so that you can loosen (not remove) the top cap.
PROTECT or remove the fuel tank!

2)  Make sure after you add new oil to the fork that you pump it up and down 5-6 times so that you get oil all thru the damping system before measuring level.