Shockabsorber

[ghostrider_23]

I noticed the other day while looking at a 1000cc Suzuki on the front forks looked what was a Shockabsorber. What the H is that and what purpose does it serve???

[mister]

You talking about something like this...



It's a Steering Dampener. So when you come down from a wheelie you won't get a tank slapper going on - in theory 

Michael

[Dr.McNinja]

You talking about something like this...



It's a Steering Dampener. So when you come down from a wheelie you won't get a tank slapper going on - in theory 

Michael

Probably wont help you from a tank slapper resulting from a wheelie. They're usually there to help dampen high-speed wobble. Take your bike (or any bike under 1000cc) to the mid 100's (MPH) and you'll notice the bike will start to oscillate pretty hard. It makes it hard to control the bike, so dampening improves stability at these speeds.

[burning1]

Steering Damper, not dampener.

The job of the damper is to protect the rider from instability caused by imperfections in the road surface, and certain kinds of riding. A damper will help save a tank slapper, and will certainly help in the event that you set a wheelie down wrong.

Most modern sport bikes are tuned towards the edge of instability. The less stable the bike is, the less effort it takes to turn, but the more likely it is to enter an unstable state. Dampers make it possible to run geometry that would otherwise be unsafe due to the risk of that instability.

The GS500 is incredibly stable with the typical suspension mods. I routinely had mine in excess of 100MPH (GPS Confirmed) with no stability issues. I also tend to jump candy stripes and corner over rough pavement. Never ever had an issue with the bike, even when it was clear that the front tire was being bounced around at the limits of grip.

[Dr.McNinja]

Steering Damper, not dampener.

The job of the damper is to protect the rider from instability caused by imperfections in the road surface, and certain kinds of riding. A damper will help save a tank slapper, and will certainly help in the event that you set a wheelie down wrong.

Most modern sport bikes are tuned towards the edge of instability. The less stable the bike is, the less effort it takes to turn, but the more likely it is to enter an unstable state. Dampers make it possible to run geometry that would otherwise be unsafe due to the risk of that instability.

The GS500 is incredibly stable with the typical suspension mods. I routinely had mine in excess of 100MPH (GPS Confirmed) with no stability issues. I also tend to jump candy stripes and corner over rough pavement. Never ever had an issue with the bike, even when it was clear that the front tire was being bounced around at the limits of grip.

Which is strange because IMO Suzuki should be put in prison for the crime they committed on the suspension of the GS500. I nearly bottom out my front suspension every morning going over an old train track at speeds that any other bike I've been on handled fine.

That being said my next major upgrade is two new progressive fork springs. The pogostick suspension is ridiculous if you want to do anything but granny turns.

[burning1]

I'd advise you to go with straight rate instead of progressive.

And, yeah. Did the math a while ago... Front springs are about right for a 45lb rider. WTF suzuki?

[The Buddha]

Oh on the bikes that have steering dampers, they put crappy crappy crappy neck bearings with no grease on them ... so they would be very loose and turn with very little effort ... and then put a steering damper on them. That damper actually belongs in the trash, the neck bearings too, put a tapered bearing set and put grease on it and see how the bike turns.
Cool.
Buddha.

[ghostrider_23]

Cool thanks for the input and it makes sense, but I don't plan on being able to do any wheelies and find the GS pretty stable up to about 90mph. After that I get a lot of what I call wheel wobble, but I'm not crazy about taking my GS up to that speed (just had to try it out).

My next upgrade after rejetting will be the front springs and heavier oil, but that won't be until January

[adidasguy]

Unless you're racing, I feel a steering shock is an indication the bike is naturally unstable and hard to control --- ergo -- not the type of bike I want.

[burning1]

Shame. My BMW K1300GT is equipped with a steering damper. At 650lbs I can u-turn it in a 15 foot box.

[Jared]

Which is strange because IMO Suzuki should be put in prison for the crime they committed on the suspension of the GS500. I nearly bottom out my front suspension every morning going over an old train track at speeds that any other bike I've been on handled fine.

That being said my next major upgrade is two new progressive fork springs. The pogostick suspension is ridiculous if you want to do anything but granny turns.

The GS was designed as a bargain beginner/commuter bike.  Nothing about it was cutting edge in 1989...

Suzuki wasn't going to put a high dollar suspension on a bargain bike...  Build em cheap and sell em...less they spent on the bike the more profit.

[burning1]

Dunno... I don't think another $2.50 in steel to stiffen up the front forks is going to kill the profitability of the bike. Would remove one of the major complaints about the front end, though.

[Jared]

Dunno... I don't think another $2.50 in steel to stiffen up the front forks is going to kill the profitability of the bike. Would remove one of the major complaints about the front end, though.

How many GS500's do you think have sold since 1989 Worldwide? Multiply that by $2.50 -more money in Suzuki's pocket if they don't spend more on the bikes.  It was good enough for the road so they kept it the way it is. It's a functional street bike designed for entry level riders and commuters.

Yeah it needs improvement...but PSSST...come over here and buy this Sport bike with all the better goodies...nod nod wink wink...

[ghostrider_23]

Jared

Be careful calling the GS a beginner/commuter bike.  Good God I remember a thread where a bunch of people got pretty upset that the GS was referred to as that type of reference.

lol

[mister]

Yeah Jared. Call the GS a beginner bike again and the fires from hell will erupt henceforth and forthwith and engulf our being - right in front of everyone too. Then, the Cenobites will appear and small hooks on chains attached to places you cannot see, will pierce your skin in 138 places and then pull you apart in all those directions. So.... don't call it a beginner bike again, fair enough 

Michael

[comradeiggy]

I think an extra $2.50 is pushing it. Either way, when you think about it, it makes some sense since most people buying new GS500's will be new(er) to motorcycles and will think the suspension is "plush".

[Jared]

It's a  budget entry level motorcycle-exactly what Suzuki wanted it to be.

Beginner/commuter  bike. There I said it again.

I started on one in 1991 on a black 89 Model.  I've owned -including parts bikes and project bikes- 16 or more ( lost count ) of them.

[burning1]

Multiply $2.50 by the number of bikes sold, and subtract the number of people who bought EX250s or Ninja 500s because of the GS500's notoriously bad front springs. If just 100 people over the last 20 years bought something else because of the forks, Suzuki is gross in the red.

With that said, I don't believe that it's a cost cutting measure in-so-much that I think it's a supply/inventory issue for a budget bike vs truly about saving a couple dollars on each bike.

I don't think I've seen anyone describe the stock suspension as plush, and I think it says something that most owners are installing very stiff springs relative to what's really necessary for street use. I raced on .85s and it surprises the hell out of me every time I see a 160lb rider saying they bought them for street use.