Suspension guidelines

[mimikeni]

Greetings,
Are there any recommendations about which setting to have the suspension set at?  I have a '96 and I weigh 215 pounds.

[adidasguy]

Greetings,
Are there any recommendations about which setting to have the suspension set at?  I have a '96 and I weigh 215 pounds.

In a PM you said you didn't know whether it was hard or soft. Well, that is a personal opinion.

Definitely soft if you bottom out. If you carry a passenger, I'd set it one or two notches higher. The users manual says to do that, then set it back when alone. I'd suggest going 1 notch stiffer for you.

I'm 170. Only twice I had a passenger. Heady one: I should have set it stiffer. Lighter guy I had just bought a parts bike from: Was OK, but one notch stiffer would have been nicer.

When I carry my bowling ball with other stuff it approaches your weight. Still seems OK. So maybe 1 notch stiffer. again, it is all a persona;l preference unless you have a passenger.

I am for replacing the front springs, as is most everyone.

While lots of people feel they have to replace the rear shock (maybe just a fashion statement?), there are plenty of us who feel the rear shock is just fine. Adjust stiffer or softer to suit your weight and riding preferences.

[SS Adrenaline]

Greetings,
Are there any recommendations about which setting to have the suspension set at?  I have a '96 and I weigh 215 pounds.

In a PM you said you didn't know whether it was hard or soft. Well, that is a personal opinion.

Definitely soft if you bottom out. If you carry a passenger, I'd set it one or two notches higher. The users manual says to do that, then set it back when alone. I'd suggest going 1 notch stiffer for you.

I'm 170. Only twice I had a passenger. Heady one: I should have set it stiffer. Lighter guy I had just bought a parts bike from: Was OK, but one notch stiffer would have been nicer.

When I carry my bowling ball with other stuff it approaches your weight. Still seems OK. So maybe 1 notch stiffer. again, it is all a persona;l preference unless you have a passenger.

I am for replacing the front springs, as is most everyone.

While lots of people feel they have to replace the rear shock (maybe just a fashion statement?), there are plenty of us who feel the rear shock is just fine. Adjust stiffer or softer to suit your weight and riding preferences.

What front springs did you replace with?

[mimikeni]

Thanks adidasguy.  I'll play around with it this weekend and see what feels right.

[SAFE-T]

Google "sag" and "motorcycle suspension" or do a search for "setting sag" or "static sag" on the forum and see what you find.

[Bluesmudge]

Improving the GS suspension on the cheap goes like this:

Front: Sonic Springs or Progressive springs
          Heavier fork oil

Rear: Katana or R6 Shock.

There are many other possibilities but these are the easiest and best documented on the forum.

[adidasguy]

What front springs did you replace with?

0.85's in 2 bikes. Progressives in one. Quite honestly, I do not remember which has the progressives. I guess that shows that for normal street riding, it makes no difference.

With stock older springs, I felt the nose dive on turns. Suzi had newer EOM springs, so it wasn't as bad as Trey or Junior.

The better springs I put in does make her handle better.

[bombsquad83]

What size spacer do you have on the progressive springs.  I did my fork seals and replaced fork oil and I realized that I have progressive springs, but I don't know if the spacer was the proper size.  I didn't measure it, but I think the spacer couldn't have been more than 1.5".

[adidasguy]

Length of spacer doesn't matter. Its length depends on the length of the springs.
Its where it's top is in relation to the top of the forks.
I've been told (and do it) to have the spacer even with the top of the fork tube or a little higher. When you screw in the cap, that adds 1" or so of preload which is the right amount. Measure spacer length with the forks extended.

[bombsquad83]

Thanks Adidas.  I don't remember where the spacer was relative to the top of the fork.  I will have to check it out before I put my front fender back on after paint.  Add it to the list!

[Bluesmudge]

Measure spacer length with the forks extended.

THIS.

Don't forget.

[SS Adrenaline]

What front springs did you replace with?

0.85's in 2 bikes. Progressives in one. Quite honestly, I do not remember which has the progressives. I guess that shows that for normal street riding, it makes no difference.

With stock older springs, I felt the nose dive on turns. Suzi had newer EOM springs, so it wasn't as bad as Trey or Junior.

The better springs I put in does make her handle better.

Hey I was woundering if the forks changed in 2001?  The reason I ask is Dennis Kirk has progressive springs but it says it will only fit up to 2000 gs500e?  I thought that they would have been the same?

https://www.denniskirk.com/progressive-suspension/fork-springs.p58973.prd/58968.sku

Whats up with this?

[adidasguy]

They are the same. Doesn't matter.

While WE here at GStwins are aware of model differences, parts sellers often go by the names in the books.

They often break down as:

GS500E 1989-2000 AND/OR 1989-1996, 1997-2000
GS500 (usually no E or F) 2001-2002 ( the bastard years: 2004+ hand controls, tank, tail and seat. 1989-2000 carbs and ignition. )
GS500F 2004-200?  and/or 2004-2006, 2007-200? (they stop at various years, depending on when their parts lists were last updated)
  ((...while some of the electrical is really 2004-2005 and 2006+. I believe 2006 changed the harness and hand control connectors because they added the cut-off of the headlight when the starter is pressed))

We do know forks are the same EXCEPT with the "F" model, a tab was added to mount the reflector because the fairing blocked the fork mounted reflector. Some people don't believe in reflectors, you can add reflectors in a variety of ways, and I like the Harley stick-on fork reflectors because I think they look cool --- even on my 2009! and all my bikes.

[SS Adrenaline]

They are the same. Doesn't matter.

While WE here at GStwins are aware of model differences, parts sellers often go by the names in the books.

They often break down as:

GS500E 1989-2000 AND/OR 1989-1996, 1997-2000
GS500 (usually no E or F) 2001-2002 ( the bastard years: 2004+ hand controls, tank, tail and seat. 1989-2000 carbs and ignition. )
GS500F 2004-200?  and/or 2004-2006, 2007-200? (they stop at various years, depending on when their parts lists were last updated)
  ((...while some of the electrical is really 2004-2005 and 2006+. I believe 2006 changed the harness and hand control connectors because they added the cut-off of the headlight when the starter is pressed))

We do know forks are the same EXCEPT with the "F" model, a tab was added to mount the reflector because the fairing blocked the fork mounted reflector. Some people don't believe in reflectors, you can add reflectors in a variety of ways, and I like the Harley stick-on fork reflectors because I think they look cool --- even on my 2009! and all my bikes.

Awseome, this is what I had thought but its better checking then purchasing something wrong.  Do you have a link so I can see those reflectors you like?  Thanks again adidasguy, you the best.
Cheers.   

[adidasguy]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson-OEM-Fork-Leg-Reflectors-w-tape-NR-/160745678237?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item256d30659d

Oh, ebay search" Harley fork reflector"

There is a left and a right. $14.95 is a good price for a pair.
Here's how they look:

[codajastal]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson-OEM-Fork-Leg-Reflectors-w-tape-NR-/160745678237?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item256d30659d

Oh, ebay search" Harley fork reflector"

There is a left and a right. $14.95 is a good price for a pair.
Here's how they look:

adidas what is that little light and what is it for?

[gsJack]

I put Progressives in my 97 forks for it's last 30k miles and later transfered them to my 02 GS and put another 90k miles on them.  They're finally broken in now. 

No problem Adrenaline, parts all the same and I put the almost new 02 stock springs and spacers in the old 97 back in 03.

mimikeni, I was about 230# when I got the Progressives and they worked well for me.  Doubt there would be any sag for a lighter rider so they're probably better off with the single rate springs chosen for rider weight.

Still have the sheet that came with my Progressives and adidasguy is right on, top of spacers should be flush with the top of the fork tube so the spring is preloaded the amount the top cap screws in.

[adidasguy]

Denali fog lights. One on each side. They REALLY brighten things up and cars see 3 points of light. Makes me look bigger and it is easier to judge distance and speed of on-coming bikes when there are 3 points of light instead of just one.


Without


WITH

[SS Adrenaline]

I put Progressives in my 97 forks for it's last 30k miles and later transfered them to my 02 GS and put another 90k miles on them.  They're finally broken in now. 

No problem Adrenaline, parts all the same and I put the almost new 02 stock springs and spacers in the old 97 back in 03.

mimikeni, I was about 230# when I got the Progressives and they worked well for me.  Doubt there would be any sag for a lighter rider so they're probably better off with the single rate springs chosen for rider weight.

Still have the sheet that came with my Progressives and adidasguy is right on, top of spacers should be flush with the top of the fork tube so the spring is preloaded the amount the top cap screws in.

Awesome thanks for that, 
Im about 185 and I think I will go with the progressives.
Cheers bro.

[SS Adrenaline]

Denali fog lights. One on each side. They REALLY brighten things up and cars see 3 points of light. Makes me look bigger and it is easier to judge distance and speed of on-coming bikes when there are 3 points of light instead of just one.


Without


WITH

My god that is stickin sweet.  What a differance that makes at night.  Here comes another mod.  lol