Katana or sv600 shock install which one

[cbcanada]

I just bought a 1999 gs500e

I am looking ro replace my stock rear shock
I am hoping to get the seat higher about an inch more because inam tall and raise the tail because i like the way that looks.

What are the pros an cons of the katana shock vs sv600?

Which year of katana or sv65o should i get?

Will my bike handle diffferent ? Better or worse? Does the front need adjusting after?

Thanks for any advice in advance

[codajastal]

I have just installed the white 2011 sv650 shock on my bike that gave it a good inch or two lift at the back. Handling seems a bit better than it was before and I am extremely happy with it. No need to cut or paste anything it fits straight in. HOWEVER centre stand is all but useless without a piece of wood under the stand and side stand MAY need lengthening (mine did not thanks to kijona)

Pros
Higher ride height
better handling
looks cool

Cons
pain in ass as to put in, if like me, you have never done any work on bike before otherwise no cons

Hope that helps

[Pontiackid73]

i put in a 04 katana 600 shock, popped right in, ride is much better, and no change in height. Would definitely recommend if you are just cruising and street riding.

[cbcanada]

I have just installed the white 2011 sv650 shock on my bike that gave it a good inch or two lift at the back. Handling seems a bit better than it was before and I am extremely happy with it. No need to cut or paste anything it fits straight in. HOWEVER centre stand is all but useless without a piece of wood under the stand and side stand MAY need lengthening (mine did not thanks to kijona)

Pros
Higher ride height
better handling
looks cool

Cons
pain in ass as to put in, if like me, you have never done any work on bike before otherwise no cons

Hope that helps

What year is your bike? Mine is 1999 do you think it will pop right in?

The so right now you cant park your bike? Is the side stand able to hold up?

[cbcanada]

i put in a 04 katana 600 shock, popped right in, ride is much better, and no change in height. Would definitely recommend if you are just cruising and street riding.

I was hopin to get a little bit of a seat height and the tail raised. But i guess when that happens the center stand and the side stand are the trade offs

[Kijona]

(mine did not thanks to kijona)

No problem. 

[codajastal]

What year is your bike? Mine is 1999 do you think it will pop right in?

The so right now you cant park your bike? Is the side stand able to hold up?

The side stand still holds the bike up no problems

My bike is a 1989 model but they are all basically the same although the older models have the longer stand as mine does.

The centre stand still works for filling tank at gas station but do not rely on it for leaving the bike as a strong wind may blow it over

[daski-emt]

would the sv650 shock work for a heavier(250#) rider like myself?

[jestercinti]

The Katana 600 shock, at least for me, added about 1.5" additional height in the rear.  It is also stiffer, so when you sit down on the bike the rear does not compress as far, therefore you don't "sink" as much.  The Katana is a heavier bike, that's why the shock is stiffer.

I have heard that the SV shock will raise the rear of the bike more than the Katana.  For me at least, the Katana Shock was the best $20 I could have spent at the swap meet.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

not to trying to change yer mind, but remember the r6 shock is a direct bolt on as well

here's a thread with a ton of info on the R6:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52334.0

[cbcanada]

The Katana 600 shock, at least for me, added about 1.5" additional height in the rear.  It is also stiffer, so when you sit down on the bike the rear does not compress as far, therefore you don't "sink" as much.  The Katana is a heavier bike, that's why the shock is stiffer.

I have heard that the SV shock will raise the rear of the bike more than the Katana.  For me at least, the Katana Shock was the best $20 I could have spent at the swap meet.

I heard the same about the sv shock too thats its a bit higher. But requires some drilling.

I am prolly going to go with the katana shock because its the easiest and in will stil get use from side stand and center stand

Which year katana shock should i use?

[cbcanada]

I have just installed the white 2011 sv650 shock on my bike that gave it a good inch or two lift at the back. Handling seems a bit better than it was before and I am extremely happy with it. No need to cut or paste anything it fits straight in. HOWEVER centre stand is all but useless without a piece of wood under the stand and side stand MAY need lengthening (mine did not thanks to kijona)

Pros
Higher ride height
better handling
looks cool

Cons
pain in ass as to put in, if like me, you have never done any work on bike before otherwise no cons

Hope that helps

I saw a website showing that you had to drill the SV shock to install them . But you didnt? Thats cool

[jestercinti]

89-2006 Katana 600 should be a direct bolt-on.  Some Katana 750 models have a shock with a reservoir.  Those will work too, but may be overkill, and you will have to mount the extra reservoir somewhere.

I was at Mid-Ohio vintage days, and found mine in a pile of crap on a blue tarp. Was practically brand new and not blown.  Googled the GS500 shock picture and found it looked almost identical.  Offered the guy $20, and he took it.

These links may help:
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock

[codajastal]

would the sv650 shock work for a heavier(250#) rider like myself?

Yes but you will need to keep an eye on your chain adjustment.

[codajastal]

I saw a website showing that you had to drill the SV shock to install them . But you didnt? Thats cool

No drilling at all here. That was for keeping the same ride height

[cbcanada]

I saw a website showing that you had to drill the SV shock to install them . But you didnt? Thats cool

No drilling at all here. That was for keeping the same ride height

Ok so if you drill you maintain same height if not the tail is up 2"

Do you have a side profile picture of the bike? I want to see what a 2 inch raise looks like. Do you actually feel any seat height diffetence?

[codajastal]

I saw a website showing that you had to drill the SV shock to install them . But you didnt? Thats cool

No drilling at all here. That was for keeping the same ride height

Ok so if you drill you maintain same height if not the tail is up 2"

Do you have a side profile picture of the bike? I want to see what a 2 inch raise looks like. Do you actually feel any seat height diffetence?

Yes you feel the difference
as you see in the photos there is major difference

Before




After

[daski-emt]

would the sv650 shock work for a heavier(250#) rider like myself?

Yes but you will need to keep an eye on your chain adjustment.

thanks...

[Flux Maven]

is the 2011 sv650 shock a different design? on the wiki it says you have to use the yellow type not the later model white colored shock. I only ask because I could get an 04 white sv shock for $30 but I was skeptical since it says the white ones don't work on the wiki.

[codajastal]

Yes the white one fits and I should know because I have the white one in now