I am getting my 2nd GS500 after selling my first 5 years ago. help needed.

[Cozzy]

Hi ladies and gents,

Good the see the forum is still running strong and my account is still working.

I sold my 97' GS500 5 years ago and during this 5 year I had ridden a few bikes, a bandit 1200, SV1000 and an ER-5.

2 weeks ago, when I went to the bike shop to do the oil change. I saw this 95' GS500 in reasonable good condition. So I left the ER-5 at the shop and rode the GS500 away.



I upgraded the brake master cylinder to a 14mm master cylinder and put a set on BT92 on it.

After riding it for 2 weeks. Now I would like to upgrade the fork spring and shock.

I weight around 120kg.

As GS500 is not popular here. I have limited selection of fork spring and shocks.

I have talked to different supplier and found out the following parts are available here.

Fork Spring.

1. Hagan
2. Progressive
3. YSS

All 3 are progressive springs, I have no idea about the spring rate.

For the shock also,

1. Hagan (specified for gs500)
2. Progressive (universal)
3. YSS (universal)

As, I have not tired any of the fork spring and shock before. They are similar in price. I could not decide which combination should I get. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Beerstudd]

Why not find a 600Katana shock? Got mine off ebay for $45.00 shipped. Have not made it to the forks yet on mine. I'm thinking about making spacers first before I spend on springs.

[adidasguy]

Front springs are so much more important. They affect steering.
Change the fork springs. many use 0.85 springs. Sonic Springs is popular.

I think people change the rear shock as a fad. Suspension bad? Change the read! NOT! Change the forks first. You can set the rear to stiffer or softer. Try that first. A KAT shock will raise up the rear unless you use lowering links. I found the KAT too stiff and gave it away. A stiffer rear will only make the forks worse if you do not change the fork springs.

[Pontiackid73]

pop a katana 600 shock in the back and straight rate springs in front. Made a world of difference on mine. I only weigh 85kg and went with .85kg mm sonic springs and they are awesome! you will have to go heavier, .95kg/mm would be my guess.

[Cozzy]

I have considered the katana shock. However, it is not easy to find it locally.

I think I maybe able to get a bandit 400/600/1200 shock, SV650 shock, GSXR600/750 shock if I am lucky. I have to say they are not cheap here, almost 60% of the price of the new aftermarket shock.

I will swap the fork spring and the shock at the same time.

[slipperymongoose]

Yeah as mentioned above upgrade the forks to sonic springs there only $85 bucks ish with 15w fork oil. Go to there site and punch in ur info and it will tell you which ones to order. Rear shock options are the kat shocks or the R6 shocks that have a clevis at the bottom of the shock and the eye bolt mount at the top. Speaking from expierence upgraded forks are a great first step and will do you for a while, as you probably know you can just turn your preload up on your rear shocker and yeah that did me. Great to see you come back to the darkside ha ha ha. 

[Cozzy]

The major problem of the sonic spring is the shipping cost, that would add another US$40 on it. Therefore, I would go for either the Hagan or progressive, which are available locally.

For the shock, some equation apply. The shipping cost make purchasing the katana shock not feasible

[slipperymongoose]

where are you located?

[Cozzy]

Hong Kong