If I pick up the gs I am looking at, I would really like to raise the rear of it with either the kat shock or the sv shock.
I would prefer to go with the sv shock for more height, but how will this affect the front? I would be ordering new front springs, but would I need to drop the tripples to raise the front back up. However, will this make the steering on the sv lazier, as I will have changed the steering angle on the front?
I have searched for this, but can't seem to find any direct info?
Chris
from how i understand it you will only get height out of a SV shock theres no adjustments to it like a gsxr or kat rear shock. so if you just want to raise the rear get a new set of dog bones and lift it that way.
Raising the rear end only will reduce the steering head angle aka rake making handling quicker. Ten yrears ago when I tried a couple of 130/90 rear touring tires on my 1st GS the rear was raised about 1" by the tires and the steering was noticeably quicker but those tires were not sticky enough for the GS. You can find some 140/80 sport touring tires that will raise the rear 3/4 to 7/8" and still stick. A 1" rear rise will make the rake about 1* steeper.
My 97 GS Owners Manual specs the caster (rake) at 25* 30'. Found somewhere the rake was reduced from 25.5* to 25.0* for the 2001 models on. By comparison the Ninja 500 currently has a 27* rake.
SV shock will barely fit. Then it causes problems too with stuff hittng others etc.
Kat shock yes. Other options is GSXR shock. But kat works a lot better unless a very narrow set of circumstances are met.
Cool.
Buddha.
I agree with buddha, but through personal experience I have some insight.
Kat shock (if you use the 750 like I did) is practically a bolt on direct job.. I did, however have to find a mount for the reservoir and grind some of the swingarm away so the spring wouldn't hit it.
The SV shock feels better than the stock one, and raises the rear end about 2-3 inches (between tire to fender) compared to stock. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS UNLESS YOU UPGRADE YOUR FRONT SPRINGS WITH IT.
When I used my SV shock with the stock front springs the thing would dive forward in turns... little turns I mean... it felt like if you came in too quick you'd roll over the bars. I had to do a lot of holding myself up by pushing on the bars which wore me out really quick, even on short rides.
Lemme know if you need the SV shock, I'll pretty much give you the one I have if you pay shipping... only if you want to tinker with it though... like I said, you really do need to upgrade the front if you want it to work properly... fair warning! Lol.
Kat 750 shocks have remote reservoir only after 2002. The pre 2002 shocks actually fit with no mods and no grinding. The Kat 600 89-01 shocks are nearly identical to the 750 ones of 89-01. I suspect the 600 ones after 02 are the same as 89-01 but not 100% sure.
All of those are drop in fit. They all are long clevise and literally no trouble to fit.
I have 1-2 (depending on who is paying when or waffling) - $40 and shipping for a well tested 600 shock. I open and test the dial sensitivity and seal and clean the shaft and look for rust spots or pits. If its rusty, or seals are blown, I dont even buy it.
Cool.
Buddha.
It would definately be with an upgraded front, and by that I mean progressives and fork oil. Would the SV shock require further front end modding to make it worthwhile?
Chris
If you're wanting to put on an SV shock, I have the rear shock off of an SV1000. A better piece than the SV650 shock (compression and rebound adjustability). PM me if you want it; I'll sell it cheap.