I have the spacers in right now, and the spring rate is still crappy even though the suspention is tighter.  Do the progressives make this better?  Or do I have to go with the gold valves and tuned springs?

Prrrrogrrrrresssssivvvvvve

Quote from: wingboltPrrrrogrrrrresssssivvvvvve

Ditto times 2.  The best $60 or so you will ever spend on this bike.  Period.

Yep best money spent for me also braking is much better, I havent found any good place to try out the handling yet.

Ohh i cant WAIT to get these....mmmm

My fork seals are bad AND i have stock springs... braking, accelerating, shifting.... riding two up... all of this stuff will improve ten fold. Not to mention handling and overall ride.

Riding a lot of 2 up I would look into the Katana rear shock or GSXR one.

...and SAFETY.  I can brake more confidently in a hurry.  No more nose dive lifting the rear tire nearly off the ground.  Before, any braking at all on rough roads would cause the forks to bottom out.  I have since tried to get them to hit bottom and could not do it.  About 40MPH over "repaired" potholes with full emergency braking applied.  Nice and controlled.

I definitely want the GSXR1000 shock.. but as far as riding 2 up... the forks dive like mad when all that weight gets trasferred in braking... its horrible.

The 750 is the better shock to get.

Progressive Suspension springs will be a huge improvement over the spacers. These are only $60...you could go with Race Tech single rate springs for about $100 (and you don't need emulators unless you're racing).

Do not get rear shock before you get fork springs...it's better to do the front first for better handling.

I already have a RF900R rear shock.  That's why the spring rate is so noticeably bad.  Thanks guys.

Hi guys... i think my stock springs are broken or at least one of them
the bike is practically unridable

could you let me know where to get decent springs...
thanx

Welcome to the site Michael...check my site for the progressive spring install page (super easy install). It lists where to get them for $60. Well worth the investment.

We put a set of Progressives in our '02 and, not only does it handle better, stop shorter w/o diving, and respond better to pavement irregularities, but my teeth are whiter, most of my lost hair has returned and I dropped 25 lbs. with out dieting. Golly!

Quotebut my teeth are whiter, most of my lost hair has returned and I dropped 25 lbs. with out dieting. Golly!

Damn! I gotta get those springs!    

John

Thanks Pantablo thats just the ticket

Quote from: pantabloWelcome to the site Michael...check my site for the progressive spring install page (super easy install). It lists where to get them for $60. Well worth the investment.

Hey I just read your spring install and had a question.  That spacer looks giant that came out of your bike.  When I did the seals on my bike, the spring came up to the bottom of the threads on the tube and there was no spacer.  Is that spacer only on newer bikes or is it possible that I already have better springs?

thanks

Progressive springs have a different winding pitch at one end and they widen out in the middle and other end. They frequently recomen you use the springs wihtout a spacer. or with a 1 - 2 inch spacer. Chances are yout PO was finding it hard to install a 2 inch spacer and skimped on it. My eliminator has a 2 inch spacer and is great to ride. Cant imagine it feeling right with no spacer, so you may want to confirm its a progressive and make a 1-2 inch spacer and stuff it.
Cool.
Srinath.

the stock spring is only 8" long maybe...10 max. If the spring in your fork reaches to the top it's likely an aftermarket upgraded spring. I think all springs have some spacer they recommend-progressive suggests 3/4"-1" spacer. Some heavier riders have more but its not necessary.

If you still have it out or remember it-as Srinath says, the spring is closer together to one end and more open between coils on the other (hence, progressive rate springs...). BUT you might have single rate springs like RaceTech or something. Either way, if it didn't look like the tiny spring and long-long spacer on my site it's probably been upgraded.

Thanks very much for the answer guys

I think its quite possible that I have aftermarket springs then.  I don't recall it looking like your description of the progressive so maybe it does have a RaceTech or similar.  It definitely was not a short spring and there were no spacers.  hmm maybe I'll concentrate on getting the K&N open element filter and a slipon :mrgreen: