Below is a list of different stock shocks from various bikes the I have compiled over the years. If you have any additional info to add (or correct), please post up. I have not measured the GS shock yet but would like to know its spring rate.

1989-05 GS500 292.1mm ___kg/mm (11.5" ___lb/in)

1999-02 SV650 339.0mm ___kg/mm (13.3" ___lb/in)
2003-04 SV650 330.0mm 7.7kg/mm (13.0" 430lb/in)

1992-93 GSXR600 ____mm 6.2kg/mm (____" 345lb/in)
1997 GSXR600 ____mm 6.4kg/mm (____" 360lb/in)
1998-00 GSXR600 ____mm 6.4kg/mm (____" 360lb/in)
2001-03 GSXR600 ____mm 8.0kg/mm (____" 450lb/in)
2004-05 GSXR600 332.5mm 7.6kg/mm (13.1" 425lb/in)

1988-90 GSXR750 ____mm 5.4kg/mm (____" 300lb/in)
1991-92 GSXR750 ____mm 5.9kg/mm (____" 330lb/in)
1993 GSXR750 ____mm 6.3kg/mm (____" 350lb/in)
1994-95 GSXR750 ____mm 6.2kg/mm (____" 345lb/in)
1996 GSXR750 ____mm 6.0kg/mm (____" 335lb/in)
1997 GSXR750 ____mm 6.0kg/mm (____" 335lb/in)
1998 GSXR750 ____mm 6.6kg/mm (____" 370lb/in)
1999 GSXR750 ____mm 6.6kg/mm (____" 370lb/in)
2000-03 GSXR750 ____mm 7.2kg/mm (____" 400lb/in)
2004-05 GSXR750 332.5mm 7.3kg/mm (13.1" 410lb/in)

2001-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 7.7kg/mm (13.0" 430lb/in)
2003-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 8.6kg/mm (13.1" 480lb/in)
2005 GSXR1000 325.0mm 8.1kg/mm (12.75" 450lb/in)

1986-88 GSXR1100 ____mm 6.1kg/mm (____" 340lb/in)
1989-90 GSXR1100 ____mm 6.3kg/mm (____" 350lb/in)
1991-93 GSXR1100 ____mm 8.4kg/mm (____" 470lb/in)
1994 GSXR1100 ____mm 8.5kg/mm (____" 475lb/in)
1995-98 GSXR1100 ____mm 8.5kg/mm (____" 475lb/in)

2003-04 ZX6RR 340.0mm 9.7kg/mm (13.4" 540lb/in)
2005 ZX6RR ____mm 10.3kg/mm (____" 575lb/in)
2004-05 ZX10R 338.0mm  9.7kg/mm (13.3" 540lb/in)

You, sir, are an incredible resource.  Thanks!

Yo...Mods...FAQ this bad boy!

-Turd.

Any idea of the GSes numbers? It'd be nice to have something to compare to.

Kat shock numbers would be nice too...  Since it's a straight swap.   

I did some searching:
'89+ GS:               11.5 in -- 292.1mm
'90+ Kat600:         11.88 in -- 301.752mm
'90-'00 GSF1200S:  11.75 in -- 298.45mm
'93-'01 Kat750:      11.75 in -- 298.45mm

Things you need to look out for when buying a new shock is that the bottom end needs to be a forked end, rather than a double end.

Forked:


Double:

Is it safe to buy a shock from '96 for example. Noting that it is 10 years old, how much would it still hold on a GS?

Can i replace stock shock absorber with the one that has rebound ajustment - that little extra cylinder on top. Or should i look for a simplier one. Also is the length of the shock absorber the only thing that affects the fiting? Are holes of bolts or for example distance between forks on a forked shock different over different models?

Quote from: domas on May 14, 2006, 04:00:00 AM
Is it safe to buy a shock from '96 for example. Noting that it is 10 years old, how much would it still hold on a GS?

Can i replace stock shock absorber with the one that has rebound ajustment - that little extra cylinder on top. Or should i look for a simplier one. Also is the length of the shock absorber the only thing that affects the fiting? Are holes of bolts or for example distance between forks on a forked shock different over different models?

Personally, I think 10 years or newer is ideal, but so long as the shock is in good condition and doesn't have a jillion or so miles on it you should be fine.

Most people upgrade their shock to GAIN the rebound adjustment. That's why it's an upgrade after all.

The length plays a major factor, as it raises the tail and can change the rake/trail of the bike, thus quickening or slowing the steering. The taller the shock the quicker the steering, typically.

So long as the shock is forked, it should work on the GS as most shocks are of similar enough design.

Is the shock fully extended when the bike is on the centerstand?

All those measures of the shocks are from top to bottom, or from fitting hole centers?

Quote from: domas on May 14, 2006, 04:13:29 AM
Is the shock fully extended when the bike is on the centerstand?

All those measures of the shocks are from top to bottom, or from fitting hole centers?

Yes, it should be fully extended on the centerstand as far as I know, as there is no pressure on the rear wheel and thus no pressure on the shock.

Not sure on the measurements, but it's common engineering practice to measure the distance from center to center.

so all these shocks listed will fit into the GS with slight modification (grinding)?

what about the widths of the shocks; I thought I read that some GSX-R 750 years will not fit because the spring is too wide...

Quote from: l3uddha on May 14, 2006, 09:41:26 AM
so all these shocks listed will fit into the GS with slight modification (grinding)?

what about the widths of the shocks; I thought I read that some GSX-R 750 years will not fit because the spring is too wide...

Nothing I posted will fit the GS without modifications to the bike. They require a modified/extended upper mount, you might be ok with different length dog bones. Not sure about that since I always modify the upper mount. The larger diameter shocks will fit but require a GSXR linkage since it is a little shorter allowing for clearance at the swingarm. Any shock can be made to fit.