I am debating which is the best way to cure the soft fork on my GS.  I have looked at the spacer mod on this page, and have looked into progressive springs and have even considered a gsxr fork.  As I am about 220 lbs, I just need something a little less soft, but still suitable for around town riding and day trips.  I also plan on upgrading the rear shock, but  I want to see what  sort of difference modifying the fork makes.  Thanks in advance to taking the time to respond.

I skipped the progressive springs and went right for gsxr forks. Most folks seem to be real happy with the progressive springs though - and that's a helluva lot cheaper and easier to do.

the gsxr fork swap isn't easy. In addition to swapping the steering stems you need to figure out a way to mount a headlight and gauges to the top triple. You also need to buy the complete front end:wheel, clip ons master cylinder, etc. You'll also have to figure out a way to get the speedo to read the gixxer wheel sending unit (or skip to a digital bicycle speedo). Racers do this mod and don't have to deal with any of this stuff.

This setup is IMO overkill on the street and not really necessary. Progressive springs are cheap and they work great. For another $40 or so you can buy Race Tech single rate springs that are factored to your weight and riding style.

You're better off IMO with spring swap and thicker 15W fork oil.

FWIW, I installed Progressive springs a couple of months ago when I had my fork seals replaced, and I can't say enough good things about them. They've really improved how the bike handles. No more jaw-clenching KA-KLUNKs when I drive over bumps!

Installed Racetech springs in my bike last weekend, and got the setup ironed out today.  Turned out I had put in too much oil.  The Racetech springs are performing beautifully now, and it's huge improvement over the stockers.  Total cost was $115 including oil and such.  Racetech supplied aluminum spacer material, washers, and a generous helping of stickers.  
These will also pave the way to racetech cartridge emulators, which I plan to add in the Spring when I can afford them.

I have done both mods, don't bother with the spacers.  They work for a while until those slinkys in the front forks compress a little bit more and just get mushy again (maybe I ride too hard-- naaa).  Go for either the progressives like I did or the race techs.  I agree with Pablo,  the GSXR mod is way over kill.  I have many mods and ride the bike as fast as it will go in turns WOT and the progressives are more than enough.  You will want to get a better rear shock for sport riding, but if it's just to clear up the crappy front end the springs alone will work.

Just a question, (Should have my GS in a week). I only weight 155Lbs is the spring issue more important to heavier riders or does that not matter?  I have read Tons on how much it makes it better but I have also seen posted weights of 220lbs and such. Just kinda thinging the more you weight the more you will get out of the spring upgrade.

It doesn't matter; it will dive if you weigh 110 lbs.

I'm under 120 and still felt the dive and the clunk on hitting a driveway apron. Changed the way it rides dramatically for the better after installing the Proggressive springs.

Thanks For the Info

Thanks for the input all.  Based on what I have read here, progressives it will be.   As for the rear shock, it is under consideration.  I will see what sort of changes I see from the spring swap.  Although I do like the idea of a gsxer600 shock in the rear :mrgreen: .  The discussion has raised another question though, should the average temp be a consideration when chosing the fork oil.  Although it has been uncomfortable warm here this summer, I do like to ride until my fingers are numb.  Does the oil thicken up appreciably when the temperature gets down to the upper 30's?  Thanks again folks.

I'm going to thread jack a little rather than start a new topic, because I think the answer will be of use to ISLAGI too.

I am planning on doing the on-the-bike swap described on Pablo's page. My understanding is that there will be a small amount of fork oil left in the forks. Is it okay to mix the new 15 weight oil with the little bit of remaining 10 weight?

Quote from: Casimir. Is it okay to mix the new 15 weight oil with the little bit of remaining 10 weight?

Should be fine, sort of like mixing motor oil of difference viscosities. BUT, try to make sure there is equal amounts or close to it of the 10W left so there wont be any imbalances between the fork legs.

Is 15wt oil always the best choice w/ the Progressives, regardless of rider weight?  ie: Would a lightweight like me be better w/ 10wt?

Not sure but I can tell you the springs alone, with the stock 10W is what I run and for my 120# it rides sweet...and for Pkaaso's, ahem, 150# he was pretty impressed by it.

I was jsut so lazy I didnt swap the oil but planned to...now its been so long I'm just going to leave it as is.

Well, I've already got the Progressives in and I didn't touch the oil either.  (yes, huge improvement)  But, I had planned to go back at some point and replace the oil and make sure the levels are correct/even.  But, I'm not sure whether to go w/ 10wt or 15wt.  I guess I could give 15wt a try and see if it's better/worse.

Quote from: BunnerRabbitJust a question, (Should have my GS in a week). I only weight 155Lbs is the spring issue more important to heavier riders or does that not matter?  I have read Tons on how much it makes it better but I have also seen posted weights of 220lbs and such. Just kinda thinging the more you weight the more you will get out of the spring upgrade.

The stock springs have a springrate of about .51 kg/mm.  I weigh 158 lbs, and racetech recommended about a .78 kg/mm springrate.  I got the next closest one, which was .80 kg/mm.  If I understand springrates correctly, a little math tells us that it only takes 11.2 lbs to compress the stocker springs a centimeter with no preload.  If you weigh 155 lbs, the springs would compress about 14 cm, although that's not taking into account the weight of the bike or preload.