This bike is awesome on the curves with the progressives.  Big improvement.    Any of you who have the stock springs need to make the switch.  It wasn't difficult, although I replaced the oil the 'lazy way'. 

been trying to tell everyone that for 4 months now.Up grade to a katana shock and it really gets better.

Got the shock on mine. Need to get the springs installed.

AFTER, I get the thing to run on a consisitant basis.

CARB issues!!!!!!

I'm happy to hear that you like progressive. I'm planning to get them either. I thought about sonic or racetech but they are to expensive and to advanced... I neither race nor ride twisties. I live in NYC so we don't have twisties here, instead we have plenty of damaged roads with huge holes in them... Progressive should be fine and not as stiff as the other ones.
How much did you pay for yours including shipping price??
cheers
KaMeL

I got mine off of ebay for about 50 bucks.  Just one thing to remember when installing them: REMEMBER TO PUT THE FORK OIL IN BOTH OF THE FORKS.

I put oil in one of them capped it, then started on the next one. I thought, well this is easy, so the next one should be easier.
I dumped the oil replaced the spring, added the washer, put in my spacer and capped it up, not even realizing that I forgot to put the oil in.

Half way home from my buddies house(thats were I did this at) I remembered that I didnt put the oil in.  I felt so stupid.
But putting the oil in the second time wasnt that bad.

But I love the progressive springs. I is definitely worth it. I dont bottom out every time  I go to stop.

ok...... I've heard enough about new springs/shocks for the GS....they can't be THAT much better.


Someone explain it to me. What is different in a spring/shock  that is so much better than stock. What do they change?

Note: I'm interested in upgrading my springs and shocks if all the hub lub is true 

do u have any pics that u can post

Quote from: tussey on October 05, 2007, 02:54:51 PM
ok...... I've heard enough about new springs/shocks for the GS....they can't be THAT much better.


Someone explain it to me. What is different in a spring/shock  that is so much better than stock. What do they change?

Note: I'm interested in upgrading my springs and shocks if all the hub lub is true 

x2

Different springs are:

-Stiffer so you can brake harder/dive into corners with more confidence/ride at higher speeds and stay stable.
-Progressive-wound springs are progressive, so they get stiffer the deeper you get into the travel of the fork.
-Shock springs help balance the chassis for mid-corner handling stability.


Basically, they make the bike work for you, instead of you having to fight a too-soft setup as you do with a GS as delivered from the factory.

Believe the hype!

The progressive springs are twice the length of the stock springs.  The stock springs come with about a foot long spacer.  Really a foot long spacer! The spacer for the progressive is about an inch.  So thats a complete foot more spring action than stock.

So you can imagine how much better it would be. No more bottoming out coming to a stop or hitting a bump.

ok so I wanna upgrade my shock and my springs.....what exactly should I be looking for? What's the best shock and I suppose progessive springs are the best for the front. Is it just a set of springs. I've never taken my forks apart and I don't know what's in them. What will I have to upgrade? thanks.

Quote from: shaun on October 05, 2007, 04:51:04 PM
do u have any pics that u can post

Yes, you can believe the hype. 

I keep neglecting to take comparative pictures every time I install (or help install) a set of Progressives.  I've done 4 sets now. 

But you can see a decent picture (unfortunately a little small) near the bottom of this page of pantablo's:
    http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id2.html

What you see is what you get.  The spindly spring (and the LONG spacer) on top is the stock setup.  The much beefier (and tighter) spring with the ~.75" spacer on the bottom is the Progressive setup.  Night and day!

{Get ready to run AdAware after visiting that page.  I guess that's just how tripod.com is.  Perhaps sanjay has ripped a copy of the picture for the GS500 wiki?}

No one has mentioned that the spring stiffness directly affects how much weight you can carry.  According to Race Tech, the 0.595 kg/mm stock springs in the pre-2004 GS is appropriate for a 45lb rider.  I'm not kidding.  The stock GS suspension is simply not built for you.  When I put my 180lbs on it, most of the suspension travel has been used up just carrying my weight.  There's none left for soaking up bumps.

I also have a photo in my thread about 2004 springs:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=37029.0


The pre-2004 springs on the left are undeniably awful.  The 2004 springs in the middle look better.  The 0.9kg/mm springs that can carry my arse are definitely beefy.

The ride quality is 1000% improved.

Could i stick some of your sponge like springs in my ZXR.

Damn they have a reputation for having rock hard suspension designed for the track but bloody hell. Extremely road unfriendly.

have you considered the oil replacement...and using a lighter weight oil for the 400?

you still suck cause you have a true baby ninja

Lol its a fantastic bike and the suspension is lovely on bigger faster roads but i live in the country and as much as i like my zxr a ktm 990 sm would suit me much better!

at the risk of sounding like an idiot  ... can you post a link to the springs (like where to buy them) so I know WHAT I'm looking for before I go bug the boyfriend to "fix" something else. hehe

What do you know?  The links in this 3-year-old post are still good ... and the prices have both DROPPED!

EBAY! $65 shipped (to NY) here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Progressive-Fork-Springs-Pair-30-45-111128_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQihZ003QQitemZ130155686931QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I'm waiting for them. Just purchased.

Perhaps I should have been less lazy?

If you go to http://www.mawonline.com/progress.htm and search for either 02517 (the MAW part number) or 111128 (the manufacturer's part number) you can get the springs for $52.95.

Not sure what shipping would cost.