Just wondering cuz the front suspentions has a bit... ok, way to much give/movement for what im looking for. Are the progressive springs worth the work and money to do?

Any first hand experiances or tips?

Thanks

I used to bottom out the stock springs on my 04 every now and then (04 springs are tiny bit better than pre 04: longer and thicker)
Then I installed progressives cause they're cheaper than straight rate and I don't race. They're also very nice for regular street riding and commuting cause they are initially soft and become harder as they compress. So overall your ride is smooth, yet they're hard and long enough to prevent bottoming out.

check these pic for comparison of stock 04 springs with progressives:


So in my opinion they're worth the money, and installation is easy too.
(I just put them in without changing the fork oil; the fork oil was about 1500 miles old  so it was clean and fresh)
cheers
Kamil

Definitely worth it, doesn't even feel like the same bike -

I wouldn't say it's EASY,  but if you have a decent work area and take your time and have wrenched before then it's well worth it.

I put Progressive springs in my 97 forks at about 40k miles and ran them for another 40k miles and then put the same ones in my 02 replacement GS and have put another 60k miles on them.  They were a bit stiff at first but are just right for me now with 100k miles on them.   

I just bought a katana shock for my gs and was wondering the same about the progressive springs.  Do you think that when I replace the rear with a stiffer spring, it'll be more important to put stiffer fronts in?

I'm thinking of going the same route. I've just installed the SV shock and now would like to stiffen the front. What's the difference between progressive and sonic-springs? Price? Or totally different all-together? 

Dan

Sonic's are straight rate, linear. Progressive springs are not linear and softer initially and get stiffer the more they are compressed. I went with Sonic due to being a heavier person and wanting a heavier spring, roughly 265lbs went with 95KM/MM springs. The progressives only come in 1 size if you will, dual rate and I think the upper end was like 80KM/MM. I went to look it up but couldn't find the specs for them, they are much cheaper at around $55 before shipping though.
Before the spring change I would bottom out all the time and braking sucked. Its a different bike now, handles and brakes soo much better. Any spring upgrade is better than the stock springs IMHO.

Ok then, progressive springs it is!

Ill be sure to post up once installed and tryed out.

Quote from: Asym on October 12, 2008, 04:39:57 PM
Sonic's are straight rate, linear. Progressive springs are not linear and softer initially and get stiffer the more they are compressed. I went with Sonic due to being a heavier person and wanting a heavier spring, roughly 265lbs went with 95KM/MM springs. The progressives only come in 1 size if you will, dual rate and I think the upper end was like 80KM/MM. I went to look it up but couldn't find the specs for them, they are much cheaper at around $55 before shipping though.
Before the spring change I would bottom out all the time and braking sucked. Its a different bike now, handles and brakes soo much better. Any spring upgrade is better than the stock springs IMHO.

Thanks for the update. I'm on the 230lb edge and was thinking of going with .90 Sonics... I feel the same issues, I bottom out at least once a day the front feels bouncy on the highway at times and when I brake hard I feel like the nose dives waaaayy too deep in the front.

I guess I'll be sending 80 bucks to Sonic in a few days, lol.

Dan

Im 190lbish and i have Racetech .85 straight rate springs. Got them 2 years ago for $80 and they are way better than stock. I prefer straight rate so they have a more predictable feel. Even riding two up now has no probs with compression, well worth the money IMHO! But get whatever you can afford and prefer.. either way your better off than stock springs, it was the first mod i did!

I weigh 230 and the progressive fronts and katana rear has been a godsend for me.

I've been wondering if I should bother getting the progressives and/or a upgrade for the rear shock myself.  I'm 5'11" and weigh 125...

Any suggestions for me?

Quote from: Darkmyst on October 13, 2008, 08:01:39 PM
I've been wondering if I should bother getting the progressives and/or a upgrade for the rear shock myself.  I'm 5'11" and weigh 125...

Any suggestions for me?

Sonic Springs .80 or .85 rear shock, Katana... It'll improve your ride all across the board.

But, people do all sorts of mods to suspension. It's all about what you want in your ride. I personally run an SV shock in the rear which gives my bike about 2 inches of lift in the ass end and a much stiffer feel with virtually no sag. The next upgrade is .90 Sonics for the front to try and eliminate bottoming out and over-all braking response.

If you're happy with your ride.. then leave it alone. The GS500 is perfect for a 125lb rider. You may be best off adjusting your rear spring pre-load to 6 or 7 and doing the .80 Sonics in the front.

But... if you're not bottoming out the front end you should be fine.

Dan

For your weight I'd say .80 Sonics up front or even the cheaper Progressives which you might actually like better, but stock just plain sucks.  Maybe stiffen up the setting on your stock shock and leave it stock, it will have more cush. I have.85 Sonics and they are pretty stiff for me at 150lbs with gear, but that makes for an extremely predictable and solid front end, esp with the aluminum billet fork brace I have installed. If I did it again I'd go with the .80s. My Katana 600 shock is stiff too, it will pop me off the seat in a big bump, so there are some spots of rough road where I have to slow down more than I'd like. Again, it makes the bike solid and predictable in the canyon corners.

Sounds like the answer is yes so I'll add it to my list of things to do when I have some spare cash and time.  Although they are probably the cheapest of the spare cash/time options.  What with the rest of them being heated grips, exhaust, intake, rejet, and gauges.  *sigh*

Thanks for the input!

Anyone have any experience with stock springs + spacers vs progressive springs?

Just get the progressives and don't look back.

My forks were blown and with stock springs when I first got the bike.

New Seals, Oil, and Progressives, and it is purrfect!

The back could be a bit more stiffer but its not too bad I could adjust it or get a Kat shock.

I'm about 180.

I put in 3/4" longer spacers on my stock springs a few days ago, and also slid my fork down 5/8" and it handles soo much better

Quote from: Danny500 on October 13, 2008, 10:50:10 PMThe GS500 is perfect for a 125lb rider.

I think you made a typo here. I'm sure you meant 25lb rider. Because that's about what the front springs are good for. I'm 120lbs and I changed mine out for progressives - what a HUGE difference! Still soft and smooth over small bumps but becomes much more predictable under braking. I was always worried about bottoming the front under even moderate braking - not anymore...

Yep, upgrading those teeny stock springs was a definate handling improvement, and adding a Katana shock afterward made it perfect.