Looking to do my front suspension springs in the next few months. I saw a couple of other users who were also interested in what people have to say, just wondering if everyone could select what they use in a quick and easy poll so we can figure out what the most popular spring setup is.

If you want, post a review of springs you use, how long you've used them, riding style, rider weight, and your impressions. Thanks!

I use Sonic Springs .95 kg/mm and they were really stiff at first, and I had thought that I went too heavy for my weight (I weigh 230 with no gear) and type of riding (I commute 40 miles a day of back roads full of 25 MPH corners, usually at about 50 or 65 mph), however after a few rides it feels great. I have had them in my bike since January, and I absolutely love them, however I think it would be better to upgrade the rear as well at the same time.

Racetech .85 kg/mm all the way, great for street riding but still stiff enough for an occasional track day!

I'm using Progressives.  I can't compare them to stock, as I have never ridden stock springs.  I'm happy with them.  Most riding is commuting, couple of curves (not enough) but roads in this area are pretty boring for riding bikes.  I'm about 180 lb with gear.  (And the rear shock is GSXR)

I bought my bike 2 weeks ago brand new. Knowing that the front of the Gs was going to be soft. I rode it for 200 miles and decided to go with the Sonic Springs 0.95 Springs ( I weigh 250 with gear). I absolutely can not express how happy i am with the product, customer support, and shipping. I guess you can say they won me over with their professionalism.

Zac

Progressives and 15wt oil. Im about 160-165 with gear (plus or minus a meal or two). I dont know what the bike feels like w/o them but i like them. Im considering going to 20wt oil.... Any advice on that? Will it be slightly stiffer?

Spring weight is irrelevant without posting up your weight. I weigh 180 or so, and currently run .90s on my GS500 race bike. Previously ran .85s, but I had to do a lot of tweaking to keep the forks from bottoming out under braking. With that said, I run these in race conditions, and on some bumpy tracks. IMO, .85s are too stiff for my weight for street use.

Stock, 135lbs.  And, I ride in the rain a lot, which is also important, because you want the suspension to 'give' more than your tires.

Soft suspension also teaches you to be smooth on the brakes.

It's interesting to see how a majority of people are still tuning the stockers

The stock forks work fine for most users -- I put a season of racing on mine, with a few mods.

A lot of people don't like the sudden, unsettling dive of the front end when they jab on the front brakes, so they switch to the Progressives or Sonic springs for a more "solid" front end.

i switched out to the progressives as soon as i got the bike. the seals needed to be replaced so i just upgraded while i was in there.

never had a problem and they feel comfortable.

later i read that the progressives are not good for racing due to the final 1-2 inches of travel being too harsh. i dont track my bike so no bother to me. go for straight rates if your going to race.

stock front unfortuantly

even with big spacers i still feel like i can bottom it out by just pushing on the bars, and im only 200lbs

Quote from: skirecs on April 26, 2011, 09:53:31 AM
stock front unfortuantly

even with big spacers i still feel like i can bottom it out by just pushing on the bars, and im only 200lbs

In stock form, the bike is sprung correctly for a 45lb rider.

Let re reword my last post im using .85 racetech straight springs w/ 15w oil and i weigh 125-130 lbs their a little stiff but i feel more confident on a stiffer ride. i still find them to be compliant enough.

What about the oil level?

Do me a favor... Throw a zip-tie around a fork leg and let me know how far you push the tie up the leg. All my experience tells me that the front end is way too stiff for you, and I'm quite curious how much travel you're using.

As mentioned earlier, I raced on a similar setup, and I weigh 185.

Ill probably have the measurment for you in a couple days, lots of rain in ny. I ment to ask you burning1 how long did you cut your preload spacers?

Same length as stock.

My setup right now:

1. .85 springs
2. Stock preload (about 30mm, IIRC)
3. Emulators (factory preload, spring, and low speed bypass holes.)
4. 15 weight fork oil
5. Fork oil level set to 100mm

The fork oil level is set extremely high, in order to prevent the forks from bottoming out. It makes the spring rate quite progressive. I've found I cannot bottom out the forks by hand.

For what it's worth... I found that setup which was tuned to my weight and riding style, worked better than the suspension on my 04 GSX-R. IMO, having your suspension properly tuned and sprung is more important than having some high end parts on there. I just happened to score with my new GSX-R front end, in that it came with .9 springs and reasonable valving from the factory. It looks like the only thing I may have to do is raise the oil level a little.

i run stock just cuz i'm a newb rider and don't know any better, plus i don't race. i just do some spirited riding here and there through the hills and mostly ride city and freeway.