I'm 6' 240lbs. I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles  and realize that I probably need to stiffen up the suspension a fair bit. This is a first road bike for me, and I have very limited riding experience. I'm thinking sonic springs (0.90?) for the front and a Katana 600 shock for the rear.

Any better recommendations?

Thanks
Jon.

yah i'm upgrading the same bits too... soon anyway ... the consensus around here seems to be the new or used 2006 onwards R6 rear shock .. and sonic springs.. or progressive springs .. lots and lots and lots of threads on this show up with a search for this subject.

i'll be using Sonic springs ... at the "sonic calculated weight" of 1.0 though i think... i weight a ... ummm.. tiny bit more than you though 

seems like you hit pretty much on target with your first plan though.... unless you wanna go all extreme and source USD forks/front end from another bike and lash out with mucho dollars on a ohlins rear end.... kaching!

You can instantly go and change all your suspension - or - ride it a bit first to see how you feel on it. Adjust the rear preload up to 5, then try it at 6, then try it at 7 and see what you like better.

Not saying, not to change the suspension. But just because people here do change it doesn't mean you Need to change it. My 09 is stock as and I've put a happy 55,000+kms on it without changing the suspension or rejetting or whatever else people feel they Need to do.

The only suspension change was heavier fork oil. But, I only did this when the fork seals Needed to be replaced cause there was a leak.

Spend you money on becoming a better rider first. 

Michael

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 01, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
I'm 6' 240lbs. I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles  and realize that I probably need to stiffen up the suspension a fair bit. This is a first road bike for me, and I have very limited riding experience. I'm thinking sonic springs (0.90?) for the front and a Katana 600 shock for the rear.

Any better recommendations?

Thanks
Jon.

I was about 230# when I bought my 97 GS 13 years ago and I rode it stock for 50k miles until I put in new fork seals and I put in Progressive springs at the same time.  The front bottomed to easy with the stock springs.

When the 97 was totalled back in 03 I put the same Progressive front springs in the 02 I replaced it with and have used it that way for over 90k miles.  More recently the rear spring/shock has become worn and sagging and I have cranked the preload up to a full 7 and it's OK for now but have a like new rear stock shock I'll put on next winter.  Never stop a running bike during the summer season unless it's broken down or totalled.   

During those 13 years I went up to 255# and am now back down to about 230# and I've always been satisfied with the stock GS rear suspension which I never bottomed until the stock rear springs became worn out at about 90k miles.

im in the 220-225 range depending on the day, i find the front to be too soft for my liking, can't say about the rear until i upgrade the front. but the rear can be easily adjusted.

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 01, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles 

I think I actually looked into this one.  I believe it was gray in color? (looked at so many bikes before buyin mine).  I know it was in the midwest though... Seller wanted over 4k for it when I inquired about it.  I hope the seller loosened up when you bought it, acted like it was ready to go across the country right off the sale...  Looked very nice, but it did show signs of sitting.  I would bleed the brakes right away though, if you haven't yet.  Also needs an oil change if that hasn't been done (seller indicated that it might be done before the sale).  Fuel lines had a little bit of browning at the connections, so look over those, and make sure none need replaced.  Tires actually looked pretty good, though low pressure when I saw.

Very nice bike overall if it was the one I looked into (Suspected that it would have to be though, because it would just be too coincidental if there were two 07's up for sale with 265 miles on them).

- Bboy

See how much sag the bike has when you sit on it. If it has too much you have to increase preload and/or get a heavier spring.

Also, springs do not 'wear out', but the oil inside the shock that gives it it's damping characteristics does.

Front springs probably need help unless they have already been changed (sure it's only 265 miles, but they am crap, so it could have been done.) Go ride across a railroad crossing, and if you don't hear a clunk from the front end bottoming, perhaps they were already swapped.

I  used progressives, sonics are fine too (or better according to some.) Clunk gone.

Despite all the rear shock modders, I'm with GSJack - the rear seems fine. Not having to grind my swingarm to make a shock fit also seems fine. I have weighed too close to what you weigh, now working on weighing less. Suggest doing that too

errr..... with gear ... prolly 310# currently ... the front bottoms easy.. like it does for everyone... but the rear doesnt really bottom.... it does still sit pretty low at setting 7 with me on it though..

plus i like the r6 shock idea

Quote from: BockinBboy on August 02, 2012, 09:01:02 AM

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 01, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles 

I think I actually looked into this one.  I believe it was gray in color? (looked at so many bikes before buyin mine).  I know it was in the midwest though... Seller wanted over 4k for it when I inquired about it.  I hope the seller loosened up when you bought it, acted like it was ready to go across the country right off the sale...  Looked very nice, but it did show signs of sitting.  I would bleed the brakes right away though, if you haven't yet.  Also needs an oil change if that hasn't been done (seller indicated that it might be done before the sale).  Fuel lines had a little bit of browning at the connections, so look over those, and make sure none need replaced.  Tires actually looked pretty good, though low pressure when I saw.

Very nice bike overall if it was the one I looked into (Suspected that it would have to be though, because it would just be too coincidental if there were two 07's up for sale with 265 miles on them).

- Bboy

The bike I bought was from a younger lady that had gotten divorced. I presume the motorcycle purchase was influenced by the former husband. The bike was located in NW Cincinnati area and it is silver/black. I paid $2500 for it, which I thought was reasonable considering it is in showroom condition. I had to replace the battery, brake fluid, oil&filter. Tires are old, date code Oct 2006, but they still have the mold whiskers on them. Bike was stored in a below ground garage with no windows, so about as good as it gets for non-climate controlled storage. Since the OP was about 120lbs, I'm pretty sure the front springs are stock 

Jon.

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 02, 2012, 09:38:58 PM

Quote from: BockinBboy on August 02, 2012, 09:01:02 AM

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 01, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles 

I think I actually looked into this one.  I believe it was gray in color? (looked at so many bikes before buyin mine).  I know it was in the midwest though... Seller wanted over 4k for it when I inquired about it.  I hope the seller loosened up when you bought it, acted like it was ready to go across the country right off the sale...  Looked very nice, but it did show signs of sitting.  I would bleed the brakes right away though, if you haven't yet.  Also needs an oil change if that hasn't been done (seller indicated that it might be done before the sale).  Fuel lines had a little bit of browning at the connections, so look over those, and make sure none need replaced.  Tires actually looked pretty good, though low pressure when I saw.

Very nice bike overall if it was the one I looked into (Suspected that it would have to be though, because it would just be too coincidental if there were two 07's up for sale with 265 miles on them).

- Bboy

The bike I bought was from a younger lady that had gotten divorced. I presume the motorcycle purchase was influenced by the former husband. The bike was located in NW Cincinnati area and it is silver/black. I paid $2500 for it, which I thought was reasonable considering it is in showroom condition. I had to replace the battery, brake fluid, oil&filter. Tires are old, date code Oct 2006, but they still have the mold whiskers on them. Bike was stored in a below ground garage with no windows, so about as good as it gets for non-climate controlled storage. Since the OP was about 120lbs, I'm pretty sure the front springs are stock 

Jon.

Definately same bike!  Although I wish I talked to her, haha!  Seems I may have talked to her dad, a brother... Heck might have even been the ex, because he didn't sound like he wanted to sell it.  I don't think I asked if who I was talking to actually 'owned' the bike.  I still have my notes from it   Definately a decent buy at that price, though!  Guess it was probably back in April when I looked into it, so price may have gotten lenient after months of refusal at over 4k 
Congrats on the purchase, and welcome!

- Bboy

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 02, 2012, 09:38:58 PM

Quote from: BockinBboy on August 02, 2012, 09:01:02 AM

Quote from: gti5notrkt on August 01, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
I recently bought a mint condition 2007 GS500F, 265 orig miles 

I think I actually looked into this one.  I believe it was gray in color? (looked at so many bikes before buyin mine).  I know it was in the midwest though... Seller wanted over 4k for it when I inquired about it.  I hope the seller loosened up when you bought it, acted like it was ready to go across the country right off the sale...  Looked very nice, but it did show signs of sitting.  I would bleed the brakes right away though, if you haven't yet.  Also needs an oil change if that hasn't been done (seller indicated that it might be done before the sale).  Fuel lines had a little bit of browning at the connections, so look over those, and make sure none need replaced.  Tires actually looked pretty good, though low pressure when I saw.

Very nice bike overall if it was the one I looked into (Suspected that it would have to be though, because it would just be too coincidental if there were two 07's up for sale with 265 miles on them).

- Bboy

The bike I bought was from a younger lady that had gotten divorced. I presume the motorcycle purchase was influenced by the former husband. The bike was located in NW Cincinnati area and it is silver/black. I paid $2500 for it, which I thought was reasonable considering it is in showroom condition. I had to replace the battery, brake fluid, oil&filter. Tires are old, date code Oct 2006, but they still have the mold whiskers on them. Bike was stored in a below ground garage with no windows, so about as good as it gets for non-climate controlled storage. Since the OP was about 120lbs, I'm pretty sure the front springs are stock 

Jon.

Jon, I'm in Cincinnati (City of Madeira) off of Loveland-Madeira Road.  PM me if you want to go riding or talk GS. Love to help out a fellow GS'er