Opinion- Gsxr shocks on gs500

cbcanada

cbcanada

Banned
I am thinking of putting gsxr shocks on my gs500. The benefits are;

an inch higher seat that i can really use as i am taller, it will also raise the tail about 3 inches and i like the look of that and the shocks are adjustable too.

will this change affect the handling in any noticable way? Or any other things i should consider.

Pros and cons?

Thanks
 
Ride hight.....your bike will be jacked up in the back.

Spring rate issues - front might be too soft , rear might be too stiff.

Compression / rebound - front might be too sloppy - rear might be too taught....
 
I've read that as long as you've stiffened the front springs, then swapping the rear shock is an improvement. I've never heard of using a GSX-R shock, I think an SV or Katana are more common. This may help.. http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html

Let us know how it goes! I've been thinking of doing an SV shock swap
 
i stuck the kawasaki zx6 shock on my sv. a good swap. let me know if you need an sv shock as i now have a spare that i can sell.
 
geoff-9 said:
i stuck the kawasaki zx6 shock on my sv. a good swap. let me know if you need an sv shock as i now have a spare that i can sell.
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Sv650? How much will this raise the tail? I read the link and it doest say anything about handling... I guess no significant change?

The only thing is if one does the shock swap ... The centerstand doest work and the bike leans too much on the side stand.

I registered on gstwins and once i get activated i will research and update you.. How much for the sv spring?
 
cbcanada said:
Sv650? How much will this raise the tail? I read the link and it doest say anything about handling... I guess no significant change?
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I recall without any mods, an SV shock should raise the GS about two inches. gstwins has a bunch of threads on it, so you'll be able to find all the answers there.
 
Years ago, I installed a Katana 600 rear shock onto my gs500. The fit was fine, raised the rear about an inch. The sidestand was still useable. Ride quality was better, if stiffer. Nothing painful or dangerous, though. The spring is a bit stronger than stock, so a lower preload setting seemed to work best. Had proper Racetech springs in the front.
 
So if i were to switch to the sv or katana rear then is it advisable to change the front and get rid of the stock springs?
 
cbcanada said:
Sv650? How much will this raise the tail? dont know sorry, its a common swap though so im sure its will be on a forum somewhere.

How much for the sv spring?
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around $35 perhaps, is a 2002 in yellow, you would have to do the research to see if it is a direct swap, i imagine so but cant be sure as i dont know anything about the gs. i have no use for the shock so you could install it on your bike, see if you like it then pay if you choose to keep it, if not give it back.


cbcanada said:
So if i were to switch to the sv or katana rear then is it advisable to change the front and get rid of the stock springs?
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the sv is a fairly soft spring in comarison to the gsxr or kawi, depending on your riding you may find the gsxr too hard or the sv shock too soft. it would have to be you deciding. i upgraded the rear shock as i found the sv shock too soft, i also upgraded the front springs as the sv fronts are extremely soft. im 215lbs.

for street riding i dont think it would be too big of a deal to keep the front springs the same. if you find them too soft later down the road you can change them.
 
cbcanada said:
So if i were to switch to the sv or katana rear then is it advisable to change the front and get rid of the stock springs?
Click to expand...

Most likely. Pre-2004 gs500s had borderline dangerous springs in the forks, as least if you were over 150 lb. Suzuki supposedly upgraded those springs starting in 2004. If true, how much better? I don't know.
 
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