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Suspension---wow

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marine36
  • Start date Start date
M

Marine36

Guest
I completed my suspension upgrades. MDI shocks in the back. Progressive springs in the front. All I can say is WOW!!!!

No longer do I bounce for miles after riding over an earth worm.
No longer does the back end hit bottom when I grab some throttle.
No longer does it dive when I slow to a stop.

I really didn't think an 1100g could feel nimble. Well at least sure footed.:D
 
Its amazing isnt it? I find im SOOO much more confident in the bike and even my own ability now that ive got my suspension bits sorted. She just rails in the turns. No shimmy, no undulation. Just set her up, roll her in, hit the appex and then blast on out. Ive had to buy a large box of toothpicks to pick all the bugs out of my teeth from all the grinning ive been doing since I got her straightened out. :D
 
TheCafeKid said:
Its amazing isnt it? I find im SOOO much more confident in the bike and even my own ability now that ive got my suspension bits sorted. She just rails in the turns. No shimmy, no undulation. Just set her up, roll her in, hit the appex and then blast on out. Ive had to buy a large box of toothpicks to pick all the bugs out of my teeth from all the grinning ive been doing since I got her straightened out. :D
Click to expand...

BUGS? Are the FBI at it again!! It's amazing how they pick on people running pods :rolleyes:
 
When someone first starts riding a GS, it's almost impossible to get them to spend a few bucks on upgrading suspension.

"I don't ride very fast" or "I don't want the ride to be all harsh" are the most common excuses ("I'm cheap and I do things half-assed." is probably more accurate).

Both excuses are untrue -- even the sightseers use and need the improvements in braking and emergency handling, and a bike with properly set up suspension is far more comfortable and less fatiguing to ride than one still wearing the worn, sagged, low-quality OEM bits. You can ride more safely, in greater comfort, and ride further simply because the bike is behaving as it should.

As you've found, nothing peel back the years like upgrading the suspension so the bike can perform as designed -- much better than designed, actually, since the original suspension was pretty bad to begin with and today's tires are pure science fiction compared to anything available in the '80s.
 
I cannot wait to ride mine (2 more weeks, fingers crossed). Braced the frame, all new bearings (wheel, upper and lower steering stem), already had Progressive suspension shocks on the rear, Tarozzi fork brace. It should be tight as hell. The front forks are fairly newly rebuilt, so held off on tearing them down for progressive springs, that's next year. Other project for next year will be looking at brake upgrades. I already have the later model calipers (81 GS1000G), but since I'm going to be flirting with 100 HP, thinking about some kind of twin pot mod.
 
Did you use a spacer with the springs? If so how long?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Are you talking about pre-load in the front? It depends on your weight and how you expect to ride.
 
Marine36 said:
I completed my suspension upgrades. MDI shocks in the back. Progressive springs in the front.
Click to expand...
How much did the springs and shocks cost and where did you get everything?
I could easily rationalize doing the same thing to my 1100G.
Willie in TN
 
Marine36 said:
I completed my suspension upgrades. MDI shocks in the back. Progressive springs in the front. All I can say is WOW!!!!

No longer do I bounce for miles after riding over an earth worm.
No longer does the back end hit bottom when I grab some throttle.
No longer does it dive when I slow to a stop.

I really didn't think an 1100g could feel nimble. Well at least sure footed.:D
Click to expand...
Where did you buy the MDI shocks?
My 1100 wallows to beat the band in any kind of moderate cornering. I am loathe to put money into it (which is why I don't ride in the rain because the seat cover has a few holes in it) but I sure would like to have a bit more confidence in the twisties.
 
Paperwork with springs says to throw out old spacers. Says nothing of new ones. I added 1" spacers. This brought the total length even with the top of the fork tubes. When caps were put back that gave 3/4 inch compression or preload.
 
Less than $200.00 - It will be the best money you spent. It made my bike feel brand new! Everyone's do'in it.
 
I just upgraded my GS1000G from the stock shocks to Koni (now Ikon) units. The handling difference, is, to put it mildly, nothing short of unbelievable.

I won't go so far as to now call "The Beast" nimble, but once I get new Pirelli Sport Demons on to replace the pretty much done Cheng-Shins, I might....
 
OK. Just went for it and ordered the MDI shocks. I'll let you know how it turns out. $80.00 shipped.
 
I'm interested in the mdi shocks too. For $85 a set with springs it seems like it's too good to be true. If anyone has a opinion on these shocks please post, Thanks Ted
 
I'm all eyes on this one. If the MDIs get a good review I'm buying a pair for my G as soon as possible. I'm curious if you have a choice with regard to spring though. Some of us are not of average weight. ;)
Willie in TN
 
Most of the folks that have bought these shocks (MDI) say they a little stiff. As I am 240 lbs dry, they do not feel stiff to me but I am riding with them on there lowest preload setting.

BassCliff has a write up on the forums about his experience with them.
 
chiphead said:
OK. Just went for it and ordered the MDI shocks. I'll let you know how it turns out. $80.00 shipped.
Click to expand...
Do you have a direct link to these MDI shocks? I looked a few times on the Parts N More web site, but can't seem to manage to locate them. Thanks!
 
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