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What first?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nisom512
  • Start date Start date
N

nisom512

Guest
Hey I was wondering what suspension part should I get first for my GS850?

Fork springs
rear springs (on stock dampeners)
Rear dampeners?

all progressive suspension parts.

also I would get MDI's I think there called that. I hear they are deace. and are only like $80.

But I dont where to find them. so if any ones knows that would be sweet.

Thanks for your help.
Jake
 
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I just put Progressive 14 series HD springs on unknown dampers on the rear of the 550. I haven't had a chance to find out how it rides yet.. (Oil pressure issue and too bitter cold).

Reason for going this route first.. I got the parts cheap.. I'll eventually probably get the progressives up front, and have them installed with new oil seals (have the seals already, but old ones aren't leaking yet and forks feel pretty good). I had my 650's forks redone and only cost me $40 and they were in bad shape. So basically, I'm on the hunt for cheap progressive fork springs, and a few extra bucks cash to round out my suspension upgrades.

I'm really hoping that the HD springs aren't going to be too harsh for solo riding. I just know when I did have my wife with me on the 550 when we were dating, we bottomed out the rear a few times and I didn't want that happening anymore.

Anyway, that doesn't answer your question except to say I started in the rear..

Amos
 
If it was my bike the first thing I would get is fork springs. these make the biggest improvment in ride quality IMO. then I would get new rear shockes. I would never just put new springs on a shock body that is almost 30 years old. If I was I would have the shock rebuilt if possible: new seals, bumper, oil, charge.
 
Ok, Nisom512.. and Doug G I blame you both..

You got me thinking that I should start preparing...

So, I looked up the part number (yet again) for the front springs.. Bikebandit lists them at $75..

So I started searching around.. found this site:

http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/default.asp

Lists their price for th 11-1115's at $58.95!! (Nisom512 you want the 11-1107's but same price)
Fed-Ex Ground from them $19.74, which puts the total order price at $78.69 shipped!! Less than $5 more than Bike bandit wants for the parts alone.

Has anyone ordered from them before?

Amos

ps. Doug_G, once I have the money I'll probably also make sure the rear dampers are the correct Progressives, but as you know, the 550 was kinda quick in coming back together, so we made do with what I had already purchased.
 
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The MDI's can often be found on ebay. Sometimes they are labeled 'progressive', a little misleading, but they are referring to the nature of the springs, not to be confused with the brand name. They go typically for around $80.00 a pair. One of my riding friends tried them on an 1100E and found them surprisingly good for the price (esp. if you prefer HD springs....they are definitely on the stiff side).

Tony.
 
Fork springs, no question. Biggest bang for the buck, and an essential safety upgrade IM(ns)HO.

You can compensate the handling faults of a bouncy rear end to a degree, or just putt around slowly, but the front end has got to be solid or you will have a serious problem the first time you have to use the brakes hard. The forks will bottom out, the front wheel will chatter, and you will lose much of your braking power.

Putting new springs on the stock shocks would be completely pointless, even if you could find springs that fit.
 
I'm realizing I need to upgrade the suspension on my GS550L too. It makes sense to do progressive springs up front first.

Any recommendations for fork oil weight? (I weigh about 175lbs.)
 
I put Progressive springs in my 850 mostly because I'm lazy about keeping the fork air up to pressure. The new springs are stiffer than necessary for someone my weight, 180 lbs, but again, no need to fuss with air.

Regarding what to do first, I'd get the shocks if the stockers were blown. My first 450 had dangerious shocks since they had almost no damping. It's a simple matter to add some air to the forks to stiffen them up, but if the shocks don't have any damping, there is nothing you can do.
 
Has anyone tried these bargain shocks from Partsnmore? $75 for a pair is quite a bit cheaper than anything else I've seen. Or is this another case of 'you get what you pay for'?

06-3601TN.jpg
 
HeavyFuel said:
Has anyone tried these bargain shocks from Partsnmore? $75 for a pair is quite a bit cheaper than anything else I've seen. Or is this another case of 'you get what you pay for'?

06-3601TN.jpg
Click to expand...

well if you read earlier in the thread you will find that people have been satisfied with them and that they are pretty comparable to more expensive progressive shocks.
 
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