81 GS650 Suspension

[Mr_Shamrock]

Ok what is the combo you have found to work the best? I found some progressive front springs which I run on a couple of my other bikes and like them, but just wanted the pro's opinions. What weight fork oil have you used and what's your opinion? Also what are the best bang for the buck rear shocks? I'm not trying to drag my knees but just want it to feel a bit more solid in the curvy mountain roads that we have a ton of around here. Thanks in advance!

[tkent02]

Cartridge emulators on the front with some new springs, Hagons are OK on the back, probably the best of the cheaper shocks. Get the ones with the adjustable damping.

[Charlie G]

Cartridge emulators on the front with some new springs, Hagons are OK on the back, probably the best of the cheaper shocks. Get the ones with the adjustable damping.

I put the emulators on the front of mine per tkent's recommendation. I used stock springs cut to compensate for the emulator length and 15w oil. I'm going to try 10w next spring and see what change it makes.I was having a hard time getting used to them until I adjusted the stock rear shocks to the stiffest setting. Much better after that. The stock rears were much to soft, even with my 150 lb frame and created a front end wobble when leaning hard into and out of a turn. I'm just starting to get a grasp of the dynamics of this, but adjustable dampening on the rear makes a lot of sense from what I've observed.

cg

[Steve]

On all of our bikes, I have installed 10w fork oil with no complaints.

Progressive fork springs on most of them, only one GS has newer shocks at the rear, and they are the MDI specials.

.

[tkent02]

Steve, you should try the emulators. Turns the old clunky GSes into smoothies.

[Steve]

I am considering that when I get "Junior" back on the road.

Where is a good source for them?

.

[tkent02]

Race tech.

[Steve]

OK. Got your PM, too.

Will have to see which forks I have.

Won't be working on this until after the first of the year, so there is plenty of time yet.

.

[tom203]

...............until I adjusted the stock rear shocks to the stiffest setting. Much better after that. The stock rears were much to soft, even with my 150 lb frame and created a front end wobble when leaning hard into and out of a turn. I'm just starting to get a grasp of the dynamics of this, but adjustable dampening on the rear makes a lot of sense from what I've observed.

cg

sure sounds to me like your rear shocks are to blame here.I'm at 170 lbs and with shocks at mid stiff setting absolutely no sign of bottoming (or front end wooble) and I ride on lots of pitiful roads.Still OK with 120 lb passenger, but I don't push it then. I use 15 weight oil in front- this might be a tad stiff.