82 GS1100GK rear shocks

[Guest]

I have removed the front fairing(44lbs) and replaced it with a headlight/bucket/signals etc ala basic G front end, I like the 42mm forks and it has an after market fork brace
I have done the progressive front springs, 10 weight oil and 0 psi........would 5 w be better I only weight 160 lbs ?
I want to get rid of the rear air shocks
I have looked at Hagon, Ikon, progressive and Emgo
The bike has 55,000 k
Most of the riding is solo, and I like to get busy in the corners
I am running Shinko 230 road masters

any thoughts

R6

[Steve]

Keep the 10w in the forks. You may be a lightweight, but the bike is still HEAVY.

Shocks:
Hagon is good. Call Dave Quinn at 203-393-2651. He is the main dealer for Hagons. He will talk with you for a bit to determine what bike, your weight, your passenger's weight (if any) and riding style to determine what damping rate and spring rate you need. Depending on your preference for black or chrome on the springs and/or bodies, they run $214-414.

Ikon is the modern version of Koni. The company that used to be the Aussie distributor for Ikon bought the tools, supplies, everything except the name, switched the letters in the name and continued the company as Ikon. Depending on youru preference for chrome springs and/or bodies, they will run from $400-600.

Progressive is not bad. Some will argue that point, but a lot of that is personal preference. Again, depending on black/chrome preferences, prices start at $300.

Emgo is something that I would not wish on my worst enemy. We got a set because the stock shocks on one of our bike were basically SHOT. Put the Emgos on there and had to make sure we had not put on solid struts, instead. My son has a bit of "enhanced gravitational attraction" and finds that they ride too stiff. He took a lady friend out for a ride and said that his 1-ton dually truck still rode better than the bike with the Emgo shocks. At about $100, I would only put them on for a quick re-sale, so I could say that the bike has new shocks.

All four of the GSes here are wearing 230s. They work well, but might not last too long, depending on how you treat them. Should still be good for 6000+ miles, though.

.

[Charlie G]

I have an 83 GS1100g which has progressives on the front with 15w fork oil and Hagon #2810 adjustable shocks on the rear. I also weigh 160 pounds and have been know to ride a bit spirited but not in the racer class. When the dealer( in San Marcos,Ca) asked me about springs, I insisted on getting a stiffer set rated for 165 lbs to 220 lbs. I have adjusted to them fine, but at first I thought they were a bit stiff at times. I probably should have gone with their recommendation. When I am really in the groove and riding hard it feels like the front forks (37mm) could use some cartridge emulators to help keep them from bottoming out in full compression. Mind you I'm not an expert but this is what seems to be happening to my bike. This is the only non-stock set up I've ridden on my GS's, and I'm pleased with it.


cg

[sixpack]

Thanks for the feed back, I agree with your thoughts on Emgo stuff, cheap is not always good
I went on line and relooked at the Hagons
I did a full suspension redo on a Honda GL1200 naked and used the progressive shock/spring setup and felt they were are on the stiff side, but wayyyy better then the wooden feel of the air shocks
I like your thoughts regarding Dave Quinn and his questions
I went with a Race tech rebuild on my ST1300 rear mono shock it was way to stiff, OK with wife on but too stiff by myself
I will call said Dave

thanks so much, R6

[sixpack]

My GK has 41 mm forks and with the new progressive springs it is now a little bit harsh but way better than the "spring o matic" front end I had before, even after pulling off the fairing and riding it
My front end is dead stable now and the fork brace helps as well, the ass end feels wooden so I think I will go with both of your recommendations re Hagon
What rating was below the 165 to 220lbs ?

Thanks guys

R6

[Charlie G]

My GK has 41 mm forks and with the new progressive springs it is now a little bit harsh but way better than the "spring o matic" front end I had before, even after pulling off the fairing and riding it
My front end is dead stable now and the fork brace helps as well, the ass end feels wooden so I think I will go with both of your recommendations re Hagon
What rating was below the 165 to 220lbs ?

Thanks guys

R6

I don't know what was below the 165 -220lbs springs. I'd ask them for a recommendation and keep in mind my choice. I also put a fork brace on mine and the it's really nice.

cg

[Steve]

Did you by chance verify whether you had any oil in your "spring-o-matic"?

Many times, the oil has vanished (probably due to bad seals) and there is simply no damping left. Filling with some 5w oil would be an improvement. Still better to have proper-strength springs and good oil. With my 850 and Pacifico AERO fairing, the bike weight would be about the same as your GK. I am using Sonic fork springs at the 1.1 rate, and have 10w oil. I LOVE the ride on the front. Now, if I can only dial in the Konis on the rear to feel the same.

.

[LarryJ]

I've changed to Progressive Suspension springs & 10w oil in the forks on my GK. I still have the fairing on. At the rear, I'm still going with the air shocks, for now. I've got them set at the stiffed damping (IV) & use 25psi pressure in them.
I'll be interested to hear how your bike responds to the shock change.

[sixpack]

Yes there was oil, but as to the last time it was changed who knows
Will do the head bearings this winter and put on a set of gators
I was wondering about the sonic springs as I have heard they are not as harsh , are they progressive or steady rate
I also wonder as to how much more "give" there is between the 41 mm forks on my bike and the 38mm on your 850
I bought a 850 new in 79 for $2999 still my all time favourite bike and I have owned many good bikes, 1000e and g, v65saber, st1300, gl1200 , bmw 75 , now the gs1100gk

[londonboards]

I've ridden GS1100Gs with all sorts of set ups and went back to the air shocks from the GK model after a while.

The truth is that these bikes are never going be really great at corners whatever suspension mods you make. They were built like a lot of US style heavy metal cars of old - great in a straight line but not really up to the corners. I have taken a G over the Alps in Europe, going over some passes with multiple hairpins (switchbacks?) and also long sweeping bends, and I struggled. They are lovely highway cruisers but don't try to turn them into something they will never be.

I've recently been on a couple of GS1150EFs and until you ride something that is truly sporty, you can never fully appreciate the limitations of our favourite GS. I'll never part with my G and I don't expect it to perform in "busy" corners.

Long live the G.

[LarryJ]

Well put londonboards. That's why I'm presently redoing a 1000G. It'll be 100# less than my GK &, hopefully, will handle a lot easier.

[alke46]

Yes there was oil, but as to the last time it was changed who knows
Will do the head bearings this winter and put on a set of gators
I was wondering about the sonic springs as I have heard they are not as harsh , are they progressive or steady rate
I also wonder as to how much more "give" there is between the 41 mm forks on my bike and the 38mm on your 850
I bought a 850 new in 79 for $2999 still my all time favourite bike and I have owned many good bikes, 1000e and g, v65saber, st1300, gl1200 , bmw 75 , now the gs1100gk

sonics are steady rate springs. I just received mine this week, they will go into the bike as soon as my newly ordered Hagon rear shocks arrive.

[sixpack]

I will be interested in any feedback you will have, as I will go with the Hagons as well
I would have thought the progressive springs would have been "softer" in the beginning of the compression , the bike is much harsher over minor bumps with the new springs, but it is more stable and tracks better through the turns
thanks

[Steve]

I will be interested in any feedback you will have, as I will go with the Hagons as well
I would have thought the progressive springs would have been "softer" in the beginning of the compression , the bike is much harsher over minor bumps with the new springs, but it is more stable and tracks better through the turns
thanks

Yes, they are "softer" in the beginning, but they are just a bit too soft, so the preload necesary to keep the bike at the proper ride height takes out most of the "soft" part of the travel. We have three GSes here with Progressive springs in the forks and my bike has Sonic springs. I also have the heaviest ones available, a 1.1 rate. I chose that rate because the 850 starts out as the heaviest GS made (until the appearance of the 1100GK), then I added a frame-mount fairing and all the luggage from a GK. Add in the fact that I am not exactly "petite", you will see why I went with the heaviest springs. With 10w oil in there, those forks ride about as plush as I could ever want. I think the GS even rides better than my Wing, but I will need to put some fresh fork oil in the Wing for a proper comparison.

My wife's bike has Hagon shocks at the rear, they are GREAT. I would get a set of them for my bike, but I lucked into a set of KONI shocks, so will take the time to get them dialed in, instead.

.