[OreoGaborio]

Ok, I wanna start out by saying I KNOW this is gonna get thousands of people's panties in knots.... but whatever, I couldn't care less.

What I care about is exposing you all to an EDUCATED and KNOWLEDGABLE point of view about WHY swapping shocks from one bike to another isn't as simple & straight forward as it's made out to be.

After reading this, if you still want to use that busa shock or whatever ebay special you just bought, then that's perfectly fine, I'm not gonna tell you that you can't or that you'll die if you do... All I'm saying is that you should at the very least educate yourself about the subject first.



This was written by Peter Kates, owner of GMD Computrack Boston. GMD Computrack is a supension and chassis specialist... Suspension & chassis ALL that they do.

I can assure you that he didn't write this with the goal of selling more shocks... he already sells plenty. He wrote this to answer the endless questions he receives from people asking why "X" model shock doesn't work as good as a Penske or Ohlins in their "Y" model bike.


I'd copy & paste this, but it just told me it was over the lax post length.

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/suspension-corner/44588-shock-swap-myth.html

 

[ZeroSpawn]

Some good information, thank you for info!

But there is no way i'm going to use the SV stock shock, I like Compression and Rebound.

 

[Oh My Sack!]

That was simply the most boring article I have read in a long time.

Thanks for that, though.

 

[ridesideways]

it doesn't matter. the bottom line is that a 636 shock with the wrong ADSR (axle damper speed ratio) and wrong LRC (linkage ratio curve) is still way better than the SV stock shock with the correct ADSR and correct LRC.

 

[silversx80]

Most here swap shocks for ~$50 to get a better matched spring rate and adjustable damping. It's better than stock on the SV and, OF COURSE it's not nearly as good as a Penske or Ohlins. Don't take us swappers for stupid, just cheap.

 

[Verbal Kint]

At this point in time....I cannot afford a Penske.

And according the the post that was linked, and it must be 100% true and factual because I read it on the interweb , I am endangering my life by riding my SV650 with a shock from a Kawasaki.

Oh, no!

Are there some more posts out there in interwebland, that will tell me I am endangering my life by running Rotella in my SV? :dontknow:

How about my Napolean bar end mirrors? :dontknow:

My Sargent seat, since it was not designed by Suzuki engineers, why that has got to be a deathtrap. :dontknow:

Heavens to Betsy! I have a homemade fender eliminator!! I might as well take my Suzuki Death Machine 650, and toss it in the dumpster! :dontknow:



Thank you for pointing out that a Penske is better than a shock from a different bike. An Elka or an Ohlins are also fine choices.

With a wee bit of luck, I won't die on the ride home today. [crosses fingers]

 

[Jawn]

At this point in time....I cannot afford a Penske.

And according the the post that was linked, and it must be 100% true and factual because I read it on the interweb , I am endangering my life by riding my SV650 with a shock from a Kawasaki.

Oh, no!

Are there some more posts out there in interwebland, that will tell me I am endangering my life by running Rotella in my SV? :dontknow:

How about my Napolean bar end mirrors? :dontknow:

My Sargent seat, since it was not designed by Suzuki engineers, why that has got to be a deathtrap. :dontknow:

Heavens to Betsy! I have a homemade fender eliminator!! I might as well take my Suzuki Death Machine 650, and toss it in the dumpster! :dontknow:



Thank you for pointing out that a Penske is better than a shock from a different bike. An Elka or an Ohlins are also fine choices.

With a wee bit of luck, I won't die on the ride home today. [crosses fingers]

Can I be invited to your funeral?

What about those of us with forks from a different bike? Can you dig up an article telling us how we're all going to die too?

 

[RandyO]

Ok, I wanna start out by saying I KNOW this is gonna get thousands of people's panties in knots.... but whatever, I could care less.

Pete, your confirming what I've been saying for years, regardless some people will continue to hack though

 

[Verbal Kint]

Can I be invited to your funeral?

What about those of us with forks from a different bike? Can you dig up an article telling us how we're all going to die too?

You're in. Bring more cookies.

I figure if you wheelie it all the time, then the swapped forks/triples/front wheel/front brakes are a non-issue. Just gotta maintain that wheelie, young fella.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Pete, your confirming what I've been saying for years, regardless some people will continue to hack though

Don't get me wrong......I would love to have a Penske, or an Elka, or an Ohlins........but me wallet, it's not cooperating.

 

[silversx80]

Don't get me wrong......I would love to have a Penske, or an Elka, or an Ohlins........but me wallet, it's not cooperating.

Well, I might swap a Triumph Speed Triple shock next... with the rest of the bike

 

[DarkMatter]

Speed triple....

omnomnomnom

 

[Firepower]

At this point in time....I cannot afford a Penske.

And according the the post that was linked, and it must be 100% true and factual because I read it on the interweb , I am endangering my life by riding my SV650 with a shock from a Kawasaki.

Oh, no!

Are there some more posts out there in interwebland, that will tell me I am endangering my life by running Rotella in my SV? :dontknow:

How about my Napolean bar end mirrors? :dontknow:

My Sargent seat, since it was not designed by Suzuki engineers, why that has got to be a deathtrap. :dontknow:

Heavens to Betsy! I have a homemade fender eliminator!! I might as well take my Suzuki Death Machine 650, and toss it in the dumpster! :dontknow:

Thank you for pointing out that a Penske is better than a shock from a different bike. An Elka or an Ohlins are also fine choices.

With a wee bit of luck, I won't die on the ride home today. [crosses fingers]

Now THERE'S a cool name, why didn't Suzuki just call it that in the first place? You should be in their marketing department. I woulda bought two.

 

[RandyO]

Don't get me wrong......I would love to have a Penske, or an Elka, or an Ohlins........but me wallet, it's not cooperating.

after my research, I came to the conclusion that the WP Fusion 4014 is the best shock performance & priice wise for the SV, but only cause Factory Connections, (the only US WP dealer outside of KTM dealers) is local to me

 

[nyc rugby]

After reading this, if you still want to use that busa shock or whatever ebay special you just bought, then that's perfectly fine, I'm not gonna tell you that you can't... but at least educate yourself about the subject first.



This was written by Peter Kates, owner of GMD Computrack Boston. GMD Computrack is a supension and chassis specialist... Suspension & chassis ALL that they do.

I'm confused, I've got a GSXR shock from GMD on my SV. The receipt even says "For SV650" :dontknow:

-edit, I didn't read the link before, what Ihave installed has been resprung/revalved, nevermind.

 

[RichDesmond]

Some good info in that article.

One little nugget towards the end, "...almost two decades of real world experience have shown that a slightly firmer rate with less preload gives the best ride. A “stiff” ride is the result of the valving being too stiff, not the spring..."

That definitely mirrors my experience.

 

[OreoGaborio]

Some good information, thank you for info!

But there is no way i'm going to use the SV stock shock, I like Compression and Rebound.

Yeah, the SV shock sucks for sport riding, no bones about it. The point of this is just to try & educate the masses about how it's a little more complex than most people think.

That was simply the most boring article I have read in a long time.

Thanks for that, though.

Haha, what'd ya expect, dinner & a movie? Song & dance? Yeah, it's not the most entertaining read, that's for sure... but it's certainly educational.

it doesn't matter. the bottom line is that a 636 shock with the wrong ADSR (axle damper speed ratio) and wrong LRC (linkage ratio curve) is still way better than the SV stock shock with the correct ADSR and correct LRC.

Yup... I'm sure it is. I know the stock SV shock sucks... That's why I found an SV that already had an Ohlins in it

Most here swap shocks for ~$50 to get a better matched spring rate and adjustable damping. It's better than stock on the SV and, OF COURSE it's not nearly as good as a Penske or Ohlins. Don't take us swappers for stupid, just cheap.

Never said you were stupid. I understand a purpose built shock is expensive & I never said you CAN'T swap one out from another bike... just showing that making that shock work properly ends up costing almost as much as one that's purpose built for the SV.

Don't get me wrong......I would love to have a Penske, or an Elka, or an Ohlins........but me wallet, it's not cooperating.

I feel ya, bro. At the end of the day it's your choice to do what's right for you & your wallet.

 

[hsilman]

Never said you were stupid. I understand a purpose built shock is expensive & I never said you CAN'T swap one out from another bike... just showing that making that shock work properly ends up costing almost as much as one that's purpose built for the SV.

your definition of "work properly" must be..pretty out there.

 

[Zach]

This article answers a question that nobody is asking.

"Why buy a Ohlins when a 636 will do?"


:

 

[DarkMatter]

ohlins owner.