Progressive front springs

[clen666]

Love them or hate them, after searching the net for replacement front springs for my zzr600, all I can find are progressive springs.
I’m around 17st, will progressives still require a lot of preload to overcome the softer part of the travel to achieve correct sag?

My plan was to swap the rear shock and linkage for something off a later model zx6r if I can find something that will fit with minimal issue.

Will the bike feel balanced with progressive springs in the front and a regular rear shock? I see that progressive rear springs are also available, would fitting one of these to the rear give a better balance?

This will only be used for commuting, it’s just a cheap runaround, but currently so soft it’s not overly confidence inspiring.

[moto_traxport]

Progressive springs have recently got a bad rep from suspension 'experts' who tend to think of purist ideas involving lightweight race bikes, smooth racetracks and known rider weight.

In the real world of heavier road bikes, massively varied road surfaces, different uses and speeds, solo or pillion use then progressive springs certainly have their place.

I've experienced great results upgrading from standard kit using HyperPro fork kits. They drop straight in, no cutting of spacers and come with appropriate grade fork oil to sort the damping out.

They also do a matching shock spring if you want to go the whole hog.

[pessimal]

reading this with interest.

my bikes only use for commuting with the very occasional ride out of a weekend.

is there any advantage to getting the suspension tuned (i'm 17st ish as well) when my commute is dual carrigeway and a few roundabouts?

[clen666]

Thanks, I’ve seen the hyperpro gear and it was the rear spring that made me wonder if there would be a requirement to fit progressive at both ends to balance the bike out? I.e will it be firm at the rear and softer at the front when travelling at constant speed?

[anonymous-user]

I had progressives on my 990 Adventure, and I'm 6'6" 18 stone, and it was fantastic. Transformed the bike offroad. Cant comment on road bikes, but was well worth it for me offroad.

[bozzy.]

Possibly a touch far away from you OP, but I had the suspension on my Striple R set up for me by TW Suspension based in Preston. He’s the guy who built the suspension for Josh Brooke’s Norton SG6 - so knows his oats! £40 and the difference is phenomenal! He also rebuilt a pal’s rear shock for his TDM as he was going touring with his Mrs and the old shock wasn’t stiff enough. He was equally pleased with the results.

I’d highly recommend you give Teut a call. What he doesn’t know about suspension isn’t worth knowing!

[black-k1]

As has been said, it really depends what you want. If you're after another 1/10thof a second off your lap time on your next track day then Progressive are not for you.

If you only ever ride the same roads or can get your suspension set-up every time you ride a new road then, again, Progressive is not for you.

If you ride different roads, with variable surfaces, carry different loads and understand that road suspension is always a compromise between confort and speed then Progressive are great.

[Biker's Nemesis]

17st!

Where you been hiding BTW?

[clen666]

Biker's Nemesis said:

17st!

Where you been hiding BTW?

I’ve been sharing my time between McDonald’s and KFC.

As stated, this is just a cheap commuter so I’m not looking for maximum performance, just need it firmed up.

So progressive fork springs it is.....and there is no issue fitting progressive fronts with a linear rear spring?

[Biker's Nemesis]

clen666 said:

So progressive fork springs it is.....and there is no issue fitting progressive fronts with a linear rear spring?

Not when I have done it with a few bikes years ago.

[clen666]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Not when I have done it with a few bikes years ago.

Not sure I trust your memory if you can’t remember typing the same message two minutes ago

Edited by clen666 on Sunday 26th November 15:56

[DanGPR]

clen666 said:

So progressive fork springs it is.....and there is no issue fitting progressive fronts with a linear rear spring?

From memory most bikes have a progressive linkage in the rear suspension so even if the coil is linear, the effective rate of the suspension increases towards the end of the stroke.

This is to stop it from bottoming out when you take the fat girl home from KFC on the back of your bike.

[clen666]

DanGPR said:

From memory most bikes have a progressive linkage in the rear suspension so even if the coil is linear, the effective rate of the suspension increases towards the end of the stroke.

This is to stop it from bottoming out when you take the fat girl home from KFC on the back of your bike.

Thanks, I seem to remember reading something similar but the progressive rear springs available from hyperpro through me.

[clen666]

bozzy. said:

Possibly a touch far away from you OP, but I had the suspension on my Striple R set up for me by TW Suspension based in Preston. He’s the guy who built the suspension for Josh Brooke’s Norton SG6 - so knows his oats! £40 and the difference is phenomenal! He also rebuilt a pal’s rear shock for his TDM as he was going touring with his Mrs and the old shock wasn’t stiff enough. He was equally pleased with the results.

I’d highly recommend you give Teut a call. What he doesn’t know about suspension isn’t worth knowing!

Just looked at his site and the rebuilds certainly look the part when complete.

After looking at the job again today, I may need to go down the rebuild route for the rear as there doesn’t seem to be any room for a zx6r shock with any kind of piggyback reservoir. The search continues...