2007 SV650s Suspension Help

[Jmuduke3140]

Hello everyone, I'm sure like me you're all ready for this snow to stop so we can ride the twisties again!

I just had a question, I've got a 2007 SV650s with I believe to be stock suspension. I weigh about 190lbs and was wondering if my suspension needs tightening up. I've heard the sv is notorious for soft suspension both front and rear. Any advice would be great since I know nothing about settings/optimizing the softness for my weight. Thanks and ride safe!

[FZRguy]

I believe your bike's fork and shock are only adjustable for preload. The SV is already softly sprung and at your weight, you'll def benefit with stiffer springs (esp. the fork). PM irdave, our resident suspension guru, and he can set your bike up for your weight and riding style.

[rybo]

+1 to the above.

Know that just adding preload (screwing in the adjusters on your fork and shock) is VERY different from getting the right spring.

The SV is a great bike! Enjoy!

[birchyboy]

There are couple popular swaps for the rear shock. Some are direct replacements that give more control but some require trimming/removal of the tool box. Most people go with Sonic Springs or RaceTech springs in the forks, and you can also add emulators. There is a lot of information over at SVRider.com if don't contact the suspension guy noted above.

[asp_125]

If you can't get the correct sag using preload, ie close to either extreme of adjustment, then upgrade springs. +1 for SVRider.com

[Sean]

+1 with others, the springs in front are a bit soft. If I remember correctly, a popular replacement for the rear shock is a stock rear from an 05-06 GSX-R1000. You'd have to look around a little, I'm not 100% sure I have those years correct.

Just an side note since you are up north- if you have a little bit of cash, I would recommend going and seeing this guy. He'll set you on the right path and give you info as he helps. Well worth the money if you can spare it. Give him a call and see about rates for adjusting suspension (I don't think that's listed on the website)
http://www.stmsuspension.com/

[UHATEIT]

Did a front fork upgrade of the internals on my 05 sport model. Thicker oil and Sonic Springs to adjust for my weight. Sonic springs are great and are of reasonable price!

This website allows you to tell what spring rate you should go with on the SV based on the weight and riding style:
http://racetech.com/VehicleSearch type in the bike and weight and riding style and it'll tell you!

Also on SV rider there should be a ton of threads on suspension tuning and also about rear shock swaps. If you are looking for the right shock for your weigth, there is a spreadsheet on that forum that shows what works. I personally put in a 2002 GSXR1000 rear sock into my SV and thus have full tuning ability in the rear.

For your weight I am going to suggest the 06-07 ZX10 rear shock. It is I believe the right set for riders in the 180-190 range, ALSO the best part about that shock is it is a direct swap and NO CUTTING is involved for your toolkit, so you can bolt it right in, a swap takes 30 minutes with that particular shock! Bad thing is that SV owners know it is the easiest shock to swap so they get scooped up fast and those selling charge a high premium for that shock. But perhaps someone on this forum with a ZX10 has one for sale you can snag!

Here is a thread I did last year on SVrider with pics of my rear shock swap, thanks to all the help from my local SV buddy!
http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163283

This shows the first shock I bought from a 636 on the left, the GSXR1000 I used is the red and gray one, then the non-adjustable SV shock is the one on the right

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l72/widerisbetter/2012-09-15111541.jpg

[madvlad]

Take it to Dave at STM or to Mike at Supertune and they'll also explain everything throughly as far as suspension stuff adn what not if you don't want to do it yourself.

[Rabbie303]

^^^ when did you do this swap? Somehow I must have missed the thread on the SV board. How much did you pay for your 1000 shock, and where did you get it?

[UHATEIT]

here is the link to the rear shock compatibility chart for the SV:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?authkey=COvG24gH&key=0AlotUijBbxpCdDFGenIwQjg2MTcwS2swVFF0TU5UX3c&authkey=COvG24gH#gid=1

once you know the spring weight you need for your weight, then you can use that chart to see whats the best for your weight AND it says how easy or hard the install is and if cutting is needed to install.

[UHATEIT]

^^^ when did you do this swap? Somehow I must have missed the thread on the SV board. How much did you pay for your 1000 shock, and where did you get it?

Front oil was $20, front springs $80 shipped from sonic springs. The rear shock was $20 and bought at a local place, friend got it for me I think at Steeles Cycles (also where I bought the SV to begin with)

Did the swap last september then adjusted all front and rear settings for my weight

[UHATEIT]

and here is the front fork spring rate calculator for sonic springs:

http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/calculate_spring_rate.php

[Ph03niX]

Same bike here dude! I love the suspension.. But my rear spring is red so I guess its not stock. Time to go find out what it is!

[Drano]

here is the link to the rear shock compatibility chart for the SV:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?authkey=COvG24gH&key=0AlotUijBbxpCdDFGenIwQjg2MTcwS2swVFF0TU5UX3c&authkey=COvG24gH#gid=1

once you know the spring weight you need for your weight, then you can use that chart to see whats the best for your weight AND it says how easy or hard the install is and if cutting is needed to install.

I'd be careful using that chart if you're looking at 2005-2006 GSX-R1000 shocks. Other sources claim they are 319mm and not 332.5mm.
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197888

Suzuki GSXR 1000 2001-2002 329.5 (+5.5/-0.5) 74
Suzuki GSXR 1000 2003-2004 332.5 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 1000 2005 319 70I recently pulled the GSX-R1000 shock that the previous owner had installed on mine and it was significantly shorter than the 2004 variant I purchased. I can tell you I immediately noticed a difference between the two shocks. My advice, get as close to stock length if possible. If you can't, a slightly longer shock is better than a drastically shorter one.

As far as modifying the undertail to fit a GSX-R shock, it's not really that big of a hassle. It is also easier if you follow this mod (http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89653) including getting the shorter CBR battery.

I have done a lot of work on my front suspension as well. Instead of doing the GSX-R fork swap I opted for RaceTech Emulators. If you go the emulator route I'd recommend .95kg springs for your weight. I weigh 180ish and initially installed .80kg springs with my setup and it still felt too soft. Over the winter I installed .90kg springs and used 15w fork oil (RaceTech recommends 20w) and I'm happily impressed by the change in feel.

[UHATEIT]

When I went with the 2002 GXR1000 rear shock it is listed at 329.5 which was almost spot on with the 330.0 the stock shock is. I too was trying to get it as close to the stock as possible. The 2002 is also 7.7kg/mm and 430 lb/in which is exactly the same as the stock shock. So for me the GSXR1000 2002 shock is identical to the stock SV shock just .5mm shorter which isn't noticeable to me. But then I get the full adjustability that you don't get with the stock shock

[Nolan]

I went to Dave at stm. Gave him a zx14 shock that he revalved and resprung. Let him do the forks and gave him my $. Well worth it since I suck at math and charts.

Well worth it in my opinion.