GS1100G suspension upgrades?recommeded parts?

[Buffalo Bill]

OK, I've been having a hard time finding recommendations for GS1100G suspension parts in the old posts. Seems the info is scattered around here and there, but not compiled. Some is kinda old.

How about some new rear shocks?
Fork springs-that don't require air pressure. Really hard to accurately get the recommended air pressure in there, because it's so low.

I see Progressive fork springs and rear shocks at Bikebandit, would they be a good choice?
Have I heard the Progressive fork springs eliminate the need for the air pressurization, true?
Thanks.

 

[Ecklund]

OK, I've been having a hard time finding recommendations for GS1100G suspension parts in the old posts. Seems the info is scattered around here and there, but not compiled. Some is kinda old.

How about some new rear shocks?
Fork springs-that don't require air pressure. Really hard to accurately get the recommended air pressure in there, because it's so low.

I see Progressive fork springs and rear shocks at Bikebandit, would they be a good choice?
Have I heard the Progressive fork springs eliminate the need for the air pressurization, true?
Thanks.

I used racetech fork springs long with emulators and a fork brace. Really a surprising improvement in stability and quality of the fork performance. Along with the SS brake lines its really a nice ride. Still a 35 y/o bike, but very nice. No need for air if the spring is closer to the 'correct' rate. To me air is a crutch when it comes to suspension. But that's just my 2c.

I used Progressive shocks with their HD springs. Pretty good. I'd have to say though that if I was doing it again, or replacing the shocks, I'd spend a few more bucks and get a better shock. The spring is pretty close to a good rate but the rebound damping is a bit low for the HD spring. But, for the money they are not bad at all.

Please post what you decide and your impressions. Its good to get actual feed back about specific mods.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Have you looked at the Hagons for the rear? Z1 is selling them now or you can still go to Dave Quinn Motorcycles.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I looked at the Hogans shocks, but they don't mench the 1100G.

 

[Nessism]

The Sonic fork springs owner is a member here. Show a bro some love. They are awesome springs regardless.

Progressive shocks are tried and true. Amazon has good prices on them. Hagon's should be fine too. I use the term "should be" because there is some question about the out of the box damping and typical recommended spring rates. You might want to do some homework before ordering if you decide to pull the trigger.

 

[Steve]

We have Progressive fork springs in 3 of the 4 GSes here (not mine). Nice to not need to add air. I have Sonic Springs in my 850 and really enjoy the difference. I like Sonic's rationale on straight-rate springs: the air that is trapped inside the fork leg is a progressive spring as it is compressed. With progressive-rate fork springs, you have two different rates of compression, which can make things "interesting". With straight-rate springs, there is only one progression rate (the air). The front of my bike has never felt so good.

On the rear of our bikes, my son's 1000G has the cheapo MDI shocks (about $100). I think they are actually overload shocks for a one-ton pickup, but he has an enhanced gravitational attraction and says they do ride a bit firm, but acceptable. When he is carrying a passenger, it is much better. My other son's 650L has some stock-ish shocks (but are longer than 650L shocks) that do OK. My wife's bike is wearing a pair of Hagons that we got from Dave Quinn. Call him to order them, he will ask about your weight and riding style to make sure you get the right parts, and he will assemble them before shipping. My bike has a set of vintage KONIs that are doing just fine. Might need to rebuild them by the end of summer, but they feel fine right now.

For the front, Progressive and Sonic are both in the $80-85 range. I don't know about the Race Tech springs that were mentioned.

For the rear, you definitely get a better ride as you spend more money. The $100 MDIs are SUPER stiff. The $200 Hagons are much better. The $300 Progressives are not that much better than the Hagons, in my book. Other brands can certainly cost more and might give a bit better handling advantage, but the Hagons or Progressives will be a good step in the right direction, and at an affordable price.

.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Well, looking on Amazon I found a very nice suspension air pump, by Progressive. Seems like just the thing for the forks.

For rear shocks they recommended Progressives without springs-(sold separately). So right away I'm wondering if I can use the old Suzuki springs with the Progressive shocks?

The Emgo shocks, well I have some of their other stuff on my bikes, like mirrors. Their schtick seems to be; "Ours look just like the real thing!", but made cheap.

 

[Steve]

Well, looking on Amazon I found a very nice suspension air pump, by Progressive. Seems like just the thing for the forks.

I have not seen that pump, it's probably a good thing, but you STILL have to fiddle with setting air pressure all the time. For just a bit more money, replace the springs and NEVER worry about your air pressure again.

For rear shocks they recommended Progressives without springs-(sold separately). So right away I'm wondering if I can use the old Suzuki springs with the Progressive shocks?

Not sure how easy it is to remove the stock springs. What is the rate on those (stock) springs? Is it proper? Why not just spend a little more money and get springs that you KNOW will have the proper rate. Or, ... for about the same money as the Progressive shocks (with no springs), get a set of Hagons WITH springs.

The Emgo shocks, well I have some of their other stuff on my bikes, like mirrors. Their schtick seems to be; "Ours look just like the real thing!", but made cheap.

Yes, they may LOOK like the "real thing", but there is a reason they are cheap. My personal experience with them is that they don't feel comfortable until you have over 400 pounds of people and/or luggage pushing down on them. If you meet that description, go for it. But, like the other choices, just a little more money will get you a LOT more. Break open the wallet, break out the cash or the credit card, get some stuff that will work.

You have spent the time to come here and ask for opinions and advice. If you choose not to accept it, well ... :-\\\

.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks Steve, needed somebody to bounce ideas off of.
About fitting the old Suzuki springs on the Progressive shocks, the question is; will they fit?
They were designed for the 1100G, so yes they have the right spring rate.
Looks like they have a retainer disc that slips out when the spring is compressed with a tool.
Seems I need to buy the tool if I buy springs and shocks separately.
Looks like buying shocks with springs mounted makes sense to me.

 

[mike_of_bbg]

I don't think there's a good way to get the old springs off of the Suzuki shocks; and I'm with Steve on that one even if you could. Can't be sure they'd sit correctly, anyway. My 14-series Progressive shocks were less than $200 with springs, IIRC. Though you might need something a little beefier with an 1100: 12 series are generally recommended. I had Emgo's for a while and they were stiff as could be, though they did soften up after quite a bit of riding; still stiff but almost livable. I mean it was better than the stockers, but a bit too far in the other direction. The included eyelet bushings were horrible and you're better off to re-use the stock ones.

 

[posplayr]

Thanks Steve, needed somebody to bounce ideas off of.
About fitting the old Suzuki springs on the Progressive shocks, the question is; will they fit?
They were designed for the 1100G, so yes they have the right spring rate.
Looks like they have a retainer disc that slips out when the spring is compressed with a tool.
Seems I need to buy the tool if I buy springs and shocks separately.
Looks like buying shocks with springs mounted makes sense to me.

Proper spring rate is a function of rider weight as well as the bike weight.

 

[Steve]

About fitting my Suzuki springs on the Progressive shocks is; will they fit.

Sorry, I don't have a clue there. I don't have any Progressive shocks around to measure.

Progressive series 12 dampers are $203.52.
Progressive series 12 springs are $76.95 for black or $92.95 for chrome.
Progressive series 412 shocks (complete units) start at $299.95.

Hagon shocks from Dave Quinn Motorcycles start at $214, and that is for complete units, custom-specified for YOU.

OK, I have now made your shopping easier, just click the links and break out your wallet. :encouragement:

.

 

[mike_of_bbg]

You could do the old "poor man's progressives" up front: cut a couple inches off of the stock springs, add spacers with pre-load to suit, and eschew the air.

Few $$$ spent up front leaves more for the rear.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

You could do the old "poor man's progressives" up front: cut a couple inches off of the stock springs, add spacers with pre-load to suit, and eschew the air.

Few $$$ spent up front leaves more for the rear.

I like your suggestion, but I don't get cutting some off the springs? Why not just add a spacer?

 

[Steve]

Adding a spacer only compresses the lighter portion of the springs more, and can lead to mechanical binding. Cutting off the lighter section of the spring leaves only the stiffer section, which is more like what the newer, BETTER springs start with. The spacer is necessary to compensate for the cut-off portion.

.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks,
For the same project 1100G, what is a good source for SS brake lines?
I still got the original lines on there…kinda soft.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

The Hagon type A with Wideline chrome springs, from Dave Quinn Motorcycles look like the best choice for me. Only $214???
They will build the shock for my needs, so I get their expert help too.

 

[Steve]

Yep, talk to Dave. He will help you decide on the damping rate, based on your weight and the weight of any passenger or gear you anticipate, then fine-tune that with the right springs for the weight.

If you click on the link I gave you above, you will see that there are a few choices for that same $214. All have black shock bodies, but you can choose the Slim- or Wide-line springs (Dave recommends the wide) in either black or chrome.

When I ordered the shocks for my wife's bike last year, I think I had them in about a week. :encouragement:

.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

At SonicSprings.com I found a rate calculator, very helpful.
Good price for the springs too.

 

[Steve]

My "gravitational attraction" is just a bit above 'average', and I have a fairing on my 850, so I went with the 1.1 springs and 10w oil.

NO regrets. :encouragement:

.