Suspension Question - What Type Of Springs

fork springs is more suitable for road use - linear or progressive?
Esp for bumpy roads?
TIA

Linear is the proper choice, progressive springs are snake oil. Unless you dont mind giving up some travel.

The most important thing is to match your springs to your weight, then decide type of wind. I don't have any experience with a [properly tuned] progressive front end.

[image: View Post]mechdziner714, on Jun 18 2008, 10:18 PM, said:

Linear is the proper choice, progressive springs are snake oil. Unless you dont mind giving up some travel.

I heard that opinion but fund this http://www.hyperpro..../springkits.asp

[image: View Post]mechdziner714, on Jun 18 2008, 08:18 PM, said:

Linear is the proper choice, progressive springs are snake oil. Unless you dont mind giving up some travel.
The VFR comes with progressive fork springs, the setup in the rear wth the dogbone and triangle makes for a matching progressive spring action in the rear too.

Progressive wound springs make good choices for manufacturers, because of basically becoming a stiffer spring, the more they are compressed. Since the manufacturers have no control over the size, riding ability, speed, etc. of their customers, progressive wound springs do a good job of compensating for these factors.

Racers, for the most part run "straight-wound" springs for consistancy, and ease of adjustment. If I were buying springs to "dial" my bike perfectly in for me, I would definetly go with straight, linear springs. That being said, because of sometime loading my bikes differently for various length trips, varying routes, commuting, etc., I personally think progressive springs do a good job of handling every day road riding. It also helps that I only weigh 165 lbs. also........... :fing02:

I am asking because at the moment look for aftermarket Front fork springs and the steering damper for my wifes F800ST. We installed a Wilbers shock/641/ past year in order to lower the bike and now the frond end feels not planted at high speeds/ 160+ km/h// on bumps. Maybe just the OEM steering damper is empty - no idea. Just want to replace and dial it perfectly. But - for road use, long trips.

[image: View Post]easyman05, on Jun 18 2008, 04:09 PM, said:

I am asking because at the moment look for aftermarket Front fork springs and the steering damper for my wifes F800ST. We installed a Wilbers shock/641/ past year in order to lower the bike and now the frond end feels not planted at high speeds/ 160+ km/h// on bumps. Maybe just the OEM steering damper is empty - no idea. Just want to replace and dial it perfectly. But - for road use, long trips.


When I lowered my Wife's 919 with a Hagon shock, I had them put a spring that was 100# heavier than what they suggested for that very reason. It helped the front stay planted after the bike was sitting more level than stock. Sort of tricks the front end into thinking it's sprung softer........... :rolleyes: