Hyperpro Fork Springs

[Alstrom]

Has anybody fitted Hyperpro Progressive Fork Springs to a Vstrom 1000. In the instructions is says to have a measurement of 180mm to oil level from top of fork, but the workshop manual say 140mm. Just seems a large difference, anybody got any ideas.
Regards
Allan

[porter]

Not hyperpro but I've fitted hagon springs and I think the air gap was 150 mm. I'd go with what hyperpro said, you can always add a bit if you think they're too soft. What weight is the oil, I think the hagon used 10w.

[Paz324]

These companies tend to develop their products using a test machine so they get to trial different air gaps and oil weights, usually bikes suffer with things like the suspension from the factory because they don't have larger Europeans in mind during development so issues with suspension are common for us since we don't happen to be featherweight Japanese riders.

Personally I'd follow the instructions supplied with the replacement springs and never use Suzuki's again.

[Valves]

Are you sure? Just fitted them in mine and the air cap stated on the manual labelling (outside of book) was 145mm 

You get 1lt of 10w oil in the kit and that IS JUST enough for both legs but is pretty close...

Sorry - just realised this was for my DL1000 AL4 (2014) 

[porter]

Just goes to show how confusing this can all be.  I just fitted Wilbers front springs to my 14,  135mm air gap but 2.5w oil, bit different to Valves hyperpro spring settings.

[hookie]

If you're going to the trouble and expense of replacing the springs then it would be worth getting the right spring rates for your weight. A good supplier should be able to do this. Maybe have a look on the Racetech website as it has a calculator for spring rate plus oil type and level. http://www.racetech.com

[Alstrom]

Thanks for all the reply?s. I spoke to someone from Calsport and explained my weight and needs and was recommended Hyperpro and it would come with 10w oil. After coming from a BMW I find the Suzuki forks quite harsh and not responsive to small bumps and the front end vibrates sometimes if the road is not really smooth. In Portugal this year riding over lots of cobbled roads it knackered my wrists, I had to strap them up. Love the rest of the bike though.

[hookie]

Harshness over bumps can be combination of too hard springing and too much compression damping of the fork valving. The first step is to get the the spring rates right and then set the correct suspension sag when the bike off the stands. There's lots on the internet on how to do this. Then the damping can be looked at. As the Vee doesn't have any damping adjustment this is down to oil grade and levels and can be quite laborious to get right I.e. trying different grades and levels to get it right. Suspensions specialists should be able to give you a useful starting point but after that it's a matter of experimenting. And as the Vee doesn't have any damping adjusters you may get the compression damping right and then the rebound damping will be wrong for you or visa versa. So it's a matter of working out a best compromise. If you really can't get a good compromise you could get the forks revalved which specialists like Racetech, Maxton and Ktech do kits for. This is why more upmarket and in particular sports bikes have multi adjustable suspension and getting things spot on can completely transform the handling and ride.

[porter]

If the front springs fitted now are still the oe one's they will not be to hard. The harshness comes from over damped compression damping (the 2014's feel is the same). All you can do is try lighter oil with a slightly larger air gap and the replacement springs. Well you can do the job right and send the forks away for a full revalve but that's expensive.
I'd try what hyperpro has said and if your still not happy try 5w oil next. I've had 10w, 5w and now 2.5w in myl Strom, each time it's a little bit smoother. It needs a revalve to remove completely but I'm to tight to spend that amount on a 4k bike.
If you firm up the front you will find the rear lacking, if your still on the oe shock that is. Good luck.

[bako]

Going slightly off tanjent but....I started a thread a couple of months ago about the issues I was having with the front forks on my DL1000 2017 model. The front end was either bouncing around too much or rock solid, with occation jittering. I changed the oil weight with some success. I'm now running with 2.5 w oil with an air gap of 125mm. Pre load on the 3rd mark up. Rebound and damping set to default 8 clicks. I'm 12 stone and the bike handle and feels so much better now. There's a bit of fork dive under heavy breaking, but that's livable with.

[porter]

I have 2.5w oil in mine with a 150mm air gap but also Wilbers springs. Its a lot firmer but smoother too. Need more miles to make a good judgement. Also changed the rear shock for a Wilbers 641, great damping (my oe shock was gone) but it has a hard spring, rear feels like a sports bike, think in the spring time I'll get a lighter spring rate.