Lowering the Front End

[del1150]

I have recently fitted a 35mm rear lowering spring to my F800GSA and raised the forks in the triple clamps 25mm. Despite dropping the front and rear more or less the same amount, the bike feels much more planted (and obviously a little more sensitive as the steering is a bit more direct) and I've found the Hyperpro rear progressive spring more comfortable than the original. The reduced height makes the bike perfect for me and overall I'm very happy (I quite like the compliance at the front as I'm not into really late/hard braking and don't therefore experience too much fork dive).

This raises the question - should I go to the trouble of fitting the Hyperpro lowering springs at the front? Will they make any real difference for road riding (I ride briskly but I'm not pushing anywhere near the limit on corners or anything like that)? Or am I simply such a poor rider than I'm not sensitive enough to the changes?!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has changed from raised forks (to balanced a lowered rear spring) to lowered front springs (especially Hyperpro lowering) and whether you noticed any difference ..

If it really is worth the hassle (and cost) to fit the lowering fork springs, is it necessary to go the full works with fork removal and replacement oil (the original oil has only done 4K miles) or could the original springs simply be replaced in situ using the original oil spec/air gap for more compliance than the thicker replacement oil? Anyone tried this?

Anyone got any experience between these two approaches?

Thanks

 

[SuperTed]

When I first got my F800GS, not the GSA, I went down the HyperPro route with changing springs front and rear. But after I had ridden a different bike while on a fly/ride holiday realised that I had overdone it and the bike was actually too low. The current setup, which I am more than happy with, has a Nitron rear shock that drops the seat height 35mm, and a 19 inch front wheel with the standard length springs. Although the suspension got revamped 25k miles ago and the front now has Andreani cartridges and springs in the stock fork legs. The bike handles great, takes less effort to corner with the smaller front wheel, and is still highly capable down a gravel road.
I cannot remember if the GSA has a 21 inch front, it probably does, but it might be worth looking at changing the wheel rather than messing with the suspension further.

 

[del1150]

The 35mm seat height drop on the GSA works fine for me too. Interesting thinking on moving to a 19" wheel .... However I'm pretty happy with the forks raised through the clamps 25cm so I'm not sure if that's a solution worth pursuing for me; I'll think about whether I'd get enough extra benefit from that.

Would still like to hear from anyone with a lower shock spring who's raised the forks and then moved to lowered fork springs as to whether there was any significant benefit in changing ....

 

[steve hughes]

On my F650 twin I went the whole hog with Wilbers remote pre load rear and progressive fork springs. This was all done by revs suspension in Halesowen. At the same time they dropped the bike height by 30 mm using revised fork springs and rear shock. I had previously, like you raised the forks through the clamps by some 25 mm.

To this day I still feel the biggest improvement was the front forks. The previous dive under braking all but disappeared, the bike tracked like it was on rails. I spent £1050, I believe split something like £750 rear balance front including fitting.

If I was upgrading again I would do progressive fork springs first every time.

 

[del1150]

Thanks for that feedback Steve