Some while ago I popped a thread on asking for tips on how to lower a 1200GSA. This was needed due to some medical issues, at one stage I was even going trade in for a Lowered Water Cooled but the dealer changed his mind mid negotiation on trade in values so I got the hump 
Initially I thought of Hyperpro lowered springs, these would cost £350 ish full fitted as I don’t have the facilities to change myself. I've had these in the past and must admit to being a little indifferent to their benefits.
I finally decided that I might as while take the plunge and go for a set of Wilbers with my ESA fitted. These are just shy of £1300 fully fitted, including side stand mods, not the cheapest update but a little pension lump sum (taken extremely young I might add) gave me the dosh. I ordered them on December 4th and booked in the installation with Revs for Wednesday 17th of December.
I have to be honest I had several nervous moments leading up to the install because of the cost, 10% of the bike seemed a lot to me. I took the bike down and wondered of shopping with SWMBO for the day. The service was immaculate, whilst I waited for the boss to rock up I was ploughed with cups of copy and had the discussions about actually cleaning my bike!
On my return the bike was ready slightly earlier than promised and fully sorted. My first impressions where that 50mm substantially lowered the seat height, it was easy to sling my leg over and feet were firmly planted on the floor. The angle of lean on side stand was not as far over as it was on the old shocks but this made it easier to lift of the stand, so much so that I nearly pushed it over!
Ultimately, what was the ride difference? It took till the end of the street to find out, not the flattest tarmac in the Black Country but it might as well have been with these on. Whilst the old shocks were not knackered they are plainly a necessary compromise for the different weight riders these bikes get. Now, my shocks are now set up for me, me and my luggage and me, my luggage and the missus, but, unlike the standard shocks, these now take into account our actual weight.
Around town the grotty bits of road no corners seemed significantly smoother, I had always felt this was a tyre issue but am now convinced it is more to do with the suspension. Cornering confidence is improved in bucket loads. Even when riding down the motorway the bike is now much more stable, it just seems to recover so much more quickly from road imperfections, pot holes and even white lines and cats eyes. As for the ESA, going between normal, comfort or sports on this is now a marked difference between the settings, before, Sport to Comfort could just about be noticed, now all three feel different.
The acid test was my ride to work, this is a 25 mile mixture of rough country lanes covered in farmers waste and the odd smooth A road. One commute there and back was enough to convince me this was money well spent. So, any regrets? Just one really, that I didn’t do this years ago. My bike now feels a much more pleasant and safe place to be, this is better than having a new bike. I don't work for REVS, didn't get a discount from them to say nice things, I just genuinely believe that this upgrade is the best investment I have ever made in a bike.
Initially I thought of Hyperpro lowered springs, these would cost £350 ish full fitted as I don’t have the facilities to change myself. I've had these in the past and must admit to being a little indifferent to their benefits.
I finally decided that I might as while take the plunge and go for a set of Wilbers with my ESA fitted. These are just shy of £1300 fully fitted, including side stand mods, not the cheapest update but a little pension lump sum (taken extremely young I might add) gave me the dosh. I ordered them on December 4th and booked in the installation with Revs for Wednesday 17th of December.
I have to be honest I had several nervous moments leading up to the install because of the cost, 10% of the bike seemed a lot to me. I took the bike down and wondered of shopping with SWMBO for the day. The service was immaculate, whilst I waited for the boss to rock up I was ploughed with cups of copy and had the discussions about actually cleaning my bike!
On my return the bike was ready slightly earlier than promised and fully sorted. My first impressions where that 50mm substantially lowered the seat height, it was easy to sling my leg over and feet were firmly planted on the floor. The angle of lean on side stand was not as far over as it was on the old shocks but this made it easier to lift of the stand, so much so that I nearly pushed it over!
Ultimately, what was the ride difference? It took till the end of the street to find out, not the flattest tarmac in the Black Country but it might as well have been with these on. Whilst the old shocks were not knackered they are plainly a necessary compromise for the different weight riders these bikes get. Now, my shocks are now set up for me, me and my luggage and me, my luggage and the missus, but, unlike the standard shocks, these now take into account our actual weight.
Around town the grotty bits of road no corners seemed significantly smoother, I had always felt this was a tyre issue but am now convinced it is more to do with the suspension. Cornering confidence is improved in bucket loads. Even when riding down the motorway the bike is now much more stable, it just seems to recover so much more quickly from road imperfections, pot holes and even white lines and cats eyes. As for the ESA, going between normal, comfort or sports on this is now a marked difference between the settings, before, Sport to Comfort could just about be noticed, now all three feel different.
The acid test was my ride to work, this is a 25 mile mixture of rough country lanes covered in farmers waste and the odd smooth A road. One commute there and back was enough to convince me this was money well spent. So, any regrets? Just one really, that I didn’t do this years ago. My bike now feels a much more pleasant and safe place to be, this is better than having a new bike. I don't work for REVS, didn't get a discount from them to say nice things, I just genuinely believe that this upgrade is the best investment I have ever made in a bike.
one question, how is it getting the bike onto the centre stand?
