2003 SV650S Suspension Tuning HELP!

Ok, this one might be a different kind of question.  I put a 2004 GSXR 750 front end (complete) on my 2003 SV650S.  Anyways, what recommended suspension setting should I use?  The GSXR?(seems logical) but would the recommended settings feel different on the SV?  I'm confused.  I don't know a helluva lot about suspension anyways.  All i know is that I performed the swap because I thought that the Showa forks were better for carving corners than the stock dinky forks of the SV.  Any tips or advice or good reads on the subject would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks all.  

You are really going to have to figure out what settings work for you by playing with them.  Weight, weight bias, and steering geometry are all different between the two bikes.  Start by setting the sag and put the other settings in the middle of their range.  From there make minor adjustments until you get it where you want it.  Here is a good place to get started.  

SVDuckman,

First off... What shock do you have on the rear??? Get a GSXR shock on the rear. You do want you bike to have a balanced suspension.

before you buy one, you need to figure out what is the correct spring rate you need. this depends on how much you weight. To do this right go to www.racetech.com under recommended spring rates. I used the recomended spring rate for the SV on the GSXR Fork Springs. And the recommended spring rate for the GSXR Shock Spring.

Now that you have the correct springs or close to it... Set your free suspension Sag and your sag with you on the bike with all your gear. Once you have dial the Sag follow the recomended stock settings on the GSXR750 forks. Same with the rear shock.

At this point your bike will feel like an oak tree when you are draging knee  

Remember the GSXR Forks are shorter than the SV Forks and you will need to compensate with a 120/70R17 front tire instead of the SV 120/60R17 front tire.

The bike will turn into a corner much easier. It will easily turn in too sharp to the inside of the turn. I have been able to compensate this by taking turns much faster.

Also if you want to improve your new suspension and handing do not fix your speedo. Trust me you will know when you are speeding... but you will never again have to look down at the speedo and worry about the speed you are going into any given turn. ridem by feel ust a hair over your confort zone and you will improve your riding.

I know you will have questions. email me at SV650R@yahoo.com Luis  
2005 SV650R - K&N Air, Dynojet PC USB III, Full Yosh-RS3, GSXR1000K5 Suspension and Brakes, Gaffler SB Brake Lines + HH Pads, OSF Billet Rearsets, Frame + Swing Sliders, OEM Seat Cowl + Tire Hugger, Mich Pilot Powers.

Hi there. Just logging in for the first time. Great way to compare notes on this conversion. The gixxer forks are indeed an inch shorter. Ride height will be greatly lowered on the front.(a little TOO much) I approached the problem with a custom top triple clamp, that got that inch back and put the front ride height closer to stock SV, now trying 2mm increments from stock (rather than 2mm plus 1 inch). Hope this helps
Harvey
 
Harvey

Well see the GSXR forks are shorter than the SV when the forks are unloaded ie. off the bike. However keep in mind that the fork springs on the SV are so soft that you end up with more sag. Now for preformance people drop the front ride hight get quicker lean when turning.

Besides, installing a 12070R17 will bring the bike front end up 12.mm (1/2" inch)

When I said.... "I have been able to compensate this by taking turns much faster." I was just being a little sarcastic. the set up works so well, and feels so good, that it gives you more confidence to go faster than before.

From your post it seems you want to increase ride hight 2mm from Stock. I do not think the SV goes fast enought to have stability problems at top speed.

I would like to know more about what your thinking. maybe I got it all wrong. Luis  
2005 SV650R - K&N Air, Dynojet PC USB III, Full Yosh-RS3, GSXR1000K5 Suspension and Brakes, Gaffler SB Brake Lines + HH Pads, OSF Billet Rearsets, Frame + Swing Sliders, OEM Seat Cowl + Tire Hugger, Mich Pilot Powers.

Any tips on where to find GXSR fork and rear shocks for SV 650 at a good price?  

Try browsing through eBay Motors, craigslist, or your local motorcycle junkyard.