GS500 suspension bottoming out

FollowingGhos... · Derestricted Danger Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Karma :

Hi all,

Seem to be having issues with the front suspension bottoming on my GS.

I can make it bottom out by putting my weight on it, and it seems to be doing so under heavy braking and on bigger bumps too.

Is this normal for the GS or is there anything I can do to remedy it?
Fork seals and oil were done by the local Suzuki place in January

Cheers

davebike · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Nov 2013 Karma :

Needs either new springs or more preload (bigger spacer on top of spring !)
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Unless you are Andre the Giant, something is massively wrong there.

Was it like that when you got it back from Suzuki?

My advice is to burn it and buy something better, GS500's are fucking awful rot boxes made with 70-80's technology. Mine was by a long way the worst bike I ever owned. I honestly cannot think of a bike I would like to own less.
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Bottoming out means you need stronger springs. Pissing with the preload or damping wont prevent that because bottoming is when the spring becomes fully coilbound.

An old bodge was to stick some big valve springs on top of your old springs in placer of some/all of the spacers. The proper fix is to get some stronger springs.

If you want to check, your workshop manual should have a minimum free length for the original springs. If they are shorter than that, they need replacing.

I have a set of Wilbers linear springs in my VFR, they are great but may be a tad pricey for a GS500.
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u33db · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Karma :

Sorry to revive.

The standard springs are spec'd for some ridiculously light...there is posts all over the GS owners club about and the fix is for uprated springs.

Once they're fitted the handling is actually pretty good and will not bottom out.

Hagon do progressive springs for about 90 quid via M&P but there is also a US company Sonic springs (ower runs the GS forum) and they are highly rated.

If you swap them out be sure to set the air gap correctly and not go via the owners manually oil capacity and it will be too much do to the replacement springs being much longer than the originals.

bugeye_bob · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Karma :

If you are spending that cash on the fronts, swap out the rear shock for the SV650 or R1 unit.

u33db · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Karma :

TBH I'm not a massively experienced rider or fat git so not pushing the ability of the standard shock bit I probably will do a swap at some point just for the bragging rights.

I believe the SV650 shock needs drilled and theres something wrong about putting yam stuff on a suzuki though.

The gstwins site says the katana/gsxr 600 shock fits so will investigate that route!