Front springs Hyperpro or K Tech

[Krezi]

Hi Guys,

Decided to change springs and oil to either K tech or Hyperpro. Is there much difference between them? They are priced similarly.
 
For K tech which one should I go - there are those rated 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 and 10. I presume it doesn't really matter since I would be able to adjust them anyways??
 
I am 84 kg
 
Thanks
Paul

[FuZzBoM]

Hi Paul,

Many people will bleet on about linear springs being better as you can match the spring weight to your weight etc.
Personally I have the hyperpro fork springs and spring on the rear shock and love the setup. They are progressive springs and I think on the every day roads they are a good upgrade over stock. as such they are nice and soft over pot holes and bumpy roads and firm when pushed.
It just comes down to personal preference and cost.

Also hyperpro springs come with the recommended fork oil.


Found this graph that will give a guide to what spring rate you require if you go linear
http://www.superhawk996.net/spring%20rate.gif

[karlo]

I've got some Kais linear .9 in mine and it's more than enough for a fat fooker like me.

[unfazed]

I tend to agree that progressive especially at the front are better suited to public road use.
However everyone to their own liking 

[sadlonelygit]

I presume it doesn't really matter since I would be able to adjust them anyways??

i suggest that with a statement like that you go and see a professional (MH racing or similar) because it sounds like you haven't got a clue.

but .9 for plush or .95kg/mm for ideal spring.

progressive springs...................heresy!!!!!!!!!

[unfazed]

progressive springs...................heresy!!!!!!!!!

Spoken like a true spannerman

[Krezi]

i suggest that with a statement like that you go and see a professional (MH racing or similar) because it sounds like you haven't got a clue.

but .9 for plush or .95kg/mm for ideal spring.

progressive springs...................heresy!!!!!!!!!



Naturally I don't have a clue otherwise I won't be asking!


You mean you're in favour of progressive springs or linear?


Thanks
Paul

[mickvp]

.9, and .95kg/mm are linear spring rates, so I assume he is in favour of linear springs


(they are called linear because they always compress at the same rate.. i.e for every 0.9, or 0.95Kg of load on the spring, they will compress 1mm...in a linear fashion hence the name!.

Progressive springs spring rate changes depending on how much they are compressed and so are more forgiving on general riding (softer), but as you attack corners they compress more to a firmer spring rate...so they are progressive.)

sorry if thats teaching granny to suck eggs material, just incase you didnt understand the basic difference between the two

[Krezi]

thanks guys for the explanation!


All gratefully received


Paul

[Falcon 269]

Take pro advice on the correct linear rate spring for your weight and riding style. 

You'll likely find that pro suspension folks will always favour linear over progressive on the grounds that progressives are used to provide a compromise solution for a wider range of riders.  That's why they're fitted as OE, of course.

That said, I've tried Hyperpro springs (dual rate/progressive) and thought they worked nicely on the Fazer.  The spring rates chosen by Hyperpro are better than the OE ones, which are too soft in the first part of the stroke but too firm in the final part.   

If Yamaha had put Hyperpro springs in as standard, I think most owners would have been quite happy with the front end.

[PieEater]

but as you attack corners they compress more to a firmer spring rate

I was always lead to believe that you shouldn't corner on the brakes because when the forks compress the steering geometry is changed making it trickier to get round corners, this seems to be evidenced on the odd occasion I have had to brake mid corner and the bike has stood up. This is why I would be more biased towards linear springs, I wouldn't really want my forks compressing and the bike changing steering geometry with the slightest hint of brake or bump, which would seem more of an issue with progressive springs.

[mickvp]

Even with linear springs...the bike will still stand up if you brake on a corner, this will always happened with raked front forks as they compress more or less. The geometry changes as the rake angle increases/decreases with the suspension compression.

And then there's the change in wheelbase to consider as well.. I think it's just that, especially in race applications, linear springs react more predictably than progressive ones which are not as focussed on out and out ability, but more a compromise which allows them to be good at many types of application without excelling in anything (a Jack of all trades scenario).




..... Or my head could be full of nonsense

[Krezi]

Had a chat with suspension company and they can do front rebuild suited to my weight and riding style with oil, new seals and springs either K tech or ohlins for 250 euros. That seems reasonable I think as K tech springs are around 120 euros itself plus fitting.


I plan to fit R6 from Luke on the rear and hoping the suspension would be balanced there. Don't want either front or rear to be overly good compared so I lose the balance etc


What are your thoughts?


Paul

[Falcon 269]

Take a look at the amount of fork travel left on the MotoGP bikes and other racers as they hit the apex.  It's a complex thing to understand but provided tyre grip vs lean angle vs brake effort isn't exceeded, altering the steering geometry by braking deep into the turn can help the bike turn faster.