s2r, progressive springs or gsxr forks?

[37monkey]

As the title suggests I'm looking for a way to improve the handling at the front end of my bike. Would progressive springs and heavier oil do the trick or should I swap the forks? There must be pro's and cons to both, or is there another option I haven't thought of?
Thanks
S2R 800 2005

[Stafford]

Just about any of the adjustable forks from Monsters of the era will fit, ideally a set from an S2R1000. You can also upgrade the brakes as well.

[Gilps]

It should already have progressive springs fitted. The alternative is linear springs which are more commonly used on track.

[Flip]

Or as mentioned in other posts, get them re-worked by one of the reputable suspension specialists.

Not cheap but they will be tailored to your weight and riding style/what you use the bike for etc. and so will be about the best they can be without changing them.

[steeevvvooo]

You can also upgrade the brakes as well.

I have a goldline brembo caliper for sale if you go down that route. I can measure bolt spacing etc if you do.

Many people use the adjustable forks from the 1000 and there are some other options available but I'll let someone more knowledgeable than myself tell you about those...

[Funkatronic]

Best option is to get 748/996/998 showas.
The fork diametrers at top and bottom yoke are different so You will need to mod or buy a top yoke and get shims for bottom yoke but otherwise everything else ( calipers, mudguard & axle) are all interchangeable from the s2r

[pompone]

St2&4 will fit straight on also, as anything 2000ish on. My choice would be s2r 1000 or a 900Sie purely because are close to your bike spec and the easiest fit. By the time you've spent money on modding yours you could get these serviced and set up.
As it goes I've seen someone fitting gsxr forks to a 900ss just this week as it goes. Is a lot if faff for a relatively small gain with those mediocre calipers if you ask me. You'll need wheels, axle, spacers discs, calipers and both yokes. He paid I think 700 quid for the lot. Oh and different bearing. They look okish I guess but as said not a plug and play.As per springs you'll have progressive as mentioned

[Dukedesmo]

Best option is to get 748/996/998 showas.
The fork diametrers at top and bottom yoke are different so You will need to mod or buy a top yoke and get shims for bottom yoke but otherwise everything else ( calipers, mudguard & axle) are all interchangeable from the s2r

I have 916 forks on my Monster and they work very well although I needed to re-spring for the lighter bike, I also had to make 'alterations' to the bar risers due to the adjusters - although maybe S2R bars allow for this?

For the record the OE springs in 916 forks are linear (and very firm).

[bluestoesonnose]

Buy yourself an old Brit classic, after that the Monster will feel awesome.

After a month of riding my 54 Goldie the S4R feels like the best handling and stopping bike in the world...

[37monkey]

Buy yourself an old Brit classic, after that the Monster will feel awesome.

After a month of riding my 54 Goldie the S4R feels like the best handling and stopping bike in the world...

I got the chance ride my dads laverda 750 the other day, didn't really get on with the lack lustre parallel twin motor but the ride in terms of suspension and brakes was awesome. Having got back on the monster I'm really suffering from understeer, I'm pretty sure that's down to the soft front end. (Also I've bottomed out under braking a couple of times)

Thanks for the advice so far

[bluestoesonnose]

Strange, I though the SF750 was one of the best A and B road blasters I've ridden in a long time, sweet close ratio gear box, massive disk brakes and "on rails" handling, not bad for a 1974 bike, just keep it fluid and smooth and it was stooopidly quick....


Still haven't found the front end on my S4R that soft, though I did a full fork service within a few months of owning it. This showed up some differences in oil level and I'm not convinced it was the correct grade. Could be worth getting yours to factory standard before you spend you hard earned...

[37monkey]

Yes the laverda is one of the most sweet handling machines I've ever ridden, but I found the clutch grabby and the engine too tourqey with very little rev range. So my ideal set up would be the motor from my 749 in the monster with the lavy running gear. But until I win the lottery I think I'll go with springs and oil and stick a damper on the steering.