Hey guys I'm doing more reading up on suspension changes. Some people favor changing front springs 1st and some rear shock 1st. Is there a definitive way of determining which is better for me? I think I'm too heavy for my bike and now have the rear preload set to 6 (of a possible 7).

 

180, I think most people upgrade the front first (cheaper)... but we large guys may need the rear first. "Dad"(search) did a exellent post on setting up a 1000f... I think he said a 1/2 to 3/4" spacer, in the forks and maybe heavier oil, would help also. Race tech has heavy srings too. That rear shock might be able to be upgraded, w/ a heavier spring... eibach, progressive,ect. Most shock/spring people have formulas, they punch in, to help you make the right choices. If you want to spend the bux... get a trick shock built to your indv. needs...wieght, bike ride'n style. Spendy, but heaven !!!!!!!!!!!
Clean and free, Ripp'n

 

do both at once if poss. if u cant stretch to some ohlins etc ( best money iv ever spent on my bike btw ) try and find a suspension specialist that will rebuild and revalve your standard kit for not much cash.

remember jackin up the preload only affects the shocks distance of travel not its stiffness. need to fit stiffer springs if thats what u want.

 

My recommendation would be:
If your only street riding: go for the rear first. Find a Penske, or Ohlins and make sure it sprung to suit your weight. It'll make the rid more comfortable.
If you taking to the track; do the front first, it's much easier to ride around a incorrectly sprung rear than a bottoming front, and safer too.

 

as a famous mentor of mine once said-"it all starts in the back-so start
in the back!"first match your riding weight to the spring rate-the rest
should fall into place(as far as any further work goes-start from there!)