better option for front springs.....Progressive?

Anyone have experience with the Progressive type front springs? I have an 82 GPZ 750 and I would like a more up to date feel on the front suspension without changing out the forks. Will Progressive spring cartridges do the trick or no? I have heard pros and cons. Tell me your experiences. I just want a better ride with more control. I won't be carving up canyons or anything. All advice is welcome, jut trying to learn here.

Over the 40 years I've owned my bike I've tried different things. Different oil weights, installed air chucks and different tires.


I had a balance tube but keeping the right pressure was next to impossible. It did nothing for the quality of the ride, just made it stiffer.
I've always wanted progressive springs but in the day, the cost was out of reach. Today they are affordable. Something worth noting; With the stock springs and oil weight, the tire would bounce at speed. In time the tire would wear and the bounce would become more apparent. No amount of balancing would correct this. At that point the tire is shot. The idea is how to keep the tire on the road no matter the conditions. Handling is improved as well as tire life.
I saved a link for some dampening bushings for vintage fork and slider arrangements. From what I read, it would bring the forks up to near modern standards. Again cost is a factor.
My advise is to get some progressive springs. It's the first step to fine tuning a front end.
BTW, progressive springs were the affordable hot set up in the 70's for shocks and are still.
Steve

I have Racetech straight-rate spring in my Gsxr's forks and a 1" lowering kit from Progressive in my Vmax's forks. I can say that good springs with the right oil weight and level really helps.

Later, Doug

I put Progressive springs in the 1979 KZ1000MKII soon after I bought it in 1983. The stock springs were extremely lame and most the travel was taken up by simply sitting on the bike. The progressives worked great and were a big improvement. Of course this was 30 years back, so I'm not sure the same company even exists today. They call themselves the same name, so hopefully still decent.

Sooo, what's the name? :huh:
Steve

I mean they sold Progressive springs 30yrs back, not sure Progressive sold today is the same exact thing. Hope so, but you never know.

I bought progressive rate springs. I don't know who made them. I had no idea that was a company logo as well.
Steve

These are the ones you want.
Progressive Suspension

I am thinking about this as well. I am replacing fork seals so while I am at it...

Those are the ones I have. Same packaging. The price is about the same as well. No more tire bounce and the bike handles better.
Steve

I installed progressive springs & racetech cartidge fork emulators...night & day difference from the tired, saggy, original forks

Replacing the original and probably fairly tired springs in my '78 650C was one of the fairly short list of 'modern\ upgrades I did a couple of years back. I haven't yet played around too much with alternate oil weights, or amounts, but on the whole, they did stiffen up the ride a little, and give me generally better road feel and control.

I think that for the price they are well worth it, and help out a fair bit. Really, when you consider the cost of replacing the fixed rate factory springs with NOS, or new Kawasaki if they are available, going to the progressive rate springs isn't that costly... FWIW, I also replaced the rears at the same time with Progressive sealed units, which probably helps explain the overall improvement in ride quality. If they were to wear out/get tired, I would however, consider spending the big money on a set that are rebuild-able instead of another set of sealed ones. Bigger upfront cost, but the rebuild kits are pretty cheap....