Penske Spring Weight Suggestion (I'm perfectly between 2 spring sizes)

[norco4hun]

Hi all,

Just picked up an SV with a penske double clicker on it. The spring on it right now is for someone at least 75 pounds heavier than me so I'm looking to switch it out. The problem is my weight is 160 and on Penske's spring application chart, that puts me at the high end of a 475 lb spring or the low end of a 500 lb spring. Looking for advice on which one I should go with? .... and if anyone has a 7" version of one of these that would fit, I'd be interested.

Thanks,
Ryan

[OreoGaborio]

What type of ride characteristics are you looking for? Are you looking for a softer ride or a firmer ride? What's the application? Any two-up riding? Any luggage? Any track riding?

[norco4hun]

Sorry Oreo, I should've specified. This is a track dedicated bike. With gear on, I'm right around 160 lbs.

[OreoGaborio]

I would definitely go stiffer. Especially if you're riding NHMS at all.

Pretty sure back when I had my Ohlins I had it sprung for a 750lb gorilla. I'm sprung much softer now with the Ktech.

I'm 165 in my b-day suit... Think I have a 525 spring on there now but I'd have to look or ask Peter Kates.

[norco4hun]

any reasoning behind that?

[OreoGaborio]

Sorry, I edited my post & added a few things. Which point would you like clarification on?

[norco4hun]

no kidding 525 and you weigh about as much as me. (190-225lbs is whats on the chart for that size spring).

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, when you've got a bumpy track that you're riding hard on, and comparably soft carcass tires (Pirelli), you typically go a little stiffer with the spring.

After a little digging, Ktech uses n/mm measurements. I THINK it's a 90n/mm spring which would make it about a 513lb/in spring.

I'm sure you'd be fine on a 500 penske spring.


(PS... think I got as high as a 600 or 625 spring back on the Ohlins before I got the ktech... lulz... that's just what worked on that shock. Same bike. You need to experiment sometimes.)

[MUZ720]

I have a extra 525 spring for a Penske.

[Rada]

Yeah. Try some springs and different settings. Find what works for you and your style. Everyone is different. Some people like softer feel and others like the bike to be very stiff. I originally went by the Penske chart and it was way too soft for me. Especially at NHMS. Lol. I started at 550 and finished at 650 before I was happy. Now that I'm a hippo I should look at a 700 for NHMS. One of the joys of track riding is tinkering and testing to get the bike as good as you can for you. Have fun and experiment.

[IronLion]

FWIW I have a Penske Triple in the rear and K tech cartridges up front in my SV that Peter set up for me, which I use primarily for commuting.

Last year he put in a 475 spring for me; this year when I had my shock refreshed due to an oil leak, he swapped it out for a 500. I didn't really notice a meaningful difference, but if anything, the 500 feels better to me (more controlled) without feeling harsher. If anything it feels plusher. I weigh 150-155 with gear on. I would recommend going with the 500.

[isaac_]

150-160 WITH gear...? Wth. Skinny people... Eat some burgers. Haha. I think I push 200 with my leathers helmet and boots. On a 525 spring.


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[JettaJayGLS]

Ha. I went the opposite and went with the lighter. The stiffer spring kept on trying to kill me. Granted, much different bike.

[nhbubba]

Which gen SV? Aren't the spring rate rec's different for 1st vs 2nd.
I'm a heavy mofo. But stepping up to a heavier spring (went from 650 to 700 on my gen1) @ NHMS changed my world. Seriously. Having the rear spring hold the bike up through the curve made the bike turn so well I had to change how I rode it. Tiny change, huge effect.

I'd go heavier if there is a choice.