I just got a new SM610 after looking at Husky's for nearly a year! I love the new bike, but I am very light (105lbs.), so the suspension is pretty stiff, especially in the rear. I know that to do it right, I would really need to have my suspension totally redone, but I just can't spend the money to have it done right now. So for now I would just like to get a lighter spring for the rear. I called Hall's, and they do have various springs in stock. They said the stock SM610 spring is a 6.6kg. They recommended I go with a 5.6kg since I will mainly be doing street riding. They have springs as light as 4.4kg though, and I would have thought they would have recommended the lightest spring for me. They said that since the bike is fairly heavy and it will be used mainly on road that I shouldn't go with the lightest spring. So what do you guys think? Any light riders here that have changed their rear spring?
I agree with Halls the lightest spring is too light. I would also caution you that to keep the bike ballenced properly you should also change the front fork springs as well. Somthing like 5.2kg. rear and 4.0kg. F.F. or 5.6kg. rear and 4.2 kg. F.F. should do.
Thanks for the info. Regarding the front springs...this is my first bike with USD forks. We've changed front springs before and all that was required was to take the top caps off, pull out the old spring, and put in the new spring. Is it that easy with USD forks, or is there more to it?
I had my `07 SM610 lowered slightly and revalved/resprung for me when I got it. The stock suspension is for someone that outweighs us by about 100lbs so it was never going to work right with just different springs. I went with .46 fork springs and a 5.6 spring on the rear. It was slightly soft but worked ok. Once I added a 5gal tank and camping equipment I decided I needed a bit more stiffness so I went with .48 springs and a 5.8 on the rear...I think, I can't find my 2nd reciept. It's pretty sweet now. I had Les at LT-Racing do the work and he did a fantastic job. The lowering involved some custom machined spacers, and I had the springs overnighted to him and that added about $50 to the cost, but I still got away with less than $650. It was money well-spent. I've never been a big fan of Kouba links, and I'm certain the 610 will work much better for you with a complete revalve/respring. Good luck with whatever you decide to do! WoodsChick
I've pretty much decided against a Koubalink. If I can get proper sag, I probably won't need to lower it. I have a pretty long inseam for my height--31" with my boots on. I'm convinced that revalving is the way to go, but I'm going to get the seat redone first. Priorities! I also may have the chance to borrow a lighter spring until I can have the suspension done, so it may get me by for a while. By the way, I think my dealer should pay you a commission, because your pics and ride reports were just enough for me to go from wanting one to getting one. It's definitely encouraging to see someone else my size on one, but I can tell you're a MUCH better rider than I'll ever be!
