Rear shock spring numbers?

There has to be at least 20 threads on shock springs ... Including descriptions of their markings ...

The main difference is the rate. One is 16 Kg/mm ("160"; = ~895 Lbs/in.), and the other is 17 Kg/mm ("170"; = ~950 Lbs/in.).

And that's key: Dependent on the bike, model, year, your weight, typical use of the bike, rate matters - a lot. You should choose the spring rate appropriate to your application.

They are the same length of 185 mm ("185"; ~7.3 in.).

While most contemporary mono-shock motorcycle springs are the same diameter (inner), you don't state what that is.

Don't - viewtopic.php?f=10&t=18604&p=285498#p285498

My SDR spring has started to flake its orange paint very badly.

I've been running this one through about 4 UK winters so its seen some severe water and salt although I do wash the bike down and ACF50 is my best friend. my original white spring saw about three years and it hasn't rusted through yet.

Anyway, I'm also looking out for a new spring and if I price up getting my current springs blasted and then re-powder coated it comes in at some price and often it's just worth buying a new spring second hand from Ebay or here.

df-vtr mate. To give you an idea about the spring numbers and what they can do for you. The main thing is to get your rider sag set up right on the the rear shock. When HM Racing set up my bike with the 170 standard white SD spring the static sag was set to 9mm. (this is done with the big screw adjuster and 'C' spanner). This sag is the amount of travel the shock compresses when just the weight of the bike is loaded onto it from being lifted off the floor and then placed down. The rider sag was measuring 30mm. This means when you are sat on the bike in your full kit the rear shock compressed / sagged this amount of travel. This 170 spring, on this sag setting, combined with my 14/15 stone fully kitted weight, makes for a very good road ride. The pre-load compression is at it's max to get the desired sag so there is no more. It's a bit soft for hard track riding and there's no more adjustment to go.

I also have an SDR shock- the one in the picture. This shock has an orange 185 spring. HM Racing also set this up for me to have a 30mm rider sag but to achieve this the pre-load adjusting was set near the softest position. It is a much better shock for race tracks and smooth surfaces but I cannot adjust it any softer. On most road conditions it is harsh and a bit brutal.

I'm between a feather cushion and a hard place! Ha ha.

As you might guess I generally have the orange 185 fitted but lately I have been considering going back to the 170 white shock because really, if I'm honest, the softer, comfier ride would be more useful more of the time and I can live with a bit of wallowing around the tracks two or three times a year that I do.

So anyway.....

A 160/185 will be soft as hell and unless you are a very light weight person no good to you I suspect.