Gary_in_NJ wrote on 04/30/15 at 06:32:46:Art,
I think the forks are the weaker link. Whether your bike is a standard/unmodified LS650 or a cafe conversion, the damping rod forks have limitations that result in nose dive during brake application, hyrdo-lock when hitting "square-edge" bumps (fast fork movement), and a poor overall ride quality. All of these uncontrolled motions and actions lead to an unsure/unconfident rider and that ultimately effects handling.
Much of the same can be said for the shocks, but a shock doesn't bear anywhere the duty of the forks for handling, although they do significantly contribute to ride quality.
I would spend my money on a Gold Valve Emulator and fork springs. That's $250-$300 that will transform your relationship with the bike.
I'll keep that in mind, Gary, thanks, I've never ridden a bike with any other kind of forks to be honest, so I have no idea what the difference feels like, but I do know that the front end of this bike feels a bit vague compared to the Ninja 500 I had
for that matter the old XS 1100's front end feels more planted
although I did discover after my low side on the 3 sisters ride that the PO had one shock's preload higher than the other lol