Are the IS and Std forks the same length?

[_Sheffjs_]

Why does the IS I see always look like their forks are longer? 

[Bagger John - #3785]

Without going out to measure them or diving into the parts schematics:

Different springs/stiffer preload?

[Jess from VA]

I think so.  When these questions come up, opening the various parts fishes and comparing part numbers (same or different), can provide the answer.

Although, sometimes, the part numbers changed, but the specs remained the same (later year models and new parts suppliers?)

[Pete]

I measured mine on the side stand no load just as parked.
Std 33 inches overall not including the hex nut on top.
IS   32.25 inches overall not including the hex nut on top.

The difference is reflected at the exposed slider as 4.25 and 3.5.

Since both my bikes were bought used I cannot say they are stock for sure.
I suspect the Std is stock as it only had 1300 miles on it.
As for the IS 20,000 and the guy I bought it from was short, so I have always wondered
if it was lowered.

[hubcapsc]

The tube and the sliders are the same part number, but the entire
assembly doesn't have the same part number. That leaves one or
more internal parts (like the "rod", that funny little thing with the
spring on it in the left fork) different somehow...

If I needed new forks, I wouldn't hesitate to treat them as
interchangeable...

-Mike

[Hook#3287]

The tube and the sliders are the same part number, but the entire
assembly doesn't have the same part number. That leaves one or
more internal parts (like the "rod", that funny little thing with the
spring on it in the left fork) different somehow...

If I needed new forks, I wouldn't hesitate to treat them as
interchangeable...

-Mike

I think I would use complete I/S forks on a Standard or Tourer, but not the other way around.

It's seems Honda must have beefed up the forks (like the rear shocks) on the I/S because of the extra weight of the fairing over them and the higher weight in general of the I/S over the others.

Like Mike states, the exterior parts are the same, the guts are completely different parts.  Whether they are actually different, some one will have to compare them.