Any feedback on Penske or hagon rear shocks?

[MD]

I'm thinking about replacing the OEM rear shock on the Tiger. Nothing flash needed, especially since it's unlikely I will keep the bike much longer anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing what new models we are going to be tempted with in 2013

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the Hagon or Penske brands.Let me repeat that: I want to hear from people that have used a Hagon or Penske shock - liked or disliked. A simple question.

I don't want to get 2000 word long lectures from the experts or Brand distributors on here about why their brand X is better. I ride a Tiger on the road. It's not a MotoGP special. It's not a race bike and I'm not interested in personalised custom built top shelf.

Cheers

[Robert Taylor]

I'm thinking about replacing the OEM rear shock on the Tiger. Nothing flash needed, especially since it's unlikely I will keep the bike much longer anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing what new models we are going to be tempted with in 2013

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the Hagon or Penske brands.Let me repeat that: I want to hear from people that have used a Hagon or Penske shock - liked or disliked. A simple question.

I don't want to get 2000 word long lectures from the experts or Brand distributors on here about why their brand X is better. I ride a Tiger on the road. It's not a MotoGP special. It's not a race bike and I'm not interested in personalised custom built top shelf.

Cheers

Ive answered your e-mail message re an Ohlins listing that is not MotoGP spec (! ) and is in fact very very well priced. Built for road compliance and chassis control. Contrary to popular misconception Ohlins is a brand where most of their sales are for road bikes, for customers like you seeking more control and comfort, at decent value.

Penske is an excellent brand on the same level as Ohlins. Hagon are a price conscious brand that work okay but not to the same level

Our point of difference is we ( unashamedly ) have backup second to nobody

Hopefully you will recieve some users reports from riders with experience of all 3 brands. But as the old adage goes ''the best youve ridden is the best you know''

[Brian d marge]

Ive answered your e-mail message re an Ohlins listing that is not MotoGP spec (! ) and is in fact very very well priced. Built for road compliance and chassis control. Contrary to popular misconception Ohlins is a brand where most of their sales are for road bikes, for customers like you seeking more control and comfort, at decent value.

Penske is an excellent brand on the same level as Ohlins. Hagon are a price conscious brand that work okay but not to the same level

Our point of difference is we ( unashamedly ) have backup second to nobody

Hopefully you will recieve some users reports from riders with experience of all 3 brands. But as the old adage goes ''the best youve ridden is the best you know''
this is true ,but I will add , how long do you intend to keep the machine , if you flick it of after 6 months , will the new shock add or subtract value
if you want a few years ...see roberts post

What about Nitron , similar to WP ( guy used to work for them hahahahaha) and quite well priced !

Stephen

[MD]

Thanks Robert for a fair answer and Stephen (BdM) for your comments.
You're right Stephen, I'm asking myself why spend money on a bike I might flick on within 6 months. But in the end the stock unit has passed it's use by date for my level of demand. I'm just weighing up my options.

Tiger forum members speak well of Penske which is what got my thinking...

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks Robert for a fair answer and Stephen (BdM) for your comments.
You're right Stephen, I'm asking myself why spend money on a bike I might flick on within 6 months. But in the end the stock unit has passed it's use by date for my level of demand. I'm just weighin gup my options.

Tiger forum members speak well of Penske which is what got my thinking...

Note that ( for our customers we sell Ohlins to ) we advise that if you onsell / trade in the bike to remove the shock because like a lot of aftermarket add ons you dont get extra trade in value corresponding to what you spent. Then there are two options that we can exercise;

1) We cross reference the spec card of the existing shock to what is required to respec it to suit the subsequent bike. All worked out on paper prior to any committment.

2 ) If the cost of respec is too high we then exercise option B, we trade used Ohlins for new.

So its not once only dead money. We are unique in the marketplace in that respect.

Nitron is a good brand, decent quality, good price and performance. BUT, no local backup with parts, springs etc, so an orphan in this market.

If I wasnt distributing Ohlins then Penske would be at the top of my list.

[DEATH_INC.]

I have a Penske, best shock I've ever used (but then I've not ridden on a Ohlins set up for me...)
I am wondering why you are comparing a top end shock to a budget one tho?

[AllanB]

Get an Ohlins - remove it when you sell/trade the bike and flick it off on TM - it will hold it's value well being Ohlins.

[Brian d marge]

Nitron is a good brand, decent quality, good price and performance. BUT, no local backup with parts, springs etc, so an orphan in this market.
.
Rob , , Guy was looking for an Australasian dealer , I posted on KB but no answer , same with another after market brand but still no Joy

have lost contact with Guy ( nitron ) as both of us are busy with our different roles , He is good to go and is a damn straight fellow

opportunity for someone to be a Nitron Dealer

Stephen

ps , Guy was in the Airforce ,,,,,

[Robert Taylor]

Rob , , Guy was looking for an Australasian dealer , I posted on KB but no answer , same with another after market brand but still no Joy

have lost contact with Guy ( nitron ) as both of us are busy with our different roles , He is good to go and is a damn straight fellow

opportunity for someone to be a Nitron Dealer

Stephen

ps , Guy was in the Airforce ,,,,,

If he was in the Air Force then he will be a top man! At least some countries still have semi credible Air Forces....

Not an option to have another brand in such a small economy and with the effect of the internet. Any self respecting company that will do things properly and not pick the eyes out of everything will have a sizable inventory of spring options and a fully set up infrastructure to support another product. Thats not insignificant money and we are fully and properly geared up for the products we do have without compromising that for a disproportionately small gain, not to mention compromising our position with a company that we have an excellent relationship with ( Ohlins ). Better to do something well than be a master of nothing.
Loyalty might be an old fashioned sentiment and a few could learn from that

[Blackbird]

I had a Penske 8983 on my Blackbird, set up for my own weight (see photo). It was utterly superb. Whilst I prefer to buy local, the price of approximately NZ$1000 delivered 3 years ago made it a no contest. I got it from Cogent Dunamics Motorsport in the U.S (http://www.motocd.com/cd/). The owners, Rick and Joyce Tannenbaum were a joy to deal with. I'll likely go down the same route with my Street Triple before long.

[Robert Taylor]

I had a Penske 8983 on my Blackbird, set up for my own weight (see photo). It was utterly superb. Whilst I prefer to buy local, the price of approximately NZ$1000 delivered 3 years ago made it a no contest. I got it from Cogent Dunamics Motorsport in the U.S (http://www.motocd.com/cd/). The owners, Rick and Joyce Tannenbaum were a joy to deal with. I'll likely go down the same route with my Street Triple before long.

Thats a good price, somewhat distorted by weak $US and over strong $NZ. Just to be clear was there GST charged?

[Blackbird]

Thats a good price, somewhat distorted by weak $US and over strong $NZ. Just to be clear was there GST charged?

Robert,
You're spot on about the disparity between the Greenback and Kiwi at that time and there was no GST. In recent years, I've never been pinged by customs for either motorcycling or non-motorcycling gear. Something else which made the price advantageous was that it was part of a Blackbird website forum group buy. A friend in Wellington paid closer to $1300 for an identical unit from the same source earlier this year as a single purchase.

[Robert Taylor]

Robert,
You're spot on about the disparity between the Greenback and Kiwi at that time and there was no GST. In recent years, I've never been pinged by customs for either motorcycling or non-motorcycling gear. Something else which made the price advantageous was that it was part of a Blackbird website forum group buy. A friend in Wellington paid closer to $1300 for an identical unit from the same source earlier this year as a single purchase.

Thanks for the clarification. Of course it has been done to death in other threads but the instances where gst is not collected on such private imports is an inequity and a very unfair one that NZ businesses have to contend with, across many industries.

We do our best to compete ( and we are doing okay because we meet the market as much as possible plus ''point of difference'' ) but in all fairness to NZ business and their employess dependent on them for a wage this is a loophole that seriously needs closing.

But yes Penske is an excellent product and together with Ohlins and aftermarket WP they are a triumvirate that are the very best, nothing else comes close.

[98tls]

I had a Hagon rear damper unit on my TL (remembering TLs have seperate Damper) for a few years and have to say i am pleasantly surprised though it wouldnt take to much to be better than an aged rotary damper.Its no Ohlins by any means but at the time it fitted my budget and did the job,will add that it was the 1st one in the country or at least the 1st bought direct from Hagon and was chuffed to get a phone call from them in England asking how it was going.

[F5 Dave]

Hey MD have you considered getting your stock shock revalved? Mine was done before I got it & apparently it made quite a difference.

Of course I'm being mischievous as one of the first things to go was the shock & the Ohlins was a great improvement. Almost as much as stiffer front springs & a RT valve upgrade.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Get an Ohlins - remove it when you sell/trade the bike and flick it off on TM - it will hold it's value well being Ohlins.

This. I am a serial bling-er and seller when the next shiny thing comes along. You get nothing extra for the bike with the bling on, and you will be able to sell the shock(s). I once did a deal (on KB actually) where I swapped my forks for another guys plus some cash: his were stock, I was selling the bike, and mine had been setup by KSS: It can be done.

[MD]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I must be a lazy bastard. It's easier just to change bikes than mess around changing parts on one.

[Blackbird]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I must be a lazy bastard. It's easier just to change bikes than mess around changing parts on one.

No worries, but you'll probably end up with a budget shock and sub-par front suspension on your next bike too unless you choose something which is top of the line :wacko: