Review: Penske 8987 triple adjustable

[kiwifruit]

I don't/won't pretend to know alot about suspension science, but i can share my thoughts on the Penske 8987 i've just had fitted to my 2007 yamaha r1.
I've done a write up on the r1 but this shock deserves its own thread :yes:

Mid last week i had the shock fitted. Straight away the difference was incredible.... its hard to explain the difference/improvement over stock, its just what the bike needs.
The bike now doesn't squat and wallow about under power, it just hooks up and powers forward with minimal fuss. Riding on roads i've known for years i found myself feeling safer due to the increase in grip.
The stock unit is like a pogo stick in comparison :lol:

I did find the setup a bit to harsh for "normal road riding". A bit bumpy and skippy. This would clear up with more aggressive riding. I thought i'd try it as is on the track then ask Shaun about dialing out some of that harshness for road use.

The 8987 was superb on the track! I could not fault it. I found myself able to get on the gas earlier, i can't explain why... must be just the extra grip and confidence it gives.

So back on the road:
The setup is a little harsh and skippy but i love the way it doesn't squat or wallow under power. Shuan makes some suggestions, i back the high speed compression off and the harshness is reduced yet the shock still performs as it did before.... its still firm in the slow speed stuff (squat, under power) but soaks the bumps on the rough roads heaps better......

The low and high speed compression damping adjustment on this shock gives the best of both worlds, its impressive.

I don't really know what else to say. I'm very pleased with the shock's adjustably, performance and price. Shaun has been very helpful and easy to deal with (pretty cool being able to txt a I.O.M legend/freak for suspension setup tips while out on a ride, i recon).

Thumbs up. Thanks Shaun. :rockon:

Product info:
http://www.traxxion.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=P87

Contact Shaun, details in my signature below.

[enigma51]

Yip must say its looked pretty good on the track its good to see that there is more than just one good choice out there at the moment

[boomer]

.... all i'm hearing is 'I'm a dirty slut!"


Have i told you that i love you recently? And i miss your cuddles?!


good to see you've got the bike set up.... Mean Moari!!

[Shaun]

Have i told you that i love you recently? And i miss your cuddles?!


You trully are sicker than I look

[NZsarge]

Any plans on fork mods?

[kiwifruit]

Any plans on fork mods?

Yes,
I'm considering options at the mo

[ArcherWC]

Have you tried a TTX equiped bike, how would you rate them against each other?

[kiwifruit]

Have you tried a TTX equiped bike, how would you rate them against each other?

i have not so i'm not really in a position to compare

[Shaun]

Thanks for the write up Allan.

I was to have 2 more shocks tested and written about by racers that I have helped out a LOT FOC, but they have all declined to do a test and write up for me for what ever there very IMPORTANT reasons must be:calm: ( THANKS GUYS)


SO ALL ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TRUST ME!!!!!!

[kiwifruit]

Pleasure! I'm farkin stoked with it eh

Have been having fun playing about with the high speed damping, very cool.
I've been able to set the bike up for a mate of mine, who is a relative n00b by simply backing off the high speed....
Dunno if that makes much sense but it seems to make the right differences :blank:

[Shaun]

Pleasure! I'm farkin stoked with it eh

Have been having fun playing about with the high speed damping, very cool.
I've been able to set the bike up for a mate of mine, who is a relative n00b by simply backing off the high speed....
Dunno if that makes much sense but it seems to make the right differences :blank:



Makes very good sense to me man, But as I am the importer/seller of them, I SHOULD SAY THAT Bahahahaha

[jrandom]

I was to have 2 more shocks tested and written about by racers that I have helped out a LOT FOC, but they have all declined to do a test and write up for me for what ever there very IMPORTANT reasons must be...

Actually, I would have thought your major market with the Penske gear would be road riders looking to improve their bike's handling at a competitive price point without having to shell out for the full Ohlins offerings, so perhaps you're not missing out on a lot there in terms of exposure.

I know I for one would be more interested to hear how a particular shock affected stability and grip on seriously crappy surfaces and tyre wear on the road, rather than how far it extended the absolute performance limits of a bike on the track.

Maybe my perspective is flawed, but I know that's the kind of review and advertising that would speak to me as a customer.

:niceone:

[Shaun]

Actually, I would have thought your major market with the Penske gear would be road riders looking to improve their bike's handling at a competitive price point without having to shell out for the full Ohlins offerings, so perhaps you're not missing out on a lot there in terms of exposure.

I know I for one would be more interested to hear how a particular shock affected stability and grip on seriously crappy surfaces and tyre wear on the road, rather than how far it extended the absolute performance limits of a bike on the track.

Maybe my perspective is flawed, but I know that's the kind of review and advertising that would speak to me as a customer.

:niceone:



BANG ON- The beer is on me!

It is my full intension/Focus, to work for the road riders and track day customers!\


Robert T, is very very good at what he does for the racer scene ( And Road, And Dirt- And Cars etc)

But I want you people to have as good a product as possible, as cheap as possible, as I know how bad a road bike can be, from a riders point of view:headbang:

[Pussy]

Actually, I would have thought your major market with the Penske gear would be road riders looking to improve their bike's handling at a competitive price point without having to shell out for the full Ohlins offerings, so perhaps you're not missing out on a lot there in terms of exposure.

I know I for one would be more interested to hear how a particular shock affected stability and grip on seriously crappy surfaces and tyre wear on the road, rather than how far it extended the absolute performance limits of a bike on the track.

Maybe my perspective is flawed, but I know that's the kind of review and advertising that would speak to me as a customer.

:niceone:

I reckon you're right on the money with that. Someone like Shaun would probably only pick up a relatively small decrease in lap times, on for example your bike, between stock and modified. For us commoners, however, the added security of PROPER suspension components(not the stock "built by accountants" stuff) will considerably increase performance over stock.
Now you have to get yourself prepared to shell out for the front... the quality componentry on the rear will show up the front end deficiencies...

[Shaun]

Hey Pussy, A PENSKE shock ( STD) Out of the box won pole position and 1 off the F3 races yesterday mate ( Well done and thanks Steve wood ) O. he also had a Traxxion Gas charged front end in the bike!!!!:Punk:

[Pussy]

Hey Pussy, A PENSKE shock ( STD) Out of the box won pole position and 1 off the F3 races yesterday mate ) Well done and thanks Steve wood ) O. he also had a Traxxion Gas charged front end in the bike!!!!:Punk:

Great work!! Great advert for the product :niceone:

[enigma51]

I reckon you're right on the money with that. Someone like Shaun would probably only pick up a relatively small decrease in lap times, on for example your bike, between stock and modified. For us commoners, however, the added security of PROPER suspension components(not the stock "built by accountants" stuff) will considerably increase performance over stock.
Now you have to get yourself prepared to shell out for the front... the quality componentry on the rear will show up the front end deficiencies...

Well i can honestly say that rather than try and sell you a penske just because.(Okay there was a little selling going on :whistle: ) Shaun first spend sometime with my stock rear and the adjustment he made realy made a big difference. I know that what we have it most likely the best you can get out if it for my riding "style" but i first need to find the limit of it and then change or should i say find the money first :bash:

[enigma51]

Congrats on the penske win!

[Pussy]

Well i can honestly say that rather than try and sell you a penske just because.(Okay there was a little selling going on :whistle: ) Shaun first spend sometime with my stock rear and the adjustment he made realy made a big difference. I know that what we have it most likely the best you can get out if it for my riding "style" but i first need to find the limit of it and then change or should i say find the money first :bash:

I only rode my sem fiddy with stock rear suspension for about a week, I put an Ohlins on it. The point I'm trying to make is that you don't have to be Mr and Mrs Stoner's boy to appreciate the feel and added security of quality suspension. If the Penske is anything like the Ohlins, it will be easy to set up, as well. My sem fiddy's capabilities are miles ahead of it's rider's!! :2thumbsup

[kiwifruit]

The point I'm trying to make is that you don't have to be Mr and Mrs Stoner's boy to appreciate the feel and added security of quality suspension.

Yes!

The main "reason" people don't consider suspension mods is they don't think they're worth it or the difference won't be noticeable to them as they aren't a racer or whatever.... its a shame, cos (IMHO) stock suspension is the thing that can be most improved on, on most bikes.

[Pussy]

Yes!

The main "reason" people don't consider suspension mods is they don't think they're worth it or the difference won't be noticeable to them as they aren't a racer or whatever.... its a shame, cos (IMHO) stock suspension is the thing that can be most improved on, on most bikes.

Yup, that's what I was trying to say ;)

[boomer]

hell no, even i can feel how good my Ohlins is, even if i cant use it to its potential. It also shows up how bad the stock front is too.


Work with something thats crap and you may not notice how bad it is, try something better... you soon realise how crap it was.

do ya need it..??? who knows?!


Someone Skin up!

[cowpoos]

Have i told you that i love you recently? And i miss your cuddles?!

[/B]

Your missing cuddles?? eh!! you just about cryed when I gave you a hug on saturaday!! or is cuddles a code word for something else??

[boomer]

Your missing cuddles?? eh!! you just about cryed when I gave you a hug on saturaday!! or is cuddles a code word for something else??

indeed i did nearly cry; 4 weeks after having major chest surgery and you squeezing me like a rag doll will do that to a man :confused:

i tried to look staunch but i failed :sweatdrop

[Shaun]

Yup, that's what I was trying to say ;)



Both YA said it very well!:wari:

[Shaun]

Penske and Traxxion @ Moto-Dynamix in New Zealand.

1 333 Steven Wood 1:03.878 1:03.878 1:04.577
2 2 Terry Fitzgerald 1:03.897 1:04.797 1:03.897
3 17 Glen Williams 1:03.995 1:04.252


THE ABOVE TIMES ARE FROM THE QUALIFY SESSION FOR (F3) IN THE FINAL ROUND OF NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP

What a pleasure this thread is for me, and it was an honour to work with Steven Wood last weekend, at the 5th and final round of the New Zealand F3 ( Heavily modified SV 650’s) championship.

We Fitted a traxxion Dynamics Gas charged fork kit, into a K6 GSXR front end for him ( Robert Taylor from CKT, actually did the fitting of this equipment, thankyou Robert) We had Robert T change the fork springs once.

We also fitted a Penske 8987 ( Specifically built for the SV model) and adjusted the LOW speed Compression adjuster on the Penske Shock once, and altered rear rebound on the Penske once, and this young man, Steven wood, goes and wacks out POLE position, and a WIN, in race 2!

Thank you Steven, you have shown/proven, just how good this product is for the NZ customer network! (HONESTLY, IT WAS YOUR TRUE ABBILLITY THAT MAKES THE PRODUCT LOOK SO AWSOME MATE)
__________________

[Toast]

We Fitted a traxxion Dynamics Gas charged fork kit, into a K6 GSXR front end for him ( Robert Taylor from CKT, actually did the fitting of this equipment, thankyou Robert) We had Robert T change the fork springs once.

We also fitted a Penske 8987 ( Specifically built for the SV model) and adjusted the LOW speed Compression adjuster on the Penske Shock once, and altered rear rebound on the Penske once, and this young man, Steven wood, goes and wacks out POLE position, and a WIN, in race 2!


Truly impressive stuff Shaun and Steven.

Would be cool to hear a bit of a review on the gas charged front fork kit.

[Shaun]

Truly impressive stuff Shaun and Steven.

Would be cool to hear a bit of a review on the gas charged front fork kit.


Cheers- REVIEW ON THE FORK KIT

POle Position

Race WIN



www.traxxion.com- Will show you all you want to know about them mate

[Sollyboy]

Yes,
I'm considering options at the mo

How much was the shock?

[kiwifruit]

How much was the shock?

1800-1900rrp (i think?)
paid a little less than that as i give OK head

[Pussy]

1800-1900rrp (i think?)
paid a little less than that as i give OK head

mmmmmfffffffhhhhhh :devil2:

[boomer]

1800-1900rrp (i think?)
paid a little less than that as i give OK head


if i were to see you down tut pub.. i'd say NO !

[Shaun]

1800-1900rrp (i think?)
paid a little less than that as i give OK head




Ma wife reckoned you are useless at it

[boomer]

Ma wife reckoned you are useless at it

'cos he practices on boys! :eek5:

[Sensei]

1800-1900rrp (i think?)
paid a little less than that as i give OK head

Wouldn't an Ohlins / White -P be about the same price ? Have checked one of these units out at REDS home & was very impressed with the quailty .

[kiwifruit]

Wouldn't an Ohlins / White -P be about the same price ?

whats your point?

[Shaun]

Wouldn't an Ohlins / White -P be about the same price ? Have checked one of these units out at REDS home & was very impressed with the quailty .





They possibly could be simillar mate

:whocares:

But neither Ray or Robert is as good looking as the Penske sales man

And Ohlin's and Penske only have Robert T as the service manager!

So get back to chasing the cows around man

[Pussy]

But neither Ray or Robert is as good looking as the Penske sales man



Christ, Shaun, I had no idea your eyesight was packing up!! :laugh:

[Shaun]

Christ, Shaun, I had no idea your eyesight was packing up!! :laugh:



Ive seen you flying and dodgeing the CLOUDS mate, and there are no free blow jobs in this thread either:calm:

[jrandom]

I would have thought your major market with the Penske gear would be road riders looking to improve their bike's handling at a competitive price point without having to shell out for the full Ohlins offerings...


BANG ON


1800-1900rrp


Wouldn't an Ohlins / White -P be about the same price?


whats your point?

kiwifruit for marketing manager!

:2thumbsup

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=kiwifruit;1477313]whats your point?

Hummm I'm just asking ! From owning a bikes that comes out with Full Ohlins I am always interested in new products that are in their price range & quailty .

[kiwifruit]

Hummm I'm just asking ! From owning a bikes that comes out with Full Ohlins I am always interested in new products that are in their price range & quailty .

:D

The penske may be in the same price range as the others but (as far as i know!) its the only unit with high and low speed compression damping adjustment

[boomer]

:D

The penske may be in the same price range as the others but (as far as i know!) its the only unit with high and low speed compression damping adjustment

my standard shock and teh ttx has low/high speed compression damping and i do believe Mr Taylor thinks its 'useless' or some technical equivalent

[Sensei]

No sorry Ohlins do as Boomer has pointed out as did my old ohlins in my GSXR1000

[kiwifruit]

the penske version works ;) :shutup:

[boomer]

the penske version works ;) :shutup:


It's all about making you look sexy.. and you looked sexy on Saturday!

[Sensei]

the penske version works ;) :shutup:

That maybe true Fruit no one said it didn't . Be happy with what ya got . Ohlins /White power /Penske have to be happy that the Jap bikes put their gear into them so they handle like the none japanese Italian's etc do standard . :first:

[boomer]

That maybe true Fruit no one said it didn't . Be happy with what ya got . Ohlins /White power /Penske have to be happy that the Jap bikes put their gear into them so they handle like the none japanese Italian's etc do standard . :first:


either way your a slow fookah and i'd whip your italian ass on my boys 2 stroke :yawn:

[Sensei]

Have spent many years trying to prove how fast I thought I was till one day I wasn't . Happy for you to show me your skills with speed anytime Young gun & when thats done I will still ride home ! :girlfight:

[Shaun]

Hey Kids, please remember, I am the one

Who is short

Red Hair

Bad attitude

Arrogant

cocky

confident

so shut up all of ya's:beer::beer::beer:

[Sensei]

Hey Kids, please remember, I am the one

Who is short

Red Hair

Bad attitude

Arrogant

cocky

confident

so shut up all of ya's:beer::beer::beer:

You forget I'm very big
Red Hair
Very Bad attitude
Arrogant
Cocky
Confident
And a high ranked Martial arts Sensei in more than a few stlyes
You haven't got that many teeth left Shaun for me to punch out so step down off the Applebox for abit :whistle::wari:

[Shaun]

You forget I'm very big
Red Hair
Very Bad attitude
Arrogant
Cocky
Confident
And a high ranked Martial arts Sensei in more than a few stlyes
You haven't got that many teeth left Shaun for me to punch out so step down off the Applebox for abit :whistle::wari:



As ma dad said dude, Bigger they are, harder they fall, so I wont be falling to hard eh

[Pussy]

But Kiwifruit is very happy with his Penske shock, which I suppose is what this thread is about....

[Sensei]

Fuck the shock this is getting sorted once & for all :bash:

[Shaun]

This is really looking like some one has missed a joke here:calm:

[Pussy]

Is the shock a threaded ring spring pre-load adjustment, or hydraulic?

[Shaun]

Is the shock a threaded ring spring pre-load adjustment, or hydraulic?




Threaded Ring adjuster mate, come around and have a look at one

Tool to do this, comes with the shock, and will fit in your bike tool box bag

[boomer]

Fuck the shock this is getting sorted once & for all :bash:


all the years of waxing on and off are wasted against the art of the windmill. (http://www.kontraband.com/show/show.asp?ID=339)

[kiwifruit]

yeah, smash him bro

[Shaun]

yeah, smash him bro



I used to have to get arrested to get that to me once upon a time

[jrandom]

I'm... a high ranked Martial arts Sensei in more than a few stlyes

Hey, I wonder if your Kung Fu Pies are made at the same factory as my Racing Pies?

:laugh:

[Shaun]

Hey, I wonder if your Kung Fu Pies are made at the same factory as my Racing Pies?

:laugh:


Doubt it man, your pies look clean and un damaged, you should see one of his PIE eating hands that he has been practising with YUK

[Robert Taylor]

the penske version works ;) :shutup:

In fact so do the Ohlins and WP versions of external high speed adjustment. More correctly the Penske adjuster is a mid speed adjuster. I have extensive dyno graphs of the response range of the Penske and Ohlins versions if you want clarification. That will help a little because as you say you havent ridden on both. So the best you have ridden is the best you know....
The TTX36 deletes external high speed compression damping because the twin tube technology means that it damps much more instantly with less hysterisis and actually is far less aggressive in its total damping force through the range because it is not playing ''catch up'' all the time. That then means ( allied with its piston design ) that there is no overly aggressive damping further up the range that requires what is most commonly an externally adjustable dump valve. The Penske high speed adjuster works in a different way but broadly achieves a similiar effect. In dyno graph terminology it is not a ''slope adjuster''

The problem ( or one of them ) with conventional shaft displacement single tube shocks ( practically everything except TTX36 / TTX40 ) is that the low speed adjuster does not adjust the very lowest shock shaft speeds, EXACTLY where you ideally want it to do so! As the adjuster is arranged in the shock reservoir it is working on shaft displacement only which is approximately only 13 ~ 15% of the total damping force. It starts to become effective broadly only after the main piston shim stack starts to lift at lower ~mid velocities up. The very first part of low low speed movement ( what you feel most especially if its choppy! ) is actually controlled by a replacable ( in different sizes ) bleed jet in the end of the main shaft ( Ohlins, WP ) or by holes drilled in the piston ( Penske ) If those holes are too big its another piston.

In the TTX ALL the compression flow is controlled by the compression adjuster and body , bypass assembly. That means the response on that adjuster is instant from the moment the shock moves. So if it is too harsh a couple of clicks on that adjuster will yield a noticable change. The stuff clearly works on road and on track, TTX cleaned up bigtime at Daytona this year.

I am not belittling the Penske as there is some very good engineering in them but it is all too easy to get carried away with marketing euphoria and personally I am always a sceptic if Ohlins let the marketing morons get too carried away with their claims. We have to see for ourselves!

Either way ALL shocks be they Penske, WP or Ohlins, works Showa ( really the only ones in the same league at the top of the tree ) have to be pulled apart to optimise to the nth degree. Anyone that says a shock is fully adjustable and doesnt need revalving is in serious denial. Actually the worse lie is the time honoured phrase used at the release of a new Japanese sportsbike..."race bred suspension'' and people believe it.

Sorry for being a technical nerd.

[White trash]

Actually the worse lie is the time honoured phrase used at the release of a new Japanese sportsbike..."race bred suspension'' and people believe it.


"Race bred suspension" simply means that all the manufacturers have a race team that uses suspension sourced from someone other than their production bike suspension supplier.