Advice on rear shock

[OLD MAN BJ]

OK,
Now let me say that I'm no suspension Guru, but I have been reading up a bit on rear shocks. General feeling is the the OEM shock on your typical UJM is adaquate! Just. And are pretty stuffed by about 12000 kms. So I was thinking of putting a new shock on my Bandit 1250 and was wondering if anybody who has done this to their bike can tell me their experience as to whether it made a big difference and was it worth it?. I have read that Ohlins are the bees knees but costly, so I was thinking of something like a Hagon or Ikon and have been told I can get a Hagon for about $750. Any recommendations as to who to get to fit one in Auckland etc?
Thanks for any input
John

[James Deuce]

Speak to Shaun Harris or Robert Taylor (CKT) before you do anything. You may find they can help you out with refurbished equipment and Shaun can definitely install the gear for you. You can PM either of them as they both have accounts on Kiwibiker.

[vifferman]

I replaced the rear shock on my VFR800 with an Elka (made in Canadia, Elka are well-known for dirt bike and race shocks, but not for road bikes).
The shock was part of a group buy, and was custom set up for my weight, riding style etc. It made a HUGE difference to the bike, in terms of handling, dealing with bumps and ripples in the road, etc.
The shock had a spring better suited to my weight, and has far more adjustment in the spring preload, ride height, has separate rebound and compression damping adjustments, and a remote reservoir. I decided not to get the next model up, which has separate high and low speed damping adjustment, and also decided the remote preload was not necessary.

Would I do it again? Yes, definitely. It's one of the best things I've spent money on for my bike. Next time though, I'd buy a shock locally. It would have been about $250 more for an Ohlins. This saving paid for new fork springs and oil, but I'm not sure it was worth it.

In my opinion, you're throwing your money away buying a Hagon.

[Sparky Bills]

Just keep in mind that Hagon and Ikon shocks are NOT a performance upgrade.

If you can stretch to an Ohlins you wont be dissapointed.
Robert Taylor is the man to talk to about your options.

Get in touch with Crown Kiwi Technical...
06 751 2100.

[Blackbird]

Went for a Penske performance shock with remote adjustment on the Blackbird last year and could not believe just how the handling was transformed. Now a believer in suspension upgrade before anything else. The improvement in the rear suspension showed up the front badly so I did that too not long after the rear.

Oh, and if you're looking for a negotiating point with your wife/partner, your tyres will last a lot longer too unless you regularly explore the better handling.

Robert Taylor & co have a deserved reputation but I actually bought the rear unit directly from the USA already set up for my needs. Cost me just under NZ$1100 all up with the exchange rate at the time. Good value I thought and the service from Rick Tannenbaum at Cogent Dynamics (http://motocd.com/) was superb. See post: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=penske+shock

[YellowDog]

Hey Old Man BJ, I have been throught he same issues myself with my Tiger. I am on a Tiger forum and have seen that lot of guys are changing their rear shock before delivery, based upon the opinions of others. My own opinion is that it is only an issue on the Tiger with two up and I would rather see how it goes. I think I actually need a reason to change it before I do.

I have ridden the Bandit 1250 SAT more than once and think it is an excellent touring bike. If the shock gets knackered at x-KMs, then that may be an issue to attend to at that time but otherwise, I'd make the most out of it if I were you, 'cos its FREE.

Good luck.

[OLD MAN BJ]

Thanks for the replies. I thought that even the Hagon shock would be an upgrade from the OEM, but it looks like I really need to consider a better one. I've contacted the guys at Ohlins for some info. I'm just at the stage of getting info so that when the time comes I'll have a better idea what to install.

[tri boy]

Fitted a Hagon on my 95 Daytona. Put up with it for about 5000km, then contacted RT to make up a suitable base Ohlins (Hydr preload adj, and rebound adj. No Compression adj). (The Hagon now gathers dust on a shelf)
far superior than the buckboard ride feel of the Hagon, but wish I had stretched the dollars to include a remote compression adj/cannister).
Consider letting Rob do your forks on the Bandit too. MHO

[Robert Taylor]

Thanks for the replies. I thought that even the Hagon shock would be an upgrade from the OEM, but it looks like I really need to consider a better one. I've contacted the guys at Ohlins for some info. I'm just at the stage of getting info so that when the time comes I'll have a better idea what to install.

I have your e-mail in amongst a whole pile. There is a possibility that I can find a good used Ohlins for the 1250, if you can bear with me for up to a couple of days while I endeavour to contact the current owner who is about to change his bike. Saving over new will be substanial and we always service and respring ( as required ) used shocks prior to delivery to the new owner.
Elka and Penske are indeed good shocks, but like many kiwis I hate seeing NZ business by-passed. It may be a ''global economy'' but its not doing our local economy any good if everyone buys offshore. Local purchase, local backup.
The ''cheaper'' replacement shocks are indeed very disappointing if you are looking for improved compliance etc. You only get what you pay for.