Cheap rear shocks not worth it

[Robert Taylor]

It's a different market sector. People buy these for the same reason they buy Fasta Pasta instead of going to a $40-main Italian restaurant complete with snooty maître d'.

I'd buy some twin-shocks for a couple of hundred, leave the springs and everything stock, chuck them on a commuter, ignore them for a few years and then if they felt shit, chuck a new set on. I don't think anybody's looking to put them on a GSXR1000 and expect to piss on everybody else doing the Coro GP.

I know you've got a lot of pride in your Öhlins and the work you do (justifiably so), but it's not the solution to everything. There's more than just one market segment in motorcycling.

I absolutely agree that there are other sectors of the market and to an extent we ourselves have got much of the middle sector catered for with Race Tech up-specs. Im just reinforcing that you wont expect much with the budget shocks, in terms of performance, backup and in fact the ability to absorb bumps as well as higher price suspension will. There is a reason for the pricing at that end, as much as there is a reason at the high end.

[Maido]

And do they have a service department fully trained with all the equipment the full spares back up, comprehensive warranty etc etc?

don't think so, just interesting that they showed up an hour before reading this thread cos I hadn't really heard too much about them before.
The build quality suggests that you get what you pay for.

[JimBob]

I absolutely agree that there are other sectors of the market and to an extent we ourselves have got much of the middle sector catered for with Race Tech up-specs. Im just reinforcing that you wont expect much with the budget shocks, in terms of performance, backup and in fact the ability to absorb bumps as well as higher price suspension will. There is a reason for the pricing at that end, as much as there is a reason at the high end.

I dont think anyone is expecting Ohlins performance for $300
The point is, if you dont need Ohlins performance, and if the budget shocks fufill your requirements, then doesnt it make sense to use them rather than high dollar Ohlins?

[Bonez]

I dont think anyone is expecting Ohlins performance for $300
The point is, if you dont need Ohlins performance, and if the budget shocks fufill your requirements, then doesnt it make sense to use them rather than high dollar Ohlins?

BINGO!!

20,000kms and rising on $150 MDIs on ALL sorts of road conditions. It appears I've got my moneys worth. Haven't needed a ciropractor yet.

If your shocks are totally knackered budget shocks can be used as a temporary measure to keep your bike rolling untill you have the money set aside for premium brand items, if thats what you want. Also handy also if you need to send the premium brand items for repair etc.

Ikon website- http://www.ikonsuspension.com/

You can PM RT if you need Ohlins.

Other options here- http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=67230

[Kickaha]

20,000kms and rising on $150 MDIs on ALL sorts of road conditions. It appears I've got my moneys worth. Haven't needed a ciropractor yet.

I bought a bike fitted with MDIs and I think having a solid metal rod fited instead would give me a softer spring rate

[Bonez]

I bought a bike fitted with MDIs and I think having a solid metal rod fited instead would give me a softer spring rate

You do know you can swap out the springs don't you?

[Robert Taylor]

You do know you can swap out the springs don't you?

The poor ride compliance has as much to do with the internal check plate hydraulics. You only get what you pay for.

[Kickaha]

You do know you can swap out the springs don't you?

I do

I also know that if the owner who replaced the shocks had bought a decent brand I wouldn't have to

[JimBob]

I do

I also know that if the owner who replaced the shocks had bought a decent brand I wouldn't have to

Its not really a brand problem. Any shock, including Ohlins, with the incorrect spring and setup can be as bad.
The previous owner probably had different requirements to you. Or maybe he wasnt a suspension connoisseur so didnt actually care and didnt see it as a problem.

[Kickaha]

Its not really a brand problem. Any shock, including Ohlins, with the incorrect spring and setup can be as bad.

Quite right,but the other cheaper brand I have had experience with was Hagon and they were the same

The previous owner probably had different requirements to you. Or maybe he wasnt a suspension connoisseur so didnt actually care and didnt see it as a problem.

Maybe he was fat cunt and they were sprung right for him

[BM-GS]

Lots of good wrds in this thread, the most appropriate will be different for differnt people.

There's lots of trashing of Hagon shocks going on, but I got a new one to replace the 40,000km one on a ZZR-600 and it made a huge difference for the better. I'm never going to set lap records, but it had far better damping (not sure if it had more damping cos there was actually oil in it, or less damping because the oil wasn't lumpy, but it was better damping) and stopped the sidestand dragging in corners, with the wife on board.

Later, I swapped both ends of a BMW for Ohlins and was again astounded by the change, once set up properly (and each tweak made a difference). Also pleased by the fact I could ride for 20,000km and just spend a fraction of the replacement price on a rebuild to get that same feeling all over again!

IIRC, the Ohlins shocks were cheaper than the BMW ones...

So, going from shagged, not-great-when-new OE to a new aftermarket cheapie will probably be an improvement, but for how long? How long will you keep the bike?

Pay yer money, take yer choice.

[worzal07]

After starting this thread in the first place, I thought it was time to reply.The comments made by Robert about my $400 Hagons choking off hydraulically & causing the harshness in ride,I decided that buying some new Ohlins for the cruiser was the way to go.After a quick call to Robert & a quoted price of $1,000 (which I thought was very reasonable when compared to some Hagon Nitros),I received & fitted them a couple of weeks later.The difference was noticed immmediately.No more harshness,a huge improvement in ride comfort & very sharp handling also.What surprised me was the way the quickened up the steering,making the bike handle more like a sport bike.I like it.Sporty handling & cruiser comfort can be obtained with QUALITY shocks.I'm very glad I chose Ohlins.THANX Robert.

[Pussy]

After starting this thread in the first place, I thought it was time to reply.The comments made by Robert about my $400 Hagons choking off hydraulically & causing the harshness in ride,I decided that buying some new Ohlins for the cruiser was the way to go.After a quick call to Robert & a quoted price of $1,000 (which I thought was very reasonable when compared to some Hagon Nitros),I received & fitted them a couple of weeks later.The difference was noticed immmediately.No more harshness,a huge improvement in ride comfort & very sharp handling also.What surprised me was the way the quickened up the steering,making the bike handle more like a sport bike.I like it.Sporty handling & cruiser comfort can be obtained with QUALITY shocks.I'm very glad I chose Ohlins.THANX Robert.

It's an easy decision once you've experienced them, isn't it? It's generally the first mod I do to any new bike I get nowadays