Triumphrat

oldyeller · 07-01-2005

Okay, I know everybody loves Ohlins. Does anyone have experience with the Penske or Elka shocks? I don't race, just want better bump absorption and the right spring for my weight. The triple adjustable Elka from Traxxion Dynamics seems like a good deal. I'd like to get some feedback from someone who doesn't sell them, though.

Hinckley · 07-01-2005

I don't think you can go wrong with a fully adjustable shock that is set up for your weight. I don't think it really matters if it is WP, Penske, Ohlins or whomever, just get it set up for you.

02Daytona955i · 07-02-2005

Got a Penske on my Buell and an Ohlin on my Daytona.

I think the Penske is a little nicer, but it cost more too. I love the hydralic preload of the Ohlin.

If I was to buy another shock for the Daytona, it would be the Ohlin.

I got my Ohlin from Terra Powersports for $559. I THINK THEY WERE DISCOUNTING THE '02 model, not sure, but their prices and service ROCK!

The first thing I noticed with the Ohlin was how much smoother the ride was just due to the lack of 'stiction'.

[ This message was edited by: 02Daytona955i on 2005-07-02 10:50 ]

oldyeller · 07-02-2005

Thanks for the tip, I checked out their website...looks pretty good.

Do they set up the Ohlins shock for you with the correct spring or just send the stock unit?

Also, Traxxion Dynamics told me that the Ohlins remote preload adjuster has a very limited range, but you find it usefull?

02Daytona955i · 07-23-2005

Sorry about the late reply; I was at Laguna Seca............ :-D

I set the shock length up as close as I could before installing the Ohlin. Once installed, like a child, I could not keep my hands off of the preload knob and cranked it up slightly. During the initial test ride, I noticed the bike being more eager to 'turn in' on the twisties. AHA! I said to myself! What a quick and simple way to change my steering head angle to suit my current riding conditions! Is this the optimal way to change my steering head angle? Maybe not, but it does allow for some quick and dirty changes.

As for 'buying a shock set specifically for you', I spoke personally with the guy at Penske who built the shock for my Buell. Can I feel a difference between the Penske and the Ohlin? Nope.

Remember, suspensions are tuned per track, per current track condition, per rider style, etc. Being 200 pounds I figured the out-of-the-box Ohlin is gonna be pretty ***** close, and it was. With the money saved, I could have easily bought several different springs had I felt the need.

One thing I did learn was the White Power forks on my Buell are noticeably nicer than the Showas on the Daytona. This will be remedied come winter. Not sure I would have noticed the deficiency of the forks without the improved rear 'boinger'.