Triumphrat

rmak

I am looking to upgrade the Shocks on my Scrambler after recently putting in progressive fork springs. I've been reading everything I can on this and other sites about them.

I have Hagons on my Bonnie Black and was thinking about getting a pair for the Scram, but they have some bad comments about them when I search.

I was just wondering if a choice of shocks isn't like what I read about other topics here. It often seems like people buy a certain type of shock, or oil, or big bore kit, or carb set up or exhause system or handlebar and justify their purchase by saying what they bought is the best with no objective way to prove it. I may be completely wrong about this. I'm not trying to be critical, and I probably do the same thing, but I don't think too many of us has the time, ability or money to buy, for example, two sets of shocks and try both back-to-back and determine which is best based on an actual comparison.

So can somebody please explain for me why I should spend maybe twice as much to get Ohlins or YSS shocks rather than the relatively inexpensive Hagon's? If anyone has experience with different types, what will I really be gaining with the extra expenditure?

ivar

I haven't heard many comparisons between say, Ikon/Hagon/Progressive etc, and have no idea if one are noticeably better thay the others.

Properly setup for rider weight etc, any of them should be a very noticeable improvement over the stock units IMO.

(The stock units may work just fine for slower cruising and smooth roads - but on the frost-heaved and potholed roads around here - the stockers transmits way too much energy into the frame - and my back)

ohiorider

Rich, I'd vote for 'adjustablilty' and 'tuneability' of the more expensive shocks. Having said that, I'm happy as a clam with the Progressive 440s, that have no compression or rebound damping adjustment, just spring preload. Of course, I'm not 'scrambling', I'm road riding. The 440s use some sort of valving mechanism that compensates for how hard a bump you hit .... I'm thinking similar to a cartridge fork valving system.

Here's a link to the Ohlins site you might fine useful. This'll give you a good idea as to how particular they are about chassis tuning.

http://www.ohlins.com/Motorcycle/Set...9/Default.aspx

Bob

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03 T100 Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 18T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metz 880 tires, Prog. 440 shocks (105/150 springs), 11-1124 fork springs, Thrux fork caps, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

PAAS

If you've had a good experience with the Hagons on your other Bonnie, then that's worth more than someone else saying Ohlins are great, who has never tried Hagons. I bought Ikons because of the good reps on here and TNBF (and a few negatives on Hagon), but my personal experience hasn't been good. One of them started leaking within 500 miles and the bike developed a high speed weave that it hadn't had before. This has now been resolved, but it took a few months and several emails directly with the manufacturer. As the Hagon factory is only a few miles from where I live, I'm inclined to say I wish I had bought them, rather than shocks from the other side of the planet to me. The Bonnie is a low-tech bike, so I'm not convinced of the value in spending mega-bucks on the likes of Ohlins. Plus I don't think they look right on a Bonnie, particularly the ones with the gold piggy-back reservoir.

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Paul.

Herts. UK
Aubergine & White 05 T100 (865cc) with numerous mods.
(Previously Ducati Monster S4 and several UJMs)

Mattrat

I have nothing constructive to add other than I love my Hagons.

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adios, muchachos

jdd5300

Is it pointless to change the shocks without doing anything to the front end? Swapping a pair of shocks seems simple enough and relatively inexpensive. If this would improve the ride despite leaving the front springs alone I might be interested.

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“I'd rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle” - Anonymous

SHILOH

On Carbs I did just that (Italics), a set of CR 35's from British Customs which told me the FCRs I wouldn't like, were very hard to start,etc, and a set of FCR39s, from South Bay. Since I had experience with FCR downdrafts, I didn't beleive British Customs fully (thinking they didn't know how to setup the FCR's correctly or something), but these were sidedrafts and my experience was with downdrafts.Hence the decision to buy both and compare them.

There was no comparision in (my mind) as to kit quality and performance. The South Bay were the winners and I sold the CR 35 for a 150 loss.

On shocks, I bought Ohlins and I really like them. I didn't do any comparision (or regretably price shopping) since there is little setup possible from the retailer and Ohlin quality was a known. That said, I think that you can get just as good a product for less, lots less and although I really like the units you shouldn't buy them unless apprearance and/or peer recognition of the product is an element in the process and justifies the additional expense.

The Ohlins are very good, but they are more expensive than most, and for most of us, they, as well as other less expensive units will provide all the function we require (and then soime).

So, as an Ohlin owner my recommendation is buy Ohlins only if the appearance/Ohlin recognition can provide the additional cost justification, look else where otherwise. If Penske has released what I have been told is in the works, I think these comments would also be applicable their units.

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Tusitala - Mt Vaea

Malibu

When I went to Works Performance for my shocks, they sat me down and asked about 10 questions—having to do with my weight, style of riding, whether or not I rode with a passenger etc. I can't say whether or not Works Shocks are the best, but I do know that when I rode my friends Scrambler—before he upgraded to the same shocks—I could certainly tell his was much more bouncing and "rocking" than mine. I think shocks are a great investment. I wish it wasn't so... i wish they just made them as best as possible when they build the bikes. The stock shocks really are pretty lame..

Brooksie

Most replacement shocks and fork springs are going to be an improvement over the OEM stuff. Since I change my Bonnie back and forth from "cafe" to "touring (grandpa sleeper) so much, I like the adjustability the Ikons have. Once set, I never really change it unless I load the bike. Now my Daytona 675 has adjustability 7 ways to Sunday, and that can get you really screwed up BAD onthe street. Again, I like the total adjustability on the Daytona, but once set for steet use, it should need very little changes. So much depends on where you do a majority of your riding. With the Scrambler, I'd get the tallest ones with the most travel so you can adjust from fire road to street.

Pauljo

I have Works Performance shocks and fork springs on my T100. As previously stated, they do customize the shocks for each individual customer. After that, the only adjustment is preload. They are a high quality, nitrogen charged, rebuildable shock. Works Performance differs from most of the others in that they use a dual rate spring approach, rather than progressive coils. They work well, I'm very happy with them. Are they better than Hagon? Can't say because I don't have the budget to try 'em all. I did talk to Hagon as well as Works Performance. I just got a better feeling from my conversation with the Works Performance rep and went with them.

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2012 Triumph Tiger 800 ABS.