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17 Posts
I want to get a pair of the Hagon Classic shocks. I figure at $179.99 its a good deal. Does anyone have these on their Bonneville and are they actually an upgrade from stock?
Does anyone have experience with the Hagons???
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300 Posts
I initially put the inexpensive entry-level Hagons on my new Bonnie, but quickly discovered that I needed something better suited for my (heavy) weight.
So I bought some Hagon Nitros with it's massive (appearing) spring and adjustable damping. Because I was weighing in at over 250 pounds, carried luggage full time, and rode like a wannabe Ricky road-racer, I ended up replacing the spring that came on my Nitros. I got some springs that afforded me a more comfortable ride over smooth tarmac, while affording me MUCH improved control of my machine over these California goat trails and beat up canyon roads.
Since replacing my factory 'Bic pen' springs up front with some Works Performance springs, and upgrading to my (modified) Hagon Nitros, I have a machine that 'feels' like it's going MUCH slower than the indicated speed displayed. The bike rides sooooo smoothly that I find myself questioning my speedo'. And the bike is now rock solid, keeping the rubber glued to the tarmac even over these tore up pot-hole filled two lane country roads that are so much fun to ride. Right now, I'm in love with my Hagon Nitros/Works Performance suspension. For a more detailed explanation of my experience with Hagon, PM me.......
In my opinion, there is one addition that is a MUST and very flattering to the retro Bonnie, and that would be adding some boots/gaiters up front.
(but address the front suspension while it's apart).
But nothing would COMPLETE the whole package, or the 'look', than a pair of those shrouded Hagon Classic shocks in the back!
Absolutely, GO FOR IT!
[ This message was edited by: Olderyoungster on 2007-02-07 09:32 ]
So I bought some Hagon Nitros with it's massive (appearing) spring and adjustable damping. Because I was weighing in at over 250 pounds, carried luggage full time, and rode like a wannabe Ricky road-racer, I ended up replacing the spring that came on my Nitros. I got some springs that afforded me a more comfortable ride over smooth tarmac, while affording me MUCH improved control of my machine over these California goat trails and beat up canyon roads.
Since replacing my factory 'Bic pen' springs up front with some Works Performance springs, and upgrading to my (modified) Hagon Nitros, I have a machine that 'feels' like it's going MUCH slower than the indicated speed displayed. The bike rides sooooo smoothly that I find myself questioning my speedo'. And the bike is now rock solid, keeping the rubber glued to the tarmac even over these tore up pot-hole filled two lane country roads that are so much fun to ride. Right now, I'm in love with my Hagon Nitros/Works Performance suspension. For a more detailed explanation of my experience with Hagon, PM me.......
In my opinion, there is one addition that is a MUST and very flattering to the retro Bonnie, and that would be adding some boots/gaiters up front.
(but address the front suspension while it's apart).
But nothing would COMPLETE the whole package, or the 'look', than a pair of those shrouded Hagon Classic shocks in the back!
Absolutely, GO FOR IT!
[ This message was edited by: Olderyoungster on 2007-02-07 09:32 ]
Joined
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2,590 Posts
My Hagon Nitro SS shocks are coming around after some much needed tuning and
testing. When I initially put them on I was pleased but they fooled me-they were way too hard with 20 kg springs wound down too far and because of too much spring preload and too much compression damping -actually caused wobbbles at high speed-after much work adjusting I think I have found a combination of spring and damping settings that work pretty well for me(250lb ). I have the Ikon fork springs and they seem to be doing well although I am going to try some heavier weight oil and a 1" spacer for a bit more of preload. Shocks seem to be OK -they are hell for sturdy and have too much compression damping IMHO but they are doing OK. After todays test ride I am good with them. Steady at 95 mph through my high speed sweeper test curves. I did add a Stortz steering damper when I was having all the trouble with the high speed weave so that was not a factor. Cant hurt anything. I also made sure I was using correct riding technique.
OK=good to go.
[ This message was edited by: HiVel on 2007-02-07 20:08 ]
testing. When I initially put them on I was pleased but they fooled me-they were way too hard with 20 kg springs wound down too far and because of too much spring preload and too much compression damping -actually caused wobbbles at high speed-after much work adjusting I think I have found a combination of spring and damping settings that work pretty well for me(250lb ). I have the Ikon fork springs and they seem to be doing well although I am going to try some heavier weight oil and a 1" spacer for a bit more of preload. Shocks seem to be OK -they are hell for sturdy and have too much compression damping IMHO but they are doing OK. After todays test ride I am good with them. Steady at 95 mph through my high speed sweeper test curves. I did add a Stortz steering damper when I was having all the trouble with the high speed weave so that was not a factor. Cant hurt anything. I also made sure I was using correct riding technique.
OK=good to go.
[ This message was edited by: HiVel on 2007-02-07 20:08 ]
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909 Posts
I think OlderYoungster has hit the nail on the head - if you're going to upgrade the rear shocks you may as well upgrade the front fork springs and fit gaiters while you're at it.
It might be worth having a look at some of the threads in the "Suspension" section of the Twin Mod Links page - good luck.
HiVel,
I saw you other post about the nitros - you had me worried for a moment. It took a while for me to get mine just how I like them - a tweak of the preload here, a tweak of the damping there - and after every adjustment, a ride along exactly the same bit of bumpy road at exactly the same speed. Now I love them.
It might be worth having a look at some of the threads in the "Suspension" section of the Twin Mod Links page - good luck.
HiVel,
I saw you other post about the nitros - you had me worried for a moment. It took a while for me to get mine just how I like them - a tweak of the preload here, a tweak of the damping there - and after every adjustment, a ride along exactly the same bit of bumpy road at exactly the same speed. Now I love them.
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17 Posts
Thanks for the help. I also have heard good things about Wilbur. But they are way to expensive.
BMW folk speak HIGHLY of Wilbers..... Apparently they can offer a suspenion that allows a guy to raise or lower his/her bike with the shocks in place. I always wanted to look into them, but I ALSO heard that they ex$pen$ive.
Personally, I wanna see more retro Bonnie's with those classic shrouded shocks.
In the meantime, set your factory shocks on their softest preload settings until you address the OVERLY soft front-end. It makes for a better marriage between the front of the bike and rear.
Personally, I wanna see more retro Bonnie's with those classic shrouded shocks.
In the meantime, set your factory shocks on their softest preload settings until you address the OVERLY soft front-end. It makes for a better marriage between the front of the bike and rear.
Joined
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1,408 Posts
I initially used the shrouded Hagon Classics. As set up from the dealer (BellaCorse) the springs were adequate for when I rode solo, but far too soft for two-up. I had Mike install the next heavier spring and was pretty okay with the setup. I have since replaced these shocks with Thruxton length Ikon 7614s, but not because the Hagons were unsatisfactory...they just didn't deliver the level of performance I was seeking. Below I've forwarded a couple of photos of Bonnies with Shrouded Hagons:
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The more I see the shrouded shocks the more I like them. Reminds me of an automobile shock. The second pic, the green and gold, it looks like the header has more bluing on the lower bend, and not up by the head. I thought they blue more where it's hotter? I believe Hagon makes a black body with black springs, does anyone have a pic with these on?
[ This message was edited by: Loxpump on 2007-02-08 21:52 ]
[ This message was edited by: Loxpump on 2007-02-08 21:52 ]
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211 Posts
That is caused because the A.I has not been removed, it make the exhaust gas burn a bit more in the down pipe. I removed mine the day I bought the bike & my down pipes only 'blue' at he top bend near the head.
G
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·i've just installed the hagon nitro's and logged about 100 miles in testing. much good to say about them, a caveat or two to beware of, and a question on quality:
make sure you know what you really want when you buy them. if your a casual rider, without aspirations of draggin the nubs off of the footpegs and want a smooth, supple and controlled ride, look elsewhere. i was very selective in my spring choice, stated riding preference, etc. what i got is very firm dampening, very heavy springing, and a far from supple ride on pavement seams, regardless of dampening and spring settings.
however...the bike rides like its on rails. nary a twitch, wiggle or surprise at excess speeds around very fast corners. if your forgo comfort, you'll certainly get oodles of performance.
the biggie>>> has anyone who's used the product have problems with leaks? after every ride, beginning with the first, i'm finding thin black oily rings around the piston shaft at the bottom of the shock. looks suspiciously like the same thing you get when your fork seals wave goodbye.
:razz:
make sure you know what you really want when you buy them. if your a casual rider, without aspirations of draggin the nubs off of the footpegs and want a smooth, supple and controlled ride, look elsewhere. i was very selective in my spring choice, stated riding preference, etc. what i got is very firm dampening, very heavy springing, and a far from supple ride on pavement seams, regardless of dampening and spring settings.
however...the bike rides like its on rails. nary a twitch, wiggle or surprise at excess speeds around very fast corners. if your forgo comfort, you'll certainly get oodles of performance.
the biggie>>> has anyone who's used the product have problems with leaks? after every ride, beginning with the first, i'm finding thin black oily rings around the piston shaft at the bottom of the shock. looks suspiciously like the same thing you get when your fork seals wave goodbye.
:razz:
Joined
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2,590 Posts
I had a bunch of rubber scraps and some oil crud hanging on the damper rods after riding with my initial set-up from DQ.
I cleaned them with spurts of WD 40 and a soft cloth. Told DQ et. al. that I cleaned them with the magic sauce (WD 40) and they said NEVER clean those rods with WD 40 as it ruins the rubber seal etc.!! Been using that STUFF FOREVER ON ALL MY BIKES AND LOTS OF FORKS & SHOCKS ETC.-NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE
WITH RUBBER SEALS SINCE WD 40 WAS INVENTED. The Hagon Nitros are hell for strong but setting them up is a
major PITA. Springs are real expensive and I have bought my last Hagons and cannot recommend them for general use by inexperienced riders. The compresson damping is very strong and the rebound damping was set to 2 clicks from full max. Those babies were (too) STIFF for me.
I cleaned them with spurts of WD 40 and a soft cloth. Told DQ et. al. that I cleaned them with the magic sauce (WD 40) and they said NEVER clean those rods with WD 40 as it ruins the rubber seal etc.!! Been using that STUFF FOREVER ON ALL MY BIKES AND LOTS OF FORKS & SHOCKS ETC.-NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE
WITH RUBBER SEALS SINCE WD 40 WAS INVENTED. The Hagon Nitros are hell for strong but setting them up is a
major PITA. Springs are real expensive and I have bought my last Hagons and cannot recommend them for general use by inexperienced riders. The compresson damping is very strong and the rebound damping was set to 2 clicks from full max. Those babies were (too) STIFF for me.
I have the Nitros and love them. They are not as classic looking as the others but they do their job well. Setup is a bit more as stated by others. I'm 225 plus 25 lbs with all my gear on. I've got the preload 3 threads from the top and the dampening on the 4 position from minimum. I also have Hagons in the forks with Thruxton adjustable caps and 9 wt oil. The preload is down one groove. This seems to work great without any wiggles front or rear. The Ikons I had looked great and were an improvement over stock but I was too heavy for them, I couldn;t get the preload right. I still have them and they need to find a new home. I do recommend that you do your homework on suspension bits, it pays off in dividends. Prbably a better investment in "power" upgrades, rider confidence goes a long way towards quickness. Good luck.
VR6 :-D
VR6 :-D
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