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Author Topic: The BEST SHOCKS?  (Read 4392 times)

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Offline browneematt

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The BEST SHOCKS?
« on: March 22, 2012, 05:25:52 PM »
Im knee deep in rebuilding a 77 cb750f2. I am going through the entire bike and have heard all different kinds of things as far as shocks. Here is where I rely on the collective knowledge of this group (from which I wouldn't of been able to do much of anything to my bike) I know there will be lots of conflicting points of view on this but thats a good thing.
 ;D

So..... What do you all think are the best shocks for our beautiful bikes?
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2012, 07:07:50 PM »
How many $$$$ you got?    :)
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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2012, 07:18:09 PM »
i went with progresves since they fit my budget.. great improvement over stock. do search here and you will find a wealtoh of knowledge!! shocks all depend on your drivingm style.
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Offline browneematt

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2012, 09:41:22 PM »
Lester- Im trying to keep the $$ reasonable but I don't mind spending a good quality product
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2012, 10:25:04 PM »
Quote from: browneematt on March 22, 2012, 09:41:22 PM
Lester- Im trying to keep the $$ reasonable but I don't mind spending a good quality product

What sort of riding are you doing..?  Ikon {knoi} and Hagon are good shocks for either cruising or riding hard, I prefer Ikons and have used them for over 30 years....
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750 K2 1000cc
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If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline dave500

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2012, 11:28:51 PM »
ive used both hagon and ikon,i like the ikon slightly better with its adjustable damping,my hagons didnt have that but were still very good,the spring retainer on the hagons is high and almost fouled on the frame.
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Offline trueblue

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2012, 05:47:59 AM »
+1 on the Ikons, I have them on my 650  :D
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Offline Music City Metalcraft

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2012, 06:16:32 AM »
Best shocks in my opinion are Wilbers. They tailored a set for my Seeley, 30mm longer than stock, fully adjustable. Ohlins are great, too.
Every shock with the stock dimensions will not be an improvement regarding ground clearance, if you really want to RIDE. If you don't care about these things, it doesn't really matter which brand, just go with the one that looks right for you.
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Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2012, 07:53:42 AM »
A big question is are Wilbers rebuildable? I know Ohlins and Ikons are, that is one big thing to consider.

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Offline browneematt

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2012, 09:07:13 AM »
Retro - I ride pretty aggressive, so something that is fully adjustable would be great... Im going to check out the IKONS..

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Offline browneematt

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2012, 09:11:13 AM »
Has anyone tried YSS Shocks?
http://www.yssusa.com/
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Offline Music City Metalcraft

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2012, 11:11:01 AM »
Wilbers are rebuildable. And they can be tuned to a different setup if wanted.
Ikons are pretty soft damper wise, and are way less sensitive then Wilbers or Ohlins.
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The part that needs the most upgrading is the nut holding the handlebars

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2012, 05:01:56 PM »
Quote from: Music City Metalcraft on March 23, 2012, 06:16:32 AM
Best shocks in my opinion are Wilbers. They tailored a set for my Seeley, 30mm longer than stock, fully adjustable. Ohlins are great, too.
Every shock with the stock dimensions will not be an improvement regarding ground clearance, if you really want to RIDE. If you don't care about these things, it doesn't really matter which brand, just go with the one that looks right for you.

I know a few guys that raced {sucessfully} with both Hagon and Ikon {Koni} as well as Ohlins and others mentioned here, i think for the street, with all its limitations, you would have to be a very good rider to find any perceived limitations of the shocks, never had any problems with damping on Ikons and besides they are easy to rebuild or just add higher viscosity oil. I have also heard others that think they are quite hard {as opposed to soft} on the damping side, set them up to suit yourself, also Ikon will answer any questions you have, they are far cheaper than Ohlins and Wilbers. Lots of guys on this site use them as well.... There's also a couple of guys here that race with YSS shocks, do a forum search and have a read... ;)  I'll add, i am going to use Ohlins on one of my builds but thats purely for a look i am trying to achieve, i had some fast 750's in the early 80's and rode them very hard, often making my mates 900 Kawasaki look average.. ;D  all on Ikons or Koni as they were known back then.  All of the shocks mentioned {except maybe progressives} are quite ok to ride relatively hard on, it will ultimately boil down to what you find acceptable to spend on a pair of shocks...... ;)
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750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline bgfootball67

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2012, 05:21:46 PM »
No one has mention Works Performance Shocks!  Great units for all types of riding, built to your specs....
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Offline the technological J

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2012, 10:38:38 PM »
i have a 94 ST1100 and the shock on it has an adjustable dampening screw anybody know of shocks available for the cbs?
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #15 on: March 23, 2012, 11:05:18 PM »
Ha ha, the never ending (and never boring) shock argument hath returned. Personally, I think while shocks are important (if you didn't have them, your tire would rub on the fender) ultimate performance really depends on tire choices, oil preference,  points vs electronic ignition, favorite brand of carbs, the need for oil coolers, best brand of exhaust systems, type of handlebars used, fork springs, brake lines, fork braces, steering dampers and rearsets. Discuss? ;D   
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #16 on: March 24, 2012, 12:04:25 AM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on March 23, 2012, 11:05:18 PM
Ha ha, the never ending (and never boring) shock argument hath returned. Personally, I think while shocks are important (if you didn't have them, your tire would rub on the fender) ultimate performance really depends on tire choices, oil preference,  points vs electronic ignition, favorite brand of carbs, the need for oil coolers, best brand of exhaust systems, type of handlebars used, fork springs, brake lines, fork braces, steering dampers and rearsets. Discuss? ;D

Popcorn anyone.... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline dave500

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2012, 12:13:55 AM »
as long as its got that "unbelievable butter"
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2012, 01:14:44 AM »
Quote from: dave500 on March 24, 2012, 12:13:55 AM
as long as its got that "unbelievable butter"

What is this butter of which you speak Dave? I've got some Aldi's microwave popcorn here, but it tastes like tobacco dipped in POR-15............ ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline dave500

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2012, 01:53:41 AM »
HA!yeah it was in the background of a photo on a thread here,when quizzed it was some girl scouts sold him this overpriced microwave pop corn with "unbeleivable butter"written on it,he said it was crap,ill try and find the photo,,it should be included in any disscussion thats been well covered and you feel like posting,,"ill get pop corn".
« Last Edit: March 24, 2012, 01:55:47 AM by dave500 »
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2012, 02:04:12 AM »
Quote from: dave500 on March 24, 2012, 01:53:41 AM
HA!yeah it was in the background of a photo on a thread here,when quizzed it was some girl scouts sold him this overpriced microwave pop corn with "unbeleivable butter"written on it,he said it was crap,ill try and find the photo,,it should be included in any disscussion thats been well covered and you feel like posting,,"ill get pop corn".

Ha ha, I'm currently watching the QLD election coverage Dave, it's very popcorn-worthy, I'm trying to decide if all the QLD Labour voters have migrated back to Victoria, or if they've just abstained totally, but it looks like a LNP landslide right now? Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline trueblue

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2012, 02:35:20 AM »

Did someone mention popcorn... I got mine... Back to shocks if you buy any reputable brand I couldn't imagine you having any issues with road riding, no matter "how hard you ride".  As for damping rates, the Ikons fitted to my bike aren't wound up fully and if they were any stiffer I wouldn't be able to walk after a decent ride.
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Offline dave500

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2012, 02:44:46 AM »
that takes the cake,,err i mean the popcorn.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2012, 02:46:39 AM »
Yep, I've never owned Ikons but on most of my bikes over the years I have fitted Koni's excellent 7610 series shocks, and I've never clicked the damper dial past position 2. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline dave500

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2012, 02:55:11 AM »

ive tried 3 and 4 on my ikons,pretty stiff,i think im on the soft spring setting and #2 damping.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2012, 02:57:00 AM by dave500 »
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #25 on: March 24, 2012, 03:18:06 AM »
I can't believe thats not butter Dave...... :o :P

Unbelievable... 8) 
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750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline zoomie

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Re: The BEST SHOCKS?
« Reply #26 on: March 24, 2012, 05:46:03 AM »
These vintage Hondas are new to me and not familiar with Ikon, but I've always thought Ohlens were top shelf.  Personally went with Works on another project and very impressed.  Hear nothing but good about Progressives, but have only run their fork springs.
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