Topic: Rear Shock Absorbers

[spiritof67]

Has anyone in the US tried the JBS, RFY, GX Motor, Hagon or MDI rear shocks AND found them better than Ikon/Koni or Progressive?

[Retro Rocket]

Hagon should be with Ikon and Progressive, the rest are cheap rubbish. The top 3 all have cheaper lines of shocks for our bikes, Ikon would be the best of that list in the cheaper shocks, then Hagon. Ikon, Hogon and progressive will have custom fitments, none of the others will as they are cheap Chinese junk...With shocks, you get what you pay for....

[Don R]

 Since we're on the subject, what should a guy look for in a cb400f shock intended for 1 up only riding? I'm assuming a smaller spring and lighter valving?

[socal1200r]

I replaced the stock rear shocks with a pair of those RFY piggyback shocks off eBay.  Probably Chinese-made, but for $120, I'm not complaining.  I've never really liked Progressive shocks, they're usually too stiff and look too plain.  Easy to install, put about 250 miles on the bike since installing them, no complaints so far.  It's registered as an antique, so I probably won't ride it more than 1500 miles a year, especially here in southeast Virginia, where the weather and roads absolutely SUCK for any kind of sport or spirited bike riding.

For $120, it was worth checking rear shocks off my "to do" list.  With the money I saved on these shocks versus something like Progressives, I was able to get my 4-1 exhaust ceramic-coated.   

[Retro Rocket]

There is a member on this site that had an RFY shock break..!!, the alloy on the clevis is rubbish, the seals are cheap and the oil is no good, {what do you expect for $100?}, there used to be a website {i've posted the link on the forum previously} with all the info to rebuild these into reasonable shocks, but that included remaking the clevis from stainless, replacing the seals, oil and i can't remember what else he did but it was extensive, he said he did it just to see if they could be made to work properly and safely but due to the cost, he recommended to just buy better shocks. If you plan on building a trailer queen then buy what you want, if you want reasonable shocks for all types of street riding , buy better shocks period.... I bought a set of those cheap Chinese shocks just to see what they were like and I will NOT be using them on the street, just for mocking up only, they may never break but i'm not taking that chance, I have Koni's at the moment 30+  years old and still work well, I'm going to change the oil but thats it,  I have used them for years on these bikes and they work, period. One thing that seems to get left out when discussing shocks is that good suspension not only helps you go through corners, it helps you stop to the best of the bikes ability as well by the shocks keeping good contact with the road whilst dealing with the inconsistencies of the surface of the road, shocks, Tires and helmets should always be the best you can buy, they are NOT fashion accessories as some would have you believe...

[socal1200r]

There is a member on this site that had an RFY shock break..!!, the alloy on the clevis is rubbish, the seals are cheap and the oil is no good, {what do you expect for $100?}, there used to be a website {i've posted the link on the forum previously} with all the info to rebuild these into reasonable shocks, but that included remaking the clevis from stainless, replacing the seals, oil and i can't remember what else he did but it was extensive, he said he did it just to see if they could be made to work properly and safely but due to the cost, he recommended to just buy better shocks. If you plan on building a trailer queen then buy what you want, if you want reasonable shocks for all types of street riding , buy better shocks period.... I bought a set of those cheap Chinese shocks just to see what they were like and I will NOT be using them on the street, just for mocking up only, they may never break but i'm not taking that chance, I have Koni's at the moment 30+  years old and still work well, I'm going to change the oil but thats it,  I have used them for years on these bikes and they work, period. One thing that seems to get left out when discussing shocks is that good suspension not only helps you go through corners, it helps you stop to the best of the bikes ability as well by the shocks keeping good contact with the road whilst dealing with the inconsistencies of the surface of the road, shocks, Tires and helmets should always be the best you can buy, they are NOT fashion accessories as some would have you believe...

The burning bush has spoken...

[Retro Rocket]

The burning bush has spoken...

Clever reply, well done..
The OP asked for comparisons, you offered nothing but an opinion , I posted comparisons and facts about the shocks. I bought the RFY shocks while I was researching them about 5 years ago as I though they may be useful, but after reading a lot of negatives and a very thorough analysis of them, i chose no to risk using them at all. there are quite a few threads about them on the forum, including the thread where the RFY shock actually broke..!, I have never seen a shock break before, until then, unless it was in an accident, that in itself is good reason not to use them, I certainly won't. On the other hand,  I've been using Koni's {on the 750/4's} since 1979 and have had quality shocks on nearly every road bike I've ever owned, for good reason... Anyone that knows anything about motorcycle suspension would laugh at you, if you even suggested that those cheap Chinese shocks were comparable to Koni's or Hagons, so keep your inane religious references to yourself ...

[scottly]

Since we're on the subject, what should a guy look for in a cb400f shock intended for 1 up only riding? I'm assuming a smaller spring and lighter valving?

How fat is the guy riding 1 up??

[Nic]

I think weight is very important, I had Hagons not long ago, they were too stiff and hard on the 2nd or 3rd spring setting and too soft on the 1st. I'm 95kg, if I was 70ish I reckon the shocks would have been useful but at 95 they were just no good for me.
The Ikons on the other hand are perfect and make the Hagons look nasty.

[Wobbly]

I am with Retro. Wasting money on trash is not saving any. Brakes, tires, and suspension are more precious than the cosmetics and perhaps not to be the best parts to be cheap on. Everyone to their liking, but as so often in life, you get what you pay for. One should not mistake a toy for the real thing.

[Deltarider]

Ikon used to be Koni, a Dutch company. Back then their shocks were the non plus ultra and were OEM found on Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to name a few. I didn't think my original 5-stage Showa's (?) were that bad but their somewhat soft characteristics were clearly for the American market/roads. I replaced them by Koni's and never regretted it. Koni service was excellent.
Here's a tip for all of you that have their bikes in winter storage. Every now and then you should activate your shocks (no need to go for a ride) to guarantee rubber parts inside will remain lubed and not dry out.

[Don R]

Since we're on the subject, what should a guy look for in a cb400f shock intended for 1 up only riding? I'm assuming a smaller spring and lighter valving?

How fat is the guy riding 1 up??

 Lets say 225lbs,

[Whaleman]

I always thought these Yssusa's were the best looking shock for a 750. Problem is they are over $500.00. Dan

[socal1200r]

The burning bush has spoken...

Clever reply, well done..
The OP asked for comparisons, you offered nothing but an opinion , I posted comparisons and facts about the shocks. I bought the RFY shocks while I was researching them about 5 years ago as I though they may be useful, but after reading a lot of negatives and a very thorough analysis of them, i chose no to risk using them at all. there are quite a few threads about them on the forum, including the thread where the RFY shock actually broke..!, I have never seen a shock break before, until then, unless it was in an accident, that in itself is good reason not to use them, I certainly won't. On the other hand,  I've been using Koni's {on the 750/4's} since 1979 and have had quality shocks on nearly every road bike I've ever owned, for good reason... Anyone that knows anything about motorcycle suspension would laugh at you, if you even suggested that those cheap Chinese shocks were comparable to Koni's or Hagons, so keep your inane religious references to yourself ...

Wow, hit a nerve did I?  Don't get your panties all in a bunch!  I'm not going to spend $500 for a set of shocks on my CB650, since I have a 1987 Cagiva and two cars to keep on the road.  Plus, it's not going to get ridden that much anyway, because the weather and roads suck here in southeast Virginia.  I was just looking for new shocks that wouldn't break the bank, and allow me to get other things done to the bike at the same time.  The Cagiva has upside-down Marzocchis with the piggyback reservoir on the bottom, and I was looking for something similar for the CB.  The typical Progressive-style shock, with just the shock body and springs, just doesn't do anything for me, and from my past experience using them, I've been far from impressed. 

You know what they say about opinions, right?!   

[Retro Rocket]

The burning bush has spoken...

Clever reply, well done..
The OP asked for comparisons, you offered nothing but an opinion , I posted comparisons and facts about the shocks. I bought the RFY shocks while I was researching them about 5 years ago as I though they may be useful, but after reading a lot of negatives and a very thorough analysis of them, i chose no to risk using them at all. there are quite a few threads about them on the forum, including the thread where the RFY shock actually broke..!, I have never seen a shock break before, until then, unless it was in an accident, that in itself is good reason not to use them, I certainly won't. On the other hand,  I've been using Koni's {on the 750/4's} since 1979 and have had quality shocks on nearly every road bike I've ever owned, for good reason... Anyone that knows anything about motorcycle suspension would laugh at you, if you even suggested that those cheap Chinese shocks were comparable to Koni's or Hagons, so keep your inane religious references to yourself ...

Wow, hit a nerve did I?  Don't get your panties all in a bunch!  I'm not going to spend $500 for a set of shocks on my CB650, since I have a 1987 Cagiva and two cars to keep on the road.  Plus, it's not going to get ridden that much anyway, because the weather and roads suck here in southeast Virginia.  I was just looking for new shocks that wouldn't break the bank, and allow me to get other things done to the bike at the same time.  The Cagiva has upside-down Marzocchis with the piggyback reservoir on the bottom, and I was looking for something similar for the CB.  The typical Progressive-style shock, with just the shock body and springs, just doesn't do anything for me, and from my past experience using them, I've been far from impressed. 

You know what they say about opinions, right?!   

I don't really care what you say mate, the info I posted is for the OP, you were just being a smart ass with your "burning bush" comment, and yes, you are right about opinions ironically.  I posted facts relevant to the question asked and information about the RFY shocks and info based on my experience with Koni/Ikon, which i've used in both performance cars and bikes, I've owned around 30+ bikes. nothing I posted was directed at you personally, unlike your childish retorts, move on, its not about you....

[Dunk]

I wouldn't cheap out on shocks. I went with Ikon and other than a QC issue with a weld booger in the lower thread I had to file and chase with a tap they're great. I am curious if anyone has rode on both Ikons as well as other lower priced shocks like Hagon or Progressive at around half the cost but still above the dirt cheap threshold and with a decent reputation. I don't regret the Ikons, long after the cost is forgotten you'll be focused on how they ride. If Hagons are comparable for much less money then that would be a great option for someone who doesn't  mind departing that far from factory appearance.

[Retro Rocket]

I wouldn't cheap out on shocks. I went with Ikon and other than a QC issue with a weld booger in the lower thread I had to file and chase with a tap they're great. I am curious if anyone has rode on both Ikons as well as other lower priced shocks like Hagon or Progressive at around half the cost but still above the dirt cheap threshold and with a decent reputation. I don't regret the Ikons, long after the cost is forgotten you'll be focused on how they ride. If Hagons are comparable for much less money then that would be a great option for someone who doesn't  mind departing that far from factory appearance.

Talk to Nic who answered in the thread here earlier, he went from Hagon's to Ikon's, if i remember correctly he couldn't get the Hagon's to work properly, too stiff in any setting , he loves his Ikon's...

[madmtnmotors]

Wow, hit a nerve did I?

Tends to happen when you talk down to someone that has actually provided useful information.

Getting ejected from a motorcycle at any speed as a result of a broken shock is "a high price to pay for being stylish". I, too, have not heard of any other brand failing in such a manner, other than a direct result of having been involved in a collision, as opposed to being the cause of a collision.

We are all here to help. No need getting snarky with someone that's got another member's best interest (and continued good health) at heart. The suspensions on the old bikes are marginal at best. They can use all the help they can get.

[Nic]

I wouldn't cheap out on shocks. I went with Ikon and other than a QC issue with a weld booger in the lower thread I had to file and chase with a tap they're great. I am curious if anyone has rode on both Ikons as well as other lower priced shocks like Hagon or Progressive at around half the cost but still above the dirt cheap threshold and with a decent reputation. I don't regret the Ikons, long after the cost is forgotten you'll be focused on how they ride. If Hagons are comparable for much less money then that would be a great option for someone who doesn't  mind departing that far from factory appearance.

Talk to Nic who answered in the thread here earlier, he went from Hagon's to Ikon's, if i remember correctly he couldn't get the Hagon's to work properly, too stiff in any setting , he loves his Ikon's...

Yes, it was suggested that "maybe" the Hagons I had were faulty but I don't think so, I tried a heavier spring, another $80 down the drain and went back to the lighter #20 springs, my problem was with bottoming out and either too soft or too hard, the too soft setting, first position was bottoming out so bad it would put my rickety back at risk, in the second position it would still bottom out but at the same time felt hard, in the highest setting they didn't bottom out but were so hard it wasn't funny. If I was on a nice road the damping seemed to be ok but you hit a bump and it was just painful and wobbly.
The Ikons when they arrived, I just put the springs on the lowest setting and the damping on 2, that's where they still are today, solo they don't bottom out and the feel while firmish is not hard, when I put the missus on the back I go to spring setting 2, I tried springs on 2 and damping on 3 for pillion but I thought it was too hard, 2 and 2 is great for pillion for me n er indoors. After I sold the Hagons for $200 and a # 41 cam I didn't like the Ikons cost me about $250, bloody marvelous. The adjustable damping, after you have experienced it is something you won't want to be without.
A shock with 3 spring settings only is very limited and depending on your weight you might find useable if you're lucky, or, you might just find you're in no man's land like I was with the Hagons.