Author Topic: RFY Shocks for 550? (Read 41845 times)

chimmychong86 · « **on:** February 02, 2011, 08:21:32 AM »

Has anyone tried these on a 550? I'm in the market for new shocks and these are cheap and look nice. However I am automatically aprehensive since they are so cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-5-8-Shock-Absorbers-Suspension-Bike-Quad-ATV-GoKart-/170568562097?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b6adb5b1

mlinder · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:43:45 AM »

220kg spring rate???

Shocks for your bike should be somewhere around 55kg...

That's gotta be a typo or something.

juice · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:04:14 AM »

sexy!

eideteker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:15:36 AM »

There have been a few discussions about these particular shocks; there was a link to a vmax forum where a rider actually put them through subjective tests instead of saying "they're Chinese junk" like everyone else invariably will. For as much apprehension as I had over the price-to-possible-junk ratio, I'm still debating just getting a pair because they 1. should still be better than squishy old stockers, 2. look relatively cool, and 3. they're cheap enough that if they are total junk they can look cool on the wall of my garage after I replace them. I'm most likely going to get a pair before winter is over.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:16:28 AM »

Looks like more Chinese poopoo...

Kanticoy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:42:09 AM »

Wish I could've gotten my shocks for that price...they had to be modified on the s/a end for an eye instead of a clevis. They can be had for a fairly reasonable price considering. I think I paid $400 for my pair. Not bad for a $1200+ unit!

But my buddy just ordered a set of these RFY shocks for his XS650 and he rides the hell out of his bike. I'll comment when he gives the verdict.

nickandkristy02 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:59:52 AM »

^^^^^^^^yummy^^^^^^^^^

chimmychong86 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2011, 11:26:14 AM »

Would it be safe to assume then since Cleveland Cyclewerks Misfit will be made in China they probably have the same(or very similar) shock as the ebay ones mentioned above?

What about these shocks:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190359261843&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I know people are going to say you get what you pay for, but someone much wiser once said, you don't put a mink coat on a $10 hooker.

eideteker · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2011, 11:31:52 AM »

Yeah, it's really obvious what the Chinese are making knockoffs of in this case. I can't see anyone buying these thinking they are anywhere near Ohlins quality, and if they do they are nuts.

By the way, this thread reminded me - so I ordered a pair of these shocks, and I'll give a full workup when they arrive/I get them installed. I'd love to get some real test data on them, does anyone know of a way to get them on a shock dyno without breaking the bank?

mlinder · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:09:41 PM »

New hagon shocks. 205ish bucks shipped. New, with 2 year warranty, and they build each set to your bike, your weight, and your riding habits.
You can also ask them for different lengths.

http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/HAGON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html

Super good customer service.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:06:16 PM »

I am going to have to order shocks at some point for my CB500 project and I've done a lot of research and I keep coming back to these. They are fully serviceable so it should be the last set I would ever need to buy.

http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/servlet/Detail?no=44

As far as I have been able to tell, the $200 Hagons are not rebuildable so once they fade or leak they're pretty much toast. On the other hand, they are somewhat less expensive and may last for a long time. The vicious cycle of indecision begins anew.

mlinder · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:11:15 PM »

Correct, they are not rebuildable.

I did just get some Ikons, too, very nice shocks for the price, but I didn't want to spend another 400 bucks for my beater bike, and all the cheapies I've tried so far, suck.
So, I got the hagons for the beater.

Kanticoy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:40:54 PM »

You guys should get CrazyPJ to chime in on this thread. I know that he bought and "upgraded" a pair of these shocks for his CB360 project that he has going on over at DoTheTon. He probably has more insight that we can shake a stick at!

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=11736.260

It starts there and goes for several pages what his findings were. From what he observed, they are a copy of a more expensive unit (probably Ohlins or works). Where the adjustment valves were on the shock bodies, there were just untapped bosses. It was obvious that they were direct copies from another unit. They had way too much air in them, and way too little oil. He disassembled them (they are rebuildable), and added the bleeders and such so that they were fully serviceable. He then charged them with nitrogen. There are several test ride videos, and he is quite happy with them after a few dollars worth of modifications. I think that this is a viable and good alternative to an expensive unit if you are willing to put a little time into them. I believe that his units were advertised for a Vmax

mlinder · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:43:42 PM »

PJ machined a lower for them. I don't have a lathe.

Kanticoy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:50:39 PM »

He also states that this was unnecessary, and the stock portion could easily be used. He was just being an over-achiever because if he used the one that came from the stock, he would have had to use a washer to shim the lower clevis because it was slightly too big for the stock swing arm mounting point. He is a little OCD like that!

Stock Vs. modded:

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:57:22 PM »

Ya gets what ya pays for, spend $80, expect an $80 ride.

Rebuildable shocks for these rigs usually go for $300+ US in 2011 money and upwards- period.

eideteker · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2011, 05:35:05 PM »

Quote from: Industrial-sized Dukiedook on February 02, 2011, 05:57:22 PM

Ya gets what ya pays for, spend $80, expect an $80 ride.

I didn't buy the cheap Chinese/"RFY" shocks expecting Ohlins' quality/ride, and I'd hope no one else would either. This is purely for experimentation/information.

eideteker · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2011, 12:24:21 PM »

They're here! The unboxing:

Ugh to styrofoam:

Two shocks, two spanners, two eyes:

They feel rather substantial, about 3.5 lbs. apiece:

It appears my riding season for this year is going to start, oh, approximately NEVER so it might be awhile before I have butt dyno/road test opinions. I was serious about getting them on a shock dyno though - anyone know of a place?

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2011, 12:34:37 PM »

They may be copies but they are nice looking copies!

somesuch · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2011, 01:49:48 PM »

I brought a pair from Shanghai when I was there last year. The cost about 175 yuan if i remember correctly...I think it was about 6 yuan to a dollar...so 175/6= $29 i could not pass it up

They look nice, not Ohlins nice, but nice. The lower cast clevis looks like garbage though.....I saw a few people in Shanghai using them on their commuter scooters....so durability should not be an issue, damping/spring rates might be

--Nick

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2011, 02:38:52 PM »

I had a blog link about these shocks and the guy that wrote it changed seals lower clevis and springs to get them to work safely, unless you know how to do it yourself then they are just cheap crap. Yes, i do have a set but won't be using them unless i mod them....Spring rate is crap and i suspect that they are originally made for scooters...They do look good though.....

Mick

cb650PK · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2011, 03:21:31 PM »

Nice , shiny Chinese garbage.

Brandotheamazing · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2011, 09:30:12 PM »

Well, i just ordered a set, can't be worse than the crusty one's i bought from the Bikeyard to replace the nice shiny one's (one was bent) i had. Figure they can't ride worse, and if they squat a little, i'll remove the lowering blocks i have (i have short legs)
Guess I'll see in a week!

chimmychong86 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:40:08 PM »

eideteker you ever end up putting the shocks on your bike? howd they work out

camelman · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:52:19 PM »

FYI, I really don't recommend buying any of these off "ukneed" on eBay. He was fingered a while back on this forum for mislabeling some chinese knock-offs on eBay. I sent him an e-mail about it (pretty darn harmless too, which is typically not my character), and he quickly followed up by finding my name, address, work info, etc. and threatening me. I turned him into the FBI and eBay, but I'm sure ebay won't shut him down. Anyway, just an FYI... he sucks.

Camelman

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Author Topic: RFY Shocks for 550? (Read 41845 times)