Topic: Best Shocks?

[Syscrush]

Those look NICE

Yup.  Now decide for yourself if you pick your shocks by looks, price, or performance.  Probably a combo of all 3.  Those Gazi units probably have you covered OK for the first 2...  I know a couple of people who have 'em on CBR125R's and they're better than stock in that application, but nothing like a really good shock.

If it's better than the cheapest possible shock Honda can make in 2007, then it's probably also better than a 40 year old shock that was decent at the time.

[Retro Rocket]

Those look NICE

Yup.  Now decide for yourself if you pick your shocks by looks, price, or performance.  Probably a combo of all 3.  Those Gazi units probably have you covered OK for the first 2...  I know a couple of people who have 'em on CBR125R's and they're better than stock in that application, but nothing like a really good shock.

If it's better than the cheapest possible shock Honda can make in 2007, then it's probably also better than a 40 year old shock that was decent at the time.

I read a lot of reviews before posting the link to the Gazi shocks, didn't read a bad one either. I also doubt a 125CB would work any shock hard enough to find  its limitations and besides the light shocks are not the same as the ones for our bikes so that kinda discounts that.. The reviews i read were all big bore bikes. Koni are good as well. I am putting alloy bodied Ikons on my K2, might give the Gazi's a go on my F1

[Roach]

if you can find a set cb900f showa shocks are great!!

[singedebile]

maybe im missing something but in reference to what ive heard here and other friends about progressive springs, if ikon is using them almost exclusively (the photo on the main page shows only 1 non progressive out of 11 http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/servlet/StoreFront), then what does that say about the intention of their current products?

It seems Hagon does the same,

what shocks are there in the 200-300 range without progressive springs.. with rebound and preload adjustment?

...I ran into these some time ago and they look interesting but I have not heard them mentioned before,
http://www.tga.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=56_44&products_id=192

[Kickstart]

I literally just finished installing Ikon shocks on my 75 cb750F tonight. 

I haven't ridden it yet, but I'll post back with my perception after taking it out for a ride this weekend.

The guy (Dave) at the North American distributor company was pretty cool.  I talked to him over the phone for about 20 minutes asking why I should get the Ikons instead of Progressive (brand) or Works shocks.

I have an F model (with no cap on the top of the shock), but I asked him if he had something similar to the K model shock (looks-wise) and he said you would just add "-sp8" to the end of the part number (I believe he said sp8, please double check with him before you order.)  The cap isn't as long as the stock one, but it does have the same look:

http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/product_ranges/7610-SP8_series_shocks.shtml

[trueblue]

I put IKON's on my 650 when I did the rebuild on the old girl, in the last 4 days I have put nearly 300km on her, and I have no complaints about the rear end, I have both the springs and dampers on their lowest settings, I will probably wind the dampers up one notch before I take it out again, it is a little wallowy in the corners, but nice and comfy on the highway.

[Duke McDukiedook]

As far as I know Ikon only uses single rate springs on all their stuff.

[singedebile]

As far as I know Ikon only uses single rate springs on all their stuff.

+1 on mighty boosh

.... back to the shocks, i was just looking at the pictures of the shocks they have on the home page (linked above), they seem to have progressive springs on them (the wind gets tighter on one end).. but again maybe im missing something (im still pretty new at this).

[Syscrush]

.... back to the shocks, i was just looking at the pictures of the shocks they have on the home page (linked above), they seem to have progressive springs on them (the wind gets tighter on one end).. but again maybe im missing something (im still pretty new at this).

That's what a progressive-wound spring looks like, and I noticed the same thing.  And I found it surprising.

[Kickstart]

The Ikons I just installed are definitely progressive.  But, as it turns out, I have an old frame that has some old Koni shocks (I would assume late 80's early 90's vintage)... and I noticed that these do not have progressive springs.

Now I'm wondering if it would be better to have linear springs (or if they're even available for the Ikons).

[Skunk Stripe]

You're going to find that progressive style springs are getting very common. At least for on road applications. But as I and others have said, progressive springs work pretty well. But, if you really want to trash them, I have plenty of dumpster space!

[bhitt_us@yahoo.com]

Which shock is recommended for lite 180 lb rider? IKON or Hagon. For cost Hagon $378,IKON $600.?
Thanks in advance, o am also adding Progressive fork springs.

[bhitt_us@yahoo.com]

Which shock is recommended for lite 180 lb rider? IKON or Hagon. For cost Hagon $378,IKON $600.?
Thanks in advance, o am also adding Progressive fork springs.

[RAFster122s]

Nils in Tucson is less expensive Ikon dealer and gives SOHC4 a small discount. Great guy too...
David ?forget last name? Is no longer a Hagen dealer so custom fitted Hagen shocks are much more expensive than they used to be. Some guys go with straight to rate springs in front forks on the Honda SOHC fork design.

Progressive springs are very common on rear springs but should match expected weights of rider and bike to perform properly.

[MauiK3]

Hagons work well for me

[evinrude7]

if you can find a set cb900f showa shocks are great!!

would those be rebuildable?
 

[andy750]

Nils in Tucson is less expensive Ikon dealer and gives SOHC4 a small discount. Great guy too...
David ?forget last name? Is no longer a Hagen dealer so custom fitted Hagen shocks are much more expensive than they used to be. Some guys go with straight to rate springs in front forks on the Honda SOHC fork design.

Progressive springs are very common on rear springs but should match expected weights of rider and bike to perform properly.

Dave Quinn was his name from CT. I bought Hagons from him and he was great to deal with. For my CB750K2 Hagons are great - get the right spring and you will have a very smooth ride. i also have Sonic straight springs up front. Progressive rear springs are better than stock but Hagons are better. I have used CB900F shocks in the past and they are junk.
Good luck!
Andy