Author Topic: Best Shocks? (Read 15088 times)

736cc · « **on:** July 12, 2011, 08:03:07 AM »

I'm looking for an upgrade for my CB750, anybody see these? Look pretty fancy. Whats the hot set-up in aftermarket?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/13-5-Air-Shocks-Absorbers-Clevis-CB750-RD350-RD-H2-400-/180656842497?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0ffca701

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:26:58 AM »

In a word, junk. Those are junk. They look nice but are not that good. You can get a good set of hagon shocks for around 200. I think progressives might be close to the same range.

mlinder · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:42:45 AM »

I'll laugh at you if you buy those.

200 bucks for non-rebuildable hagons.
250 bucks for progressives.
300 bucks for rebuildable hagons.
350 bucks for ikons
400 bucks for alu bodied ikons
550+ bucks for Works or anything more serious.

Nortstudio · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:50:26 AM »

I got a pair of the cheapest Hagons for my 550 after doing a ton of research. They were about $200 and definitely cheaper than the progressives I found. They are also put together already.

Noticeable improvement over 35 year old stock obviously. But also didn't break the bank.

Dealt with Dave Quinn and he was great. Good suggestions, fast shipping and you get to swap springs 2 times for free if you are unhappy with the feel.

swellguy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:48:38 AM »

#$%* on a stick.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:11:30 AM »

#$%*ty-#$%*ty bang-bang poof- you just wasted your money.

Syscrush · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:30:55 AM »

At a higher pricepoint, Rick at Cogent Dynamics might be able to hook you up. I ran one of his shocks on my SV650 and was delighted with it. If he can accommodate me, I'm going to use his shocks for my monoshock rear and my girder front:

Cogent Dynamics

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2011, 12:53:14 PM »

Would be cool to have a monoshock cb.

Bakeoff · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2011, 01:03:40 PM »

I bought the same ones for my project. I haven't gotten it on the road, but the build quality seems fine on them. There are a few different brands floating around ebay and that one seems to be the best of the bunch, from hours and hours of research. And if they suck, I'm not out a ton of cash. I thought I'd try them out.

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on July 12, 2011, 12:53:14 PM

Would be cool to have a monoshock cb.

Got one of those in the garage too... Just a rolling chassis at this point.

Syscrush · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2011, 02:17:16 PM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on July 12, 2011, 12:53:14 PM

Would be cool to have a monoshock cb.

There are quite a few monoshock CB builds documented in the Project Shop forum.

736cc · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2011, 02:35:00 PM »

So, go for Hagons or Progressive?

malcolmgb · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2011, 03:17:50 PM »

I think these were discussed at length before and there was a link to another site who did an in depth test/review of them.
Hagons are the old Girlings from the 60/70's quality with a race pedigree, perfect match for a SOHC4.

Syscrush · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:34:43 PM »

Quote from: 736cc on July 12, 2011, 02:35:00 PM

So, go for Hagons or Progressive?

Progressive rate springs are not a great idea IMO because it means that it's almost impossible to match the damping to the spring rate. Since it appears that Progressive doesn't sell straight-rate springs, I'd advise Hagon.

mlinder · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:47:14 PM »

Quote from: Syscrush on July 12, 2011, 04:34:43 PM

Quote from: 736cc on July 12, 2011, 02:35:00 PM
So, go for Hagons or Progressive?
Progressive rate springs are not a great idea IMO because it means that it's almost impossible to match the damping to the spring rate. Since it appears that Progressive doesn't sell straight-rate springs, I'd advise Hagon.

The progressive rate springs do help if you change your load often. I.E. passenger, luggage, etc.

jaguar · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:55:20 PM »

Ohlins can be found for around $500ish
Would think about running a 1 inch longer shock then stock too

Syscrush · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:12:49 PM »

Quote from: mlinder on July 12, 2011, 04:47:14 PM

The progressive rate springs do help if you change your load often. I.E. passenger, luggage, etc.

I don't buy it, but my position on it is really just based on studying damped oscillators in university physics, not real world experience putting miles on a bike with progressives. What I know on the theoretical side exactly matches the claims made here, though, and I can't see any reason why the theory and practice should be different:

Straight-Rate vs. Progressive

Also, pro-link type rear suspensions were initially developed with pretty aggressive progression curves, but over time they've tended to converge on pretty linear setups on modern bikes.

johnny · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:35:33 PM »

Big fan of the Hagons from Dave Quinn. I have 'em on my 350F.

nancy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:30:35 PM »

Are u guys mixing your springs? In my mind,...Progressive rate springs are a technology - not a brand. I have HYPERPRO brand "progressive wound" springs. Progressives,..or "Progressive brand"?
They are fabulous. But I'm biased as they cost me a lot!

mark

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:35:49 PM »

Crush, try to keep up here. We are talking about progressive as in the brand. Though progressive wound spring on the front DO help as many here will attest. They allow a better ride and reduce the stiction from the forks.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:05:59 PM »

Maybe a bit expensive but here's some new ones to check out....

http://www.gazisuspension.com/products.html

Deltarider · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2011, 03:44:34 AM »

KONI was excellent (in those days Mercedes-Benz first choice) and has always been known to give great service. After some 10 years of use I had one of mine rebuilt free. The original Dutch company is in foreign hands now and have changed the name in IKON. Dunno about their standards.

Syscrush · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2011, 04:35:23 AM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on July 12, 2011, 08:35:49 PM

Crush, try to keep up here. We are talking about progressive as in the brand.

I know. That's why I specifically said that it doesn't appear that Progressive offers a straight-rate spring on their shocks, which is why I suggested Hagons instead.

Quote

Though progressive wound spring on the front DO help as many here will attest. They allow a better ride and reduce the stiction from the forks.

You guys are gonna make me sound like TwoTired.

I don't see how it's possible for progressive wound springs to reduce stiction - there's no theoretical basis for it that I'm aware of it. Stiction in forks comes primarily from the potentially large side loads on the fork sliders, and that's not affected by the spring rate (since we're talking about 2 forces that are perpendicular to each other).

If you're claiming that progressive wound front springs result in more brake dive, I don't doubt it.

cb650 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2011, 04:44:47 AM »

I'm always suspicious of a place that lists a shock for a 350 and a 750. I know one company lists the same shock for a honda 350 as a 900. Way wrong answer.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2011, 05:14:22 AM »

Have you actually tried a bike with them? If not, how can you really say anything? It is easy enough to do a search here and find many threads where people used them and have liked them and described how they worked. I would suggest checking it out. You really can't quote physics when you have not examined the product yet.

brandEn · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2011, 12:20:27 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 12, 2011, 09:05:59 PM

Maybe a bit expensive but here's some new ones to check out....

http://www.gazisuspension.com/products.html

Those look NICE

News:

Author Topic: Best Shocks? (Read 15088 times)