Decent Rear Shock (Ohlins, WP, Showa etc etc)

[spacemonkey]

I'm after a decent rear shock for my '93 900, such as an Ohlins, WP, decent Showa or something like that.

Anyone got one or know where to get good deals? Would prefer new, or nearly new form a reliable trustworthy source.

I have done the usual net searches and have come up with £445 for an Ohlins. Does anyone know better?

Ta.

Nat, have you got any of your fancy shocks kicking about your vast garage?

[Trent]

Ohlins are probably the best, but are quite pricey...

Hagon shocks are made in the UK and are just as good quality (IMO), but they're cheaper because they don't have all the fancy adjustable gizmos (they only have spring and damping adjustment) that the Ohlins ones do.... and lets face it once it's setup correctly, unless it's a race bike, you're hardly going to be adjusting your shock settings every time you go for a ride!

Hagon will also build the shock to your requirements. IE Tell them how heavy you are, what load the bike will carry (Luggage, pillion etc) and they will select a spring to suit. (Obviously a 60kg person would require a different spring to a 80kg person who carries an 80kg pillion 90% of the time)

Also, if you're going to spend that sort of dosh on a rear shock, then you should throw some money at the forks as well... (Probably wouldn't hurt to look at them anyway... springs etc may be getting tired on a '93 bike)

Go the Hagon route and do both ends for the price of an Ohlins shock! Bargain!

Check them out... £255 inc VAT for a monster 900

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/main1st.htm

[spacemonkey]

I did the front end last year!!:yoparty:

[NattyBoy]

Nick..i might be coming by some more new 888 showas in about 3 weeks with remote reservoir etc that pedro and zimbo bought off me last year..cheap option (under £200),,otherwise rich at louigimoto will do you a blinder on ohlins (tell him I sent you!)

[spacemonkey]

Nat, if you can get the Showas for definite, then I'll hang on and take one off you. I'll definitely have it!!

:hail:

[NattyBoy]

OK mate - its one of those situations of only knowing what ive got when it arraives if that makes sense..so lets see what turns up ! In the menatime..get pedro to post some pics/details..they look cool !

Nat

[Zimbo]

Ohlins are probably the best, but are quite pricey...

Hagon shocks are made in the UK and are just as good quality (IMO), but they're cheaper because they don't have all the fancy adjustable gizmos (they only have spring and damping adjustment) that the Ohlins ones do.... and lets face it once it's setup correctly, unless it's a race bike, you're hardly going to be adjusting your shock settings every time you go for a ride!

Hagon will also build the shock to your requirements. IE Tell them how heavy you are, what load the bike will carry (Luggage, pillion etc) and they will select a spring to suit. (Obviously a 60kg person would require a different spring to a 80kg person who carries an 80kg pillion 90% of the time)

Also, if you're going to spend that sort of dosh on a rear shock, then you should throw some money at the forks as well... (Probably wouldn't hurt to look at them anyway... springs etc may be getting tired on a '93 bike)

Go the Hagon route and do both ends for the price of an Ohlins shock! Bargain!

Check them out... £255 inc VAT for a monster 900

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/main1st.htm

Hmmm I can't say I agree here, not much wrong with Hagon as a budget shock but it's not in the same class as Ohlins, WP, etc. The benefit of adjustability is that you're able to tailor the shock to your weight and riding style, Ohlins will supply the correct spring rate for your weight, they'll rebuild / refurbish the shock for you at a later date if required, and the damping characteristics are way better.

Another option, Technoflex??? Cheaper than Ohlins but good quality and fully adjustable etc.

[Trent]

Sorry Zimbo, given that I don't know this person, nor their riding style, where they ride etc etc, I stick by my advice.

Surely Zimbo, you wouldn't recommend a newly licensed learner rider go out and buy an Ohlins shock for their bike? That would be overkill and then some!

By the same token, I wouldn't recommend that Troy Corser put a Hagon shock in his WSB!

Thus my opinion is middle of the road, as is the shock, and most likely is suitable for many peoples riding styles / skills.
In my opinion, even a "budget" Hagon shock would be far better than the original 13 year old one!
Note that Hagon will also supply the correct spring rate, rebuild / refurbish the shock at a later date.

Acutually, I'm not sure which part of my post you disagree with. I never said that a Hagon shock was in the same class as an Ohlins. Obviously they aren't in the same class because they're not fully adjustable - Hence the price.
I said they are as good quality (meaning their build quality) as an Ohlins.

[Zimbo]

Ah, but Spacemonkey isn't a newly licenced rider, is he? And the advice asked for here was specific to him.
A hagon shock probably would be better than a worn out sachs unit, I agree. A Hagon shock would also suit many people's riding styles and skills, again I agree.
In this case, however, relating to an experienced rider who has already had the forks done, an Ohlins would be more suitable than a Hagon.

[CK & AK]

Zimob, I totally agree with you old chum (whoever you are!)

Hagon make a very good road shocker (damper) but they cannot offer a competition race shock absorber for the monster - having spoken to them at Ali Pali this year once again, they cannot offer a linear sprung rear shock absorber, they can only offer a progressive rear spring which is a road spring.

For a road spring, you are better off keeping your standard sachs one. It is good enough.

Ohlins have a far better adjustable system to the Hagon.

If you are Rossi - buy an Ohlins.

If not, keep your road one (or if shot, get another road one)

Just my 5p worth, but I dont know diddly wotsit.........

Alan
(currently 4 Ducati's in the garage - 2 of the race bikes, 2 of them road bikes)

[NattyBoy]

Old link..

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=11965&highlight=888+shock

[spacemonkey]

Thanks for everyones comments.
Trent i know where you're coming from and for what it's worth it makes sense. But I have been riding for 17 years now (gulp!) and on the Monster I have doen 30k+miles, none of which is at a pace to admire the scenery, hence why I want a fancy shock. Also I can afford it at the mo' so why not? I agree though for a normal rider the Hagon would be ok on the road. But i want something flash because I do. Same reason I want a 916. Cos I do.

Nat, I'm awaiting with baited breath. That'll be ideal if you get one. Luvverly jubbly...

[Pedro]

Nat, I'm awaiting with baited breath. That'll be ideal if you get one. Luvverly jubbly...

Space

you're almost certainly need to respring the Showa, unless you're a fat begger like me (15stone in my kit!). I think Nat will confirm most 888/851s were supplied with a pretty stiff spring hence it works ok with my lardy arse!

Ped

[spacemonkey]

I do like a firm rear end though, and my front end is pretty firm already. I don't want to bounce all over the place though....

I'll weigh myself in gear, though I'm only 10.5 stone in the buff. Was looking at Maxton shocks too, which I 'd probably go for if Delboy can't come up with the goods. Any ideas as to where I'd locate a spring for my weight?

[Zimbo]

Nat's shocks have a slightly unusual spring internal diameter at 59mm, my usual preferred spring supplier (K-Tech) supplies springs as 57mm ID so I had to look elsewhere. Fortunately WP springs are 59mm ID so will fit, you won't find one of the correct length and rate on the UK distributor's shelf so he'll need to order one from the Netherlands for you, cost around £60.

Another shock that looks good and is popular with a few of the DD lot is Nitron

http://www.nitron.co.uk/bike_shocks.htm

They do Race shocks, Road / Track shocks, and Road shocks. I wouldn't bother with the road shock, no independant compression and rebound damping, but the Track shock is remote reservoir and adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, and is supplied with a spring rate of your choice.
Cost is £379 plus VAT, not that different to Ohlins really price wise so I'd personally still prefer the Ohlins.
I would track down the Technoflex importer though and compare prices, they're comparable to Ohlins.

I would probably start by calling K-Tech, they're very helpful and know their stuff, I'm sure they could supply something to suit your requirements and budget, and their own kit is absolutely top quality.

[claicerrig]

Nat

Will these shocks fit my S4 and 16st lardy arse?

[NattyBoy]

They wont mate - just early models with the hoop...:mad:

Nat

[claicerrig]

AGHHHH well :cry: :cry:

[spacemonkey]

Does anyone know if the spring from my standard shagged shock would fit the 888 shock? It seems to suit me fine, it's just the damping that is shot.

[Zimbo]

You'll have to have a measure up, if it's a Nattyboy 888 showa shock then no it doesn't. A new replacement spring should set you back between £40 and £60 though, you'll need to measure the internal diameter and the unloaded length.

[Yorkie]

Maxton can rebuild a 888 shock to suit! I just got an 888 shock from Paynep, just need to fit it now to see how it feels before i mess around with it.

Lots more adjustment than the standard shocker though!! If it is okay i just need the spring powder coating red!!

Yorkie.