Shock absorbers
Moderators: slparry, Gromit, Paul
Thanks guy's. I'll have a good look at them all. I'm not going to change the standard ones until the end of this year so I'll be able to have a good look at all the options. I'm doing a bit or work on the bike at the moment and have come up with a problem with the front brakes. I've posted a separate message.
Cheers
Cheers
BMW R1100S
Triumph Sprint ST 955
Triumph Sprint ST 955
I have EMC front (with softer spring than std) and Maxton rear (again with soft spring).
The EMC is fairly basic, one knob for damping, and twin c-spanner rings for pre-load. Does a good job though, and a reasonable price.
The Maxton is a non-remote version, and has separate compression and rebound adjustment. However compression adjustment is a shock off/ spring out affair. Rebound is easier. The pre-load is by twin c-spanner rings, but there is a lot of play on the threads, so as you tighten the locking ring down you end up adding a little more pre-load.
I have tried Fournales air springs, which were nice, although no damping adjustment available, but I could not lower the spring rate enough for my back pain. Good price though (£550 for both). I returned them to M R Holland for a refund as I was assured I could make them as soft as I wanted (you cant, as you would have to increase the volume of air). They may still have them as a used set.
I have had Ohlins in the past and they were nice but overpriced.
The nicest I have had is Penske. I still have the rear unit, and have had it changed to fit different bikes, but decided to try Maxton on the R11S. Penske have the easiest pre-load adjuster of any unit (except for remote pre-loaders - added expense) using just a single ring with locking grub screws. All you need is a 2.5mm allen key, and this 4 inch long rod they give you.
If I change bikes or rear shock again I will go back to the Penske.
The EMC is fairly basic, one knob for damping, and twin c-spanner rings for pre-load. Does a good job though, and a reasonable price.
The Maxton is a non-remote version, and has separate compression and rebound adjustment. However compression adjustment is a shock off/ spring out affair. Rebound is easier. The pre-load is by twin c-spanner rings, but there is a lot of play on the threads, so as you tighten the locking ring down you end up adding a little more pre-load.
I have tried Fournales air springs, which were nice, although no damping adjustment available, but I could not lower the spring rate enough for my back pain. Good price though (£550 for both). I returned them to M R Holland for a refund as I was assured I could make them as soft as I wanted (you cant, as you would have to increase the volume of air). They may still have them as a used set.
I have had Ohlins in the past and they were nice but overpriced.
The nicest I have had is Penske. I still have the rear unit, and have had it changed to fit different bikes, but decided to try Maxton on the R11S. Penske have the easiest pre-load adjuster of any unit (except for remote pre-loaders - added expense) using just a single ring with locking grub screws. All you need is a 2.5mm allen key, and this 4 inch long rod they give you.
If I change bikes or rear shock again I will go back to the Penske.
JiVeBiKeR
Whatever happened to Cherry Jubblies?
Whatever happened to Cherry Jubblies?