GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Suspension => Topic started by: BJ on Saturday, 15 April 2017, 04:45 PM

Title: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: BJ on Saturday, 15 April 2017, 04:45 PM
Ok guys I'm looking to upgrade my shocks. (Not overhaul)
To help me and others I'd appreciate some data. Many thanks in advance.
1 what went on your bike
2 when did you do it
3 how long did they last / how are they going
4 what did it cost
5 what's your rating out of 100 on how good they work
6 what are your thinking of trying next
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: gsxbarmy on Saturday, 15 April 2017, 07:14 PM
See my other response re front suspension.

You have a few choices depending on how deep your wallet is.

First option - get your rear suspension set up by a suspension specialist before changing it. You may find it works a lot better than you think if it is set up for you!
If not happy with that:
- Hagon Nitros - about £350 https://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/ these are pretty good, a good replacement for standard shocks (if yours have gone) and work as well as the standard shocks (when the standard shocks work properly). Many here have them fitted
- Ohlins - about £1,150 http://ftrsuspension.co.uk/ - go to FTR if you want these, they are the importers. Excellent shock, which you can set up in detail. Many here have them fitted.
- Wilburs - same comment as Ohlins, about £800 or so
- there is one other company similar to Ohlins and Wilburs that do a shock (Big Geordi has them on his 14) but buggered if I can remember their name at present.

Most opt for either Hagons, Ohlins or Wilburs though. Speak to someone like FTR in the first instance, they are very good and very helpful
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: Bigger Birdie on Sunday, 16 April 2017, 07:25 AM
+1 for the Hagon Nitros.

I had a pair put on Bertha at the tail end of last year, after SWHMBO complained of getting regular time out of the seat over the fen's many bumps.

Had them fitted at my local bike shop, glad I did as one of the top mounts was a cow to get off.

Total revelation in ride and handling. Now with damping to max and some preload adjustment to suit my personal preferences they're great.

100/100 for the money.

Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: ogrimark on Sunday, 16 April 2017, 09:13 PM
+1 for the Hagon Nitros.

I fitted them to blue and got the springs uprated and 25mm longer than standars shocks. took my time and set them up correctly and work a treat.  :cool:
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: V_i_c_i on Monday, 17 April 2017, 07:21 PM
+1 for overhaul OEM Showa

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg11.rajce.idnes.cz%2Fd1102%2F12%2F12446%2F12446888_9561a982a095abc282f96d3022cd433c%2Fimages%2FIMG_9507.jpg%3Fver%3D0&hash=f3ceccd2f2a159418794d3a4ea4e6eb2f11f1015)

What is bad on OEM Showa shocks in your opinion? In my opinion they are much better than most aftermarkets shocks.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: Basil Brush on Monday, 24 April 2017, 11:11 PM
Owned my 14 nine years now. Three sets...

OEM. Lasted about a month after I adjusted them - and sprang the oil leak from hell. I gave up.

Hagen Nitro's for 7 years. Excellent. Great build quality. Could not fault them.

Ohlins. Year before last I did a lot of hours at work - and I decided to treat myself. Not cheap. But, they look nice. I have the attitude - you cannot take the money with you.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: Big Geordi on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, 08:30 AM
You can't remember Mr B!!
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: Big Geordi on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, 08:34 AM
Nitron!!
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, 09:12 AM
Just as you posted.....I remembered.....senior moments BG how could I forget Nitron's!!
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 25 April 2017, 07:02 PM
BG, i agree. i cant see a need to replace my stockers after re do. if i was, your choice would be mine. the other model without piggy back, NTR, would be my choice. have spoken to aussie suppliers, gave me the rundown. 5 yrs wrty from memory. quality stuff without huge cash.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: kja on Wednesday, 26 April 2017, 03:00 AM
Hagon Nitro's, for the money they take some beating.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: ogrimark on Wednesday, 26 April 2017, 06:56 AM
Really like the look of the Nitros but can't find em on the website  :angry:
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 26 April 2017, 07:08 AM
Quote from: ogrimark on Wednesday, 26 April  2017, 06:56 AM
Really like the look of the Nitros but can't find em on the website  :angry:

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/search.aspx?keywords=Nitro

:onya:
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: grog on Thursday, 27 April 2017, 07:25 PM
quoted $1100 for nitron today, delivered. fully set to my weight, pillion weight. all instructions included. choice of spring colour. wilbers, same deal excep just under 2 grand. they survey your riding style, roads etc, set damping to it, then lots of adjustment on shocks.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: KoZi on Thursday, 04 May 2017, 05:05 PM
Those shocks are... amazing ! I have to "put down" some money for Hagon, Wilbers or Ohlins ...
But oem shocks in my gixx (after rebuild in 100%) aren't bad ... even on the track  :jack:
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 04 May 2017, 06:07 PM
I think the originals (in good condition) are easily and equal to many of the
less expensive aftermarket ones.

Plenty of upgrades if you have the $$$'s though.

Don't be fooled into thinking the factory Ohlins fitted to the XJR are "real" Ohlins
and they certainly not worth putting on a GSX.
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: KoZi on Thursday, 04 May 2017, 06:26 PM
Exactly, so on this time OEM Showa shocks are for me good option. I want to test Hagon, Wilbers or Ohlins on the track and see are they much better. On the road i think there wont be a lot of diferences.
I know that the XJR Ohlins aren't as good as aftermarket Ohlins for our gixx. But has anyone fitted CB1300 Showa shocks to gixx ?
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: grog on Thursday, 04 May 2017, 07:42 PM
where i live, 400 bucks to overhaul original showa, my choice. different spring can be fitted. hyperpro, wilbers. mine work fine. i dont know what improvement others would make, i dont have any problem. if i was to change, nitron would be choice. 1100 bucks, fully set to me, not just off shelf. my forks were much improved by suspension shop, wilbers springs n oil. set to me. my last post on shockies,
Title: Re: REPLACEMENT SHOCKS
Post by: DanGSX on Thursday, 04 May 2017, 09:08 PM
Hey,

Bought my bike with these already fitted to it: http://www.brooksuspension.co.uk/suzuki-gsx1400-yss-twin-shock-absorbers-01-21.html

Can't compare them against standard as I've never used OEM.