Hagon V Original Confusion

[Chappers]

To be fair they did ask my weight etc, shocks were already on the bike when I bought it and I don't think the last owner was the kind of guy who would buy cheap off ebay. It was JHS that I took it to.

Wow surprised and disappointed in JHS then. No doubt the "guy" was trying to sell you a set of Ohlins or similar.

Only other shop (and GSX1400 owners in the past have used these guys before with great results) is Steve Jordan motorcycles in Surrey, but it is about 100 miles each way from you

http://www.stevejordanmotorcycles.co.uk/

I think it was the boss, looks like he had a nasty leg injury in the past, also told me how poor the BT023 were that are fitted !!!

[Notty]

[/quote]

I think it was the boss, looks like he had a nasty leg injury in the past, also told me how poor the BT023 were that are fitted !!!
[/quote]
His attitude is explained simply -He must have had Hagons on when he crashed 

[Speedy1959]

Some people talk bollocks - seems you have found one.

LOL Notty..
I do like your sense of humor

[Chappers]

I think it was the boss, looks like he had a nasty leg injury in the past, also told me how poor the BT023 were that are fitted !!!
[/quote]
His attitude is explained simply -He must have had Hagons on when he crashed 
[/quote]

I like that  but that's not all, he also criticised the original brake callipers, they're shite too even though they've had a complete refurb by PowerhouseUK, and the same about the Pazzo levers, i kid you not.

[KiwiCol]

I wouldn't go near the place, how could you trust your bike to someone like that? The guy is a complete asshole, & won't be in business long with an attitude like that.

[Hooli]

He sounds like an utter bellend to me.

[GSXKING]

I'm sorry I've come to this a little late. I agree that suspension is definitely a "Dark Art". There are suspension only shops around and word of mouth drives most of their business. I'm sure if they get a bad wrap it circulates quickly.

Now, I've only ever had standard shocks and rebuilt them when required. I'm lucky I have a local guy "RADS" normally only does industry work i.e. for bike shops only. Last service he said everything had worn out or perished so it was basically a new set of shocks. I checked the sag of bike, then with rider and I get roughly 35 mm. As I've gotten older    my settings have become more plush. I ride most of the time with Bobbie as pillion and she has never complained about the ride feel.

I've probably spent the equivalent of a new set of aftermarket shocks over these 21 years, although I have no complaints about the standard shocks.

I have said many times a GSX1400 will do a bit of every style of riding more than adequately. 

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I've used RADS for my bmw shocks, top service, very knowledgeable.

[Irish in Oz]

I contemplating on a new set of rear shocks are Ohlin's any good, an old mate of mine is a technician for them and I know he will say the rest are rubbish.

[Andre]

I contemplating on a new set of rear shocks are Ohlin's any good, an old mate of mine is a technician for them and I know he will say the rest are rubbish.

I had saved up for Wilbers shocks (Typ 633 Competition S Blackline). Ohlins were a no-go for me because I don't like their color scheme  Price were very much the same. Emphasis is on were because now, 2 years later, the Wilbers are 325 € (1800€) more than Ohlins.

When I was ready to buy I started looking at YSS shocks (RG362-335TRCL-07-X). I really liked the easy availability of all parts necessary for a rebuild. Just 2 services and I got the money (525€) back I paid for them, nitrogen setup, and rebuild kits (even though it is not necessary to rebuild them every service). Made a couple calls to their R&D Europe for some technical questions. Experience was pleasant. They were very forthcoming with information.

Final decision to go the less expensive route was helped by the posts of a former Superbike mechanic (1990 - 1993 with Honda, 1994 - 2000 Suzuki). He claimed that he knows a bit how a suspension ought to function. His take was that the YSS build quality is surprisingly high and the shocks respond very well to the various settings.

He says that the Wilbers and Ohlins are likely better than the YSS and if you want to spend the money on them you are doing the right thing. However, his riding ability and the charakteristics of the GSX1400 on public roads preclude taking advantage of Wilbers and Ohlins.

He also used the same fork springs (Wilbers progressive) and fork oil viscosity as myself. He also had the same rider weight as me. So I copied his settings for fork and YSS-shocks.

I made 3 modifications to the shocks:

1. heavy duty bearings (imo more suitable for the bike/rider weight class).
2. higher rated springs (30+ € a pair). Now the same rate as the offically (Germany) certified ones for the 14.
3. covered the piggies with 3M wrap film (glossy black) as to not offend my eyes and cater my unwillingness to advertise.

I paid particular attention to the proper (imo) alignment of the shocks.

I never had a near perfect (imo) tire wear as now.

I don't know anything about the Hagon shocks. Above is intended to show that less expensive shocks can be a more than adequate alternative to Ohlins and Wilbers.

[KiwiCol]

Top man Andre!   

[grog]

As usual Andre, very good. Wilbers progressive in my forks, such a good change. Ohlins piggy backs, reckon they are around $2700 Australian. That is serious stupid money, Wilbers hardly any better, if at all. So glad my rebuilt stockers are good enough for me.

[Hooli]

I'm always surprised people upgrade the suspension so much on 14s, I've never had a problem with the stock stuff.
The xgayr ohlins I had for years where too soft and bouncy though.

Guess it depends how you ride and what you're used too.

[Andre]

Guess it depends how you ride and what you're used too.

Hooli is right

[Tony Nitrous]

I'm always surprised people upgrade the suspension so much on 14s, I've never had a problem with the stock stuff.
The xgayr ohlins I had for years where too soft and bouncy though.

Guess it depends how you ride and what you're used too.

A set of (proper) Ohlins would be more than I paid for my bike.

Then I'd need to do the front, the brakes, the tyres, the tank and engine cases, the noisy 3rd gear...... it'd start a chain reaction I can't afford.