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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 05:26:07 AM

Title: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 05:26:07 AM

Hi, my wife had been complaining about the hard ride on my K1100rs, and with good reason, the original 24yr shock is terrible! The good news is that gives me the green light to fix up the bike with a nice new shock. I’m considering all options but need some advise in terms of quality vs value.


I’m looking for: No leaks, plush ride and not wildly expensive unless it’s really worth it. Are piggyback/remote gas shocks much better? Will I need to remove ABS to fit?


I am prepared to go all out with an Öhlins piggyback shock if it really blows all the others out the water. This one here is £870 ($1240) [size=78%]https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F382299527556 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F382299527556)[/size]
This actually appears good value as the same one is listed on BSK for £1500!!!


Next up is Wilbers piggy back shock - £513 ($730) [/size][size=78%]https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F121941448551 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F121941448551)[/size]


Then non-piggyback shocks  there are a bunch: Wilbers £394 ($561), Bitubo £416 ($592) Hyperpro £400 ($570) Hagon £367 ($523) Ram £360 ($512) and down at the bottom is YSS £242 ($345)


If they are all as good as each other I’d go for the YSS, but if there is a real significant difference in quality/ plushness then I’ll get anything in this range. I hear gas shocks are better than emulsion.


Your thoughts/experiences are much appreciated.


All the best, Jon

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Laitch on February 01, 2018, 06:42:43 AM

Quote from: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 05:26:07 AM

. . . if there is a real significant difference in quality/ plushness . . .

Define plushness. Is that like a La-Z-Boy recliner, a Tempur Pedic mattress, a heated waterbed, a down-filled davenport surrounded by fan-waving minions, or something else?

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 08:28:54 AM

Ah here come the similes again!!!   :eek:  Whatever is plush enough to keep the lady’s derier happy. I guess the seat is not exactly off a laz-y-boy so I don’t expect miracles but just to smooth over the bumps from the heavily used-and-abused London roads.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Chaos on February 01, 2018, 10:03:29 AM

I'd call the good people at one of the suppliers and let them know your requirements.  Usually they can customize a shock for you weights, riding style and preferences.  Everyone here is balls out corner carving yeee-haw crazy death wish maniacs, may not be the best place to ask about spousal comfort.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on February 01, 2018, 03:49:59 PM

check out the YSS distributors in the U.K.  They allegedly custom build shocks for damping and spring rate.   I just bought one for my K100RS 16V, but haven't had a chance to use it yet as the roads are still a bit too salty.   

It's a replacement for an old Fox Twin Clicker that got destroyed in an accident.  That shock isn't made anymore, but they are available on the net from time to time.  Last year I bought a used Twin Clicker for my K75RT for $150 and had it rebuilt for something like $100.  It is very adjustable, and gives a very plush ride with good control.  It is the one thing I miss most from the accident that wrecked my K100.   I am still looking for another Twin Clicker just in case I don't like the YSS.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Scott_ on February 02, 2018, 07:46:34 AM

I do a fair amount of riding with my SO and the best thing I did for her comfort was the seat....
I have 2 bikes(both LT's so more of an upright seated position), 1 with a Realm shock and the other has an Ohlins with the remote pre-load adjuster.
I did some experimenting with seats(2x Russel, 2x Corbin), and shocks(Ohlins, Realm, Fox Twin clicker) and the final result was the Russel Day-long seat that kept her but-o-meter in the happy zone. Didn't matter what bike it was on or what shock was used.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Laitch on February 02, 2018, 08:04:00 AM

Quote from: Scott_ on February 02, 2018, 07:46:34 AM

. . .  the Russel Day-long seat that kept her but-o-meter in the happy zone. Didn't matter what bike it was on or what shock was used.

+1

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on February 02, 2018, 09:01:12 AM

+1 on the Russell Day Long.  It's the La-Z-Boy of motorcycle seating.  Best thing I ever did for my long range escape module.  The BMW comfort seat is a an okay second choice.

With due regards for the members here who live in the great middle section of North America, the Russell seat is the only thing that makes the thought of crossing Iowa and Nebraska on I-80 not terrifying.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: JonnyB on February 02, 2018, 09:02:36 AM

Interesting, those seats are pretty steep though - £615 ($870) for the Corbin (Seems to be double the price in the US) Russel also don't live this side of the pond. There are companies here I can enquire about having the seat rebuilt, but regardless a new shock would be a simple and more affordable option, for now.

Does anyone know if a piggyback/remote cylinder is any better than a standard straight shock? I guess I should consider doing the front as well at some point. Thinking of a USD convesion further down the line, although that will require much more thought.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Skunky on February 02, 2018, 06:05:23 PM

As a cheaper option a bag of Doughnuts a day will soon increase comfort, but will affect the rear shock and no doubt handling.   :hehehe

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Laitch on February 02, 2018, 06:45:19 PM

Quote from: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 08:28:54 AM

Whatever is plush enough to keep the lady’s derier happy. I guess the seat is not exactly off a laz-y-boy so I don’t expect miracles but just to smooth over the bumps from the heavily used-and-abused London roads.

Quote from: JonnyB on February 02, 2018, 09:02:36 AM

I can enquire about having the seat rebuilt, but regardless a new shock would be a simple and more affordable option, for now.
Thinking of a USD convesion further down the line, although that will require much more thought.

What happened to this being all about her comfort? (https://imgfast.net/users/4211/29/48/93/smiles/177381.gif)

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Skunky on February 02, 2018, 07:14:02 PM

I have piggyback gas shocks on my Thruxton but I can't honestly say if its much better than the normal shocks. In fact two up they were quite hard. I think the key is making sure they are adjustable for loading up, other than that any shock should be an improvement on the old one. Motobins sell the Hagon in the UK and BMW Motorworks sell progressive spring conversions as well as the Hagon and Ohlin. As for the seat you could get it rebuilt or I have a 1990 K100LT dual seat which you would be welcome to.

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Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Scott_ on February 03, 2018, 08:30:22 AM

No one really said you had to buy a NEW seat..... I bought both of mine used.. less then 1/2 price.
Keep your eyes open, they will be out there.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Filmcamera on February 03, 2018, 08:42:35 AM

I got a Russell low seat super cheap so they do exist for sure

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on February 03, 2018, 09:31:52 AM

I paid $125 for my current Russell.  The deals are out there.

Be aware that any Russell seat for a K75, K1100, or post 1985 K100 will work.  The seat on my k75RT came off of a K1100LT.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: CNRED on February 03, 2018, 10:13:19 AM

I've got one for sale as we speak. $150
If interested send me a message I'll send you a pic.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: jay1622 on February 03, 2018, 11:04:44 PM

Quote from: JonnyB on February 01, 2018, 05:26:07 AM

Hi, my wife had been complaining about the hard ride on my K1100rs...

For my rebuild I went with the following from Ted Porter’s Beemer Shop. I’ve been very happy with it for both single and two riders...

CodeProduct Quantity Total

131-0016-00 (http://www.motobrick.com/tel:131-0016-00)

TFX 131 SHOCK / Rebound, High & Low Speed Comp. & Manual Pre-Load Adjust // K75S '85-'95

1

$959.00

MODEL: 1988 K75S[/t][/font] ODOMETER: 52,000 miles[/t][/font] RIDERWEIGHT: 240 lbs[/t][/font] PASSENGER: 25PERCENT[/t][/font] PASSWEIGHT: 125 lbs[/t][/font] LIGHTLUGG: 10 lbs[/t][/font] HEAVYLUGG: 60 lbs[/t][/font] HEIGHT: STOCK[/t][/font] STYLE: TOUR[/t][/font] ESA: NO[/t][/font]

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: JonnyB on February 05, 2018, 06:42:27 AM

That TFX shock looks very nice indeed. I think I'm headed towards the Wilbers shock but with the remote gas cylinder, the piggyback one apparently doesn't fit with ABS.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kmkAAOSwg0BZ3NSj/s-l1600.jpg)
It looks great and has a 5 year warranty which certainly raises an eyebrow. I get the feeling the Ohlins won't perfom any better but will only add bling value and the convenience of the pre-load adjuster. Somehow buying a rear shock for almost as much as I paid for the whole bike seems hard to get my head around. Either way, I'll have to wait a months till I can actually afford it.

Quote from: Laitch on February 02, 2018, 06:45:19 PM

What happened to this being all about her comfort? (https://imgfast.net/users/4211/29/48/93/smiles/177381.gif)

I'm considering stripping her down to make a nice custom, probably in a year or 2, then maybe get a Sprint GT or something for touring. I would look at something like a zzr1400 USD front end, as the suspension travel is similar 120mm vs 130mm for the k11, although it is a bit shorter 750 vs 800, so would need to lower the back end slightly as well, but I'm guessing comfort would be at least similar as long as travel is similar and it's all adjusted properly.

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: Snowman on February 07, 2018, 11:19:35 PM

I have a Laam seat and a Ram shock from the UK. The shock was $325 to my door, custom built for rider & passenger weight.
(https://get.google.com/albumarchive/100970010546840150592/album/AF1QipNikeFxbbt5AMs5RAHG320dDxrBrTg9lnEA9ezM)

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: 850Commando on February 14, 2018, 07:08:52 PM

Hi.. I just fitted a RAM shock from BSK and I'm really pleased with it..

Title: Re: Best replacement shock for happy passengers
Post by: blackie1 on February 15, 2018, 01:45:13 AM

I too will vouch for the Ram shock from bsk
fitted to my former K1100LT
plenty of adjustment
took me a little while to dial it in
well priced and an amazing improvement compared to the spongy old OEM shock it replaced