Emgo rear shocks ?

jsnorton · Nov 6, 2018

I have a 73 850 roadster that still has the original Girling shocks. After some restoration I rode it around in my yard and noticed the rear shocks seemed real soft going over some bumps. I assume the 45 year old shocks are just worn out.
Are the Emgo shocks that Andover Norton sells as a replacement for the Girlings, any good ? Has anyone used them and what are your thoughts about them replaceing an original Girling. My type of riding is just cruising with occasional twisties, highway riding and some country bumpy backroads.
Thanks for your help.

ashman · Nov 6, 2018

Everone has their shocks of choice I have been running Koni shocks on my Norton since 1979 and where only rebuilt 5 years ago for the first time after a oil seal blew, the rebuild kit from Ikon which is Koni shocks of old was only $40 and wasn't a hard job rebuilding, so my choice would be a new set of Ikon shocks, they might cost a bit more but will last a life time.

Ashley

RoadScholar · Nov 6, 2018

I agree with Ashley, and add that "you get what you pay for". My general advice is to purchase your suspensions components that are slightly overkill for your riding style/speed/environment. You have a lot of choices and a very wide price range; I'm sure that many members will share their experiences. I like Ikons and Works Performance, not sure if WP is still made, but they are advertised.

B+Bogus · Nov 7, 2018

I fitted Ikons (new Koni) to my first 850 and was very impressed by the ride quality. When I rebuilt the Combat I put some EMGO shocks on it and to be totally honest, I was impressed at how good they were!
Not in the same league as the Ikons, but a lot better than the price difference would indicate, and certainly fit for purpose.
If I was doing high mileages I'd consider Ikons. For the riding you describe, the Emgo are fine.

I can't vouch for how long the Emgos last, and they aren't rebuildable (as per the original Girlings), but they're a decent enough replacement.

Upgrades are a different subject, I guess... Putting the best shocks on the back very quickly shows up the limitations of the standard front end.

kommando · Nov 7, 2018

Emgo will definately be better than what's on there now and get you back to factory std, but they are basic and not rebuildable.

concours · Nov 7, 2018

I put new Emgo’s on, worked good, but, after 20K miles, were flopped out. I then bought Ikons. So, I spent a lot.

jsnorton · Nov 7, 2018

B+Bogus said:
I fitted Ikons (new Koni) to my first 850 and was very impressed by the ride quality. When I rebuilt the Combat I put some EMGO shocks on it and to be totally honest, I was impressed at how good they were!
Not in the same league as the Ikons, but a lot better than the price difference would indicate, and certainly fit for purpose.
If I was doing high mileages I'd consider Ikons. For the riding you describe, the Emgo are fine.

I can't vouch for how long the Emgos last, and they aren't rebuildable (as per the original Girlings), but they're a decent enough replacement.

Upgrades are a different subject, I guess... Putting the best shocks on the back very quickly shows up the limitations of the standard front end.

Are you saying the original Girlings are rebuildable......how so ? A new spring perhaps? Was there a kit to rebuild them? I'm just curious. Thanks for your help.

MexicoMike · Nov 7, 2018

Are the Ikons or Emgos better than the commonly fitted Hagons? If so, in what way? Better construction, more settings, etc?

kommando · Nov 7, 2018

jsnorton said:
Are you saying the original Girlings are rebuildable......how so ?

The Emgo's and Girlings are sealed and non rebuildable, if you try to get inside them you break them.

jsnorton · Nov 7, 2018

kommando said:
The Emgo's and Girlings are sealed and non rebuildable, if you try to get inside them you break them.

That was my thought as well .

kommando · Nov 7, 2018

MexicoMike said:
Are the Ikons or Emgos better than the commonly fitted Hagons?

Well depends on which Hagons as there are several versions available, I have a set with adjustable damping with the compression and rebound linked, so you increase both but there are simple dampers that match the Girling/Emgo. Koni's/Ikons have adjustable rebound with a set compression (but you can change the overall damping by changing the oil viscosity in a rebuild). The girling/emgos have a fixed compression/rebound damping but they are different damping rates, compression is less than rebound as compression is with the spring, rebound against the spring.

B+Bogus · Nov 7, 2018

jsnorton said:
Are you saying the original Girlings are rebuildable......how so ? A new spring perhaps? Was there a kit to rebuild them? I'm just curious. Thanks for your help.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, which has already been corrected by others. I was trying (badly, as it turns out...) to say the Emgo are the same as the Girlings in that neither are rebuildable...

jsnorton · Nov 7, 2018

thanks everyone for your help.

Fullauto · Nov 9, 2018

I have about 50,000 miles on my Ikons. They give superb comfort, are not affected by bumps to the point where I just don't give them any thought. You can't ask for much more than that.

davamb · Nov 11, 2018

Just fitted new Ikons to mine - after they refused to rebuild my 40 year-old Konis. One hell of an improvement!

lazyeye6 · Nov 14, 2018

After running a pair on Hagon shocks on my bike for 15 years I recently installed a new set of
IKON Albions, a newish model for retro applications. They are fully rebuildable and provided
with springs to suit the rider's body weight. They retail for $350. I have found them to be
a much better ride than the Hagon shocks.

Scooter62 · Nov 16, 2018

Anyone have experience with NJB shocks from UK? I think they can be ordered in various configurations.

Ray

Bernhard · Nov 16, 2018

kommando said:
The Emgo's and Girlings are sealed and non rebuildable, if you try to get inside them you break them.

Standard run of the mill Girling shocks are sealed and not re-buildable, however the matched pair of RACE shocks that they sold had a screw on nut at the top – so these could be taken apart!

It is the same situation with the cheap Hagons, non- re-buildable, the expensive ones at £300+ re buidleable.

baz · Nov 16, 2018

Scooter62 said:
Anyone have experience with NJB shocks from UK? I think they can be ordered in various configurations.

Ray

A mate of mine recently bought some njb shocks for his BSA cafe racer
When he got there the bloke weighed the bike with him sitting on it,he asked my mate if he rode solo then he made a set up to suit the bike
Hagons offer a similar service

MexicoMike · Nov 16, 2018

I've ordered a set of the Ikon Aluminum shocks/springs for my weight . They have to be made up but they assure me they will have them here before we leave for Mexico the first week of Dec. They are a Xmas present from my wife!

Emgo rear shocks ?

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