Rear Shock Advice Please

Hello, I need to buy a pair of new shocks for the Mk3. The existing Hagons are well past their use by date.
Any suggestions for reasonable quality budget shocks.

1. I am aware that I will get what I pay for
2. It's not a race bike
3. the roads around here aren't the best
4. the bike has 18" wheels so I was contemplating shocks 10mm longer than standard, to help stop the scraping. (what length are the originals supposed to be?)

Ive been quoted around $320 AUD for Hagon shocks

Your experiences are appreciated.

Regards
Graeme

Put a set of NJB shocks on mine 2 years ago. They are a little softer in the spring rate than std. Hagons and come with a variety of hard plastic sleeves to fill out the mounting eyes. So far they are fine if not state of the art and believe they are made in the Far East. They have a website http://www.njbshocks.co.uk/ but you would have to email for specials. Mine were stock 12.9" Commando with open springs.

Graeme,

For the money Hagon's are good, mine have a thicker piston shaft than the old Girlings they replaced. For more money you could look at Progressive or the correct for Commando Ikon shocks. Or for real money, something like Maxton or Falcon from the UK. If you go with a longer shock, probably should try n raise the front ride height as well, to balance the trail. 13 inch is standard I think?

Google Norton Commando Shocks

Cheers Richard

Hi Graeme

I have a set of Koni shocks on my Norton, they have been on the bike for 31 years now and still work great (I think they are Ikon now but could be wrong) they are rebuildable and handle very good when set up right (3 spring ajust and 5 damper ajustments) my bike has done alot of hard miles with these shocks and I couldn't have asked for better, I payed $245 for them 31 years ago which was a lot of money them days, but I think they have payed for thenselfs in that time.

Ashley

I took my advice and googled about rear shocks for commando, and came up with the usual Hagon and cheap eBay items. But there are two type of Progressive brand that come up, they have a 14 series conventional hydraulic and a 12 series that is gas with fat section at the top, so should fit nicely. They are offered at $145 for the fancy ones and about $89 for the conventionals. But you need to add their springs, as you have a choice of springs. Still the price is fair andf my experience of Progressive brand on my old Harley Shovel are impressive. They are well made and stout, and make the ride and handling on the old Harley very modern, she gives a few of the floro set a set a scare every now and then, specially with a stroked 84 cubic inches and some goodies.
If you were not interested in originality try the Progressive, or for original looks Hagon.

Hope this helps, Richard

I rate the Ikons very highly, and for similar money Falcon here in the UK do steel-bodied everything-adjustable shocks to your spec for around £250 (alloy ones around £350).
Their website isn't great for communicating with them, so it's a phone call, unfortunately.
I've got a set on the way, but it'll be a while before I can report on them.

I'm not a fan of the Hagon shocks to be honest. The NJB racing shocks are fine, and better value. I've never heard anybody say a bad thing about the Ikon shocks.

Here in Michigan our road suck. I have used many after market shocks to replace the Girlings that wore out. None were satisfactory. I put on a new set of Hagons this winter and it is the best ride I have had to date. Smooooooooth. I am 225lb and i have them the the bottom "lightest" setting.

I'll second the Ikons. Very much like the original Konis. Quality is quite good as is the customer service here in the US. Pricing is v ery reasonable, not cheap, not crazy expensive, even so all in all good value and wise money spent for these good perfomers,

JD