Which shock absorbers?

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It is a complicated art , understanding suspension and learning how to properly tune , that why so few actually do it and good ones hard to find ...
to add, race setups do not cross over to the street well IMHO

(however your street might be very different than mine!)
 
Compression damping works with the springs and rebound against, so the compression damping has to be less than the rebound or you get a harsh ride and feel the bumps.

With the spring removed, there should be no resistance when damper is pushed inwards, but there should be resistance when pulled out. This is what controls the spring. Any deviation from the last remark the damper is knacked. If there is resistance on pushing, you probably have a cheap far east copy.
I've thrown a few dampers away because they were shot.
 
I copied part of these out of the Ducati owners manual, and part somewhere else. I find they are a good help.

Which shock absorbers?


Which shock absorbers?
 
These are IKON Albions, mounted yesterday. Much better match for Lansdowne front. Wanted to keep things stock looking and simple, I would recommend these to family and friends.
Which shock absorbers?
 
I think the Albions are USA only? Or at least they are not shown in the U.K.

Ikon have done this before. Perhaps they launch in the USA first?
 
These are IKON Albions, mounted yesterday. Much better match for Lansdowne front. Wanted to keep things stock looking and simple, I would recommend these to family and friends.
Which shock absorbers?
And my favourite colour to boot....
What is the reservoir with a drain attached to the right Z plate for.. ....engine breather??
 
They do look very ‘classic’ though, so if they offer genuinely good performance with classic looks then I’d say they’re onto a winner.

NPeteN please do give ‘em a good test and let us know your thoughts...
 
With the spring removed, there should be no resistance when damper is pushed inwards, but there should be resistance when pulled out. This is what controls the spring. Any deviation from the last remark the damper is knacked. If there is resistance on pushing, you probably have a cheap far east copy.
I've thrown a few dampers away because they were shot.
I never knew this I always thought that shocks had "some" compression damping?
 
I never knew this I always thought that shocks had "some" compression damping?

My original statement still stands as confirmed by Ducati's suspension tuning

Compression damping works with the springs and rebound against, so the compression damping has to be less than the rebound or you get a harsh ride and feel the bumps.

If I am wrong them I have 8 sets of rebuilt Koni shocks, 1 set of NJB's and 1 set of Progressive shocks that all have compression resistance ie damping ready to go in the bin.
 
Going over this thread, I should feel like an idiot to have spent almost 1000 Euro on shocks.
And my springs aren't even chrome plated..:(

Well, I’m not far behind you and neither my springs, or bodies, are chrome plated!

Personally, I do of course agree that not everyone wants or needs fancy shocks. However, you don’t need to be Rossy, or ride a super fast bike in order to be able to benefit from quality shocks.

I recently fitted Maxton shocks to my almost stock T140 and they TRANSFORMED the ride on that bike. To be honest, at the time I was looking around at Hagons and Ikons and other less expensive options and only fitted the Maxton’s because I took them off of another bike. But I am SO glad I did !

I think it was a journalist in Performance Bikes some years ago who wrote ‘spend your money on brakes, tyres and suspension. Sod the rest.’

A bit of an exaggeration perhaps, but I can see what he was getting at.
 
I recently fitted Maxton shocks to my almost stock T140 and they TRANSFORMED the ride on that bike. To be honest, at the time I was looking around at Hagons and Ikons and other less expensive options and only fitted the Maxton’s because I took them off of another bike. But I am SO glad I did !

What exactly was the difference that you noticed, and were the shocks that you replaced old and worn?

I ask because I have no real experience in determining if shocks are in need of replacement. What I have installed are Progressive from about 2005 and maybe 15000 miles. I replaced my old Koni's with them because they were leaking. I like the looks of these Albions and I'm willing to spend the 'modest' $350 if I'd experience an improvement. I just don't know what "improvement" means.

TIA
 
What exactly was the difference that you noticed, and were the shocks that you replaced old and worn?

I ask because I have no real experience in determining if shocks are in need of replacement. What I have installed are Progressive from about 2005 and maybe 15000 miles. I replaced my old Koni's with them because they were leaking. I like the looks of these Albions and I'm willing to spend the 'modest' $350 if I'd experience an improvement. I just don't know what "improvement" means.

TIA

Greater ability to absorb bumps without a jolting bottoming out. Lots of potholes where I live, the difference is very obvious. More stable, precise feel around corners in general. Handles bumpy bends at speed without wallowing, weaving, etc. There’s a fast uphill left hander near me, it’s easy for bikes to generally start to feel quite lively at 70mph + but the T140 feels rock solid as fast as it will go!

The shocks fitted previously were brand new Far Eastern Girling lookalikes.
 
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