Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Shocks advice please

Hi all, yesterday it was a beautiful autumn day here in Aus so me and the bro in law took advantage on Easter monday for a little ride near our place here's the map
So off we go and everything is fantastic until I get onto the minor road where it says "Belmont Forrest" heading to Gunning . Well what is it with these standard shocks. It was almost embarrassing to see my mate on his Triumph Sprint zooming along at 140K's no probs at all, and here I am getting hammered by all the bumps in the road and feeling like I'm on some 2nd rate bike made in India. So my question is, can someone give me some advice on what are the best shocks they know to replace these absolute shockers that come stock. I've already emailed Ikon who make shocks here in Aus here's their link so does anyone think these are alright? And while we are at it, the front fork suspension wasn't too flash either. What is it with these bikes. It's getting to the point where I'm replacing everything but the motor, and that'll get some work done to it later. Anyway, Forks. I here that the springs can be changed for better one's and also the oil. Can anyone give me advice on those too. I would really appreciate this cos I'm going up the back road North to Brisbane soon and need this sorted. Thankyou for any advice

Here are two of the best:
Progressive 440 IAS You need part number #440-4214 & comes in four styles. The spring rate on these is 120lb to 170lb. If you don't weigh much, it appears #440-4235 is rated a bit lower & fits our bike. You can get the polished aluminum for US$399. If you want to save a few bucks, even the 412 Series are a worthy upgrade from stock.

Work's Street Trackers The chrome dual rate shock with threaded pre-load will set you back US$529, but if you tell him your an AMA member, you get 10% off. Work's cost more, but they build the shock for your weight & riding style. If you don't like how they feel, you got 30 days to send them back & have spring & valving adjustments done.

Both are fully rebuildable.

I've been deciding for awhile myself and finally settled on the Work's, mainly because I prefer the look of the shock & know I can get any adjustments need after I beat them up at the GA Rally.

BTW: the Work's fork springs are dual-rate (actually two separate springs) & seem like a good match, but they are 2X the cost of Progressive's; so I'll probably just go with the Progressives up front.

thanks Kurt for all the work you put in. I appreciate it and will look into your suggestions. Btw I really like the look of the Street Trackers -w- Billet Cups & Chrome Springs.

As far as price, well I'd rather wait a little longer saving than get some that weren't as good. thanks again buddy

Have you considered the Hagon shocks out of Britian? I'am thinking of these myself.They come with a two year warranty and are rebuldable.Also the prices here in the USA seem ok. I put the Icon dual rate springs in the forks and they do seem better. The rear shocks are not tooo good especially with 28,000 like I got on them.

I bought the Progressive 412's for my America; very pleased with the difference between stock. Rides like a cadillac with two wheels now haha....

Lee

I want the progressive 440 for my ride. I like the easy no sweat adjustability of the thing. That in and of itself seems the primary selling point.

Gidday Ian, Lee and Kevin, thanks for the info fellas. I've been talking to street bike shocks about the Steel trackers with Duel rate suspension, ARS and also with 2 extra Billet Dress Spring Cups on lower (shaft) ends. here they are and we are still discussing costs. Anyway they aren't cheap and with the exchange rate and shipping I will be looking at $700+ AU which in anyone's language is big money. As I fully intend keeping but improving my speedie, I would prefer to spend a little bit more money if it means I can appreciate every little improvement I do.

So Ian, I looked at the Hagons and thanks for the tip, not sure about them though but it's all about choices. Your experience with Ikon now makes me question them as a option and also I emailed them 2 days ago and havn't had a reply yet. Heh, they are only a couple of hundred K down the road yet the guy in California at work's performance has emailed me 3 times. Isn't the internet the best thing? Doesn't say much about the Aussie company though which I'd prefer to support if they were competitive?

Anyway, Lee, thanks for giving me your experience on the prog'412's. It's great to hear your's travel nice along the road and it's this type of info I'm after. Just one other thing, I've never talked to a fair dinkum cherokee indian before. I reckon that's great and another thing I like about this forum, thanks again.

Kevin you're anothey one that likes the progressives and it seems most on this forum are almost unanimous that these are a really good shocky. So now it will get down to money and performance. I've asked the mob at works performance to explain how much better duel rate springs are compared to progressives. here's a blurb on them but It would be good if others had experience to say something like, "heh man, I've had progressives and duel rate's and the duel rate one's are superior etc because etc" blah blah blah just so I can be certain the extra money is worth it. By the way the the works are all rebuildable and they have a great warranty.

So thanks again guys, I'll let you know how I go and maybe others might chime in here with their experiences, as I reckon the rear suspension is a pretty important purchase.

staffo

sorry about the war and peace novel length of this one

What about fork springs? I'd like to get a set to bring with
me to GA, so I can get somebody whose done the change to help
me. I didn't see them on Brent's site. Where should I get 'em?

Charles, Kurt said before:

"BTW: the Work's fork springs are dual-rate (actually two separate springs) & seem like a good match, but they are 2X the cost of Progressive's; so I'll probably just go with the Progressives up front" so you might want to look at those like these progressives or these works one's just to start with at the bottom left side of the column

I'm just starting with the rear shocks to begin with and later I'll look at the front. Wish I was a millionaire

welcome. I just put em out there cause the price is right and so far quality is good but have only had em a year now. Be sure to ask for exactly what you want if you do go Hagon. They will make them as stiff or soft as you want and any length you want. As well as style and color choice. I know when I got mine I didn't know how stiff they should be so I described the weight they would carry and kind of riding and road surface they would be used on and they pretty much hit it right on the head.

gotcha. guess what, progressive have a distributor in aus which might make them cheaper. dunno yet. All I really know is that progressives seem to be the most popular and Lee loves them. I'll now go back into all the other threads and look for comments there. thanks all

if you have the money go for the 440's, they have a great warentee and an ias shock which makes for a very nice ride

Frank

Could be your float setting - or an extremely dirty air filter. When was the last time it was cleaned?

Yeah Frank the 440's are a nice shocky no doubt about it. Have you got them yourself or another brand? I'm just interested how the pre-load is adjusted. here's the site and would really like to see a diagram or something just for interest. They mention it is a simple twist of your wrist which is fantastic compared to stock for instance but the diagram doesn't show it. Anyway I'm still saving which gives me time to do more researching on the web and even better to learn from other's experiences. I also need to be convinced that whichever way I go, the money spent is worth it compared to stock. I don't think there will be any uncertainty here but would just like some more opinions from others before making my decision cos these aren't a cheap item that's for sure. Also I'm toying with the idea of going an inch shorter to lower the back. I realise this may compromise comfort a bit but how much? I reckon for me it would look great but what will it be like to ride with? These are the questions I'd really like answered before paying the big bucks. FYI, Ikon got back to me on a pair of black numbers which isn't what I'm after and delivered were asking over $600Au. Certainly cheaper than getting from OS but have heard some bad reports. I've also just been reading about the Hagons on the miscellaneous thread and they are another option These look different but have something about them I actually like. It gets back to how they perform though which ultimately is the most important factor, then looks. Decision Decisions. Thanks for your opinion buddy.

yes i have them, perform great and the ride 2 up is where you notice even more. to adjust you just grab and turn, that easy. expensive yes but after haveing them and knowing i can have them rebuilt i feeel they are worth every penny

Frank

thanks for that. the progressives 440's are looking good

You won't be sorry with the 440's

I gotta pull the trigger on some Progressives one of these days. These stock constant spring rate shocks are like riding on a two wheeled Mack truck with humpback springs.

Fast Eddy shows what appears to be an excellent deal on the 412s. I'd like to spring for the 440s, and they're probably worth every penny on the spine and the ride handling, but phew - that price. Not for po' boys like me.

Well, the people from Works' Performance came thru quickly and had my shocks completed and at my doorstep with in 9 days. Here's pic of the Street Tracker's I put on. I bought the chrome with adjustable pre-load. The transition point from soft to firm is also adjustable by removing small collars that sit below the pre-load adjustment.
I also installed a set of Works Dual rate front springs.
Huge difference!! It felt like someone else's bike at first.

edited

Post deleted by dardoonk

I put it there for you. Your file had the qualifier on the end. I wanted to check out the pic, and since I had it up I posted it for you.

The file string has to end with .jpg or other approved file type without the "t=1177300427".

I can edit it out if you like...

BTW- nice springers, man.

thanks, and thanks for help with the pic too. I didn't realize that was on the end of the string. You can delete the picture you posted if you want.

Just read your original post Staffo.

I changed the stock shocks recenly for a pair of Ikons, and found a huge difference in ride.

At the same time, I also replaced the front springs with Ikons (much stiffer, but not harder ), so the combined changes made the overall ride so much more comfortable.

Quote:

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Hi all, yesterday it was a beautiful autumn day here in Aus so me and the bro in law took advantage on Easter monday for a little ride near our place here's the map
So off we go and everything is fantastic until I get onto the minor road where it says "Belmont Forrest" heading to Gunning . Well what is it with these standard shocks. It was almost embarrassing to see my mate on his Triumph Sprint zooming along at 140K's no probs at all, and here I am getting hammered by all the bumps in the road and feeling like I'm on some 2nd rate bike made in India. So my question is, can someone give me some advice on what are the best shocks they know to replace these absolute shockers that come stock. I've already emailed Ikon who make shocks here in Aus here's their link so does anyone think these are alright? And while we are at it, the front fork suspension wasn't too flash either. What is it with these bikes. It's getting to the point where I'm replacing everything but the motor, and that'll get some work done to it later. Anyway, Forks. I here that the springs can be changed for better one's and also the oil. Can anyone give me advice on those too. I would really appreciate this cos I'm going up the back road North to Brisbane soon and need this sorted. Thankyou for any advice

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thanks for the info on the ikon's Tony. I think whichever way I go it will make quite a bit of difference. I will be going for a ride with a few mates up to Byron bay in 5 weeks, going the back way through Oberon, old putty etc all using all back roads and very little of the Pacific. I would want some by then so have to make my mind up soon. I'm really edging towards the works springs here they are cos they have given me a good deal if I accept it. thanks for your reply though