rear shock White vs Ohlins vs Penske vs ?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by reg71, Sep 28, 2007.

  1. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    Let's talk rear shocks... I'm looking for an upgrade. After riding RWs bike and feeling it track like some kind of missile, I'm ready to upgrade the front and rear suspension on Scratch. He's running a Penske although I don't know which. What I'm looking for is bang for the buck.
     
  2. R.W.

    R.W. New Member

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    I'm running a Penske 8700 series that I got for $650.00 Reg, even found my old invoice...






    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2007
  3. nozzle

    nozzle New Member

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  4. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    I have an Ohlins S46HR1C1LS, best upgrade I have done. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the aftermarket shocks.

    This model has remote preload, remote reservoir, compression, rebound, and ride height adjustment. It was about $1100; I think they have one with an internal res and only rebound adjustment for around $800.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. chesthing

    chesthing New Member

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    I like the Penske I just bought, it corners great but I'm still searching for that magic carpet ride as far as bumps go - maybe I don't know how to adjust it very well.
     
  6. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    Is it sprung and valved for your weight and riding style?

    From there the first step is to set your static sag set correctly, then you can start experimenting with the damping settings.

    Have a look at this site for more information on suspension setup:
    http://www.sportrider.com/tech/motorcycle_suspension/index.html
     
  7. chesthing

    chesthing New Member

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    Thanks for the link. I bought it from Lindemann Engineering, I told them my weight and what bike it's for and they supposedly set it up pretty close. It's fine until I hit a big bump or dip - lots where I ride - and it's pretty jarring, but not near as bad as the original POS shock. I need to soften it up some.
     
  8. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    Soften up the high speed compression if it is a 3 way shock.

    Something to keep in mind, suspension is always a compromise. Making adjustments that help in one scenario are going to hurt in another.
     
  9. grayflare

    grayflare New Member

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    Dont know if you know it or not, but there is a group buy going on now for ELKA rear shocks for the VFR over at VFRD. Check it out if you would like to.
     
  10. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    hell yeah. that's what I'm goin for next time!

    cool. I may go check that out... I haven't heard of them but I'm sure I'll find out from the thread...
     
  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Reg - Traxxion sells Elka too - you could look at their sie as a starting point and go from there. Any aftermarket shock will be better than that POS stocker.

    - Once you do the rear - well - then the result will amplify how bad the front end sucks too.

    MD
     
  12. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    You forgot WP....;) Do I need to really get into this now..:biggrin:
     
  13. fotomoto

    fotomoto New Member

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    Currently I have a Wilbers triple clicker with remote reservoir: $720 on a group buy. I also have had a used penske and ohlins and they were both very good also.

    I personally think the triple adjustment is worth the extra coin.
     
  14. eddie cap

    eddie cap New Member

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    Good subject; I just put an HO 801 Ohlins on my y2k vfr. So far I have not done any real adjusting on the shock,however the bike seems more stable than it did with the stock unit. The shock has a spring preload adjuster and seperate rebound and compression adjustments. Jeremy what do you mean by a 3 way shock? Anyway the Ohlins seems to be built with alot of attention to detail and as far as I can tell quality seems first rate. Also another reason
    for buying the Ohlins was due to them having a good Tech Dept in the US.
    EDDIE
     
  15. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    3way:
    Rebound
    High speed compression
    Low speed compression

    vs 2way:
    Rebound
    Compression
     
  16. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    by all means. here's what I'm getting so far... 3 way is a little better than 2 way... The rear will be around $600-900ish. It's relatively simple to install (acc to local honda srvc dept anyway)

    will probably get front done first or at same time...

    couldn't really tell if it was happening or not as the last post I saw said something about not getting enough people or something like that. did it or is it happening?


    Oh great now yet another one to think about.... I need a graph....
     
  17. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    Brand | Price | Dealer (link) | # adj | Quality 1-5 | cust support

    Ohlins S46HR1C1LS | 1100 | ? | 3 | |
    Penske 8700 | $750? | ? | ? | | Elka | $670? | ? | 3? | |
    Wilbers | $650 | ebay? | 3 | |
    WP | | ? | 3? | |
     
  18. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    I can get you the Ohlins that I listed for $1050. I'll check with my partner for what prices would be on the others tomorrow.
     
  19. R.W.

    R.W. New Member

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    I'll check Monday to see if I can get you the Penske 8700 for $650.00...


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2007
  20. jeremy556

    jeremy556 New Member

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    If you can get a Penske with a remote res, 2 or 3 way for $650, that is the way to go for sure, I don't think I could touch that pricing. :yield:
     
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