I've got a honda shadow vlx 600cc, with a hitchhiker sidecar. I think I need a new rear monoshock for my bike but would like a new one that can handle a heavier load better(suggestions?). And my sidecar shock is a mark III air shock. I don't want an air shock though(once again open to suggestions). Sick of my bike bottoming out so horribly. And I'm afraid the rear tire will start rubbin swing arm soon.
Once upon the time I used Koni from Netherland and was happy with it for 115.000km and the next owner continued to use them until 175.000km on a CB650 Solo.
Myself I would try to find self pumping and adjusting air shocks like the ones that the old time Kawa Z 650 had. After a few meter height and damping were allways perfect.
Just a thought.
Sven
As I understand, the workings of Koni motorcycle shocks are now with Ikon Suspension of Australia, with a USA importer in San Francisco: http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/ We have used Ikon products on 2 rigs thusfar with excellent results -- the spring rate can be requested. Contact Dave Gardner at ikonusa@gmail.com -- maybe he can help.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Thank ou very much, Lee.
I was wondering what happened to Koni for a long time. The shocks for my CB650 did cost me 340 DM back in 1984, that were 206$. now they are 380$, that is a difference of 84%, about 6,4% inflation per year.
That is not too bad if I take into account that the original Honda Shocks would have been 280DM and maximum lasted 35.000km before they turned into something really dangerous, while the Konies lasted 175.000km
When my Jawa and Ural will need shocks I will have now a real option to go with.
Sadly there is no option offered for the KLR650 Monoshock.
once again thank You very much.
Now I am interested if the self inflating airshock like the one of the Kawa Z650 are still built by somebody. those were great and fool proof as they pumped up to the exact height even with different loads and adjusted damping too, although I have no reference how long they lasted.
Who has insight?
Sven
I like running progressive brand shocks, not as they are really all that great of a shock, but because they work well and are a good value. I have not worked with your bikes rear shock but on some other mono shock rear bikes we often will keep the stock shock and simply put a stronger spring on it as this often offers good value. But if your shock is already bad this is not going to be much of an option for you.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Thank You Jay for the tip.
I do not want to hitchhike Sam's tread.
The KLR has only 15.500 miles and should last quite a bit more. Only thing is, as I live in a strange place (tropics with horrible spare service) I allways like to have a sorce for spares already explored. Or like with the Ural I import it together with half of its value in spares I expect to need for a couple of years. Same with all other equipment and valves I sell. Valve type sold, set of seals and spares that will be put on the shelf although it might sit there over 20 years. I just want to be prepared for the bad moments.
Sven
Hi Sven. The KLR rear shock is one of the bikes we go with the stiffer spring. It really helps. The KLR requires a special spring compressor to install the spring, For our USA based customers we have them send us in their shock, we then install the spring and ship it back. We do not charge to install the spring, shipping the shock back is not much more money then just shipping the spring so all they are really out is the cost of shipping us the shock and the down time while it is in transit as we usually ship the shock back out the day it comes to us. We keep these springs in stock, they are made by progressive suspension and sell for $85
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Thank You Jay, I will come back to you some day in far or not so far future.
Sven
