Which GSXR shock (again.....)

So is Hagon any good, they're not that expensive but is there a marked improvement and how do they compare to GSXR shocks?

Originally Posted by zunkus

So is Hagon any good, they're not that expensive but is there a marked improvement and how do they compare to GSXR shocks?

I've no direct experience of them, but when I was looking into which shock to opt for, one bike magazine (Ride, IIRC) recommended them more as a replacement for the stock shock for commuters when the stock shock wore out, than an "upgrade" as such. IIRC, they said there was a bit of an improvement over stock (but not enough to warrant the cost of fitting to a brand new bike, for example) and they lasted much longer before wearing out/needing a service as well as being cheaper than a replacement OE item, but then, even Penske and Ohlins are usually cheaper than brand new OE shocks

[yorkie_chris]

Hagon are rebuildable, never tried one though. Personally if I was going to spend that money I'd get a proper race shock or a revalved gixxer one.

[maviczap]

I've got a Hagon, but it replaced the stock shock. It is miles better, but I haven't set it up properly yet.

I've more problems with the front end, as I replaced the fork oil with 15w, which I've found to be too harsh for my puny 10st. Changing it to lighter weight over the winter & maybe a set of emulators.

Also bought the wrong type of GSXR shock off ebay, before I got the hagon

Originally Posted by zunkus

So is Hagon any good, they're not that expensive but is there a marked improvement and how do they compare to GSXR shocks?

They are good shocks, they sit very close to the GSXR swaps in handling if correctly set up but if you really want to get the best then a full race shock actually designed for the SV650 is the best option.

[timwilky]

I love threads like this, out come all the suspension gurus.

My advice, buy a shock designed for the bike. Otherwise you are always compromising.

You need to consider spring rate, displacement, compression and rebound damping rates etc. No setup will ever be perfect all of the time. However, done right it is an improvement on stock, done wrong and your dead.

Personally I would forget Gixxer/ZX shocks etc. I would never consider a second hand shock in the first place. Stick a hagon Ohlin etc on. yes expensive, but so is your life a 100 mph suspension bounce gone wrong is going to kick you off and hurt

Originally Posted by timwilky

buy a shock designed for the bike....

........I would forget Gixxer/ZX shocks etc.

+ 1, something I have been saying since the idea of a GSXR/ZXR swap came about. Yes a swap is a leap forward, but get a proper SV race shock and you take a bigger leap forward from the GSXR/ZXR swap.

[Paul the 6th]

but I've just bought a house 2 months ago and can't afford hundreds of pounds for an ohlins shock... and I don't race - I just want something a bit better than the spongey standard item (and I'm a heffer at 16.5 stone!)....

Then again I haven't actually ridden the bike in nearly 6 weeks, so it doesn't even matter all that much I guess

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

can't afford hundreds of pounds for an ohlins shock... and I don't race - I just want something a bit better than the spongey standard item (and I'm a heffer at 16.5 stone!)....

Hagon

[maviczap]

I sold my GSX750 when I bought my first house

So having kept your SV is a bonus, you'll find you'll have to compromise on buying top end stuff, but a 2nd hand GSXR/Zx shock will fit your pocket & improve on the rubbish OEM shock