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Old 20-10-18, 08:54 PM   #1
Adam Ef
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Default Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

I know the rear shocks that are available for about £300 to £350 (YSS etc) aren't going to be amazing and up to the standard of Ohlins etc, but would they still be an improvement over what is increasingly feeling like a solid wooden block of a stock rear shock that I have on my K8?


It's only done just under 13k miles but feels awful and I'm getting really bumped around on all but the best of roads.


I don't really want to take a chance with an old (possibly knackered) GSXR or ZXR shock or mess around with cutting up my bike or have it change height, so although that option would save money I'd rather avoid them.


I really really can't afford or justify the £500 plus shocks available. I just want something that is a bit more responsive and absorbs a bit more of the road imperfections instead of feeling like I'm in a rodeo.


I weigh approx 73kg in the summer and 76kg just after Christmas : ) Only for road riding and I'm not particularly fast.
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Old 20-10-18, 09:57 PM   #2
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

If you search on here I think you'll find that YSS and (perhaps to a lesser extent) Hagon shocks are recommended as great improvements over stock. Obviously you want the correct spring but then, once the adjustments are set up, you wont be able to distinguish them from an Ohlins unless youre a riding god! Of course afterwards the front end will require attention......
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Old 21-10-18, 08:49 AM   #3
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

Mines got a hagon shock, not bling, but it was night and day between the OEM. Straight swap no messing about

I had all those issues you're having, until I changed to the Hagon. Cost less than £200 on Ebay, and Hagon can service them if need be.
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Old 21-10-18, 09:02 AM   #4
Adam Ef
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

Thanks guys. I'm definitely not a riding god thankfully.
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Old 21-10-18, 11:43 AM   #5
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

if you haven't fettled the front then do that first.
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Old 21-10-18, 05:52 PM   #6
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Ef View Post
...over what is increasingly feeling like a solid wooden block of a stock rear shock that I have on my K8?

It's only done just under 13k miles but feels awful and I'm getting really bumped around on all but the best of roads.
...
Have you stripped and (re)greased the rear linkages recently?

Old shocks tend to lose their damping and go bouncy-bouncy but your description sounds like it's stiffening up, perhaps due to dry bushes beginning to seize? It may only have done 13k miles but it's 10 years since it was put together new, factory assembly lubrication was never generous and rear linkage servicing is often neglected.
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Old 21-10-18, 07:16 PM   #7
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

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Originally Posted by Ruffy View Post
Have you stripped and (re)greased the rear linkages recently?

Old shocks tend to lose their damping and go bouncy-bouncy but your description sounds like it's stiffening up, perhaps due to dry bushes beginning to seize? It may only have done 13k miles but it's 10 years since it was put together new, factory assembly lubrication was never generous and rear linkage servicing is often neglected.

It needs a new rear tyre, so was hoping to do all back end stuff at the same time... checking bushes, change shock and change tyre. Just budget is very tight after getting bar conversion done. Trying to hold off and do it all at the same time though.
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Old 22-10-18, 09:09 PM   #8
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

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It needs a new rear tyre, so was hoping to do all back end stuff at the same time... checking bushes, change shock and change tyre. Just budget is very tight after getting bar conversion done. Trying to hold off and do it all at the same time though.
Fair enough. I just thought perhaps there was a chance you might be able to defer buying a shock for a while. £0 is good for any budget!

If you can jack the bike up well enough to take weight off the swingarm (abba stand or similar) then checking the linkages shouldn't be that difficult or time consuming. And I'd hate for you to have a mechanic take it all apart only to have them tell you new bushes needed (at extra cost).

In response to your original question, yes I'm pretty sure that a Hagon or YSS will be an improvement compared to stock.




However, my heretic opinion is that a bike doesn't need to be high performance perfect to give enjoyment to the average rider on the road.
(Takes cover ready for flame wars!)
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Old 22-10-18, 09:58 PM   #9
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

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Originally Posted by Ruffy View Post
Fair enough. I just thought perhaps there was a chance you might be able to defer buying a shock for a while. £0 is good for any budget!
...

However, my heretic opinion is that a bike doesn't need to be high performance perfect to give enjoyment to the average rider on the road.
(Takes cover ready for flame wars!)

Cheers. It's a good reminder that it's also something I need to remember to look into.
I also get a lot of enjoyment out of it in it's current state, so I'd definitely agree. If I can make a bit of an improvement without spending the budget for my kids clothes this year too then all good. I just couldn't justify the expensive shocks available. I'm sure I 'd be better off spending the difference learning to ride it better : )
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Old 23-10-18, 08:16 PM   #10
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Default Re: Rear shock on a budget? Better than stock?

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Originally Posted by Adam Ef View Post
...
I just couldn't justify the expensive shocks available. I'm sure I 'd be better off spending the difference learning to ride it better : )
Agreed. That applies to me too. I'm a very average rider: I make progress but happy to confess that my wife can usually outrun me on her SK5 (17k-ish, on standard shock although I have done emulators/springs at front)

I'm content enough being "ordinary" in riding skill terms. I don't get my kicks from trying to be a racer on the road. Having ridden several other bikes in my time, I am able to notice the improvement from better equipment but it isn't the difference between me now and becoming a TT or GP winner! In the past I've witnessed friends far more skilful than me riding old, stock bikes make fools of others on fancy bikes, too.
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