"Damping Adjustable" shock vs 2- or 3-way

My K8 naked is gonna get a treat within the next 2 or 3 weeks - RT emus, Eibach springs, and fresh oil up front; and SOME sort of new aftermarket shock out back.

Here is Canada, options are kinda limited:

1. Elka makes attractively priced, good reputation 2- and 3-way shocks. Cost is about C$900 for the 2-way, C$1050 for the 3-way.

2. Penske offers the "Sport" (model 89E) - the penske UK website says it "can be configured" to be adjustable for "combined compression and rebound", "only compression", or "only rebound" - both the American and Canadian suspension specialists that I've talked to mention "rebound" only - this shock can be later reconfigured with a remote reservoir to turn it into a 2-way or 3-way if you wish. Cost is close to C$800.

3. Penske offers 2-way (about C$1100) and 3-way (maybe C$1300?).

4. Ohlins seemingly cannot supply a shock for the SV equipped with ABS - there is a fit issue with the ABS 'guts' under the seat, and piggyback will not fit. I thought they could build whatever they wanted with a remote reservoir, but both the Cdn and American distributors say no.

5. Cogent Dynamics in North Carolina builds a damping adjustable shock for about C$650. But there's no servicing in Canada.

6. Hagon (damping adjustable; about C$550) is available thru Dave Quinn in the states, but again there's no servicing in Canada.

7. Nitron (especially the damping adjustable Sport shock) gets high praise on this site, and the exchange price is only about C$525 (plus add maybe C$100 for post), but they seem to have no presence at all in North America, so no rebuilds/etc.

I'm leaning towards the Penske Sport. Penske gets very high praise on svrider.com, and has lots of support, easy quick local rebuilds, etc. The price on the 2-way Elka is very tempting, but I have heard a couple negative comments (a. the shock is heavier than its competitors, and b. the local suspension specialist reckons they do some unspecified stuff internally that he didn't think was as 'top-end' as Penske or Ohlins).

After the long preamble (thanks for your patience...) my question is, do some of you have experience with BOTH "1-way" damping-adjustable-only shocks as well as 2-way and/or 3-way? Is the extra adjustability worth the extra expense, for an enthusiastic-but-non-racing rider? Does one notice 'fade' with the simpler emulsion-based 1-way units on hot days? on track days? after an hour or two (or 6?) of 'sporty' road riding? or never?

Btw, for context, I commute 2-3 days per week @ 30km/day, put on about 15,000 km/yr of 'spirited' road/highway riding/touring, and get out to 2-3 track days/yr. And I'm a late-middled-aged returnee rider with only 2 years "back in the saddle", so my experience base is low - but growing as fast as I can manage it!

Thanks in advance - there's a LOT of knowledge floating around this site, and it's my priviledge to be able to tap into some of it!

Cheers,

I would not recommend you sport shock.it is emulsion shock which has its own issues.adding reservoir and reconfiguring will only cost you more than buying it first time.
your local suspension guy is correct about Elka.
if you want to choose one of the shocks you mentioned Penske double would be my choice.and yes,they can be set up for abs bike.

[flymo]

Originally Posted by zadar

your local suspension guy is correct about Elka.

That really depends on who you ask to be honest. I went for the Elka instead of the Ohlins for my race bike, very very impressive shock. Superb quality with good after sale service. Advice from John at JHS in UK was more leaning towards Elka over Ohlins.

For the Ohlins models on the SV you are paying more for a badge and yellow spring bling.

Rob will have some useful advice for you on this......

Originally Posted by flymo

That really depends on who you ask to be honest.

ok,I can leave with that
let me say this way.I don't like how some internals in that shock are set up.
not saying shock is bad or anything.

it is same as you saying ohlins is not that good while many swear buy it

[flymo]

Originally Posted by zadar

ok,I can leave with that
let me say this way.I don't like how some internals in that shock are set up.
not saying shock is bad or anything.

it is same as you saying ohlins is not that good while many swear buy it

Sure, I wasnt trying to argue. The thing with Ohlins though is they have a range of shocks designed for and aimed at the general use road bike market but the prices for them still reflect the top of the range race equipment.

I've had both, with Elka the experience was completely different. The shock was very high quality, you only have to look at one to see the difference. The ordering process involved choosing the correct spring for my weight and bike instead of some off the shelf shock with a default spring for everybody.

Up to you but if its intended for a road bike I wouldnt go mad on the cost, stick to something reasonable. The fine adjustments can be more trouble than they are worth unless you really know what you are doing with them or need the precision to race with.

Go for the Elka shock, especially if you find it is good value and easy to obtain, you won't go wrong with that choice.