A Visit from the Parts Fairy

It left me a parcel today. Ooo! Shiny!
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4743/ohlinskd1.jpg

 

I know that the only name in shocks is Ohlin, but just for my own benefit,
how do they compare to the Hagon Shocks of the modern era?
Hagon used to be _the_ name, but times move on.. rapidly!

--
Greybeard

FLHR -03 UK (95 cu-in Stg 2. Big Boy2!)
Trumpet Trophy 1200-03
Garmin Zumo 550, To get me home!

ukrm@foxtails[dot]co[dot]uk

 

Greybeard says...

Hagon look and feel a bit agricultural compared to an Ohlins. You won't
find many race bikes with Hagons fitted, but Ohlins and WP seem to be
everywhere. Another popular choice is Nitron. I guess it's because Hagon
don't offer the same range of adjustment and aren't as refined as the
others.

As day to day shocks for road use they're fine, but they aren't as
sophisticated as the rest.

 

Hagon were the name for inexpensive _rideable_ replacement units IMHO, and
IMHO still are. I'm very happy with the way the Bandit rides and handles
post Hagoning it. Far more compliant and 'planted' feeling than the stock
front springs and rear unit. I'm more aware of the grip available and far
far less aware of minor bumps. 'Tis like a carpet ride, the bike just seems
to float. I reckon if you aren't aware of the suspension, it is doing its
job properly.

Then again, I doubt I am a good enough rider to truly benefit from posh
suspension anyway, so, err, as you were.

 

It has taken nearly 8 years for me to get round to it, but
having seen the shock brand new on ebay for £365, which is
about the same that they go for second hand, I just couldn't
think of enough reasons not to. The Showa is looking hideous
now, pitted and rusty, and really lets the bike down.

There was a really trick WSB spec Ohlins shock on ebay in
parts foreign that I was going to bid on, but completely
forgot about. It went for just over £400, which didn't
seem unreasonable. A week later it turned up on ebay UK
for a starting price of £500 from a "Ducati Parts Dealer".
Nice work, etc.

 

Can't disagree with that.

That will be the New Shockers Effect and **** all to do with the name on
the box.

Again, can't disagree with that.

 

Tbh, I don't really think I am either. We fiddled with the
suspension settings on the bike (having set everything to
the middle!) and I really didn't notice much difference.

I guess having the right spring on the shock in the first
place would make a lot more difference than fiddling with
the settings on an incorrectly sprung shock, iyswim.

I bought the Ohlins for my road bike purely because:
(a) it needed the shock sorting as it's a state
(b) it was probably as cheap as anything else

 

antonye says...

The Ohlins I bought made a huge difference to my 9R, but the original
shock had about 25K on it and was knackered. I tried riding my Gixer
with the standard shock in it when the Maxton went for a rebuild, and it
was bloody awful.

 

Right, thanks.

Probably down to lack of investment.
Good company though, Hagons, always very helpful.

--
Greybeard

FLHR -03 UK (95 cu-in Stg 2. Big Boy2!)
Trumpet Trophy 1200-03
Garmin Zumo 550, To get me home!

ukrm@foxtails[dot]co[dot]uk

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Champ

PAHND!

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Fallen apart) Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single"
Norton 850 Commando Kawasaki GTR1400

 

I went to Jurby once.

Spent the day standing in the drizzle, nursing a hangover, occasionally
kicking a cone back where it belonged,

It's great to be alive.

 

*fascinating*