Replacement shocks for the vertically challenged

StrumminRonin · 07-20-2009, 6:19 PM

Hi all.

I am in the market for a length adjustable rear mono shock for my bike.

No alternative linkages are available unless they're specially custom fabricated, and the stock shock is non adjustable in all ways. Cutting down the seat has been done but stil the saddle need to come down some more.

I have been eyeing up these Nitron Shocks lately, as they look quite good and have a R&D in Japan. What do people think of them?

Hagons are another alternative. They are a shade cheaper but I have heard both good and bad stuf about them.

YSS is another company that has been suggested. They're a Thai company and I know little about them.

So... what are your suggestions? I don't want to be spending more than US$500, realistically. And I am looking for the best bang-for-buck overall.

Cheers people.

vville123 · 07-20-2009, 6:28 PM

I say hang up side down with weights to stretch your stubbies out a little bit more. hehe

StrumminRonin · 07-20-2009, 6:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vville123

I say hang up side down with weights to stretch your stubbies out a little bit more. hehe

LOL. No, these are my arms and legs that need lengthening, not the "stubby" "fifth limb equivilent". It's fine as it is!

Come on, please help me with the rear shock...

Twincam · 07-20-2009, 7:25 PM

Have you heard of Hagon Shocks? I've heard the quality is the same as Ohlins, but for half the price.

They might be able to cater for your "needs"

StrumminRonin · 07-20-2009, 7:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

Have you heard of Hagon Shocks? I've heard the quality is the same as Ohlins, but for half the price.

They might be able to cater for your "needs"

Hi Twin.

Yes, but I have heard both good and bad stuff about them, and going by the prices that I have seen on ebay, Nitron (which is based near Oxford) is only marginally more expensive AND they have real funky color springs as standard.

I have spoken to Hagon before, and wasn't too sure about their customer service either...

Thanks for asking

Twincam · 07-20-2009, 7:40 PM

Hmmm, not heard anything but good from them (although my mates have always gone and seen them face to face - they're only down the road from me)

Do Nitron do "smaller" shocks?

StrumminRonin · 07-20-2009, 7:45 PM

There is a place called Firefox Racing that retails Nitron shocks. They weren't the most supportive but I suppose they probably thought I was some zitty teen who wanted all the info and then go buy from Thailand, or some place like that.

I did leave Nitron head office an email so If I don't hear from them I'll call them at lunch tomorrow.

ghbzorro · 07-20-2009, 9:25 PM

I think you should find a way to be comfortable riding without lowering. It will affect handling and clearance too much.

Possible (practical?) solutions include platform boots, getting used to hanging off one side of the bike when stopped. Do NOT try to have both feet on the ground when stopped. That is for Harley Ferguson riders only.

StrumminRonin · 07-21-2009, 8:01 PM

Why do all the men suggest platform boots....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghbzorro

I think you should find a way to be comfortable riding without lowering. It will affect handling and clearance too much.

Thanks. My problem is that because I would rather not have to lean the bike or slide off of the seat a bit to have one foot on the ground, as this has lead to the bike being dropped before.

I am only going forwards, turning left & right - it's not like I am doing any trickery and wizardry on there, so even if handling etc will be affected, I don't think the effects will be felt all that significantly.

A short shock it is, but who am I to buy it from?

macca9540 · 07-21-2009, 9:22 PM

Sorry I can't help you with a shock from over here Strummin, but my mate made new dogbone's for his wifes CBR600 to lower it and it worked a treat. They're not hard to make at all.
Is this for the 125R or another bike?

StrumminRonin · 07-22-2009, 2:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macca9540

Sorry I can't help you with a shock from over here Strummin, but my mate made new dogbone's for his wifes CBR600 to lower it and it worked a treat. They're not hard to make at all.
Is this for the 125R or another bike?

Hi Macca. Yes, dogbone/link is what would be a far cheaper option, but finding a chap to fabricate on, add in the labour costs - ugh, never mind.

Yes, this is for the CBR 125.

Twincam · 07-22-2009, 2:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrumminRonin

Hi Macca. Yes, dogbone/link is what would be a far cheaper option, but finding a chap to fabricate on, add in the labour costs - ugh, never mind.

Yes, this is for the CBR 125.

Would a CG125 have a smaller shock?

StrumminRonin · 07-22-2009, 4:30 PM

Twin, the CG has 2 shocks, one on each side. :/

Twincam · 07-22-2009, 6:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrumminRonin

Twin, the CG has 2 shocks, one on each side. :/

Even the latest one? Hmmm. Not getting far are we?

shakey1378 · 07-22-2009, 7:19 PM

strummin,

whats your footing situation presently? tippy toes on both sides, do you have to slide off to get tip toe on one side? by any chance are you at least on the balls of your feet?

i was able to get an adjustable dog bone for my blade. got it dialed down 1/2 an inch just so i could tip toe on both sides. easy to raise back up for track days. on the sporty bike you really dont need to touch down all that much. what i would reccomend to do would be to buy an oem dogbone and contact spencercycle.com and see if they can make something like that for you if you send them the oem piece.

StrumminRonin · 07-23-2009, 3:53 AM

Thanks, Shakey. I am on my toe sliders on both sides. Tilting the bike is too much a risk for me at the moment, as gravity inevitably takes hold.

I have looked into these dog-bone attatchments, and am still looking. Am keeping a little bit of an open mind, but somehow it's just not common for short-arses like to to ride... Or there just aren't that many short-arses around!!

shakey1378 · 07-23-2009, 10:47 AM

you get used to it, from day one for me any bike was too tall. actually any bike i was interested in...

sounds to me like a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch would do you some justice without hurting clearance too much.

did you try shaving some seat foam. once you can get your toes or balls of your feet down firmly it should be enough to build your confidence level to possibly raise it back up.

and i would look around for a riding boot with a thick sole, my street boots are like that and it helps

StrumminRonin · 07-23-2009, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

and i would look around for a riding boot with a thick sole, my street boots are like that and it helps

Thanks, Shakey. Yes, and another man votes for the platforms...

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

you get used to it, from day one for me any bike was too tall. actually any bike i was interested in...

Thanks!! Glad someone understands.

And - I'd like to point out that I am not on my toe sliders because I ride so well that I am leaning all the way over - I am actually relying on them to extend the length of my "legs" when I am on my tip toes...

ghbzorro · 07-24-2009, 3:36 AM

Hope this idea makes sense .... Maybe some weight training or some such thing to give you exra upper body (especially back and stomach) strength would improve your confidence so as not to be so worried about tipping over?? It's cheap, though certainly not an overnight fix, but it might be worth considering.

StrumminRonin · 07-25-2009, 6:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghbzorro

... give you exra upper body (especially back and stomach) strength ... it might be worth considering.

Thanks - that is always on the agenda. I have picked up my own bike unassisted before, but it was not an experience I'd like to try again.

Anyone got any feedback on these Nitron peoples?

tony2516 · 07-26-2009, 1:38 AM

For CBR 125, we recommend YSS full racing mono shock.
you found them here Goodspeed.com co.,ltd-All products
Almost 8 years ago, we ever heard that YSS owner invited an white power mechanic to be share holder and develop YSS shock technic product and brand.

StrumminRonin · 07-26-2009, 1:08 PM

Thanks Tony.

LoopyLee · 07-26-2009, 1:20 PM

Strummin, just buy a pair of Daytona Ladystars.. They'll add an inch to your leg length easily and it will save messing around with your bike plus they will cost a damn site less than fiddling with your bike..

Being as short as you are you will always have problems with the height of bikes and buying the Ladystars will work out cheaper in the long run than altering every bike you are ever likely to own...

Oh.. One other thing.. I'd take the cover off the seat and take an electric carving knife to it and shave some more off that as well, then re-cover the seat... You could always look at shaving tons off the foam of the seat, and adding one of the gel seat pads under the cover so you don't lose out on comfort

StrumminRonin · 07-26-2009, 2:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoopyLee

Strummin, just buy a pair of Daytona Ladystars.. ... shaving tons off the foam of the seat, and adding one of the gel seat pads under the cover so you don't lose out on comfort

Thanks Loops. Women & shoes, eh?

WRT cutting down the seat some more... that's just an extension to being "hacked off", right

macca9540 · 07-26-2009, 4:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrumminRonin

Thanks Loops. Women & shoes, eh?

Then we'll have to call you Imelda.

LoopyLee · 07-26-2009, 5:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrumminRonin

Thanks Loops. Women & shoes, eh?

WRT cutting down the seat some more... that's just an extension to being "hacked off", right

To me buying the Ladystars is simply the quickest, cheapest and easiest option.. If I was in your situation, it's the one I would go for... Then you would be able to jump straight on your bike and get out there riding

StrumminRonin · 07-26-2009, 7:28 PM

LOL, Macca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoopyLee

To me buying the Ladystars is simply the quickest, cheapest and easiest option.. If I was in your situation, it's the one I would go for... Then you would be able to jump straight on your bike and get out there riding

Hi Loopy, thanks for the tips. The Ladystars WOULD be the most straight forward option. HOWEVER, Firstline doesn't stock Daytonas, and the other bike shop that is easily accessable to me don't sell bikes - they only do accessories, so there is no way to see how well I can change gear etc.

Since the Ladystars sell for 300 quid, and the shocks are about 320-350, and the shocks are a more sure fire way of doing it, it just seems more "reliable" an all aspects.

The seat does looks like it could be cut down some more and the gel seat option does look viable, since I found some place that will do that for 60 quid plus postage. So I'll give that one more go before going for the springs or boots. Fingers crossed that works...

reeseyboy · 07-26-2009, 8:50 PM

Hagon stuff is very good. I used their fork springs in my XJR1300 and have friends who use their shocks too. Their customer service has, in my opinion, always been first rate too. Where in the UK are you? Dog bones are easy to make.

StrumminRonin · 07-26-2009, 9:25 PM

Hi Reeseyboy. Thanks for the vote for Hagon. Perhaps I was unlucky when I spoke to one of their staff who was not having a good day.

Do you know someone who can make me a dogbone? Would you have any idea what sort of fees are we talking about?

I'm a stone's throw from Firstline Motorcycles in London, on the edge of Enfield and Barnet. Jct 24 of M25 and come in a bit.

LoopyLee · 07-27-2009, 4:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrumminRonin

Hi Loopy, thanks for the tips. The Ladystars WOULD be the most straight forward option. HOWEVER, Firstline doesn't stock Daytonas, and the other bike shop that is easily accessable to me don't sell bikes - they only do accessories, so there is no way to see how well I can change gear etc.

Strummin you live in London, there are plenty of bike shops you can get to, plus you have GirlsBike2 shops there and they sell them.. All you need to do is go to a store to try them on and they buy them online where they are cheaper.. I've just had a quick look and have seen them online for as little as £234

As for the gear lever you can change it's position to allow for your boots.. It takes 2 minutes to do that

Much much much easier

As for the 'reliability' of changing the shocks, you will affect the geometry of your bike doing it, plus you will probably have to to drop the front as well.. Thats all going to cost more money than the original cost of buying the replacement shock.. Lastly, it may affect your chances of reselling the bike later on, once you have passed your test and buy a bigger one..