[WhipHubley]

Hi there.

Got a few bob to spend on the SP1 this month, and am thinking of either a rear shock or slip-on cans.

I'm always searching for anything which will make the bike handle better, so the rear shock seems the wisest choice, but will it really make a difference?

I've had new fork springs and oil recently, and that made a huge difference, but I've heard the standard showa shock is pretty good, and that spending upwards of £500 on an ohlins shock isn't worth it.

Opinions on this, please?

And how about cans. Are Akrapovic always the best? Of course I'd have to cough up for a dynojet too, but for a sweet-sounding bike I'm sure it would be worth it.

So my questions are...

Is an Ohlins rear shock going to make a noticable difference to the handling?

Are Akropovic slip-ons the ones to get?

Thanks for the advice!

[Rigor]

Originally Posted by WhipHubley

So my questions are...

Is an Ohlins rear shock going to make a noticable difference to the handling?

Are Akropovic slip-ons the ones to get?

Thanks for the advice!

An aftermarket rear shock, no matter who makes it, will vastly improve the handling of the RC51. The stock rear shock has too much preload and not enough high speed damping to make it a decent piece. Not to mention, the 550 lbs spring is designed to hold 400 lbs or a rider and a passenger equaling that weight. An aftermarket shock will also allow you to adjust and change rear ride height at will, which is drastically needed on this pig. (17-22mm over stock is preferred) Stock shocks are not height adjustable.

Of course, the downside is once you replace the rear shock, you'll realize how bad the front forks really are.....

If you decide on pipes, granted you'll instantly lose 9 lbs average, but as to what pipes are best is a matter of preference. Some say Sato, some say Yoshimura, some say yadda, yadda, yadda......but the reality is, they all sound better then stock and in order to gain the full potential of pipes, you *should* add a Power Commander and a good/ proper map to benefit from them.

[WhipHubley]

Thanks for the advice.

The shock is becoming a more enticing prospect. As much as a nice set of cans look and sound good, the ability to make the bike handle better is just too good to turn down I think!

Cans may have to wait until Christmas :-)