81 gs1100e aftermarket shocks recommendation

[Guest]

Hey guys, finally got my GS electrical demons sorted, motor compression is good...any way was just wondering about rear shocks...wanna ride somewhat aggressively...street only...planning on doing Racetech springs and emulators in front....do I keep stock length (13.25 I think?) or should I go slightly longer? Brand recommendations?

cheers

[posplayr]

You should mention your budget
less than $250
less than $500
less than $1000
or more

[mrbill5491]

Hey guys, finally got my GS electrical demons sorted, motor compression is good...any way was just wondering about rear shocks...wanna ride somewhat aggressively...street only...planning on doing Racetech springs and emulators in front....do I keep stock length (13.25 I think?) or should I go slightly longer? Brand recommendations?

cheers

Check out the sonic straight rate springs before going to the Ractech stuff. Sonicsprings.com. A lot of us here use them and are happy with them. Rear shocks, keep the stock length, less problems. Lots of ways to go on the rear shocks. I use progressive shocks with a HD spring.

[Mack]

You should mention your budget
less than $250
less than $500
less than $1000
or more

less than a grand works.....but I don't wanna pay for more shock than the bike, or my skill set would need.

cheers

[Mack]

Check out the sonic straight rate springs before going to the Ractech stuff. Sonicsprings.com. A lot of us here use them and are happy with them. Rear shocks, keep the stock length, less problems. Lots of ways to go on the rear shocks. I use progressive shocks with a HD spring.

Thanks....il look into the springs.

Cheers.

[tkent02]

less than a grand works.....but I don't wanna pay for more shock than the bike, or my skill set would need.

cheers

How much skill does it take to sit on a bike and enjoy a nice ride?

[rudeman]

I had Racetech quote me a set for my 1000E. 1/2" longer than stock, 200lbs rider, internal reservoir, adjustable damping - $899.00. Could spend more with remote reservoir, custom colors, etc.

Works Performance are $560 - $1300; Ohlins about the same as WPs.

IKONs are basically KONIs and run about $4-500. KONIs worked very well on my 1000ST so they're on my short list.

Progressive shocks are shorter than stock and that slows down the steering response; that's show stopper for me.

[Carter Turk]

I'm happy with my 13.5" Works Performance Street Trackers. I've had them for about 15 years, just had the seals and rods refurbished recently. Do trackdays on them and have yet to scrape a peg.

[Mack]

I guess that would depend if your cruising down the highway, or on back roads slinging it into corners?

[Mack]

Thanks guys, my local suspension shop is suggesting these....

http://www.ridefox.com/product.php?m=moto&t=shocks&p=3350&ref=filter

[Rob S.]

Thanks guys, my local suspension shop is suggesting these....

http://www.ridefox.com/product.php?m...350&ref=filter

"V-twin specific"

They do look nice, though.

[posplayr]

you want the longer ones. 13.5"

[Ecklund]

I had Racetech quote me a set for my 1000E. 1/2" longer than stock, 200lbs rider, internal reservoir, adjustable damping - $899.00. Could spend more with remote reservoir, custom colors, etc.

Works Performance are $560 - $1300; Ohlins about the same as WPs.

IKONs are basically KONIs and run about $4-500. KONIs worked very well on my 1000ST so they're on my short list.

Progressive shocks are shorter than stock and that slows down the steering response; that's show stopper for me.

Good concise list of likely shocks and relative price and performance.

I went with the Progressives with the HD springs like MRBILL as they seemed like the default choice at the time. Not many miles yet but pretty good so far. What I didn't know was that they were shorter than stock. Next time around maybe slide the forks up half an inch and get a set of half inch longer IKONs.

[Rob S.]

Good concise list of likely shocks...Next time around maybe slide the forks up half an inch and get a set of half inch longer IKONs.

Now I'm confused. We talking front or rear?

[Ecklund]

Now I'm confused. We talking front or rear?

Sorry; shocks.

But the height of the shock was mentioned.

Shock height/length has a big impact on handling. In the same vein I mentioned sliding the fork up into the tree a bit. This has a similar type impact on handling.

It was mentioned that the Progressives I bought were shorter than stock. For many the last thing a GS needs is a mod that SLOWs handling. A slightly longer shock and sliding the forks up a bit are two ways to impact how 'quick' the bike handles.

Probably makes some sense to limit both ends to about an inch or less change from stock.