'80 GS850G rear shocks replacement question

[80GS850GBob]

I found a set of slightly used piggyback shocks that I like, that also have damping and rebound adjustments aside from the usual preload settings. The price is right too. The problem is my oem rear shocks are 13" eye to eye and the shocks I'm looking at are 14.5" eye to eye...is the longer length going to make a big difference in handling of any kind?
For reference sake- I stand 6'3" with a 35" inseam....added height won't be an issue for me.

 

[Steve]

Raising the rear of the bike will steepen the angle of the forks, making it steer a bit quicker.

However, I would be more concerned about changing the angle of the u-joint in the driveshaft.
They are not made to constantly run very from from directly inline.

.

 

[bwringer]

ZRX shocks, right? As Steve mentioned, the long-term effects are not likely to be good. It's a significant change -- I've seen an 850 wearing these shocks, and even though that one didn't survive its sawzall monkey owner to see the street, the u-joint angle did not look sustainable.

Sell off the Z-Rex shocks on fleaBay, skip a few frappaslappachinos, and pony up the bucks for Progressive or Hagon shocks. The difference is astonishing.

It's been fairly well established that you can go 1/2" longer and enjoy the quicker steering. I wouldn't go any longer than that (13.5").

 

[80GS850GBob]

ZRX shocks, right? As Steve mentioned, the long-term effects are not likely to be good. It's a significant change -- I've seen an 850 wearing these shocks, and even though that one didn't survive its sawzall monkey owner to see the street, the u-joint angle did not look sustainable.

Sell off the Z-Rex shocks on fleaBay, skip a few frappaslappachinos, and pony up the bucks for Progressive or Hagon shocks. The difference is astonishing.

It's been fairly well established that you can go 1/2" longer and enjoy the quicker steering. I wouldn't go any longer than that (13.5").

"Yes"...those.
I honestly forgot about a possible attack angle change for the shaft drive...I attribute that to too many chain drives I've owned before this one{1st shaft drive for me}.

Even though the price was nice, the long term effects aren't worth it.........thanks for the valued input folks. Nice part is this thread can serve as a warning for others considering it.