drharveys - FSO wrote on 12/14/07 at 21:05:27:


so the shocks are ~11 - 11.5 inch eye center to center I guess ?

anyway to find out what spring rate was selected for you?

don't need any the progressives are still holding up - just wanted to compare the 412-4233s and 412-4232s rates with these

OK, yesterday afternoon was gray, but as it was not actually raining I took the Suzuki for a spin.  Figuring that urban riding would give the shocks a good workout, I headed to the riverfront.  I think the Hagons are an improvement.  Not as dramatic as I had hoped, but noticeable.  I didn't actually bottom out on any of the assorted urban insults provided by the St. Louis street department, so that alone is a good thing.  Still, the bike is limited by it's short wheelbase and limited swingarm travel.

I also took out the Triumph briefly -- there the improvement was really noticeable.  The bike just felt firmer, and I really didn't get a chance to put it through it's paces a whole lot.



Here's the bike on the riverfront -- that's one of the legs of the arch in the background.  Levee stones make a great shock test.



A better view of the Hagons in place.



Looking back, a gray day on the river.

I raised the pre-load to the middle setting and the bike is dialed in!  No more bottoming out, no more rude shocks to my lower back.  The ride and handling are right where they ought to be!

Now the bike has the fork brace, Suzuki pillow-top gel seat and the Hagons.  I think I'll leave it that way.

Time to quit fiddling with the bike and ride the durn thang!

Only ones we spent a fair amount of time with were the Progressives - good many measurements taken, length and spring rate analysis - on the quality it's a matter of how much you spend - the 412's are pretty good @ $150-$170 and the 418's & 440's are a work of art @ $300-500

Reelthing wrote on 01/02/08 at 11:21:28:


I understand the progression up through the progressive ranks (sorry that sounded really bad) but I was curious if Hagon or Works are any better or worse $ per $

bill67 wrote on 01/02/08 at 15:06:10:

Lancer has some he got for a song on eBay and, last I heard, he likes 'em a lot.

The Hagons have a dual rate spring, a bit more travel and darned good damping.  Once you get the preload set for your weight they will not exhibit hard bottoming out like the stock shocks.  That just makes for a more comfortable ride.  It's still firm, but the bike loses that harshness that leaves you feeling like you've been to an incompetent chiropractor after a day's ride!

As for cost, a set of the basic Hagons is just under $200, perhaps a tad over with shipping.