New Shocks
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
svarnster and us1fountain, I go a little different direction than you guys. I've heard the old 'well just don't read the threads you aren't interested in so many times, that I get nauseous. I quit participating here several years ago because it WAS the same ol' same ol' threads, and it seemed like the forum was populated by lazy, boring people. Things have changed, it seems, and the forum has become much more fresh and interesting, but when you get four or five threads on 'what shocks do I want?' or 'what exhaust system is loudest?', or 'I'm a wussy boy, please make my choices for me', that's just stupid. Fortunately, the administrators here started up new sub-forums for the same ol' same ol', and the Touring sub-forums is MUCH more fresh and interesting these days!
I'm not suggesting, nor is anybody else who reminds some of the newer folks, that they not post about things that are vexing them, or things of interest...just go to that sub-forum or take a little initiative and use the 'search' function. I AM telling you that someone who is too cheap or stupid to go out and get a factory service manual shouldn't be using a forum, any forum, as a substitute, however!
I believe you'll find a lot more folks agreeing with this these days, whether or not they'll step up and publically agree, than those who suggest that 'anything goes, ask any question, we're the Helpful Honda Guys and we'll help you out no matter how many times that question's been asked in the last hour!!! Unlike svarnster, I frequently use the 'search' function, and I almost always find what I'm looking for... sure, it takes a little effort and time, but I tellya, I very rarely come on here with a question because it's already been handled by someone else!
I'm not suggesting, nor is anybody else who reminds some of the newer folks, that they not post about things that are vexing them, or things of interest...just go to that sub-forum or take a little initiative and use the 'search' function. I AM telling you that someone who is too cheap or stupid to go out and get a factory service manual shouldn't be using a forum, any forum, as a substitute, however!
I believe you'll find a lot more folks agreeing with this these days, whether or not they'll step up and publically agree, than those who suggest that 'anything goes, ask any question, we're the Helpful Honda Guys and we'll help you out no matter how many times that question's been asked in the last hour!!! Unlike svarnster, I frequently use the 'search' function, and I almost always find what I'm looking for... sure, it takes a little effort and time, but I tellya, I very rarely come on here with a question because it's already been handled by someone else!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
I'm guilty too to a degree. Currently asking about exhaust and shocks myself. The issue with a search, is that the M8's are new enough that the info is somewhat limited to current models. Exhaust on the '17's will sound different than previous yrs. Does no good to search for threads that are older than several months.
Sorry for the thread drift OP.
Carry on
Last edited by CVO SG; May 10, 2017 at 05:42 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 310
From: coastal sc
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
It's unlikely this thread will add anything new, as the truly new stuff only comes along once in a while. I'm one of those who studied shocks threads for literally hours, reading the same boring stuff repeatedly and going back over several years. However little glimmers of info popped up often enough to make my efforts worthwhile, which is how I discovered Howard, previously mentioned, although before he started building Ohlins for us. They brought down the cost of custom built shocks to well below that of his Penske, which I was prepared to afford and Mrs B and I have been very happy with them ever since. I haven't found him to be difficult to deal with, quite the opposite in fact.
So it does IMHO justify recommending newcomers use Search, even if it isn't the most user friendly thing on the planet!
What did I learn? That when riding solo many of the brands out there can give satisfactory results, however if your favourite passenger likes to come along too, you better make sure you give her a truly comfy ride. The experience back there is not as good as up front and a passenger needs that extra investment in truly good shocks, if the two of you are going to cross continents in comfort. Top shelf shocks will be great for a solo rider, however will truly be a worthwhile investment for a couple.
What I also learned is that shocks threads seldom mention if the writer takes a passenger and so most of what is written is actually of little merit. We may not know if their pearls of wisdom are as a solo rider, or riding as a couple. So if a contributor doesn't mention which of those he/she is writing about, skip to the next post.
So it does IMHO justify recommending newcomers use Search, even if it isn't the most user friendly thing on the planet!
What did I learn? That when riding solo many of the brands out there can give satisfactory results, however if your favourite passenger likes to come along too, you better make sure you give her a truly comfy ride. The experience back there is not as good as up front and a passenger needs that extra investment in truly good shocks, if the two of you are going to cross continents in comfort. Top shelf shocks will be great for a solo rider, however will truly be a worthwhile investment for a couple.
What I also learned is that shocks threads seldom mention if the writer takes a passenger and so most of what is written is actually of little merit. We may not know if their pearls of wisdom are as a solo rider, or riding as a couple. So if a contributor doesn't mention which of those he/she is writing about, skip to the next post.
Last edited by grbrown; May 11, 2017 at 07:40 AM. Reason: Spelling!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
All good points Mr. Brown. I equate the situation where someone join s a forum. ..or even if they've been around awhile. ..and they post yet another thread about a worn out subject without taking the time or effort to do some research first...to someone who walks into an occupied room and immediately starts blabbing about whatever is on their mind without first taking the measure of that room!
Regarding Howard, I suspect you get along with him cuz you're wise enuf to know that you reach out to him because of what you don't know! I've a sense that he doesn't suffer fools lightly, and if you get on the world wide Web to cry about it, you've managed to check off the 'fool' box in Howard ' s mind!
Regarding Howard, I suspect you get along with him cuz you're wise enuf to know that you reach out to him because of what you don't know! I've a sense that he doesn't suffer fools lightly, and if you get on the world wide Web to cry about it, you've managed to check off the 'fool' box in Howard ' s mind!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Regarding Howard, I suspect you get along with him cuz you're wise enuf to know that you reach out to him because of what you don't know! I've a sense that he doesn't suffer fools lightly, and if you get on the world wide Web to cry about it, you've managed to check off the 'fool' box in Howard ' s mind!
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