New bike....suspension
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
New bike....suspension
Greetings,
Just picked up a new RG yesterday, and like many have noted, the stock suspension is .....meh. I had trade in a 2013 Switchback with Hagon Nitro 13" shocks and forks done up with Racetech single rate springs and their Gold Valve/Emulator.
I know there are a bunch of threads on suspension, but I have what I think I want down to a few choices and would like feedback.
Shocks - Definitely want 13" shocks for the increased travel. I've seen offerings with longer than 13" and wondering how that would affect handling, other?
Budget choice - Bitubo's from DK Custom for $550. They are preload and damping adjustable. I bought a set of these for my wife's Switchback and they are miles ahead of stock. Not sure how the compare to more expensive offerings.
Mid Tier - ProAction, Legends, RWS-1, I'm guessing Ohlins has an offering in this range too. I'm guessing it's rare to have experience with multiple brands of good shocks, but how would these options compare?
All in - Remote reservoir Ohlins, Legends, etc. Is remote reservoir worth it, how do these brands compare?
Forks
How is the Progressive FST kit? This kit got a good review from the suspension comparison done by DK Customs
Past this, I'm guessing Legends, Ohlins or AK20 for full adjustable higher end fork suspension? How do they compare? Also, how is accessibility to the adjustment controls on the RG?
Just picked up a new RG yesterday, and like many have noted, the stock suspension is .....meh. I had trade in a 2013 Switchback with Hagon Nitro 13" shocks and forks done up with Racetech single rate springs and their Gold Valve/Emulator.
I know there are a bunch of threads on suspension, but I have what I think I want down to a few choices and would like feedback.
Shocks - Definitely want 13" shocks for the increased travel. I've seen offerings with longer than 13" and wondering how that would affect handling, other?
Budget choice - Bitubo's from DK Custom for $550. They are preload and damping adjustable. I bought a set of these for my wife's Switchback and they are miles ahead of stock. Not sure how the compare to more expensive offerings.
Mid Tier - ProAction, Legends, RWS-1, I'm guessing Ohlins has an offering in this range too. I'm guessing it's rare to have experience with multiple brands of good shocks, but how would these options compare?
All in - Remote reservoir Ohlins, Legends, etc. Is remote reservoir worth it, how do these brands compare?
Forks
How is the Progressive FST kit? This kit got a good review from the suspension comparison done by DK Customs
Past this, I'm guessing Legends, Ohlins or AK20 for full adjustable higher end fork suspension? How do they compare? Also, how is accessibility to the adjustment controls on the RG?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I have Ohlins for the rear on my King. I have my bike lowered and inch front and rear. I'm not exactly like Dorf but ....well you get my meaning. I have the 12" but they have the same stroke as most other 13" shocks, and am very satisfied with them. My Ohlins is in the same price range as what you consider mid-tier.
Your RG has 12" shocks now, so going 13" will increase the seat height, same with 14". You may not get more stroke on a 14", as on the Legend Revos. They just have a longer top loop to increase the shock length. The 13" Revos have a 3" stroke and they recommend a 1" sag.
I'm not familiar with the Progressive FST, but I have their monotubes for the front. It does it's job. On smoother roads, it's great but on bumpy roads, it's not as "plush" as I would like. I am considering Ohlins or JRIs for the front, and will be my next winter project. I live in NC and have toured the Ohlins center. Very impressed. JRI is also close by, so will give them a peek this summer.
Good luck in your search.
Your RG has 12" shocks now, so going 13" will increase the seat height, same with 14". You may not get more stroke on a 14", as on the Legend Revos. They just have a longer top loop to increase the shock length. The 13" Revos have a 3" stroke and they recommend a 1" sag.
I'm not familiar with the Progressive FST, but I have their monotubes for the front. It does it's job. On smoother roads, it's great but on bumpy roads, it's not as "plush" as I would like. I am considering Ohlins or JRIs for the front, and will be my next winter project. I live in NC and have toured the Ohlins center. Very impressed. JRI is also close by, so will give them a peek this summer.
Good luck in your search.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
I have a 21 Rg and went with the 12in Ohlins Blackline. As has been stated a million times, so much better. Like Ken said, and its stated on Ohlins site, same travel as the 13in.
I watched a video about the Ohlins front setup. It was on a RG but it had the MX type bars on it, no console of gauges. If I was to guess, the gauge cluster would need to be moved or possibly a cut down Allen wrench would work, just guessing here. Pricey but if they make as a big of a difference as the shocks then game on.
I watched a video about the Ohlins front setup. It was on a RG but it had the MX type bars on it, no console of gauges. If I was to guess, the gauge cluster would need to be moved or possibly a cut down Allen wrench would work, just guessing here. Pricey but if they make as a big of a difference as the shocks then game on.
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