PartsNMore shocks

[jkgrubbs]

Does anyone have any experience with the $69 rear shocks from PartsNMore? I would like to get some newer/better than the originals on the bike,and these seem to fit the bill. But, how well do they work?

[Snow]

I had been trying to get some info on these too, but after reading a lot about Koni/Ikon and JC Whipme shocks, I've decided to save up for the Ikons - Can't remember who said it, but of the Whipmes, he said they worked but were nothing special. All the Ikon/Koni owners that spoke up wouldn't trade them for the world.

[jkgrubbs]

I read about them, don't remember what the price on the Ikons was, but $ will be the main factor, performance #2, unfortuately. I am trying to keep swmbo happy about my investment in fun. I less than $2k in this venture so far, but the OEM items that came on the bike are not shocks, but springs.

[Snow]

I definately understand the money issue - the Ikons can be had for $286+shipping from Eurotech out in California, quite a bit more than the partsnmore shocks... I let my SWMBO know that when we go on trips, she will be *much* more comfortable on the back if I have Ikons.

[Dennyz]

Take a look at Progressive Suspension's shock for the XS.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/vintage.html

I put the 14 series on a couple of years ago and have been very satisfied.

I found them to work best with the stock XS spring.

[Dennyz]

Correction: I am running the 12 series. I put the 14 series on my wifes Special.

[jkgrubbs]

One of the issues I have is that the bike bottoms out. I tip the scales at close to 275. I was also hoping that the new springs with the shocks would help the issue. The ones that are on the bike are the ones that came on the bike, best that I can tell.

[Dennyz]

Progressive Suspension offers a HD spring that is stiffer than stock.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...k-springs.html

[jkgrubbs]

That just about seals it, I reckon.

Thanks for the input.

Will report when I get them.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there JKGrubbs,

I bought the Whipme ones a couple of years ago, also for the $ reason. I remember having my stock ones set on 4 for the highest damping effect, and I would still feel the back-end rise up everytime I would hit the throttle in low gear, was like riding a bucking bronco, but not that bad!!!

The Whipme shocks do work decently, they have a 4? point preload setting you can adjust to increase the spring tension, they are dual springs, or multistaged if you will, a looser wound coil stacked on top of a tighter coil. I weigh only 215, but had I'm sure at least 50-75 lbs worth of stuff in my saddlebags and bag on the back seat, and even on the lowest preload setting they seemed to dampen well, didn't bottom out all the way from Va. to Pa for the rally. It's your money, but you might want to give them a try, would get you a better ride until you could save up lots more $$ for the fancy ones, and if you like how they handle, then you can save your $$ for something else!?!? YMMV

T.C.

[rockyr74]

DennyZ

You might have answered a question I have been long pondering:
Can you put the factory shoch spring on the progressive shock?
If true, that is one big way to save some dough, as the 12 series without springs are far more reasonable $$ than with.

[Dennyz]

rockyr74 wrote:

DennyZ

You might have answered a question I have been long pondering:
Can you put the factory shoch spring on the progressive shock?
If true, that is one big way to save some dough, as the 12 series without springs are far more reasonable $$ than with.

When I bought my Series 12 PS shocks I thought I wanted a softer ride, so I bought their soft spring. Even with no extra weight on the back, I had to run with the firmest preload. I put the stock springs back on and now ride in the middle of the preload. Swtiching up to the firmest setting when I run my tail pack. I don’t notice any lose of ride comfort

FYI: I found that the legendary XS high speed wobble could be attributed to rear suspension loading & flex (at least in part). The stiffer I ran the rear springs and the more weight I shifted forward, the better it handled at the higher speeds.

[Mike Hart]

I have the heavy duty Progressive springs on my Progressive shocks, and it is way too stiff for me unless really loaded down. I've lost some weight, but when I weighed 245, with minimum preload the HD spring was way too stiff. Add 100 pounds and it was about right, but still no need to raise the preload. FWIW

Since my XJ is mainly for touring and being loaded down anyway, I've kept those springs. They are definitely too harsh for daily use. Sounds like the stock spring is the way to go unless you weigh over 250 and always carry a passenger and/or load.

[nashville_bill]

I just put the PartsNMore shocks on my bike and they are much softer than the old ones. The originals were way too stiff and was like riding with no suspension on the rear. The new ones have dual springs and handle bumps much better that the old ones. I previously put a set on my XS650 and have been happy with them for about a year now.

And they are only $69 including shipping and tax!

[jkgrubbs]

I wound up going with the jc whipme shocks for now $$$ being one of the main considerations. I put them on a couple of days ago and tried them today in between the torrents and they are much better tham the 22 year old originals. Not a bad deal,

Thanks for the input, guys!