New ikons on the way

[dsan1964_imp]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a new set of black custom Ikon shocks 495 to my door in about 3 weeks . Hopefully I wonder why I took so long to swap them out..


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[Rocky_imp]

I fitted a pair of Ikon's to my Bonneville 3-4 years ago and they made a big difference in the ride.
I think you will really like them.

 

[PowerDubs_imp]

I enjoy the Ikons on my CB, and my wife says they are more comfortable for her as well- she did not like impacts with the stock shocks.

 

[4 Paws_imp]

I think the suspension will be my next "investment".
Figure I'm keeping this bike for quite a while.

 

[dsan1964_imp]

Yes agree with everyone... I changed the front springs last year big difference. The other thing was how much I then noticed that the rear end was not performing well. I will look forward to giving a full review with pics. Thanks.


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[the Ferret]

Don't forget the torque value on the top shock bolts is very small. Several members have snapped them off.

 

[Lord Popgun]

Ferret is right about that. The specified torque for the upper bolts is 6.6 foot pounds.

The lower is 19 ft lbs.

 

[dsan1964_imp]

Thanks... I️ always have the shop manual opened up when I️ work on the CB. I️ saw those threads with the shock bolts snapped off...

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[dsan1964_imp]

They are passing through customs... ready for them to show up.


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[dsan1964_imp]

Should be here tomorrow...


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[the Ferret]

A n t i c i p a t i o n getting to ya?

 

[nhawk7504_imp]

I tried Ikons. I had to go to Ohlins. The Ikons were almost the same on my Nighthawk 750. But people who weigh enough get the springs to move more than myself.

 

[dsan1964_imp]

I tried Ikons. I had to go to Ohlins. The Ikons were almost the same on my Nighthawk 750. But people who weigh enough get the springs to move more than myself.

That's cool but my motorcycle habit is on a ikon budget

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[the Ferret]

You guys that actually can feel the difference are lucky. Twice I have changed suspensions. I put Progressive Suspension rear shocks on my 750 Nighthawk ( as recommended by the suspension gurus on the Nighthawk forum) and then had a Traxxion AK20 kit installed on my FZ-1 along with a custom (can't remember the name right now) rear spring on the rear shock as recommended by the suspension gurus on the FZ-1 forum. In both cases I was assured the difference would be transforming. In neither case could I feel any difference from the stock forks/shocks, particular considering the amount of money spent.

Now when I had my front fork oil changed recently on my ST1300, I got it back and noticed the front suspension was stiff, very stiff. I went back and asked what weight oil they used. 20 wt. I returned it and they replaced it with 7.5 weight as called for in the FSM and immediately on the first ride, it felt so much better. THAT I could feel. Other than that I can tell very little difference between custom boingers and factory boingers. Maybe I'm lucky lol.

 

[dsan1964_imp]

Oh could I notice the difference on a 40 mile test ride tonight! Put it through the paces.. I had to stiffen up the front a bit. I changed the front out over a year ago. I am on the Double X size... I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. I think most bikes are set up for 165 pounders. Thanks for the input


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[TINK_imp]

Love my IKONs :heart: :biker:

 

[Cormanus]

You guys that actually can feel the difference are lucky. Twice I have changed suspensions. I put Progressive Suspension rear shocks on my 750 Nighthawk ( as recommended by the suspension gurus on the Nighthawk forum) and then had a Traxxion AK20 kit installed on my FZ-1 along with a custom (can't remember the name right now) rear spring on the rear shock as recommended by the suspension gurus on the FZ-1 forum. In both cases I was assured the difference would be transforming. In neither case could I feel any difference from the stock forks/shocks, particular considering the amount of money spent.

Now when I had my front fork oil changed recently on my ST1300, I got it back and noticed the front suspension was stiff, very stiff. I went back and asked what weight oil they used. 20 wt. I returned it and they replaced it with 7.5 weight as called for in the FSM and immediately on the first ride, it felt so much better. THAT I could feel. Other than that I can tell very little difference between custom boingers and factory boingers. Maybe I'm lucky lol.

I'm with you on this, at least in part. My last bike required new rear shocks in order to get a roadworthy certificate so I could sell it. They promised me I'd feel the difference. I couldn't. People tell me I'll feel a difference between tyres and I'm not at all sure I can.

Are these folk who can feel the difference really lucky? I'm not sure. Life is so much easier when you can't. I wish for example that I couldn't tell the difference between cement and the stock seat.

 

[Rocky_imp]

From my own experience, the shocks on my Bonneville were adequate, but hitting a rough spot in the pavement transmitted a sharp jolt up your spine.
With the Ikon's installed, the ride over rough spots is softened quite a bit and you can really notice it. I'm glad I made the change.
The suspension on the CB seems fine and I'm in no hurry to change anything.

 

[nhawk7504_imp]

I tried Ikons. I had to go to Ohlins. The Ikons were almost the same on my Nighthawk 750. But people who weigh enough get the springs to move more than myself.

That's cool but my motorcycle habit is on a ikon budget

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That's cool but my motorcycle habit is on a ikon budget

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Yeah I think the Ikons are "better". But the roads here are too terrible to notice. I had to save pizza/soda/etc money and get the Ohlins.

 

[nhawk7504_imp]

My stock Suzuki TU250 had much better spring rates on the shocks than my Nighthawk 750 Ikons. They were at more of an angle too (see Kawasaki and Yamaha and Ducati mono shocks these days). As long as Ikon gives you the right spring, and their damping valving is good, you should be fine. Slow speed damping was fine (think race bike squatting for a corner and then back up getting on the gas), but over the New England choppy pavement, I was still not satisfied at all. I'm 160 lbs, ...but still. I had a Sportster that I rode into NH one day and after 30 miles I turned around. It too had twin shocks that were basically junk as far as high speed damping goes. Just make sure to tell Ikon if you are not satisfied. I tried to talk myself into it because I paid for them. But they were maybe 25% better. I wanted them even 50% better. For shocks to TRULY work, the rider has to be the perfect weight for the spring and the damping valves inside the shock. So I'm happy to see some people like them. Looking forward to your thoughts once you get them on the bike. Just rode a Ducati Supersport with Ohlins on these roads by the way. Very nice indeed. I was kinda shocked actually how good they were.