Shocks
Shocks
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Wilbers partners in the USA
Hi there,
I'm new to this forum and also I'm kind of biassed as I'm working for the mothercompany Wilbers Products GmbH in Germany
. Should you be interested in new Wilbers shocks for your Honda, follow this thread to a list of our new partners in the USA: http://www.motorcycle-suspension.com...nts/index.html
or contact by email at kontaktusa@wilbers.de.
I hope that you did not see my post as advertising (although, of cause, somehow it is) as I just wanted to give you the info...
Take care and always ride safe!
Dirk
I'm new to this forum and also I'm kind of biassed as I'm working for the mothercompany Wilbers Products GmbH in Germany
. Should you be interested in new Wilbers shocks for your Honda, follow this thread to a list of our new partners in the USA: http://www.motorcycle-suspension.com...nts/index.html or contact by email at kontaktusa@wilbers.de.
I hope that you did not see my post as advertising (although, of cause, somehow it is) as I just wanted to give you the info...
Take care and always ride safe!
Dirk
Dirty Bird
Squid
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 36
From: Concord, NC
I just ordered the Wilbers 641 from Max BMW out of N.Y. for $699. Hope to receive in two weeks or so as it will likely come from Germany after being built specific to my weight and riding style. I read an article in PB magazine where they replace the stock unit off a CBR900 w/ 30k miles for a new shock and gained nearly 4 m.p.h. and dropping nearly 4 seconds off the time for a specific test course. I'm pumped and can't wait to get my new toy!!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
One other option you may want to explore is having a Race-Tech Gold Valve kit fit into your OEM unit (can have any suspension shop install it in minutes). THis is what I am currently running (just had it rebuilt) and it works great! Food for thought.
cheers
cheers
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Only one problem with the Fox....they don't make street shocks anymore, good news is they still make re-build kits for them though. You can still find some good used ones and some leftovers at times for a good deal. I found a Bitubo shock a while back on Ebay and it has ride height rebound and compression settings but they no longer make the racing version just the emulsion type.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,806
From: Atlanta, GA
HyperPro also makes an aftermarket shock for the VTR. And you can even get it with a black spring instead of the silly purple one.
http://www.hyperprousa.com/catalog.p...type=Type%2041
http://www.hyperprousa.com/catalog.p...type=Type%2041
Last edited by killer5280; Aug 27, 2007 at 07:28 PM.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
From: Hudson Valley, New York
Has anyone ever used an Elka shock? I found their site while browsing for a new shock that wasn't as expensive as an Ohlins. I'm curious if anyone has on on their SH, and how they like it...
-Dave in NY
-Dave in NY
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,806
From: Atlanta, GA
I haven't ever used one, but they are obviously quality shocks. I think Traxxion Dynamics sells them, but Traxxion's website sucks so bad I can't tell any more.
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 36
I've heard all kinds of good things about Elka. Check out what a VFR group has going. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/i...pic=35712&st=0
Sounds like John at Elka and Vlad at motoworldonline.com have something going for the VFR. Anyone know either of these guys and able to find out if a program could be offered for the VTR?
Sounds like John at Elka and Vlad at motoworldonline.com have something going for the VFR. Anyone know either of these guys and able to find out if a program could be offered for the VTR?
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Somehow I overlooked the resurrection of this thread....
I have an Elka on my 1000RR. It was originally a remote res. preproduction, race only unit. I sent it back to Elka and they upgraded it to the production piggyback style. Valving was still all dicked up so I took it to my shock guy who revalved and dyno'd it. It works much like an Ohlins now and I've got it pretty close to being correctly set up.
So, the answer to your question: Great quality shock. Stock valving (at least for the 1000RR) sucks. Elka has a lot of experience in the dirt and snow, not so much with street. If you have the time to develop it then it is a good deal.
I have an Elka on my 1000RR. It was originally a remote res. preproduction, race only unit. I sent it back to Elka and they upgraded it to the production piggyback style. Valving was still all dicked up so I took it to my shock guy who revalved and dyno'd it. It works much like an Ohlins now and I've got it pretty close to being correctly set up.
So, the answer to your question: Great quality shock. Stock valving (at least for the 1000RR) sucks. Elka has a lot of experience in the dirt and snow, not so much with street. If you have the time to develop it then it is a good deal.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 387
First couple of rides in.......too stiff from factory...just took out some preload and it's better now. Still stiffer than I like but I'll give it a week or two. Sure soaks up holes and bumps correctly. Best deal around at 700bux from www.maxbmw.com Got to me in two weeks even though the salesman told me to expect six. High and low speed comp damp adjust, rebound, remote reservoir. Sure beats $1200
Dirty Bird
Squid
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 36
From: Concord, NC
Just had my Wilbers 641 installed today. Didn't think there was that big an improvement until I looked down at the speedo and noticed I was going much faster than usual! Along with the new shock, I did an RC51 front brake, MC and SS line swap w/ Galfer carbon brakes. I'm so glad I did the brake mod because it's so much easier to travel at higher speeds with the new shock. Brakes are much firmer, and the brakes sound pretty cool when applied, like a small dental drill.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 387
+1 on Hawkbill's post.....New RC MC and calipers and Wilbers shock and RT springs and Gold Valves. I was sort of expecting some sort of epiphany and didn't get it and was ALMOST disappointed after all that money spent until I realized that I was not feeling any bumps even though they were flying by under me and I was now going 20% faster. Glad of the new brakes!
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
From: Hudson Valley, New York
New Ohlins for my baby!
I finally took the plunge and received my new Ohlins shock yesterday - I can't wait to mount it and try it out!
I ordered through an outfit called hardracing.com (no snickering please). They had the best price I've seen for the Ohlins, $848 plus shipping. I ordered it Friday and it showed up yesterday! It's supposed to be set up from the factory for my weight (gulp) and riding style - it was shipped straight from Ohlins in North Carolina I believe.
Yippee!
-Dave
I ordered through an outfit called hardracing.com (no snickering please). They had the best price I've seen for the Ohlins, $848 plus shipping. I ordered it Friday and it showed up yesterday! It's supposed to be set up from the factory for my weight (gulp) and riding style - it was shipped straight from Ohlins in North Carolina I believe.
Yippee!
-Dave
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Hey, you got a great deal! $848 ain't bad at all! I've ordered from Hardracing before. They're a good bunch of guys. Make sure the spring is correct for your weight. If not, have Hardracing get it fixed for you. If they're an Ohlins authorized dealer then they should be able to get the correct spring installed for you at no charge (though you may have to cover shipping since you now already have the shock).
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
The Rear Shock on my VTR has the following part number ......
"Showa - MBB731" is this the stock standard shock on these bikes?
Gerrit
www.formulagti.com
"Showa - MBB731" is this the stock standard shock on these bikes?
Gerrit
www.formulagti.com
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
Yip...thats it Greg...it is the standard shock...Why so many negative comments on this shock?....I use the bike for commuting, and long outrides...not track days..do I need to concern myself with changing the shock?
Gerrit
Gerrit
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
There is nothing wrong with that shock at all... Other than it doesn't fit the weight of a lot of riders and have limited adjustments... And combined with a well set up front it becomes even more apparent... So once you start dialing in your front with replacement springs and such you automaticly start looking at your rear too...
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
From: Hudson Valley, New York
Hey, you got a great deal! $848 ain't bad at all! I've ordered from Hardracing before. They're a good bunch of guys. Make sure the spring is correct for your weight. If not, have Hardracing get it fixed for you. If they're an Ohlins authorized dealer then they should be able to get the correct spring installed for you at no charge (though you may have to cover shipping since you now already have the shock).
Front end modifications to be added next month, I think I'll go the RaceTech springs and Gold Valve, unless a cheap front end falls into my lap.
Now if only the weather would improve so I could test the shock!
-Dave in NY
