Aftermarket shock question for a new owner

bmidd

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Jul 17, 2022
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Looking at aftermarket shocks and was wondering how much of a pain it is to change the preload WITHOUT a remote preload adjuster knob? The price difference is $350-450 without one and that would let me take care of the front end quicker. Just want to get some members experience without the preload knob. I would rather not have the stock shock reworked, as it doesn't have any compression adjustment and you're halfway to the price of a new shock when all is said and done. I'll also post this in the FB group.
Thanks.
 

~TABASCO~

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You will hear from both sides for sure.... Ha-Ha-.. Ive worked with these for more than 30 years.. For me, it boils down to this. Some bikes you set them and go ride for ten years, never touch it. With others, like my Tenere, I adjust the front and rear much often for highway use, and then going off road. (Highway across country and then ride a BDR).

If you plan to adjust it because of travel / passenger / panniers / water / fuel / Etc. You will want the convenience of the knob...

The biggest complaint I have not having the knob, dirt, mud, junk, get all over the shock. Adjusting it at all after the first few weeks of riding is very difficult. Ive gone back six months later and the damn thing is seized all together with mud, dirt, crap....... And at that moment you know you F'ed up............. LOL Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha
 

bmidd

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Jul 17, 2022
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Chattanooga
I'm, trying to determine how much of my riding will be 2-up too. If it's anything close to 25%, then I will not worry about the knob and just suck it up. On all my Penske and Ohlin shocks I ave run a shock sock on it and that has worked out great for me, no seizing of the threads. Thanks for your input!
 

jrusell

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Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
It is not a pain at all.
Personally I would much prefer a simple threaded adjuster over a hydraulic adjuster for a number of reasons.
Hydraulic preload adjusters should be serviced at regular intervals much the same as the shock and this adds cost to the price of a regular service.

Hydraulic adjuster can also leak, and when they do you lose all the dialed in preload. If for example you are loaded up for a trip and have 4-8mm of preload dialled in to achieve proper sag, and the adjuster starts to leak what will you do? You are left with no choice but to finish the trip with a severely sagging rear.

Every spring spend a bit of time in the garage to set my bike up properly for my normal riding. I then load the bike up as I would if I were taking a long trip with cases, bags etc. I simply mark the shock and record how many extra turns of preload I need for these trips.
Next time a plan something it takes less than a few minutes to add the needed preload.

When using hydraulic adjusters you are normally limited in spring selection because the shock with adjuster will only allow you to use springs that very close to the original springs length.
A Penske shock for example with threaded adjuster has a huge threaded area. In most cases you can use a 6, 7 or even 8 inch spring on the same shock by simply backing off the threaded adjuster and setting the installed preload properly.

Another bonus of a shock with a threaded adjuster is most times you can do a spring change by just backing off the preload ring. No need to have a shock spring compressor to change springs.

I would take a Penske shock with a threaded adjuster over an ohlins with hydraulic preload adjuster any day.
 

bmidd

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Jul 17, 2022
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Chattanooga
It is not a pain at all.
Personally I would much prefer a simple threaded adjuster over a hydraulic adjuster for a number of reasons.
Hydraulic preload adjusters should be serviced at regular intervals much the same as the shock and this adds cost to the price of a regular service.

Hydraulic adjuster can also leak, and when they do you lose all the dialed in preload. If for example you are loaded up for a trip and have 4-8mm of preload dialled in to achieve proper sag, and the adjuster starts to leak what will you do? You are left with no choice but to finish the trip with a severely sagging rear.

Every spring spend a bit of time in the garage to set my bike up properly for my normal riding. I then load the bike up as I would if I were taking a long trip with cases, bags etc. I simply mark the shock and record how many extra turns of preload I need for these trips.
Next time a plan something it takes less than a few minutes to add the needed preload.

When using hydraulic adjusters you are normally limited in spring selection because the shock with adjuster will only allow you to use springs that very close to the original springs length.
A Penske shock for example with threaded adjuster has a huge threaded area. In most cases you can use a 6, 7 or even 8 inch spring on the same shock by simply backing off the threaded adjuster and setting the installed preload properly.

Another bonus of a shock with a threaded adjuster is most times you can do a spring change by just backing off the preload ring. No need to have a shock spring compressor to change springs.

I would take a Penske shock with a threaded adjuster over an ohlins with hydraulic preload adjuster any day.
I agree with that! That's why I like the Penske so much, I don't have to run to Thermosman for a simple spring change.
 

escapefjrtist

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I'm running a Penske 8983 on my Tenere. Using the preload tool, adjustment is quick and easy. Like others, I have standard adjustments for running around the 'hood empty and when loaded up for trips. One turn of preload and 2 - 4 clicks of rebound is all I ever change.

For two-up, I swap the spring out. Takes ~30-ish minutes and I have a no compromise, properly sprung machine. FWIW, I run a 7" X 900# for single trips and 7" X 1000# for heavily loaded two-up trips. I would NOT run a 6" spring on the Tenere.

~G
 

bmidd

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Chattanooga
I'm running a Penske 8983 on my Tenere. Using the preload tool, adjustment is quick and easy. Like others, I have standard adjustments for running around the 'hood empty and when loaded up for trips. One turn of preload and 2 - 4 clicks of rebound is all I ever change.

For two-up, I swap the spring out. Takes ~30-ish minutes and I have a no compromise, properly sprung machine. FWIW, I run a 7" X 900# for single trips and 7" X 1000# for heavily loaded two-up trips. I would NOT run a 6" spring on the Tenere.

~G
Thanks for your input, that's the input I was looking for. I have zero issues with preload on my FZ1 Penske, though it rarely gets touched.
 

bmidd

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Just to update the post, I ordered a Ohlins YA 013. It's roughly the same price as a Penske 8983 with no hydraulic preload adjuster, $1129.
 

escapefjrtist

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Back to Penske then?

Another (I feel huge) advantage with Penske shocks is they are owner rebuildable. With just a few special tools, I can freshen up my Penske's for less than $20 and two hours of my time and I know it's done right.

~G
 

blitz11

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Sep 23, 2014
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I have had the penske since 2014 (Yikes! Almost a decade!) and still can't be happier. I service myself, and it's a piece of cake. I'd buy again in a heartbeat. I also have a penske on my KTM 690 duke. Same shock, different valving and spring. Super happy with it, too.
 

Tenman

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I have had the penske since 2014 (Yikes! Almost a decade!) and still can't be happier. I service myself, and it's a piece of cake. I'd buy again in a heartbeat. I also have a penske on my KTM 690 duke. Same shock, different valving and spring. Super happy with it, too.
Where is the best (cheapest) place to get one?
 

escapefjrtist

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Where is the best (cheapest) place to get one?
There aren't many "cheap" vendors for Penske shocks. Let your fingers do the searching but Penske direct, Traxxion, Stoltec and GP Suspension are a few to check out. I scored a used 8987 for my FJR (to replace a 8983) and a local vendor was offering a 25% off Black Friday sale for the Tenere shock. My Tenere shock is close to ten years old too.

Used market and eBay is a great way to pick one up. You do have to be quick though!

~G
 

Vanny

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Jun 21, 2021
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Late to the party here. In the uk I went with a Nitron unit , no remote pre load. Very happy with the Performance, don’t know about supplies where you are.
 

bmidd

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Chattanooga
Back to Penske then?

Another (I feel huge) advantage with Penske shocks is they are owner rebuildable. With just a few special tools, I can freshen up my Penske's for less than $20 and two hours of my time and I know it's done right.

~G
There aren't many "cheap" vendors for Penske shocks. Let your fingers do the searching but Penske direct, Traxxion, Stoltec and GP Suspension are a few to check out. I scored a used 8987 for my FJR (to replace a 8983) and a local vendor was offering a 25% off Black Friday sale for the Tenere shock. My Tenere shock is close to ten years old too.

Used market and eBay is a great way to pick one up. You do have to be quick though!

~G
Maybe back to Penske. I called Thermosman Sunday and he was at the track and wouldn't get back home until tonight. Told him I would rather have the Ohlins, but if it's back ordered too long to just get me another 8983 and I'll forego the hydraulic preload adjuster. Due to multiple bad dealings with Max @Traxxion, I would saw off my left foot before I used him for anything. I've had good success with Jamie @ Daugherty Motorsports in Indy and even better with Mike (Thermosman), T-man is in Waleska, GA, about an hour from me in Chattanooga. He does my valving and springs for my bikes.
 

escapefjrtist

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Maybe back to Penske. I called Thermosman Sunday and he was at the track and wouldn't get back home until tonight. Told him I would rather have the Ohlins, but if it's back ordered too long to just get me another 8983 and I'll forego the hydraulic preload adjuster. Due to multiple bad dealings with Max @Traxxion, I would saw off my left foot before I used him for anything. I've had good success with Jamie @ Daugherty Motorsports in Indy and even better with Mike (Thermosman), T-man is in Waleska, GA, about an hour from me in Chattanooga. He does my valving and springs for my bikes.
If you have a good trustworthy suspension guy, by all means, support him!

Getting royally screwed by a (highly) recommended local suspension shop convinced me to source the few special tools and rebuild my own shocks. Many of the local FJR gang also have Penske shocks so the equipment doesn't sit idle. I hear you regarding Traxxion...once was enough for me.

Good luck!

~G
 

enfield68g

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Mar 18, 2023
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Location
El Paso, Texas
I recently just bought a 2015 Non-Es Tenere. I'm a big guy 275 lbs. Obviously the factory shock is not setup for my weight. Today I purchased this: TracTive X-TREME-PA Rear Shock / XT1200Z Super Tenere '12-from beemershop.com. I called and discussed my options and decided this would best fit my needs. Not cheap but I've really embraced the buy once cry once motto. I'll let you know who it works out for me.

BTW it's the same shock at the Touratech just cheaper. So I'm told.
 

bmidd

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Jul 17, 2022
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Chattanooga
Had another order cancelled for another Ohlins, no stock in the US right now. Ended up getting the mid-level Tractive shock, I didn't feel the need to pay an extra $600+ for high and low speed compression. Maybe a track bike, but not the job this bike will be doing.
 
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