Rebuilt OEM shocks are one of the biggest jokes in the business. People that do that type of modding are just after your money as the return on investment is laughable at best. You'd be much better off saving your hard earned cash until you have enough to buy a proper shock.
^ ya unfortunatly thats the cold hard truth that LDH speaks.... you would probably be better with a penske.
"probably be better with a penske" ?????
In reference to what ? A stock or modified stock shock ?
If so, drop the words "probably be", otherwise the statement is rather erroneous. A Penske is a league away.
I was looking at the Penske and I was already to buy a Penske after reading through a few threads here... but if I want a Penske with a remote reservoir, it's pushing $800 (with a discount). The 8900E with remote reservoir (that Artic929 had) doesn't seem to exist... If I'm going to spend that much on a shock, I might as well just spend a little more and get an Ohlins.
Since my bike is now 9 years old I just cant swallow dropping that much coin into a bike that isn't worth that much. Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
I was hoping a re-built OEM shock would be better than what I have now (which is a hemorrhoid inducing pogo stick... but it sounds like that may not be the case.
Thinking about picking up an 04+ shock and seeing what difference that makes over my 03 shock.
Since my bike is now 9 years old I just cant swallow dropping that much coin into a bike that isn't worth that much. Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
Marginal is subjective... I am huge advocate of Ohlins products obviously, but as a rule I don't really push them for the 919. However if you are going to keep the 919 for years to come and just want to make it more compliant, safer and a helluva lot more comfortable then the Ohlins shock is an excellent investment. You simply have to realize that it's not going to turn your butterknife into a scalpel...
I was looking at the Penske and I was already to buy a Penske after reading through a few threads here... but if I want a Penske with a remote reservoir, it's pushing $800 (with a discount). The 8900E with remote reservoir (that Artic929 had) doesn't seem to exist... If I'm going to spend that much on a shock, I might as well just spend a little more and get an Ohlins.
Since my bike is now 9 years old I just cant swallow dropping that much coin into a bike that isn't worth that much. Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
I was hoping a re-built OEM shock would be better than what I have now (which is a hemorrhoid inducing pogo stick... but it sounds like that may not be the case.
Thinking about picking up an 04+ shock and seeing what difference that makes over my 03 shock.
I personally dont think the 04+ shock is all that bad... yes its not perfect but its not back crushing pogo stick like the 02-03 people make their shocks seem like.
Marginal is subjective... I am huge advocate of Ohlins products obviously, but as a rule I don't really push them for the 919. However if you are going to keep the 919 for years to come and just want to make it more compliant, safer and a helluva lot more comfortable then the Ohlins shock is an excellent investment. You simply have to realize that it's not going to turn your butterknife into a scalpel...
The stock shock is a flexible strut for all intents and purposes.
Absolutely garbage.
An Ohlins on the rear is transformational.
Case closed.
And if a bike is to be a keeper, a shock that behaves as a shock, is a bargain.
Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
???????????????????????
Really ?
Ask two guys who have done a quick rip on mine.
Both said the same thing.
"That's not a 919" or words to effect.
T81 and rickard919
Ask Allen of Oz Land about his experience after doing his front and back.
???????????????????????
Really ?
Ask two guys who have done a quick rip on mine.
Both said the same thing.
"That's not a 919" or words to effect.
T81 and rickard919
Ask Allen of Oz Land about his experience after doing his front and back.
I just put mine on last night , but it's bloody cold here right now.
I'll let you know how 'marginal' the change is after I go for a spin.
I just talked to the guys at Traxxion and it doesn't sound like they have that shock anymore. Arctic has a 8900E with remote reservoir which apparently doesn't exist. I could get a 8900E without the reservoir for $625 or I could get the one step up which looks very similar to what Arctic got for almost $800. If I could pick up the same setup that Arctic had for $625, I would jump all over that.
I was looking at the Penske and I was already to buy a Penske after reading through a few threads here... but if I want a Penske with a remote reservoir, it's pushing $800 (with a discount). The 8900E with remote reservoir (that Artic929 had) doesn't seem to exist... If I'm going to spend that much on a shock, I might as well just spend a little more and get an Ohlins.
Since my bike is now 9 years old I just cant swallow dropping that much coin into a bike that isn't worth that much. Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
I was hoping a re-built OEM shock would be better than what I have now (which is a hemorrhoid inducing pogo stick... but it sounds like that may not be the case.
Thinking about picking up an 04+ shock and seeing what difference that makes over my 03 shock.
IF you plan on keeping the 919, changing the shock WILL make a huge difference. I have an Ohlins on mine and it transformed my bike!
Marginal is subjective... I am huge advocate of Ohlins products obviously, but as a rule I don't really push them for the 919. However if you are going to keep the 919 for years to come and just want to make it more compliant, safer and a helluva lot more comfortable then the Ohlins shock is an excellent investment. You simply have to realize that it's not going to turn your butterknife into a scalpel...
What he said! I can't put into words how much more pleasant my 9er is with the Ohlins.
Whats a good place to order a Penske rear for the 919?
Being in Canada, I suggest you try Willie Vass at Vass Performance in Carstairs Alberta.
He has a good pipeline direct into Penske.
Willie is top notch, and has done my 919 and the GSX-R fronts and rears.
Super guy and excellent support.
If you contact him, use my name.
To say that he knows my 919 Penske inside out is a bit of an understatement, considering all that he's done to it.
What make of race body work do you prefer to use ?
Sharkskinz.
I won't lie I use the lesser brands quite a bit too because sometimes I just get deals that are too good to pass up, but you won't hear me complaining about how hard those cheap brands are to fit up or how it went off like a hand grenade the first time I dropped the bike because I know Sharkskinz is the best and shame on me for taking the cheap route...
I usually get a minimum of 2 crashes out of a set of sharkskinz before I replace them (I never repair just replace), but every other brand I have crash tested has been disposable. Hell some of the crap will get cracks in it just mounting it on the bike...
900-1k for a shock... thats like. 10,000 miles worth of gas at 3.80 a gallon!
I kept holding off as my bike is a bit long in the tooth ('02), but i figure there will still be a return on investment a few years from now if ever i trade the bike as theres a good 2nd hand market for these shocks.sso you cant lose, really.
As many different combinations of shock and spring combos as I've tried, I have to admit, nothing comes close to the Ohlins. I tried and tried to get a satisfying ride from all kinds of combos, and learned a little about suspension tuning along the way, which is something I enjoyed because I'm a tinker-er. But I also spent about the same amount of cash as if I had just bought the Ohlins to begin with, maybe just a little bit more. For me it was worth it to try different things so I could learn about suspension tuning and such, but it ain't for everybody. Be honest with yourself, are you a tinker-er, or not? If not, just save your money for awhile longer and buy an Ohlins, no matter what style riding you do. The darn thing enhances all styles, and combined with some moderately done front forks, the 9'er is as good as she's gonna get. If you are a tinkering kinda guy, try other combo's
IMHO
__________________
Spoiler:
ALL PARTS HAVE ARRIVED....let the wrenching begin!!!
My 9'er had a low side slide.....She's down but not out......and about to rise from the ashes!
Currently:
2004 Honda 919 Silver
599 Headlight
Buell M2 shield
Givi Crash bars
Dynojet PCIII
Akrapovic exhaust - GSXR shorty CF
Seat with gel insert and re-shape
Custom LED Rear lights w/ vizi-tech flasher
Competition Works Fender Eliminator
Front 3-way LED Turn Signals flushmount
6-Spoke wheel conversion ( 900rr / F3 )
Michelin Pilot Road 3 - New @ 19940 8/10/11
Dyna Beads for tire balancing
17t / 44t Sprockets
Piaa horns 400 & 500 hertz
Ohlins rear shock from an F3, Re-Valved/Sprung
F4i Forks, custom sprung/sealed
ASV levers - Black W/Red Adj.
Tech-Spec custom tank Pads
Napoleon bar end mirrors
SW-Motech center stand
Custom one-off Bars W/Heat
FuzeBlocks FZ-1 Power Distribution
RC51 front brakes w/Bremzen pads-10 button rotors
Buell Ulysses Foot Peg conversion
etc, etc,
As many different combinations of shock and spring combos as I've tried, I have to admit, nothing comes close to the Ohlins. I tried and tried to get a satisfying ride from all kinds of combos, and learned a little about suspension tuning along the way, which is something I enjoyed because I'm a tinker-er. But I also spent about the same amount of cash as if I had just bought the Ohlins to begin with, maybe just a little bit more. For me it was worth it to try different things so I could learn about suspension tuning and such, but it ain't for everybody. Be honest with yourself, are you a tinker-er, or not? If not, just save your money for awhile longer and buy an Ohlins, no matter what style riding you do. The darn thing enhances all styles, and combined with some moderately done front forks, the 9'er is as good as she's gonna get. If you are a tinkering kinda guy, try other combo's
IMHO
What shock and spring combos have you tried on your 919 and what is your use of the bike ?
Since my bike is now 9 years old I just cant swallow dropping that much coin into a bike that isn't worth that much. Especially since I've heard that the gains from upgraded suspension is marginal.
...
The ohlins will give you a very noticeable improvement.
I still don't understand the relationship between improving your day to day ride, and the resale value of the bike ...
This is in terms of 919s and nothing else but.
There is no simple right or wrong re what to do about the rear shock.
Some will be happy with, or tolerate for a range of reasons, the stock unit, be it an early one with the stiff spring or 04 and later mush spring.
Others will want, and get, an aftermarket unit.
In terms of the best aftermarket choices, I suggest that Elka, Ohlins and Penske be the ones to look at, and I deliberately used alphabetical order for the aforementioned listing.
If one only does street riding, and the rare track day, then the fixed length Ohlins is something you simply can not go wrong with.
But,if one is a serious trackaholic with their 919, then I strongly recommend a true 3 way adjustable rear with variable length capability.
The 919 is a squat meister to begin with, and it's unlinked and fairly flat swingarm angle makes that situation even worse.
Lengthening the shock helps the antisquat, and by lifting up the front by the same amount, raises the C of G thus reducing the effort needed to pitch the bike about on it's "roll axis".
Low Speed Compression adjustment is also a squat counter (= more antisquat) tool, and a 919 will respond well to using more than a linked rear would need.
From what I have seen so far, the typical spring rates called up are too soft for trackaholic use.
A solo flyweight rider needs at least 1000 #/inch for street riding.
If one is springing for trackaholic use plus streetriding, 1100 is the minimum, and 1200 is better. (I started at 1000, went to 1100 then 1200) A trackaholic on a real smooth track with stickies like Diablo SuperCorsa SPs, could probably effectively use a 1300 or even a 1350 but that would be pretty harsh for road riding.
I'm using a Penske adjustable length three way 1200 # sprung shock that has been retrofitted with a digressive compression/linear rebound piston. With the high speed and low speed settings backed out for road riding, it's "firm" but very OK, noting my wife finds it "stable" and still comfortable as compared to how the shock began before my self financed 919 rear shock R & D project.
What began as a 1000 sprung two way, got resprung to 1100, got reconfigured to a shock dyno tested three way, then had a piston change (dyho shock testing not yet done, but track testing has proven it as being an improvement)
The bike has over 2000 kms of track mileage on it.
From info that came with my Penske new from Jim Lindemann 5 or so years ago, the basic shock unit is also used on the Triumph Tiger 1050. I don't know if the mounting ends are the same or not, but if one is having trouble getting a listing for a 3 way adjustable length shock, then see what can be found by approaching it on the basis of finding a Triumph listing and going from there.
Last, my bike is an 05, I never tracked it with the stock shock, so I can not offer any comments as to what a later model stock shock would be like on the track.
My guess is that it would be like a pogo stick.
the whole idea of 919 on the track is absurd. There should be a law against using "serious trackaholic" and 919 in the same sentence. I can see taking 9er on the track to burn some chicken strips but "serious trackaholic", c'mon now. Ncromo, get yourself MD250H, you will like it much better on the track.
the whole idea of 919 on the track is absurd. There should be a law against using "serious trackaholic" and 919 in the same sentence. I can see taking 9er on the track to burn some chicken strips but "serious trackaholic", c'mon now. Ncromo, get yourself MD250H, you will like it much better on the track.
Absurd?
Not in my book.
And if you were out there on one, trust me, you'd have serious fun and surely be in the mix.
I have the GSX-R track bike that I started racing last year, but still love the 919 for some fun hustling around and don't want to give that up.
I think you'd be shocked at how mild mannered, forgiving and easy it is to toss a reasonably prepped 919 street bike about, lap after lap and get decent times with it.
Sure, it gets stomped on when on the straight, but in with typical track day Intermediates I can always find a nice group of 600s to nicely pace with.
In fact, for newbie track riders, I'll bet they could lap better and faster on the 919 than they could on their 600s until they get some basic skills developed and habituated.
, but it's bloody cold here right now.
My 9'er had a low side slide.....She's down but not out......and about to rise from the ashes! 
Ncromo, get yourself MD250H, you will like it much better on the track.
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