TLR aftermarket rear shock---Whats the difference

[godtilla]

OK guys, it seems like everyone says that ditching the rotary damper and getting an aftermarket rear shock is the way to go. But those damn things are so expensive! I've now gotten used to how the tiller handles and it doesnt seem that bad.

So the question is what do I feel now that will be fixed by a penske/bitubo/ohlins rear shock? Will it be a night and day difference/is it worth the money? Thanks in advance!!

[TLRick]

As far as the expense goes, I know in the "Group Buy" section, we are looking into a Bitubo which is supposed to be of excellent quality and like you said, supposed to be a "Night And Day" difference in handling for around $450.

[mstingray]

if i had to do it all over again, i woulda bought a penske. no exp. w/ bitubo FWIW.

[Crusher]

Very happy with my Ohlins . It saves weight and has a lot more adjustments. To me, the rotary damper gave the back end a very "vague" feel. The Ohlins' is very predictable.

[Stabber]

Originally posted by mstingray
if i had to do it all over again, i woulda bought a penske. no exp. w/ bitubo FWIW.

Are you using a ohlins now

[DaRKoN_]

I've now gotten used to how the tiller handles and it doesnt seem that bad.

If it aint broke... don't fix it!

Some ppl's weight\riding style seem to complement the rotary damper and they have no problems... others, like me, have mega troubles with it...

I spotted a second hand ohlins in the buy\sell forum on here and snatched it up!

[TLSBill]

THe UK press (yes the beautifull people that brought us the tanksalpper crap) says heavy people do well with the stock suspenders..

I'm still learning suspension "feel", so I can 't really judge.. It works the way it does and I don't know much else.

[Haser]

just take a look at the cracked frame statistics:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crackedframe/

almost 90% of the cases are the frames cracked in the dampher mounting point. actually, it was the final argument for me to spend saved for ohlins...

no regrets so far

[MonkeyClaw]

I think it also has to do with how hard you ride. For the track, almost everyone says to replace the damper. For the street, some say replace, others don't complain about the stock. I only ride the TLR on the street and the stock rotory has been fine for me. If I notice a problem, I'll get something else.

[mstingray]

Are you using a ohlins now

brilliant deduction holmes

[Tbird]

You don't think a 1000 dollar shock on that ghetto track bike would have looked a little outta place?

[Ryno]

I'd say if the bike feels fine to you, then hold off on the shock for now.
I personally found the stock set up to be lacking. It was OK for easy riding and really smooth roads, but when pushed it got out of shape. The Ohlins shock was the single biggest improvement I made to my bike.

[mstingray]

You don't think a 1000 dollar shock on that ghetto track bike would have looked a little outta place?

i gotta do something to blingify it. next i'm getting spinner rims to lighten up the rotational mass and give me some extra hp

[KBOlsen]

If you're just gonna cruise around on the street, the stock shock is adequate. However, if you're looking to get into track days or go racing, you'll want the tunability of an aftermarket shock (and upgrade the front suspension, as well).

I love my Penske.

[Wingspan]

The main difference I can tell after the swap is with the stock damper mid corner bumps seem to really unsettle the bike. The rear seemed to "hunt around" after a bump and never felt solid again. With the Ohlins, you go over the bump and everything stay's planted and feels secure.