hi chaps the rear shock on my 1198(showa model) is very corroded and look pants to be honest, and im thinking of changing it, what would be best?? thinking of an ohlins ttx shock as you can get um reasonable second hand or a custom maxton shock ? bike mainly used for road riding with 2-3 track days a year. any info would be great.
I nearly bought a Nitron for my 1098 SF (same unit as 1098 SBK - possibly same as 1198..?) The Nitron wasn't available as a piggy-back unit - it would have been a remote reservoir which put me off and Nitron don't do the black springs any more so it would have been a turquoise spring on a red bike. Didn't fancy that. The K-Tech option of the same spec as Ohlins TTX was a similar price all bar £100. Went with the tried and tested TTX in the end and haven't regretted it. Racelab suspension sourced me a new one for £900 fitted. Money well spent and looks the dog's nadgers.
A proper Ohlins TTX would be great, as fitted to the 1198sp I believe but avoid the 'Showlins' one fitted to the 1098s and 848 evo corse, I am sure this won't be popular but that shock is barely any different to the Showa and far too stiffly sprung. I haven't used others but all have a good reputation, Penske are apparently beautifully built but I would probably stick with a brand where your local suspension tech is trained and can service it and keep it tip top for u.
Yep. Every suspension specialist will tell you that the production Ohlins fitted to new bikes are generally a one-sizes-fits-all compromise just like the stock suspension and aren't the same thing at all as the after-market units you buy from the factory. If having gold Ohlins bling on a bike is the main reason for choosing an S model - especially when buying second-hand, you'll get more for your money buying a standard model and fitting proper factory aftermarket units yourself.
yeah going to get some cartridges in the forks as well at some point i think. just spoke to bettes done on a deal one his ttx ohlins. happy days
I had a K-tech piston kit fitted to the OE forks on my SF. Half the price of a full cartridge kit. The OE damping needle is stepped, the K-tech is progressive so finer tuning is possible. I'm very happy with them.
I had an Ohlins TTX on the speed R and that was superb, my old GSXR600 had a Maxton rear shock and that was absolutely brilliant too
I rode a '12 blade on track earlier this yr with Penske rear shock & kteck springs. It was pure bliss... Best handling bike i ever rode. Take a break from the ohlins imo...
My Penske shock was checked over by an Ohlin's Service Engineer who said it was very impressive (he couldn't say better than Ohlin's but I'm sure that's what he meant)
Sware man...it nearly had me buying a friggin fireblade!! the instructor in cartagena was doing low 149's on it. Stock bike literally. He said set up was perfect & rear shock was v good. Id like one myself..
maybe a phone call to k tech next week as well then i see there based not far from donnington race track
