Author Topic: Hagon shocks (Read 10442 times)

realoldfart · **on:** February 23, 2011, 06:30:24 pm

I have a question about the Hagon shocks (Z90665) advertised on the Nfield Gear website. I just bought a 2011 RE G5 Bullet Classic and love the bike but not-so-crazy about the ride - it definitely needs improvement. The Hagon ad says they "significantly improve ride and handling."
Does anybody out there have any personal experience with these shocks? At $325 a pair, I'd like to have someone with some experience tell me about 'em before I pop for that much money.
Thank you, and have a nice ride!
Wayne in Northern California

r80rt · **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2011, 06:58:53 pm

Welcome to the forum, Have you tried putting your shocks on the softest position yet? It made a big difference for me.

enfield freddy · **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:05:40 pm

realoldfart , sorry i can,t help with the c5/g5 , I own an older model , after trying several makes of shockers , i have fitted hagons , the difference is noticable ,

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:24:41 pm

First, the unshrouded ones are much cheaper. Second, you don't have one of the legacy bikes, you have a newer UCE bike and these come with better shocks than the old bikes. You can tell your shocks are different, they have the little piggback gas reservoir. Third, have you adjusted your preload at all? It's a simple adjustment but might get you closer to what you want.

Scott

realoldfart · **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:34:18 pm

First, thanks for the prompt and informative replies, gentlemen.
And, yes, that's about the first thing I did was set the spring preload on the softest setting, and the ride is still harsh as can be. Plus, a friend of mine bought an '09 G5 UCE early last year and let me ride it before I bought mine. Same thing: soft setting and unacceptably harsh ride. I read somewhere that the stock shocks break in after 1,500 miles or so and improve noticeably. Anybody else notice that? I now have 900 miles on mine and it's just as harsh as day one.
Thanks again. Wayne

r80rt · **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:35:38 pm

They will get some better after a while, mine did anyway.

prof_stack · **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:57:39 pm

The C5 is helped out by the solo saddle which takes the bite out the back suspension. How much you weigh would have some effect as well.

I thought the shocks on the UCE models are the upgraded pieces, i.e. Hagon. Please correct me if I am wrong.

singhg5 · **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:04:48 pm

@Wayne:

Welcome to the Forum.

Sometimes, if the front shocks are not working well it may shift all the bumps to the rear. And it has been known that the front fork does not have good fork oil from the factory. They may even have unequal and different stuff in the left and right forks ! Check the level of fork oil on both sides and also see if two sides contain same fluid. Some of us replaced the front fork oil and it improved the ride. It is not so expensive and can be done easily, before you change the rear shocks.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:08:55 pm

Singh, what oil did you use for replacement? I know the factory specs motor oil but I'm thinking of swapping mine out soon for some 7.5W synthetic fork oil. Maybe add some preload too.

Scott

singhg5 · **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:17:25 pm

Quote from: Ducati Scotty on February 23, 2011, 09:08:55 pm

Singh, what oil did you use for replacement? I know the factory specs motor oil but I'm thinking of swapping mine out soon for some 7.5W synthetic fork oil. Maybe add some preload too.

@Scott:

I used FORK OIL 10W by BelRay - not motor oil - for my G5. It tremendously improved my bike. If you remember, my G5 had different stuff in left and right forks from the factory and one side was almost empty ! That may be why I felt big improvement. I am light weight so 10W suits me fine.

clubman · **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:46:13 pm

I was going to ask what your mileage was and then I read 900. I can tell you that I thought the rear shocks were really harsh for at least the first 1500 miles and also intended to replace them with Hagons PDQ. Then I sort of noticed that they didn't bother me any more and they're still on the middle setting by the way. ( I might add that I am 154lbs so light weight - maybe to pick up on another thread that's why I am adamant that I can cruise at 65-70 all day.) So yes, they really do improve though they take an awful long time about it. On the plus side perhaps they'll last forever once they are broken in?

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:49:19 pm

Quote from: singhg5 on February 23, 2011, 09:17:25 pm

I used FORK OIL 10W by BelRay

Thanks. I like my fork to move fast so may try 7.5W.

Almost all forks I've ever seen from the factroy have different amounta in both sides and it looks like crap when it comes out, may or may not be different crap on each side. I don't know why this seems to be a low point on factory quality control but it is

Scott

realoldfart · **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2011, 12:48:33 am

Hey, Singh;
You mention replacing the factory fork oil with BelRay 10 and that sounds like a great idea. I just drained the forks in my 2011 G5, found dirty, heavy - at least 30 or 40w - oil, 160cc in one side, 170cc in the other.
The factory service manual says to use 265cc oil in each fork, but the included Riders Handbook says to use "200 m / leg." What the hell is 220 m, and how much oil did you use in each fork? 265 just seems to me to be too much.
Thank you. Wayne in Santa Rosa, Ca

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2011, 03:04:42 am

Was it 200mm? That means with the fork top off, spring out, and fork fully compressed, you fill it to 200mm from the top. Of course you need to extend and compress it several times with oil in it to make sure there aren't any air bubbles in it.

Fork oil height is a much more precise way to fill forks since it ensures the size of the air space. The air acts as a compressible, progressive spring. I'm planning to take a look at my forks and if I can I'll put in the recommended volume, then measure the height.

Scott

Tri750 · **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2011, 02:58:14 pm

Quote from: realoldfart on February 23, 2011, 06:30:24 pm

I have a question about the Hagon shocks (Z90665) advertised on the Nfield Gear website. I just bought a 2011 RE G5 Bullet Classic and love the bike but not-so-crazy about the ride - it definitely needs improvement. The Hagon ad says they "significantly improve ride and handling."
Does anybody out there have any personal experience with these shocks? At $325 a pair, I'd like to have someone with some experience tell me about 'em before I pop for that much money.
Thank you, and have a nice ride!
Wayne in Northern California

Wayne,
No matter what shock you decide on, making sure the spring rate matches your body weight is very important. If the RE Hagons are sprung too stiff for you, then you'll be just as unhappy as you are now. Upgrading to a shock with the correct spring AND adjustable damping would be ideal but only one or two shocks will be both adjustable and still have the old school look.
Not to swipe a sale from RE, but if you would like to know of more adjustable shock options that we can order for you, please call me at the shop at 866-811-4269.
Best,
Al Madril

singhg5 · **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2011, 03:36:09 pm

Quote from: realoldfart on February 26, 2011, 12:48:33 am

Hey, Singh;
You mention replacing the factory fork oil with BelRay 10 and that sounds like a great idea. I just drained the forks in my 2011 G5, found dirty, heavy - at least 30 or 40w - oil, 160cc in one side, 170cc in the other.
The factory service manual says to use 265cc oil in each fork, but the included Riders Handbook says to use "200 m / leg." What the hell is 220 m, and how much oil did you use in each fork? 265 just seems to me to be too much.
Thank you. Wayne in Santa Rosa, Ca

@Wayne:

I am posting a link below for more details. When I had changed fork oil, we had a very good and informative discussion on the Forum. I had used about 230 ml (milli litre) per fork. I think we could not quite figure out "How much" is the correct volume, because what came out of the fork was so low as compared to what was recommended in the Manual. So I picked a value that is sort of middle of those volumes. You may use your judgement as to how much you want to add.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,8820.0/all.html

P. Schraub · **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2011, 04:02:13 pm

Thanks for the heads up on the fork oil. I own a brand new G5 Deluxe and am quite happy with the rear shocks. They are at their lightest setting and I have a solo springer seat. The bike feels great. I have one question about the forks......they seem very lightly dampened. I guess I should check out my oil but would like to know if this is normal ? Thanks guys, a great and helpful forum.

singhg5 · **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2011, 04:08:24 pm

Quote from: P. Schraub on February 26, 2011, 04:02:13 pm

I have one question about the forks......they seem very lightly dampened. I guess I should check out my oil but would like to know if this is normal ? Thanks guys, a great and helpful forum.

Drain the oil from your forks and add a fresh proper Fork oil. It is not very expensive and worth it knowing what you added to it.

realoldfart · **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2011, 12:02:40 am

For Al Madril (tri750):
Thanks for the advice about Hagon shocks, Al, but, by happy coiincidence, I did some research on my own last week, contacting a CA shop in San Marcos that advertises in "Motorcycle Classic" magazine, and discussed, by e-mail, what Hagon shocks were available for my '11 RE G5. We've worked out the style (2810), spring rate and size, and adornments, like polished "caps" at the top of the springs so they look very similar to the stock shock. Since I live in CA, I'll get 'em very quickly and will be ordering 'em early next week. And, yerright, these shocks are MUCH better than the one's shown on the Nfield Gear website, and the cost isn't much more.
But thanks again, sir. I appreciate your time and effort.
Wayne in NoCal.

Sub · **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2011, 06:32:34 pm

wayne, sorry to dig up an old post, but how do you like the hagons? Pics? Price?

drbvac · **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2011, 11:26:14 pm

I bought custom Hagons from the US dealer - lowered the bike 2' and he set the springs for the correct rate of springiness for my weight and that particular lenght . YOU have to tell him what you are doing with the bike and weight and he will custom set the shocks for your situation. I have the C-5 stock shocks if anyone wants them - the hagons are fine and you have lots of choices for the appearance - shrouded, black and chrome - all black etc etc. Great service

http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/

B

Desi Bike · **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2011, 02:14:03 am

The 'wanted' forum has a post about paying it forward, or karma or something like that were people have been offering trades for RE bits, check it out and see if you can get something neat as a trade for the shocks.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2011, 08:00:27 pm

That was one of the things that most impressed me about this board when I first joined.

Scott

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2011, 08:07:33 pm

drbvac, would you mind telling us how much you weigh and what shock spring rate you went with? Any other details on the shocks you chose and why?

Thanks,
Scott

drbvac · **Reply #24 on:** July 14, 2011, 10:03:11 pm

Missed this - I went with the shortest shock that they make as I am 5-3 and weigh 170 so a square shape which in fact is a shape - so I say I am in shape

Dave puts the fact that I usually ride solo, weigh 170, need shocks that are as short as possible - think they were 11.5 inches and the springs with the proper rate to support me.

They seem to work great and I took the springs OFF my solo seat and although it is now dropped and only suspension is the shocks - the ride is OK - certainly stiff to allow travel but not any bottoming or wheel rub - but I accept that with the fact I can put both boots flat on the ground.

shappers · **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2011, 10:15:24 pm

Hi y'all, interesting about the shorter shocks on the C5.

Does it cure the weaving once the bike is beyond 60 mph?

Cheers shappers.

Ice · **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2011, 10:29:44 pm

Have you checked your tire pressures ?

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2011, 10:37:06 pm

Yeah Shappers. I think the owner's manual says 18F/20R. It sounds really low but it works with the stock AM26 tires. I run 18/24 and I can go smooth to 80+mph.

Scott

GlennF · **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2011, 09:46:08 am

Quote from: shappers on July 15, 2011, 10:15:24 pm

Hi y'all, interesting about the shorter shocks on the C5.

Does it cure the weaving once the bike is beyond 60 mph?

Cheers shappers.

that will be the nylon bush in the swing arm ... not the shocks

BRADEY · **Reply #29 on:** July 16, 2011, 10:54:49 am

@ drbvac: Please ensure that your wiring is not fouling with the rear wheel after dropping the height of the shockers Many people have had short circuits when the wiring was cut through by the rear tyre.....!!

drbvac · **Reply #30 on:** July 16, 2011, 04:41:31 pm

Thanks Brady - already did and the travel with the springs will still not let the tire hit the fender - only moves about an 1 1/2 "

As others have stated - shocks have nothing or at least in my opinion little to do with the wobble - TIRE pressure and possibly tension on the fender struts putting the frame out of wack = search for wobbles !