Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => 650 Interceptor & Continental GT => Topic started by: Jack Straw on November 28, 2020, 10:19:13 pm
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I've had no experience with Hagon but I've heard some good reports. I'm curious about these shocks from Hitchcocks;
https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/40090?ref_page=Interceptor%20650
The price is attractive at about $200 USD. Anyone tried them?
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I've got Hagons on my Interceptor, they do a wide range, longer, shorter, exposed or enclosed, stainless etc. They'll make tham to suit your wait. Their website isn't the best but they are very helpful on the phone (subject to time zones). I really like the pair they made for me.
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I've used them on a variety of bikes, including some vintage dirt trackers and they've always worked very well. It's my understanding that Alf Hagon, one of the best speedway/grass track riders that ever sat on a bike, bought the rights to manufacture Girling shocks when they got out of the motorcycle business. Hagon also designed and built frames, engines and accessories for speedway racing. Overall the company has a very good rep.
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I put Hagon gas shocks on my old Suzuki GT500 and they definitely improved the handling. There was only so much improvement to be had with that bendy frame though! Some people fitted stronger box section swinging arms, but I think they only made the frame flex more instead. ???
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Yss will blow them away esp with adjustable damping
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Yss will blow them away esp with adjustable damping
Thanks but I wasn't asking about YSS. ::)
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And also yss are twice as expensive and tbh don’t carry the same retro look
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I ordered the Hagons from Hitchcocks and will post on them after a couple of rides.
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I have them on mine , a great improvement, well built British made items, sprung to your weight, for bangs per buck you won’t beat them.
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I have custom Hagons on my C5. Outstanding shocks. Will look forward to hearing about the
Interceptor feedback as those are on my list for next summer.
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I've had no experience with Hagon but I've heard some good reports. I'm curious about these shocks from Hitchcocks;
https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/40090?ref_page=Interceptor%20650
The price is attractive at about $200 USD. Anyone tried them?
I installed the same ones on my 2016 Triumph T120 as an upgrade. I have about 4000 miles on them so far and I'm very happy with them. Got them through Bellacourse.
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Yes i agree with blazingatom,why pay loads of money on shocks when its not really necessary on a well built bike like the interceptor/continental,the difference would be negligible.Anyway the hagon shocks from Hitchcocks have preload,and a 4mm screw for damping and yes rebound,far better than the rubbish tec shocks ive put on mine.Incidentally,i still havent had a reply from tec about my shocks,so my advice is dont buy them. >:(
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I’m looking forward to hearing about the Hagon shocks. I love the shrouded retro look and I’m wondering how much of an improvement they are over stock. I’ll probably be installing the Ohlins FSK 100s first; the consensus seems to be that, in so far as the suspension goes, replacing the fork springs is the single best upgrade you can do.
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Got the +20mm adjustable hagons and they’re very good
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50278398862_5095ffeb8c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jAVWiU)MLCP_180331_115552_0646 (https://flic.kr/p/2jAVWiU) by Tony H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153018338@N03/), on Flickr
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Those pipes look so good!
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Those pipes look so good!
That's what RE should have put on as standard - must be quite a weight saving as well as a power increase as it's a known fact 2 into 1 systems are more efficient.
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The Hagon dampers finally arrived. I bought the non shrouded, plain black units as they remind my of the Girlings on my old Norton. I just don't like the look of the external reservoir on a retro style bike.
The first thing I noticed was weight. The stockers run 10.4 pounds for the pair. Hagons weighed in at 6.8.
Since it's a hell of a lot easer to pare weight from the machine than from my flabby carcass I'll celebrate with another donut.
Sorry, no road test as yet due to weather but it's supposed to get up to 58 this afternoon so maybe some first impressions soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/G6qafpV.jpg)
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I emailed Hagon and they are also developing a front fork kit. I’m also getting rears, would love the shrouded ones but it’s another £75 for the same mechanics. Only question is silver or black springs
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I emailed Hagon and they are also developing a front fork kit. I’m also getting rears, would love the shrouded ones but it’s another £75 for the same mechanics. Only question is silver or black springs
I am going to order the black springs. The standard shocks work for me but I, like Jack Straw, just do not like the look of the standard shocks.
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Thinking of ordering the +20mm with black springs. Could do with the extra ride height and quicker steering. Prob get the hard fork springs too.
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Yowza! warm enough for a little test ride as I hoped.
The Hagons in stock length and as furnished black springs felt just great. I set the damping adjustments to the mid-position, 10 clicks out of 20. To my butt they were neither too harsh nor too soft for both spring rate and damping.
Disclaimer here; I'm am certainly NOT real knowledgeable about suspension but "I know what I like" and these reasonably priced Hagon dampers seem well worth the money. Frankly, on looks alone they're worth it to me.
I'll email Hagon or Hitchcocks next week to find out what the spring weight is. The bike feels very similar to my VT 500 that has Progressives with 90-130 pounders. Both bikes are similar weight.
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Got the +20mm adjustable hagons and they’re very good
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50278398862_5095ffeb8c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jAVWiU)MLCP_180331_115552_0646 (https://flic.kr/p/2jAVWiU) by Tony H (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153018338@N03/), on Flickr
Really good pic!
9fingers
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Really good pic!
9fingers
Really nice photo. Where was it taken?
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Interesting comment above regarding TEC shocks, I was thinking of buying a pair, but reading that I might go for Hagons, has anyone else got experience of TEC shocks? good or bad.
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Yowza! warm enough for a little test ride as I hoped.
The Hagons in stock length and as furnished black springs felt just great. I set the damping adjustments to the mid-position, 10 clicks out of 20. To my butt they were neither too harsh nor too soft for both spring rate and damping.
Disclaimer here; I'm am certainly NOT real knowledgeable about suspension but "I know what I like" and these reasonably priced Hagon dampers seem well worth the money. Frankly, on looks alone they're worth it to me.
I'll email Hagon or Hitchcocks next week to find out what the spring weight is. The bike feels very similar to my VT 500 that has Progressives with 90-130 pounders. Both bikes are similar weight.
Hi, any chance you could describe how they're better than stock, other than weight difference? I mean, do they improve handling or the comfort of your ride. Do they help you improve your lines in turns or anything, maybe because they recover or distribute the forces better? Is 3 clicks enough for the preload, I guess yes since the springs are according to weight?
I don't know much about shocks, either, so I'm trying to get a sense of how these would be for me
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Ordered a set of hagons from
http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/HAGON/Hagon-Twin-Shocks.html?ID=2541
£150 and they have good reviews off the triumph boys so worth a shot. Built to rider weight along with pillion / luggage. Will fit next week as I’m currently trapped in London
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Fifty quid cheaper than Mr H, are they the same spec? be interested to see how you rate these, they look very good on the bike.
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The don’t have the rebound adjusters at the top but everything else is the same as far as I can tell
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I now have several rides on the Hagon dampers from Hitchcocks. The rear of the bike feels more supple and controlled, a little less harsh but it's not a night and day difference. Honestly, I changed them in part because I hated the look of the reservoir shocks on the retro Enfield. I expected a mild improvement in function and they've done that.
I've not changed the damping adjustment yet. It would be a plus if it really works.
The stock shocks are not bad. More improvement overall will come from upgrading the tires.
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I now have several rides on the Hagon dampers from Hitchcocks. The rear of the bike feels more supple and controlled, a little less harsh but it's not a night and day difference. Honestly, I changed them in part because I hated the look of the reservoir shocks on the retro Enfield. I expected a mild improvement in function and they've done that.
I've not changed the damping adjustment yet. It would be a plus if it really works.
The stock shocks are not bad. More improvement overall will come from upgrading the tires.
I am with you on the looks. I find the looks of the stock shocks with the reservoir, out of place with the theme of the bike... Felt the same way with the Thruxton R as it had a similar setup... At least the springs on the RE are black and not yellow like in the Thruxton R...
I do not see mine now that I have the saddlebags in place... but was thinking of wrapping them with black vinyl just to mute it a bit...
So low priority for me for now, but placing these on the wish list for a future mod, just for proper looks imho...
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The don’t have the rebound adjusters at the top but everything else is the same as far as I can tell
Clarification question:
Are you saying that the Hagons do not have rebound adjustment?
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Are you saying that they do have rebound adjustment but the knob/screw is located elsewhere?
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They have the 3 position preload adjustment but not the 10 position damping on the top attachment point
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They have the 3 position preload adjustment but not the 10 position damping on the top attachment point
Thanks so much for that. It is important info. I'm in a slow roll to deciding on some rear shocks.
If I stumbled into some windfall of gold coins, I would go for shocks which have independent damping adjustments for both rebound and compression. For me, the rebound adjustability is the more important of the two. That is my minimum spec, adjustable rebound.
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Done 600km with the +20mm Hagons on the GT, including a 180km with a pillion yesterday.
Very pleased with the shocks so far - less wallowing, more controlled rebound and not as harsh on big compressions (longer travel helps).
The bike tips in a bit quicker and changes direction more easily, which takes a bit of recalibration, but the bike is slow handling in stock form with the big front wheel so it’s a welcome change.
I’d go as far as suggesting this bike should come standard with 380mm shocks, for anyone over 5’10”. (I’m 179cm and comfortably ball-footed solo or flat-footed with a pillion).
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Can supply YSS at discount price if in UK. From £160 inc post for eco. Z series £310 and G Top at £485
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Can supply YSS at discount price if in UK. From £160 inc post for eco. Z series £310 and G Top at £485
Too bad YSS only makes ugly shocks. I bought my full shroud Hagons purely for looks. They look like the shocks on a 1970 Interceptor.
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I honestly think they look nicely made
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I honestly think they look nicely made
So do I...
It just depends on the look you are going for. So glad we have many choices to select from for our bikes...
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"I bought my full shroud Hagons purely for looks. They look like the shocks on a 1970 Interceptor." --Olhogrider
I've been eyeing the shrouded Hagons for awhile. Did you buy yours from Hitchcocks? Did you get the standard 360mm? Are they superior to the stock in performance? Sorry if you've posted about them elsewhere but any feedback would be appreciated.
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They have the 3 position preload adjustment but not the 10 position damping on the top attachment point
The revised 2810 now have 20 clicks of damping adjustment and 10mm of additional travel, for what it's worth.
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Being a harmless eccentric I'm trying lighter springing on my Interceptor. Alan at Hitchocks is getting some softer items for the Hagon dampers. The softer springs they list at the moment do not fit the Hagons.
My recent change to softer springs in the forks has made the rear feel too firm.
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Well that is a point they are expensive l am not that flush at the moment to Buy luxury upgrades.
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Anybody have experience of these IKON shocks? The price is midway between Hagon and YSS, I had planed to buy the Hitchcock Hagons with rebound damper adjustment, but these look quite good, any thoughts?
https://normanhyde.co.uk/royal-enfield/650-interceptor/ikon-rear-suspension-for-royal-enfield-650-interceptor-gt-continental.html
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Anybody have experience of these IKON shocks? The price is midway between Hagon and YSS, I had planed to buy the Hitchcock Hagons with rebound damper adjustment, but these look quite good, any thoughts?
https://normanhyde.co.uk/royal-enfield/650-interceptor/ikon-rear-suspension-for-royal-enfield-650-interceptor-gt-continental.html
I've used them on a couple of Hinckley Bonneville's they were a huge improvement over stock but whether they're better or worse than the Hagon's or YSS I can't say. It's my understanding that IKON's are essentially the old Koni design.
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Thanks for that.
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Hagon bought Girling and the tooling, and Girling shocks were on nearly every Brit performance bike back in the day. They are the real deal period shocks for the bike.
Ikon is the replica re-make if Koni, which were very good, and mistly popular on the European bikes of the time.
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Hagon bought Girling and the tooling, and Girling shocks were on nearly every Brit performance bike back in the day. They are the real deal period shocks for the bike.
Ikon is the replica re-make if Koni, which were very good, and mistly popular on the European bikes of the time.
When I started riding in the mid 60's nobody replaced the shocks on their British bikes unless they were broken. A few of the real thinkers fooled around with the springs, but nothing like today. Boge was another good shock, but seldom heard of these days. The Japanese bikes were another story. Most guys couldn't wait to slap a set of Girling's or Konie's on those wobblers. :)
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Mind you in the case of some japs it would not have done much good especially in the case of some Kawasaki two strokes they had rubber frames l doubt no shocks in the world would have cured that.
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Mind you in the case of some japs it would not have done much good especially in the case of some Kawasaki two strokes they had rubber frames l doubt no shocks in the world would have cured that.
Wobblers or not a lot of races were won on those things. ;)
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Mind you in the case of some japs it would not have done much good especially in the case of some Kawasaki two strokes they had rubber frames l doubt no shocks in the world would have cured that.
The handling on my old Suzuki GT500 2 stroke improved considerably when I bolted Hagon gas shocks on the back.
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Now-a-days the MotoGP engineers are bragging about putting flexibility into the frames.
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Now-a-days the MotoGP engineers are bragging about putting flexibility into the frames.
The Japanese brands mastered that when the big multis showed up in the 70's.
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Now-a-days the MotoGP engineers are bragging about putting flexibility into the frames.
Is there a lot of carbon fiber in the MotoGP bike frames? I should know this, or at least I should be able to figure this out, but I'm feeling lazy today.
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Is there a lot of carbon fiber in the MotoGP bike frames? I should know this, or at least I should be able to figure this out, but I'm feeling lazy today.
Moto Gp frames are mostly aluminum and steel, carbon fiber frames were tried and discarded. I think the major problem was that the frames were to stiff, but I'm not that current on Moto Gp technology.
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Moto Gp frames are mostly aluminum and steel, carbon fiber frames were tried and discarded. I think the major problem was that the frames were to stiff, but I'm not that current on Moto Gp technology.
Yep, that's why I was asking. You want stiff, go carbon fiber. But it's SO stiff you end up having to engineer flexibility back into the chassis somewhere.
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The Japanese brands mastered that when the big multis showed up in the 70's.
They certainly did on my Suzuki T500 and GT500 2 stroke twins!
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I tried out the 10% softer Hagon springs. For my riding they feel smoother and more in sync with the lighter fork springs. I think I'm done with the suspension. With the elimination of inner tubes the Pilot Activ Michelins feel even nicer now. I'm smiling. :)
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I tried out the 10% softer Hagon springs. For my riding they feel smoother and more in sync with the lighter fork springs. I think I'm done with the suspension. With the elimination of inner tubes the Pilot Activ Michelins feel even nicer now. I'm smiling. :)
Mine took quite a long time to soften (2000km), but now they're golden. Wound the preload up a notch last night, sag is around 20mm with rider.
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I got a set of the 3 way adjustable hagon rear shocks made to my weight and am more than happy with the results straight out the box, a lot more composed over our broken UK roads.
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What was that GT 500 like on performance, l got to ride the 380 but not the 500, l also tried the kwaka 500 which was a bit rubbery but went like hell.
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What was that GT 500 like on performance, l got to ride the 380 but not the 500, l also tried the kwaka 500 which was a bit rubbery but went like hell.
Very flexible but no top end. Very fast from a standing start though because you could use ALL the power without wheelspin or wheelies. It was heavy and struggled to make the ton - although mine was low mileage I suspect the previous owner had thrashed it to within and inch of it's life from new before he wrote it off (and himself I heard later) in a crash. My older T500 was effectively the same bike but with a drum TLS front brake and heavier steel (instead of alloy) fork sliders. The engines were identical apart from CDI ignition on the GT which theoretically might have slightly increased power although both engines were quoted at 47 BHP but my T500 was noticeably faster than the GT even though it was around five times the mileage. They were the only 2 stroke 500 twins ever built and not as powerful as the Jap 500 triple strokers.
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Sure the bimota v due would argue with that last point
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Perhaps he should have said sold, did Bimota actually sell any? Anyway, Scott sold lots of lovely 2t twins but they were nearer 600 so perhaps don't count either!
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Yeah they sold them, back when in the 2000s someone in Italy found a storage container full of them. They go for silly money now though
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I belonged to a trackday club, one member had a V-Due. It didn't run well on the diesel the trackday organiser accidently put in the petrol cans. Bit of a smokey day that one. Rather expensive apparently.
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Perhaps he should have said sold, did Bimota actually sell any? Anyway, Scott sold lots of lovely 2t twins but they were nearer 600 so perhaps don't count either!
How about the Silk? I know it's a 700, but they did build a 500cc twin that never made it into production. ;)
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Managed to have a couple of runs this week, the work on the front forks has been successful, after some time reading reviews and taking advice on here I have upgraded the rear shocks, I discounted the TEC shocks due to adverse comments on here, don't like the look (or price) of YSS and decided against Hagons.
Fitted these, very good quality, excellent service and retain the look of the bike, will report further when I have a few miles on them
https://normanhyde.co.uk/royal-enfield/650-interceptor/ikon-rear-suspension-for-royal-enfield-650-interceptor-gt-continental.html
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Those look perfect on the bike. I had 7610s on my last BMW airhead and they worked nicely.
Managed to have a couple of runs this week, the work on the front forks has been successful, after some time reading reviews and taking advice on here I have upgraded the rear shocks, I discounted the TEC shocks due to adverse comments on here, don't like the look (or price) of YSS and decided against Hagons.
Fitted these, very good quality, excellent service and retain the look of the bike, will report further when I have a few miles on them
https://normanhyde.co.uk/royal-enfield/650-interceptor/ikon-rear-suspension-for-royal-enfield-650-interceptor-gt-continental.html
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How about the Silk? I know it's a 700, but they did build a 500cc twin that never made it into production. ;)
Yes, that too. But it was an updated Scott, very nice apparently but expensive.
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Yes, that too. But it was an updated Scott, very nice apparently but expensive.
Expensive say's it all. I really wanted one of those, but in the US they were all but impossible to get, and the price was way out of my range. Of course most of the bikes I've lusted after have been out of my price range but what can you do?
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They were the only 2 stroke 500 twins ever built and not as powerful as the Jap 500 triple strokers.
Husky did one in the '60's.
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Husky did one in the '60's.
Wow - didn't know about that! I thought they only made singles. I got my info from old literature.
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Managed to have a couple of runs this week, the work on the front forks has been successful, after some time reading reviews and taking advice on here I have upgraded the rear shocks, I discounted the TEC shocks due to adverse comments on here, don't like the look (or price) of YSS and decided against Hagons.
Fitted these, very good quality, excellent service and retain the look of the bike, will report further when I have a few miles on them
https://normanhyde.co.uk/royal-enfield/650-interceptor/ikon-rear-suspension-for-royal-enfield-650-interceptor-gt-continental.html
Like the look of these, very "in keeping" with the bike's style. Looking forward to the updates.
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Went for a 60 mile spin this morning, the IKON shocks are a huge improvement, takes out the jarring bumps and manhole covers, also keeps the back end exactly on track round bends, vastly improved the ride.
The bike sits about 10 mm higher at the back, but that may settle down in time, it isn't that important, I have set the rebound on setting 2 which works pretty well on sole riding.
Recommended, also looks in keeping with the 1960s look of the bike, very pleased with them.
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They look superb, far better than the original Gabriels. Never thought the remote reservoir (dummy?) looked in keeping at all.
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The revised 2810 now have 20 clicks of damping adjustment and 10mm of additional travel, for what it's worth.
was going to say......from Hagon....
"I would recommend our 2810 damping adjust shock absorber for this application.
This shock has preload adjustment on a 3 step cam as well as a single circuit 20 click compression and rebound damping adjuster.
This particular range is very popular with the new Royal Enfield 650 interceptor/continental.
We would take into consideration rider weights and requirements at point of order and get the correct spring rate and internal damping to suit.
Could I get a delivery address? This way I can quote accurately. "
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Can supply YSS at discount price if in UK. From £160 inc post for eco. Z series £310 and G Top at £485
Eco series- preload adjust only
Z Series -preload and damping rebound
G Top- Preload, damping and compression adjustments?
Is this right?
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I believe he specifies for UK delivery.
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I've used them on a couple of Hinckley Bonneville's they were a huge improvement over stock but whether they're better or worse than the Hagon's or YSS I can't say. It's my understanding that IKON's are essentially the old Koni design.
I used Koni shock absorbers in the past but I have Hagon's now on my Interceptor. I would say that the quality of the Koni shockers was better. When these need replacing I might give Ikon a go.