Hi Gearset, I am a pensioner rider who changed to owning a Meteor at the end of May this year. My riding is purely for pleasure in the country lanes of Hampshire (UK). I've covered just over 700 miles on my bike now, and I still sometimes get launched off the 'bike seat on riding over larger bumps ! There are two main issues with the rear suspension in my opinion. Firstly, when manufacturers are making a motorcycle for the mass market, competitive pricing is essential, so manufacturing costs have to be reduced as much as is consistent with a serviceable product. Suspension and airfilters spring to mind as two components that lend themselve to budget build. (I'm not aiming this remark as a criticism of RE specifically, all machines of a 'budget' nature will suffer the same issue). I think the Meteor is a brilliant 'bike. The second issue is that 'bikes such as our Royal Enfields (Triumph Bonneville Street Twins and the like as well) have suspension design from back when God was a boy. Technology has moved on with more expensive modern machinery. We are never going to get a 'magic carpet' ride I'm afraid, whatever practical upgrades we make to our two-wheeled beasts. I note from my bike's handbook that the lowest preload setting on our rear shocks is recommended for rider/luggage loads of up to 90 Kg. which is quite a range. I'm only 75 Kg in my riding kit, so the standard suspension at the lowest setting is not very close to an ideal setting for my weight. I decided to research for information on alternative rear shocks, but as already commented upon above, finding rider experience of a rear suspension upgrade is like looking for hens' teeth ! I am aware of Hitchcocks, the Royal Enfield specialist, and I have purchased items from them myself. They are an excellent company. In their stock list they have Hagon shocks for the Meteor and Classic 350. However, my little grey cells (what's left of my brain !) deduced that if I purchased Hagons from Hitchcocks, they will inevitably be made with a compromise spring load component (as are the OEM units). I assume that the Hagons construction will be of a higher standard than the OEM shocks, but if that translates into a noticeable improvement in ride quality I couldn't say. I contacted Hagons direct and spoke to a very helpful member of staff who confirmed that a standard spring rating as would be from an 'off-the-shelf' supplier would not provide the best achieveable quality ride for my weight (no sleight intended towards Hitchcocks here by the way, it's down to physics !). I placed an order with Hagons for a set of their 2810 model shocks (as is available from Hitchcocks) and they will be made with a spring loading comensurate with my weight (so no cream cakes allowed once they're fitted. Ha, ha !). The 2810 model shocks look very similar to the original (OEM) shocks, so the look of the 'bike won't suffer at all. The 2810 model is a very popular unit for a sensible upgrade for many twin-shock bikes without getting something exotic and hugely expensive (and I think a set of shocks with an external reservoir, such as fitted as standard on the RE Interceptor, just wouldn't suit the Meteor !). I've only just placed my order with Hagon, so unfortunately I can't give feedback on whether the expense of the units results in a worthwhile improvement in ride quality. (Unlike my previously owned Interceptor, my Meteor suffers most adverse reaction from road bumps from the rear of the 'bike. My Interceptor was the opposite !). Good luck with your decision making.
Topic: Shocks for 2022 Meteor 350 (Read 6990 times)