Has anyone used Hagon Shocks?

[Logicus]

I sent an email to these folks and they promptly replied witht he following, was wondering if anyone had had experience with them??

"Thanks for your inquiry.

Hagon part #61064 standard rate monoshocks for your '89 Honda Hawk are in stock. Hagon monos are generally rated up to about 350 lbs- if your
loading exceeds that, an uprated shock is required. You say you carry a small tank bag and tail pack- what sort of weight do you put in each?

Standard rate shocks are $394 plus UPS at cost.

Uprated shocks are $454 and are special order items which take 3-4
weeks to get here, then UPS time to you. Shocks are also available to special order with a remote hydraulic spring preload adjuster- $554 for a stock spec shock and $599 for an upgraded spring model.

So sorry, Hagon monoshocks are not height adjustable and are not
available in longer-than-stock builds. The Hagon will be a bolt-on fit and will not change your ride height.

Shocks are fully rebuildable and feature straight weight spring with
infinitely adjustable preload (threaded manual or hydraulic remote
adjuster), adjustable 15 position linked compression and rebound
damping and a two year unlimited mileage warranty against failure due to
manufacturing defect. Bent shocks due to accident, impact, dropped bike, improper installation or owner malfunction will not be warranteed. Shocks are not returnable once they have been fitted. All adjusting tools are
included with the shock."

They seem maybe comparable or better than the Progrssive shocks? Thanks for any input.

[bill-ns]

Resellers might sell for less than buying right from the company too..

Bill

[Guzzisti57]

I have one on my TL1000S which is fine . . .

No experience of the Hawk one, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has too . . .

[Swipe]

I think I read one one thread that DefTrap has one

[DefTrap]

Yes, I've had one on my bike for, ooh, getting on for 5 years and prolly over 60k miles I s'pose. For the money they're great - for road use absolutely fine, not that I've tried it on the track. They are (or when building them five years ago) as standard pretty stiff - I think I was told it was a 1200 lb/in spring when I asked. For the amount of miles its done it's in excellent shape.

As for weight, I'm 100kgs in my skids (yeah-yeah, I'm 6"5' as well) and the shock copes admirably.

I had mine extended (the rod by about 12 mil, from memory) by Hagon, giving a nice couple of inches kick at the back. It was about 100 quid for the mod (and they replaced the spring FOC) inc. return post at the time. In hindsight I could have had a Technoflex or summat I spose for not a great deal more but the Hagon's done me proud.

Will probably think about a rebuild for it over the Winter.

[Ribbit2]

So the one you have is the standard, not the uprated one DefTrap?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . . . .

I think you just swung me from a Wilbers.

[JR]

When i go to the motorbike shows and Hagon have a stand. There is a salesman there called Pete (owns a fully modifed Buell) he knows alot about the Hagon product and always willing to offer advice. Could be a good name drop if you are thinking of getting a Hagon.

[DefTrap]

So the one you have is the standard, not the uprated one DefTrap?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . . . .

I think you just swung me from a Wilbers.

I think there was no such thing as the 'uprated' model at the time. Mine's just a standard item, with a longer rod.

[Ribbit2]

http://www.the-internet-pages.co.uk/england/oxfo/cycles1/vtn3.htm

Best discount price for a Hagon I have found so far. Anyone found cheaper?

It's about £60 + delivery (free UK delivery on Hagon) cheaper than a fully customised Wilber.

Probably balance out the front end with Hagon progressive springs as well I suppose.

Frankly I'd really love to buy the suspension and an M4 off JD, but knowing my luck, I would *REALLY* get hammered big time on the duty and the vat on these items.

"There is a salesman there called Pete (owns a fully modifed Buell) he knows alot about the Hagon product "

My God JR a salesman on a stand knowing something about product?

What on Earth is the World coming to??? lol!

[DefTrap]

Mine's a type 'N' adjustable spring and damping, if that helps. Wilbers are, what, 290 odd quid then? What's the spec.?

[Ribbit2]

Mine's a type 'N' adjustable spring and damping, if that helps. Wilbers are, what, 290 odd quid then? What's the spec.?

Basic one type 540 (I think you have to use your own spring - may be wrong):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wilbers-Federbein-fuer-Honda-NT-650-Hawk-GT-Bj-88-91_W0QQitemZ300054512543QQihZ020QQcategoryZ49806QQcmdZViewItem

£221.64 (at the moment)

'Personalised' type 640 (including spring suitable for your weight/riding style):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wilbers-Federbein-fuer-Honda-NT-650-Hawk-GT-Br-Bj-88-91_W0QQitemZ290040503305QQihZ019QQcategoryZ49806QQcmdZViewItem

£277.56 (at the moment)

19 Euros postage to the UK on both.

Yeah thanks for the info DefTrap. I'll go with the 'N' type Hagon.

I've had experience with springs from the Continent (had to get a UK springmaker to do a batch of 10,000 springs for slate cutters I sold once, as the OEM springs weren't lasting 12 months, and they cost over £15 each TRADE!).

10,000 properly made springs cost me less than 10p each believe it or not, and I'd fit them to cutters (brand new ones) in front of the customers plus give them a spare - though never had one fail.

So that experience alone, says 'Get the Hagon'! hehe

[Hanadad]

The Wibers are complete with spring. Custom length at no cost. The spring rate and damping are custom spec'd to match your weight and riding style. Sounds like an ad
There are increments to to the available lengths. When I got mine, I had to accept the shock being slightly longer than I had initially requested. No problem, I can still use the stock exhaust by elongating the mounting holes slightly, and it gets the rear up a little closer to where it should be.
This is the base "Econo" model(very poor choice of name) that is not available with any adjustment other than pre-load. I have put zero miles on it so far, but have a higher line model on another bike and like it. Build quality between the two seems comparable.

[dolomoto]

Re: Has anyone used Hagon Shocks?

I sent an email to these folks and they promptly replied witht he following, was wondering if anyone had had experience with them??

SNIPPED...

Thanks for any input.

I put a Hagon on my 89 KLR last year and am very happy with it. I take the ole gal places where maybe it shouldn't be and have yet to bottom the shock out...yet it still rides pretty nice. Fit and finish are very nice and it bolted right up on my KLR (pushed bike over on woodpile, pulled old shock out bottom, inserted new shock).

YMMV.

[DefTrap]

I should say (and this is old info. so may have changed) that I was told the Hawk/Bros Hagon is their same fitment for the NVT, hence it's everso slightly longer (say 2mil) than stock and comes with a stiffer spring (I guess to cope with the DR requests of the NTV owners). The kick in the rear is welcome. You may find the stiffer spring less so, I've got used to it and now quite like it, feels weird to ride bikes that are more softly sprung.

[JR]

Al,
for the adjustments on the Hagon do you need an allen key?