I am going to be ordering some Hagon custom classic rear shocks. I talked with them on the phone and I will be border between 10kg and 20 kg springs. I myself will be fine for 10kg solo but 2 up will be a toss up. How stiff are the 20kg for anyone who has them. Same with 10kg running 2 up. I am 180 and wife is close to my weight within a few lbs. I ride solo 60-70% of the time. I don't want to send them back for different springs if I can avoid. I am leaning toward 20kg but don't want too stiff of a ride.

 

Hagon makes spring rates in between 10kg/cm and 20kg/cm. They make a 12/14/16/18 spring as well. Is there a reason any of those don't work for you?

And a light spring can be made to handle 2-up riding when you use adjustable preload. It won't be perfect, but it will allow you to be pretty well set up for both solo and 2-up riding.

 

Stock is 55lbs per inch or about 25kg. I bet 20 would soften it up pretty good. For me stock at the lowest preload squats too much on a hard launch with the 883 and over all too bouncy squishy and I only weigh 164#. middle on the preload and it handles fine. Also keep in mind unsprung weight will change how you suspension feels. A lighter tire makes it respond better and a heavy one takes longer to get to normal after a good bump. That and most tires that are not OEM improve ride quality greatly so tires alone may be enough for a better ride but stock tires will still ride rough and take even more suspension changes to cancel out. Any lower spring rate will also reduce that axles GWR.

At about 180 each that leaves you 40 pounds more weight before you hit GVWR. Not much room to play with IMO considering riding gear and the two of you are at GVWR.

I would try Better tires first. The stock tires are stiff and heavy. No suspension will fix bad tires.

 

Yeah, 25kg/inch. Not good units there mixing imperial and metric.

Hagon specs theirs in kg/cm, so the stock 55lb/in is more like 9.8kg/cm. That's typical of the longer 13.5" shocks that were on the roadsters and older standard bikes.

My bike is 10kg/cm initial rate. I weigh 170lbs and even on the lowest preload it is still a tad stiff for proper sag measurements. Adding in my gear and extra stuff it comes out about perfect.

The newer bikes, especially the customs/nightsters/irons, really anything with the shorter shocks, are sprung heavier than that due to reduced travel.

 

I called and talked to Christina. She stated 10kg 100lbs inch and 20kg 110lbs inch. I am thinking 290-300mm length to match stock and will have to call about other spring rates. If your ok with 10kg then maybe it will be fine. Don't want to be feeling like I am riding a rigid , yet want the 2 up travel.

Dusty I just got new Dunlops before season was over. Will look at other brands in a few years when these are worn.

 

Yeah your mixing up your measurement systems. And again with the squatting on acceleration, is your bike broke? Most bikes rears try to raise on acceleration.

 

Hagon shocks have longer travel than many aftermarket shocks, so you may find they recommend a minimum length of around 330mm/13", otherwise moving parts of the rear suspension start hitting fixed parts of your bike. Frankly you should be seeking their advice, not asking us - there are not that many of us who own Hagons (although I do)! So we don't have as substantial a pool of experience with them, as we do for some other brands.

 

I did call and got the advice I am asking about. I will just call back as the person I spoke with never said to go taller than stock which is around 290mm, and the spring rates I was told to decide between 10-20kg.
20 kg being recommended.

 

I have hagon nitros,18kg 13" work fine 2 up or sole.