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| bigbikelupo | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 185 | | Location | : | Frankfurt, Germany |
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| | Posted : 15 Jul 2011 - 06:12 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Classic Road Shock (Re: FTL40) | | | look: 
| Is there an afterlife ?
Touch my bike and figure it out.
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| jason0019 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 Jul 2011 - 14:17 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Classic Road Shock (Re: fasteddy) | | | Hey Eddy- Pretty cool summer you're having so far 
The stock shocks aren't awesome, but they aren't the worst thing I've ever ridden on. As far as the classic vs the 2810s, do you think the price difference is worth it? I'd hate to save $100 bucks and then have to upgrade again later.
Also, will you be testing, or at the very least carrying, the fork springs from Hagon. I changed those out on my last bike, and really liked the difference.
Thanks for blazing the trail as usual. 
Jason
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 Jul 2011 - 20:50 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Classic Road Shock (Re: jason0019) | | | The Classic and the 2810 are close to the same the biggest difference is the rebound dampening that the 2810 has. Do I think it is worth it? Honestly yes, I really punished the Classic and the 2810 on rough roads and again, what I liked hands down was as I mentioned in my review was the way it firmed up the whole ride with out making it rigid of stiff feeling.
You mentioned the front springs. During my tests I was wondering how much of what I was feeling was related to the front because it seemed that it played somewhat it to things. I have a set of their progressive wound springs on the way and after I finish the Nitro I will throw those in and see how the shocks compare with the fronts changed as well. Will let you know what I find out.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Aug 2011 - 18:07 Post title : Re: Hagon Road Test Nitro Shock, final (Re: fasteddy) | | | Well completed the test on the Nitro with a different spring set up...SCORE!
When I did the first Nitro test I was impressed with most of the shocks performance except in some instances the ride was harsher than even the 2810, and this was not something I was expecting. So I spoke with Hagon and told them what it felt like and how it performed and they sent me a different set with different springs and I just completed a 200 mile test ride on the most brutal piece of road I could find then I did a follow up comparison on the same road (for another 200 miles so that I would have an accurate comparison (trying to do an objective test with equal parameters as much as possiblet) That is right, 400 miles total testing.
Right away, I knew that spring was indeed the original issue with the previous Nitro shock I had tested with a stiffer spring because I could immediately feel the difference. Comparison between stock and the Nitro, a certain and definite difference.
Hard bumps
The Nitro's major difference is the rebound dampening, like the 2810 it is likely this element that makes both shine above stock (and the Classic Road shock) as it smooths out the harshness of ANY bump. There is no question in my mind that the Nitro out performs the stock shocks, it takes a bone jarring jolt of a hard bump and makes it tolerable. Now I am qualifying this as a bump that made me go. "Uhhhgg" when I hit it with stock.
The worst test I put the shocks through was hitting a harsh railroad crossing, followed by an immediate harsh bump. The stock shock nearly bottomed out and caused me pain when it hit as well as bouncing me off my seat. The Nitro made that very same bump tolerable and remained stable. Keep in mind I knew this was a bad bump and was purposefully trying to make it "hurt" so I could report an accurate evaluation. The Nitro was clearly superior and the shock did not pogo or come close to bottoming out and there was more bike control. Now this test I don't recommend people do (it hurt me with the stock) this was done to test the "surprise bump" we all encounter at least once in our life!
Bumps on corners
When taking a hard turns and hitting a bumps or uneven surfaces on the corner, the stock compresses and the bike sways as it dips, making the bike feel a little unstable, not bad and the only reason I noticed it at all was when I did the same test on the Nitro, it was a clear difference and felt more firm and secure not dipping at all.
Rough road with multiple repetitious bumps.
Some roads (remember Big Jack Upstate New York?) have seams that are just brutal and when in repetition, the shock does not have time to cycle through the compression upload process and it becomes brutal on you even when the road does not look rough. This was what the previous test the Nitro failed when the stiffer spring was used. The new spring equipped Nitro, performed flawlessly in this and the stock was harsh. So this was the expected performance gain I was looking for.
The Nitro when fitted with the Proper spring will be the improvement you are looking for, it firms up the ride and takes away the pogo effect of stock shocks, firms up cornering when rough are surfaces encountered. It tames the hardest of bumps. Now I did not tune the shocks at all, I left them in the "middle" positions they came with for pre-load and dampening and I suspect that I could even make them even more sweeter by tuning it closer to my specific weight.
As a result of my personal test and some other feedback, Hagon has a better idea of what works for our bike. An advantage of Hagon over some brands is that they have other springs that they use to accommodate your weight and riding style.
Hope this is useful for those exploring shock options for the Thunderbird and Storm.
eddy
Hagon Nitro
| www.fasteddysports.com
| | Post edited by fasteddy on 07 Aug 2011 - 00:31 |
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 07 Aug 2011 - 06:28 Post title : Re: Hagon Road Test Nitro Shock, final (Re: fasteddy) | | | great info ed
did hagon ask your weight and send appropriate springs, i was doing a google search last week and came across a kwak site and the lad there had slated his new hagons and complained to the company
they had responded by repacing his springs to 23g from 26 at their cost for postage etc. the lad was then extremely pleased with his hagons and the companies attitue.
will you be comparing ohlins and wp against hagon nitros?
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 07 Aug 2011 - 14:48 Post title : Re: Hagon Road Test Nitro Shock, final (Re: zolti) | | | The fellow you referred to Zolti, may have been the one they told me about. Normally, they use a stiffer spring with the Nitro series and as a result of this test they are re-thinking it as with our bikes there is an issue with what "should" have worked. As your mate pointed out, that was the very same result I had it is now spot on.
I am tapped out for tests right now I had to buy all three shocks I tested and right now not sure if I can get Olin.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| jdaddios | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 25 | | Location | : | Wilton, CT, United States |
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| | Posted : 08 Aug 2011 - 08:21 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: TraderVic) | | | Hi fast eddy
What is the main differences between the 2810 and the nitro?
| Things are not always as they appear to be
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 09 Aug 2011 - 02:20 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: jdaddios) | | | The 2810 is the same shock body as the Classic Road Shock but has different valving and has the rebound dampening.
The Nitro has an all together different and larger shock body with even better valving system (with the rebound as well) and has Stainless steel springs and body. More shock for the money.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 12 Aug 2011 - 01:47 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | As with the 2810's I tested, I sold the Nitro's to a site member and I expect him to chime in and confirm my findings or tell you I am full of whoooha! Does that mean I don't want the Nitro's on my bike? Not on your life, since their departing I have NOT been enjoying the stock ride and a new set of Nitro's will be ordered up as soon as the owner gets back from vacation and I can get the proper details on my site for people to order properly.
Again what I notice above all and miss the most of the Hagon line is the pogo and sway in the corners in now unbearable with stock, so if you are happy with stock, DO NOT ride a bike with Hagon...ignorance is bliss!
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| jdaddios | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 25 | | Location | : | Wilton, CT, United States |
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| | Posted : 21 Aug 2011 - 22:39 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: TraderVic) | | | I installed the hagon-nitros today (these were fast-eddys demos)
BUT ...
I left my bike keys in my car, and my wife borrowed the car today 
So I'll report on them in a few days.
| Things are not always as they appear to be
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 10:52 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: jdaddios) | | | eddy
have you compared the hagons with the ikons?
i will have to change the suspension at some point as the stock is poor but just still researching.
ohlins? wp?
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 12:32 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: zolti) | | | Eddy, was going to ask you in a PM but might as well do it here... do you have a line on Ohlins? I've been trying to get the right one built for my bike for a while but you might have a better connection in getting this done and I'd just as soon give you the business than some faceless site.
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 13:40 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: Thatch) | | | Zolti, I have not rode on Ikon's on the T-Bird just Hagon.
Thatch, I can look into it, just don't have any reference what so ever with their performance other than what I have read in here. I will do some investigating and see what I can come up with.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| zolti | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 21:08 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | cheers eddy for your info on hagon, particularly the nitros
i was thinking hagon when a lad i ride with swears by ikon, put them on his guzzi and it handles very sweet,
that said another mate ( yes i have 2 now) has the wp on his ktm and that works a dream.
the guzzi mate could of had a guzzi with olhins from new but the sales lad a mate of his said unless he was doimg track days it wasnt worth the extra cash as he wouldnt notice it on the roads.. hmmm !
interested in what you find out about ohlins
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 22:48 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | Hey Eddy-
Thanks for the answer to my last one. One more. Are these available on your site yet? I'm done with tinkering with the settings on the stock. None seem to be what I need. I want some set properly from the factory that I can increase for 2 up and then reset to the proper place again. I also want the front springs.
I'm definitely going with the 2810s or the Nitros. Whats the final verdict from you? Best Shock for the money? Have you tried the front springs yet?
Thanks, Eddy.
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Aug 2011 - 22:49 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: jason0019) | | | That was somewhat more than one question.
Sorry, Eddy. And thanks!
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Aug 2011 - 00:39 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: jason0019) | | | Nitro's a good if you really like to push it and like better with two up, they have beefier springs and the works is stainless steel
2810's are no slouch and you can dress them up a bit if you like. Just fine for everyday riding and they did very well for me when I pushed them. Even the Road shock is good for normal riding, but it lacks rebound dampening and that is a big difference.
As for front springs, I have a set and will drop them in as soon as I get my new rear tire on and give them a go. I have a feeling they will really smooth the ride out, but I will reserve judgment until after I give them a go.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Aug 2011 - 20:23 Post title : Re: Hagon Shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | Great. That gives me a better idea of what I need. I'll wait for you to take the front springs through their paces and then give you a call.
Thanks, again.
Jason
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 962 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Oct 2011 - 18:22 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs | | | Just completed my test of Hagon's Progressive wound springs.
No a little back ground. Anyone who knows what the front end of an America is like knows the Thunderbird is nothing like that.
During my tests of Hagon's line up for our Bird I was driving on extremely harsh road conditions, during these trials I wondered how much of the harshness was related to contribution of the front suspension as often it felt like it played into the mix.
No as a disclaimer, any time I test these things it is quite subjective to my riding style and what I view as tolerable/intolerable. I try very hard to be objective, tough to do on such a subjective evaluation.
The front springs would have been best tested with two bikes upon which I could go back and forth between, but since I don't have that luxury I was reliant upon what I remembered of the Stock ride after I placed the Hagon front springs in. Being that the process involves pulling springs out of a fluid filled tube, I was not inclined to repeat the process a multiple of times like I did with the rear shocks.
I first tried the fronts with the rear stocks on the back and it made a difference in smoothing out the ride notably. With the Hagon Nitro's on the rear...even sweeter. I did a number of tests involving panic braking, to the point of squealing the front tire. The front end dips smoothly and firmly in response to dynamiting the brakes. Also replicated hard braking in a turn (not locking up the brakes...not that bold) again, the front end remained firm and stable after the initial compression. The compression again was smooth and controlled.
Overall, if I were to rate for guys the order of priority in which I would purchase suspension upgrades? I would go front first if you are limited on funds as it does take out part of the jolts that are transferred into the frame from the front end.
As for the rears? More research has been done and on the Nitro line up, going with a 23 kG spring may be recommended for the 150-200 pound range. I tested a step down in the 26 kg springs and though a great deal less harsh than the 30 kg spring the 23 may smooth the ride out even more.
I still have the Nitro's that are .5 inch lower on my bike and have not noted ANY performance deficit with the decrease in height and love the ability to sit my feet flat footed for sure footed backing up.
So that is my view of the world.
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Oct 2011 - 18:19 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: fasteddy) | |
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 06 Jan 2012 - 17:21 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: fasteddy) | | | Order placed. Finally! Looking forward to getting the new set up installed for the upcoming season. Lots of long rides planned for this year!
Jason
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Apr 2012 - 19:13 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: fasteddy) | | | Hey Eddy-
Just installed the 2810's on my Bird, havent been able to take her out yet, but the bike immediately feels less...bouncy. Yup, I'm sticking with that description...You know what I mean.
Anyway, my question is this...Is there a better washer option that reinstalling the stock washers? They are huge and rounded and look weird against the smaller mounts of the Hagons. Just wondered if there were any options around.
Thanks
Jason
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| MurseFrylock | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/08/2011 | | Posts | : | 233 | | Location | : | Highland Village, Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 26 Apr 2012 - 20:43 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: jason0019) | | | Jason, go to Eddy's site and look through the tbird stuff. Look under suspension and there is a shock bolt dress up kit. Looks nice, I used it and am pretty happy with it. Much cleaner and it costs $35.
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| jason0019 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 63 | | Location | : | Beverly, North of Boston, MA, United States |
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| | Posted : 27 Apr 2012 - 14:47 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: MurseFrylock) | | | Nice. Thanks, MurseFrylock.
Washers ordered.
Jason
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| mag10 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 05/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 482 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Jun 2012 - 15:59 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: jason0019) | | | I installed a set of the hagon nitros friday night. Got some riding in over the weekend and I am impressed with the difference. I have Ikon springs in the front and those made an improvement in the bird handling but nothing like adding the nitros did. With both upgrades together it is like the bike is glued to the road. There was much smiling being done.
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| mjgt | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 04 Jun 2012 - 17:39 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: mag10) | | | mag10, dod you go for standard length or did you do something different with the shocks?
| Mick . . .  Keep the rubber side down!!
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| mag10 | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 05/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 482 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Jun 2012 - 23:57 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: mjgt) | | |
mjgt wrote:
mag10, dod you go for standard length or did you do something different with the shocks? |
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standard length. the bike is a comfortable height for me.
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 05 Jun 2012 - 07:59 Post title : Re: Hagon Road test Front Springs (Re: mag10) | | | Thanks 
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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