1989 rear shock.

[Ted Schefelbein]

Let's say there is a guy who has a 1989 FJ. Let's say this guy looks exactly like me. At this juncture in time, what is the hot tip on a new rear shock for said FJ. Let us not discuss options for that machine that are not typically available these days, or, involve modifications to the bike. I'm not interested in trying to find that great option from 20 years past, or, butchering the bike to fit something else, no matter how highly it is regarded.
Mostly 1 up riding, I'm about 210 pounds, no luggage to speak of, maybe a backpack with a change of clothes, a bottle of water and a few aspirins. Local pleasure rides in sunny weather.

Ted

[Billy Bananahead]

I've got a Hagon rear shock on mine.https://www.bellacorse.com/product/hagon-road-classic-shocks/
Mine is set up for a pillion and can highly recommend. Fully rebuildable too.

[Ted Schefelbein]

Thanks. Exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

I had a friend email me with a company called "Beemershop" that caters to BMW guys, but, builds shocks for many applications.

Keep 'em coming, options are good to have.

Ted

[Pat Conlon]

Hey brother Ted....How are you doing?

Penske Sport shock from Traxxion Dynamics
https://traxxion.com/product/penske-8900e-sport-shock-yamaha-fj11001200/

The Penske is Length adjustable so you can raise the back end and get more weight on your front tire which will enhance handling. No need to alter (shorten) your dog bones which can alter the suspension articulation design.

In the old days the Penske's were only $800....alas, now they are over $1k.

#1 on my list of FJ upgrades is the rear shock....the most expensive but worth every penny. (SS brake lines I consider required maintenance)

The non rebuildable oem FJ shock was weak sauce the day it left Iwata Japan.

[Ted Schefelbein]

Hey brother Ted....How are you doing?

Penske Sport shock from Traxxion Dynamics
https://traxxion.com/product/penske-8900e-sport-shock-yamaha-fj11001200/

The Penske is Length adjustable so you can raise the back end and get more weight on your front tire which will enhance handling. No need to alter (shorten) your dog bones which can alter the suspension articulation design.

In the old days the Penske's were only $800....alas, now they are over $1k.

#1 on my list of FJ upgrades is the rear shock....the most expensive but worth every penny. (SS brake lines I consider required maintenance)

The non rebuildable oem FJ shock was weak sauce the day it left Iwata Japan.

I've been good, Pat. My little brother is still in the nursing home (might be where it ends) and my boy will graduate in May from the private, catholic, high school we forced him into after the last murder at the public school he was going to go to. He plans on joining the Marines after a few month summer vacation.

I've needed a shock since I bought the bike. Many mods were done when I got it, there were a few left to do when I got it. Mostly taken care of. Don't know if you remember, but, the pipe hanger we fabbed at Dan's place is working well. Needs rubber now, too.

Hope life is treating you well. Thanks for the tip on the shock, I will wait to see what Mr. Beemer guy has to say, but, I highly doubt it will be any cheaper.

If anybody has anything else to say, I'm all ears.

Best,
Ted

[fj1289]

Penske was the go-to in the US before Randy came out with his custom valves setup. 

I was also going to recommend M2 shocks - I just bought one second hand that was setup for dragracing.  M2 also works with a lot of road racers.  BUT I did a quick internet search to double check and unfortunately it looks like health issues have forced him to close his business towards end of last year. 

[Sparky84]

I'd toss a YSS in the mix too, MZ456-290TR-29 and agree with just being able to bolt it in without any fuss or modifications/butchering 

https://epmperformance.com/products/mz456-emulsion-shock-yamaha-fj-1200-1988-1990

Does RPM do a rear for the 89.

[fj1289]

They did - but the supplier of the intertidal valves got bought up or something- and can no longer supply the valving - or something to that effect.  I don't remember the details Randy gave me - all I know is I waited too long to get one! 

[Ted Schefelbein]

They did - but the supplier of the intertidal valves got bought up or something- and can no longer supply the valving - or something to that effect.  I don't remember the details Randy gave me - all I know is I waited too long to get one! 

That, sucks. The older I get, the more common that story, or one very similar to it, seems to be.

My mom used to say "when you find something you like buy two of them, because you won't be able to find it in the future".

More often than not, she was right.

I like the notion of having ride height and preload adjustment. Pat's suggestion is the winner, so far.

Ted

[Millietant]

It all depends on your budget and your riding. For your purposes I'd say the likes of a Penske, or Ohlins shock are nice but very expensive.

In your shoes with your requirements, I'd go for a Hagon or a YSS. Hagon with build it and tailor the settings for your weight/riding and both are about 1/2 the price of a Ohlins/Penske.

Hagon are made in the UK but ship around the world. The last US friend I know who bought one 18 months ago got it for around $500 delivered to his door in about 10 days from order.

YSS are made in Thailand and are very good quality with a great reputation, but you buy from distributors, not the factory, so you don't get the shock set for you. Price-wise they.re in the same ballpark as Hagon (around $50 more).

I've had a Hagon shock on my FJ for about 18 years now, it was rebuilt by them for £100/$125 back in 2018 - but I live near to their factory. I dropped it off at their counter at 9am and collected fully refurbished with a fresh 2 year warranty at 1pm.

Having said that, I've fitted many YSS shocks to everything from an Aprilia RS 125 to a Yamaha FJR 1300, and every rider/owner has been very happy with the improvement over stock and the value.

[Ted Schefelbein]

Thanks, Dean. Hope you are well.

There is a distributor for these German made shocks here in the US:

https://epmperformance.com/products/shock-absorber-type-640-road-640-0098-00-fj-1200-3cw-3cv-3cx-1988-1990

The distributor is the Beemer guy, who got back to me right away. He sells the YSS shock as well, but, did not recommend it, based on the fact there is only one part number for both European and US spec bikes, and he knows the suspension is different between the two. The German shocks are custom built, 5 year warranty, totally rebuildable and just under $800.

I still have some rocks to turn over to see what is out there.

Ted

[Pat Conlon]

Ted, do I see that the Wilber shock has the option of a hydraulic spring preload adjuster?
See the $333 option....Did I read that right? See if you can find out.

If so....That would be a very nice feature. 

Reaching under the fender with the preload wrench is a hassle.
Turning a knob for a hydraulic adjuster would be bitchen.
I tour with about 50 lbs of gear on the back so I set my spring preload stiff to compensate for the weight. Yet when I arrive at camp and unload my gear for solo riding, I have to re adjust the shock spring preload.

I recall the Ohlins shock had the same adjuster, abet a mechanical cable instead of hydraulic.

The Wilber's with a +30mm height increase and a hydraulic preload adjuster (for the same price as the basic Penske Sport) that would be my choice for a new shock.
FYI When I ordered my Penske I found that a 11" long hose was the perfect length to put the reservoir in the perfect spot on the sub frame, so I would also specify an 11" long hose on the Wilbur.

However, instead of mounting the hydraulic preload adjuster on the left side (chain side) like I did with my Penske reservoir can,  I would opt for mounting the hydraulic preload adjuster on the same spot but on right side of the subframe.
I originally chose the left side Penske reservoir mount so, while riding, I  could reach down with my left hand and adjust compression.....I don't think I would need to do this with the spring preload adjustment....i think...

[Millietant]

Thanks, Dean. Hope you are well.

There is a distributor for these German made shocks here in the US:

https://epmperformance.com/products/shock-absorber-type-640-road-640-0098-00-fj-1200-3cw-3cv-3cx-1988-1990

The distributor is the Beemer guy, who got back to me right away. He sells the YSS shock as well, but, did not recommend it, based on the fact there is only one part number for both European and US spec bikes, and he knows the suspension is different between the two. The German shocks are custom built, 5 year warranty, totally rebuildable and just under $800.

I still have some rocks to turn over to see what is out there.

Ted

Yeah, those Wilbers are really good shocks and highly recommended here too, it's just that they're 50% more expensive than the YSS and Hagon.

In the same price range is the basic Nitron shock, another great shock - there's a lot of choices out there but I think it also depends on your needs as to what is the best value.

Over here in the UK, decent rideable FJ's 86-95 are selling for around $1200-1500, so there aren't many owners who want to stump up 66% of the value of the bike for a shock. Hagon and YSS are the big sellers here for that reason (value for money), not only on FJ's but for many other bikes too.

If I was going to go for a better shock than a Hagon/YSS, my choice would be between Nitron and Wilbers, but on the roads (and occasional track days) and with my skill level, I don't think I need the extra they offer, on my FJ.

On my Aprilia RSV that was predominantly a track bike where I pushed my limits, I really noticed the difference between the standard Sachs shock and the Ohlins and felt the £1200 ($1600) it cost was money well-spent.

As you say, plenty of choices, it all depends on your budget and your usage. One thing I will say though, is that if you buy the Wilbers, I'm sure you'll be happy with it   

[MarioR]

Thanks, Dean. Hope you are well.

There is a distributor for these German made shocks here in the US:

https://epmperformance.com/products/shock-absorber-type-640-road-640-0098-00-fj-1200-3cw-3cv-3cx-1988-1990

 

The distributor is the Beemer guy, who got back to me right away. He sells the YSS shock as well, but, did not recommend it, based on the fact there is only one part number for both European and US spec bikes, and he knows the suspension is different between the two. The German shocks are custom built, 5 year warranty, totally rebuildable and just under $800.

I still have some rocks to turn over to see what is out there.

Ted

Yeah, those Wilbers are really good shocks and highly recommended here too, it's just that they're 50% more expensive than the YSS and Hagon.

In the same price range is the basic Nitron shock, another great shock - there's a lot of choices out there but I think it also depends on your needs as to what is the best value.

Over here in the UK, decent rideable FJ's 86-95 are selling for around $1200-1500, so there aren't many owners who want to stump up 66% of the value of the bike for a shock. Hagon and YSS are the big sellers here for that reason (value for money), not only on FJ's but for many other bikes too.

If I was going to go for a better shock than a Hagon/YSS, my choice would be between Nitron and Wilbers, but on the roads (and occasional track days) and with my skill level, I don't think I need the extra they offer, on my FJ.

On my Aprilia RSV that was predominantly a track bike where I pushed my limits, I really noticed the difference between the standard Sachs shock and the Ohlins and felt the £1200 ($1600) it cost was money well-spent.

As you say, plenty of choices, it all depends on your budget and your usage. One thing I will say though, is that if you buy the Wilbers, I'm sure you'll be happy with it   

There is a lot of bikes for parts with performance parts in it.
Anyone tried any other alternate shocks available from used parts?
Small linkage modification may be easier on the wallet than $1500 shock of the shelf....
Just saying...

[giantkiller]

Hey Ted. Hope things continue to go good for you. I bought an onlins that had just been rebuilt from someone on here he had it rebuilt and then found out it was for the wrong year bike. Was actually quite cheap. I need to dig it out. And put it on. But none of the shocks I'm currently running are in need of being rebuilt. I'll probably take the Honda shock off the 1350r. And put it on the turbo bike. Or one of the 1100s. Hey Pat. Can the 1100's run the same shock as the 86s? Then put the onlins on the 1350r.
Hope all goes good in your search.