Let the fun begin...RPM Rear Shock

[aviationfred]

Grrrr!! I wish my job was not at risk right now... I hate my stock PoGo stick rear shock....

My company is always looking for good machinists and engineering types. Being in the middle of fly-over country the biggest downfall is the twisty roads are 500 miles away in two directions  

Fred

[FJmonkey]

My company is always looking for good machinists and engineering types. Being in the middle of fly-over country the biggest downfall is the twisty roads are 500 miles away in two directions  

Fred

Thanks I think.....

[racerrad8]

I like the way you think, just not sure if my wife can be convinced.....

Sell it to her in little installments, she'll be happier that way. Plus you can tell her it is a safety matter since you are riding a PoGo...

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

I like the way you think, just not sure if my wife can be convinced.....

Sell it to her in little installments, she'll be happier that way. Plus you can tell her it is a safety matter since you are riding a PoGo...

Randy - RPM

I will see if I can work that angle into my needs vs. wants list...

[racerrad8]

Another thing I just did since the weigh issue was on my mid way to weight a stock shock compare to the RPM shock.

Stock shock with remote adjuster, chain & bolts: 9.3lbs.

RPM Early model shock: 6.2lbs
RPM Late model shock: 5.9lbs.

Over three pound of weight from your bike right there.

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

My doctor has been telling me to loose weight, this fits in well with his directions... The RPM shock my have some health advantages.... I love it...

[CatTomb]

My doctor has been telling me to loose weight, this fits in well with his directions... The RPM shock my have some health advantages.... I love it...

+1 

[racerrad8]

Here is another primary report of the new shock,

Until tonight I had not had a chance to try my bike with the new shock installed.  I have been working too much and it was driving nuts.  I installed the shock about a week ago.
I took it for a ride tonight and OMFG!!  It is a new bike...I have not set up the sag yet but whatever the setting you have it at is a huge improvement to what I was riding before.  No floating around the corners, very firm and stable feeling.

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

Well, everyday should be a day to learn something...

Today, I learned that there are three versions of the FJ shock and differences coincide with the model changes.

84-88, 89-90 & 91-95.

So, there is a middle shock. The difference is in the mounting width and angles causing a minor interference with the charge port. The length of all shock is the same. I have already spoken to and forwarded all of the specs to the manufacture and the proper spacers should be ready shortly. They already have some ideas for the clearance issue of the charge port as well.

Unfortunately, I was thought there was only two versions of the FJ shock. Keep your eyes open for the middle version as soon as we can get them done.

So, if you guys are going to be updating you linkage as well, make sure you know what you have when you order the shock.

Randy - RPM

[Bozo]

Well, everyday should be a day to learn something...

Today, I learned that there are three versions of the FJ shock and differences coincide with the model changes.

84-88, 89-90 & 91-95.

So, there is a middle shock. The difference is in the mounting width and angles causing a minor interference with the charge port. The length of all shock is the same. I have already spoken to and forwarded all of the specs to the manufacture and the proper spacers should be ready shortly. They already have some ideas for the clearance issue of the charge port as well.

Unfortunately, I was thought there was only two versions of the FJ shock. Keep your eyes open for the middle version as soon as we can get them done.

So, if you guys are going to be updating you linkage as well, make sure you know what you have when you order the shock.

Randy - RPM

Its Ok Randy, I know you thought the 89/ 90 FJ was the best model and it probably didn't require improvements (yes I was the bunny with the new shock that found the "third" model). It looks like up to 1988 Yamaha made bikes for the younger generation then as a better bike they bought out the 89 /90, after that they realized riders are getting old so they bought out the 91 onwards, as for the FJR I think the zimmer frame hooks and doggy baskets speak for themselves  .
Anyway I fitted the shock last night with minor modifications (Thanks for helping Randy - do you ever sleep?).
A quick history about Fremantle - Western Australia. It was the only major city (in WA)that had GPS co-ordinates that specifically showed you where the potholes were, it has improved a lot over the years but for some reason not the roads I take. It seems they build a road and then pass it to the water works to rip it up to fit new pipes.
I ride 37km to work and for the first time I found my self going over the rough roads to see if the RPM shock works, after all the bikes I had I can honestly say none compare. WOW is the only description I could think of.

The only concern I have is that for the first time the ride seemed - boring . Also Randy I don't usually lock my bike but can you develop a chain lock for the shock please.
I'll take the "best" bike out on the weekend and I really have some roads to test it on -standby

[Bozo]

Oh, I forgot,Randy why doesn't your RPM shock have a self lubricating shaft like my previous high performance shock?

[Bozo]

FYI, this is what I wrote to Randy today about the RPM shock I rode with on the weekend. I initially tested without setting the rider sag. I have re-set the sag to 45mm and should have more to write next week. Anyway -

Randy, I thought about the 70mm rider sag and I agree the shock will
tighten at high speeds over rough bumps while leaning over. As I have
stated I am not into slow corners but high speed is where I believe I
am good at.
I'll go for another ride this weekend and see what change it made
(rider sag now is 45mm).
So far my impressions are great regardless, you seem to have the legal
speed limit suspension covered with a softer touch but the one thing
that worried me is how it would behave at high speed (not all the time).
When others (in the forum) wrote that they had good suspension either
top or bottom my first impression was "it can't be both", i.e an
Ohlins (my friends have these on other bikes) works as well as the RPM
shock BUT its either good up top end or bottom end but never both
(even my Hagon did the same - before it leaked).
The RPM shock seems to easily compete at the top (high speed) but it
creams the ohlins at the bottom (depends the the way an ohlins is
adjusted).
I believe a lot of FJ owners need to know this because when they hear
(I believe) that this shock is compliant at the lower end they
automatically think its shit at the top. That's why there are still
owners talking about buying Ohlins/ Hagon on the forum.
Put simply for value this can't be beaten, I know once I have the
sweet spot set this thing will rock.
The spring appears to be spot on for a single rider and it looks like
it'll easily cope with an extra load.
Like others I have a spot in the road that tests any shock, previously
at 120kph when I hit this spot (off camber dip around a medium speed
sweeper) depending on how the Hagon shock was setup it would twist or
throw the bike in the air. I purposely went at 140kph (holding for my
dear life and gritting teeth) with the RPM shock and yes I felt the
bump but the bike was in total control. Well done.

[racerrad8]

So far my impressions are great regardless, you seem to have the legal
speed limit suspension covered with a softer touch but the one thing
that worried me is how it would behave at high speed (not all the time).

When others (in the forum) wrote that they had good suspension either
top or bottom my first impression was "it can't be both"; i.e an
Ohlins (my friends have these on other bikes) works as well as the RPM
shock BUT its either good up top end or bottom end but never both
(even my Hagon did the same - before it leaked).

The RPM shock seems to easily compete at the top (high speed) but it
creams the ohlins at the bottom (depends the the way an ohlins is
adjusted).

I believe a lot of FJ owners need to know this because when they hear
(I believe) that this shock is compliant at the lower end they
automatically think its shit at the top. That's why there are still
owners talking about buying Ohlins/Hagon on the forum.

Put simply, for value this can't be beaten, I know once I have the
sweet spot set this thing will rock.

The spring appears to be spot on for a single rider and it looks like
it'll easily cope with an extra load.

Like others, I have a spot in the road that tests any shock, previously
at 120kph when I hit this spot (off camber dip around a medium speed
sweeper) depending on how the Hagon shock was setup it would twist or
throw the bike in the air. I purposely went at 140kph (holding for my
dear life and gritting teeth) with the RPM shock and yes I felt the
bump but the bike was in total control. Well done.

John,

Thanks for the update and I stated in the email I replied to you with, once you get into that range your adjustments will be small, 1/4 turn adjustments.

I am glad you like it and I hope others will see the value of the product as it by far exceeds the performance over every other brand shock on the market.

If you are thinking about getting the RPM shock you have until the end of the this month, July 2013, until the introductory price reduction offer of $50.00 off expires as well as a free RPM t-shirt.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to post them here or send me an email.

Thanks, Randy - RPM

[Bozo]

With rider sag on the RPM shock set to 45mm (+front RPM emulators/0.85 springs) I went for the usual torture test and I found it hard to believe but it improved on my previous ride (70mm preload). This suspension is incredible. I went with two other riders (one has ohlins fitted to his bike) and both could not believe the ride quality. One rider took it well into very high speedo reading and his only comment after riding on an extremely bad road was "what bumps".

[Mike Ramos]

Howdy Bozo,

Strange how the name Bozo describes my appearance so accurately...!

Your description of the suspension from RPM also accurately describes my experience.  When you tune the rear shock to the Fork Valves, there is a certain "harmonic window" which I have mentioned previously. It is a most enjoyable sensation which enhances the ride a considerable degree.

All the while when I had installed only the Fork Valves and Fork Brace, I appreciated the improvement in ride quality, however once the rear shock became available I never knew such a leap in that aforementioned ride quality could be elevated to such an extent.

So get ready to have a truly modern classic, as provide by the nice folks at R.P.M., which can compete with any road going motorcycle available today; noticeably (and enticingly) across a wide spectrum of riding conditions, not just a narrowly focused type of road or riding. 

Even with the mods and the after market items installed, the amount of money invested is very modest as compared to the cost of a new or more recent motorcycle and the enjoyment factor just cannot be equaled...!

Congratulations and ride safe,

Mike Ramos.