Let the fun begin...RPM Rear Shock

[X-Ray]

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...!

Mike speaketh the truth,   

[Bozo]

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.

Thanks Mike, I agree, considering the R&D (must be at least 50% of the cost per shock for low qty) that went into the RPM shock and that the final product is so bloody good I can't believe others are comparing prices of "off the shelf" Penske's.
I don't know Randy that well and normally I wouldn't go emailing about any product but I believe this is something that cannot be compared to a Penske** (see note) or for that matter an Ohlin (**I will admit I have not compared to a Penske but I have to a top of the range Ohlin).
I feel sorry for Randy when he put in such an effort into this product and a lot of "I want one" but from what I can gather (correct me if I'm wrong Randy) sales are slow. If you think I'm saying this because I could afford one, think again I planned this for a year had garage sales - even tried to sell my border collie.
OK give it your best shot guys

[racerrad8]

I feel sorry for Randy when he put in such an effort into this product and a lot of "I want one" but from what I can gather (correct me if I'm wrong Randy) sales are slow.

I am not sure if slow if is the correct word. I will say that I have been a little discouraged at the reception the shock received when I placed it onto the market. I do applaud the seven guys that trusted my work on the rear shock after all of the continued posting about the development, delays and tribulation of the product to finally arrive.

The same can also be said for the fork valves. Both of my FJ specifically designed items are continually compared to other aftermarket products that are not specific to the FJ or used parts from other makes of bikes.

Frankly, there is no comparison to what I have invested and manufactured to anything else on the market; period.

You cannot compare a RT fork valve, USD forks, a Penske, Hagon, Ohlin, Honda, BMW or any other rear shock to the Yamaha FJ1100/1200 specifically designed and manufactured products I am offering for your FJ because they do not incorporate the patented technology; period.

That is like comparing gold to lead to pot metal.

Sure, when any of the above are bolted on, modified to fit, parts removed and body panels cut, the bike will ride better because the stock shocks have exceeded its service limit and it needed to be replaced and I am glad members have had success, but at the same time these cannot be compared to anything I am offering.

I am offering direct bolt on, without modification, Yamaha FJ1100/1200 design products. These products also contain patented technology that no one on the market can provide. The RPM suspension components are and will continue to be head and shoulders above anything else because of this technology.

Plus, on the stock forks there is no drilling of the damper rod, or pressing the steering stem into a different triple tree or having specialty parts machined. For the rear shock you do not have to change out bearings & seals, cutting off the end and weld something else one, or finding a home for a remote reservoir. The center stand is still there, the swing arm linkage is kept in the range Yamaha designed it to function in and you never have to pay for an upgrade to the RPM product. It is the best product available and there is no reason for any options.

Drop them in, bolt them on and go riding. Make a few adjustments for rider preference and you can enjoy the ride.

I again thank everyone who has purchased from me, trusts in me and continues to support me in the FJ adventure. It is you guys that drive me to seek out manufactures who are willing to step up to design & manufacture small quantities FJ specific items. I wish I could say I do it only for me, but if it was just for me, I would have only made two...

Please do not feel sorry for me, it is a risk I am willing to take and will continue to take for the betterment of the FJ.

I do have some ideas for some cool things for the future, but only time will tell if I can afford to make them.

Randy - RPM

[JPaganel]

I appreciate that building a product like this is a lot of effort and an investment. Had I the cash, my order would already be in.

However, the truth is, I have an old bike because all I can afford is an old bike. The shock, even with the discount, is half of what I paid for the bike. While nice to have, it will take a bit of time for me to free up the funds to buy one. Fork valves and springs are probably going to come before the shock.

I hope it's still around by the time I can buy it.

[racerrad8]

I appreciate that building a product like this is a lot of effort and an investment. Had I the cash, my order would already be in.

However, the truth is, I have an old bike because all I can afford is an old bike. The shock, even with the discount, is half of what I paid for the bike. While nice to have, it will take a bit of time for me to free up the funds to buy one. Fork valves and springs are probably going to come before the shock.

I hope it's still around by the time I can buy it.

Thank you for the support. I fully understand the cost point of view, we all have our budgets we all must live within and I also understand the question that Pat posed the other day in a different post. How much money can one spend on a 2-3K valued bike. That is the question that each person must answer on their own.

Don't worry they will still be around, I have a commitment to you guys & myself to let it ride and as more & more get into circulation the true performance and value will then be realized.

Randy - RPM

[aviationfred]

I will be upgrading my suspension over the next 6 months or so.

Front forks first, the brake upgrades have made braking inputs into suspension issues. Under really hard braking the forks compress so much that the front brake line splitter hits the fork brace. An exexpected side effect of moditis.

Fred

[Mike Ramos]

Hello everyone,

Should there be any questions remaining about the veracity of the all around performance of the suspension components developed exclusively for the FJ's by the gentleman from RPM, perhaps the accompanying video puts them to rest.

It should be noted that I had a full tank of fuel plus about two gallons in the auxiliary fuel tank I use on cross country rides as well as moderately loaded soft saddle bags.  Although the added weight is substantial, the suspension settings remain unchanged from when I am riding without baggage or extra fuel.  It is a fact the settings are the same as when I attended the WCR.

There is no question the foremost advantage of the suspension system offered by RPM is its' ability to compensate for changes in load weight and of equal importance, the road surface conditions instantaneously without switching to different ride modes (which as illustrated in this video would not be feasible).  It is no less remarkable that these compensations are made without electronics and the added complexity of such a system.  Moreover, it seems impractical to set suspension settings with conventional forks and shocks to handle the wide variety of road conditions encountered on each ride.   

Now the most Reverend Conlon has always said (and endorsed by the Klavdy) that if I stay on the straight and narrow I would one day see the light, however I did not expect, nor do I believe that this was what he meant...

Here we go: It was on an over the road ride when in the early morning hours before day light as I was cruising along favoring the slow lanes, a powerful full size sedan passed on the left at a high rate of speed.  I do not know the make, however it had unique headlights and taillights, making it easy to keep track of.  As silhouetted in the dark, it had a distinctive body style.

While the traffic was light that early, we motored right along and as he slowed when we encountered traffic, it was felt as if he would be conservative in his decisions.  Although I am not familiar with the approaches, I am aware there are several entrances to the tunnels which change depending on time of day.  As traffic lightened once again, we made a dash for the entrance and it became apparent that two were open in the direction we were traveling and that he was going for the left tunnel which gave me the right side unhindered.

Entering the tunnel, I encountered an undulating road surface which I thought would make the motorcycle airborne and upon regaining the road surface perhaps throw it against the tunnel walls.  As I was riding the motorcycle at the moment, I thought I was going to be in a world of hurt.

However, when I opened my eyes again, low and behold there I was, still intact and quite happily so.  There are actually two sets of undulations, the second set being more pronounced.  As illustrated in the video, the forks are traveling their full length, however never bottoming or topping out.  The rear shock was also mimicking the front, I did have the pegs heavily weighted and attempted to maintain a steady throttle but with limited success.

Of note: the freeway prior to and the sweepers after the tunnel are in decent shape, the tunnel entrance is as seen, crazily undulating (especially while motoring along) and the tunnel itself is as smooth as glass.  All three conditions changed dramatically and instantaneously.  It is difficult to continue to assert that other suspension systems could have handled the situation better than the components developed by the gentleman from R.P.M.

In closing, the situation illustrated is just a variation of what is typically encountered on the average ride, especially over unfamiliar roads.  Thus the reason all the products developed by R.P.M. are held in such high regard.  It is called self preservation...

My apologies as this post and the video itself are rather long; the car passes at about 30 seconds, the tunnel approach is at 4:10 and following the sprint with the same vehicle (120 mph or so) at the far side of the tunnel the video ends.

Tunnel #2

Keep smiling & ride safe,

Mike Ramos.

[fintip]

Keep smiling & ride safe

"Do as I say, and not as I do", I suppose? 

That's some fast night riding on dark roads, my friend! Looked like fun, though.

[Bozo]

I appreciate that building a product like this is a lot of effort and an investment. Had I the cash, my order would already be in.

However, the truth is, I have an old bike because all I can afford is an old bike. The shock, even with the discount, is half of what I paid for the bike. While nice to have, it will take a bit of time for me to free up the funds to buy one. Fork valves and springs are probably going to come before the shock.

I hope it's still around by the time I can buy it.

Didn't mean to offend anyone, its obvious that family matters/ budgets always come first. I only meant if you can afford the new competition products save a bit more for the RPM its worth it.

[ribbert]

I also understand the question that Pat posed the other day in a different post. How much money can one spend on a 2-3K valued bike.

Randy - RPM

If you were referring to customised paint, having your rims gold plated or your seat recovered with whale foreskin you would have to consider the above. But, if you intend to keep and ride your bike, it's market value is irrelevant when it comes to things like suspension and brakes. You're investing in the ride, not the machine.

The only thing here more common than people disagreeing with me on clutches is owners riding on a budget. In many cases, including me,the very fact they bought them the first place was a budget based decision, then fell in love with them later.

It's not a case of whether putting $1500 into a $2000 bike makes sense (of course it does), to many people, including me, it is simply a case of finding $1500 spare to throw at the bike in one hit.

I do not need to be sold on the wonders of the RPM suspension, that has been well documented. I got home from a long, fast, bumpy ride recently feeling like I had been kicked in the arse a thousand times.

My bike now needs F & R tyres, rego, insurance, top end gasket set and rings, "POOF" there goes $2000! Oh well, start saving again.

Noel

[fintip]

The only thing here more common than people disagreeing with me on clutches is owners riding on a budget.

But yes, Noel said it perfectly. Trust me, I have a carefully curated wishlist of FJ parts--as soon as my windfall comes, you can bet I'll be working through it!

...whenever that is. 

[rktmanfj]

Well, I know that on my end it's not that I don't trust the work that was put into the RPM unit... it's having the liquid funds to pop for one.

Twice in the last year, my shock fund had reached the point where I could actually buy the Penske that I'd wanted for a long time, but by then the RPM shock was well in development, and i decided to wait.  Predictably, yet another crisis came up, and the fund was depleted again.

I will buy one... and eventually another (and fork valves, too) for the project, but not right away.   

[yamaha fj rider]

So I see this differently than most. I believe that Randy has the best out of the box shock on the market. Most of the riders here did not buy there bike new and the cost of the RPM shock is out of there budget. Same as any other top of the line shock. When you compare the F4I shock to Randy's there is no comparison in performance but $50 verses $1000. If you can get acceptable performance out of the $50-100 shocks and not half to scrimp and save putting all other mods on hold. I think this is the number one thing holding people back from ordering one. It is not a question of wanting one. If everybody bought the best then everyone would have a Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes, excreta but there a lot of Chevys and Fords on the road. Most people buy based on value this is the thing that will bring the customers, when they see the value. Low end Penske is $600 and not everybody has one of those. There is a big difference in $600 verses $1000. How many of us on the forum have a top of the line shock or any aftermarket shock? Then why not? This is not a putdown to Randy or meant to discourage him. Just to help understand the market. Randy potential customers need to see the value in spending the money for your shock over anything else, not just other shocks. Hope this helps.

Kurt       

[skymasteres]

You know Kurt,

This is exactly where I have been sitting. I know that my budget dictates that the $1500 Randy suspension conversion be a save my nickels and dimes kind of affair when I have things like engine cases exploding and what not. That being said, with the data available on this suspension setup, I really do feel that the value is there. It may be a "you have to ride it" to kind of deal to make believers out of skeptics, but that video that Mike posted is pretty awesome. At the entrance of the tunnel where you see the wheel starting to go full stroke the way the rest of the image stays so stable in the frame is nothing short of amazing.

Sometimes these videos are deceiving in the sense that it's really hard to tell just how violent an action really is. Case in point, there's a video of the early F-22 flight trials where the pilot fell victim to a self-induced oscillation that was exacerbated by the flight control computer. The result was about eight oscillations in about two seconds going from +/-13g of acceleration. In the video it looks like just a little bobble up and down. But I can tell you that in the cockpit even 9g's is pretty dang intense. Especially going from positive to negative in such quick succession...

The point is, that suspension is REALLY working to keep the wheel in contact with the road AND prevent unwanted energy transfer to the frame.

That being said, I can't afford one... yet. I currently have a racetech cartridge valve emulator set installed, and an F4i shock I am modifying to fit. Total cost of the whole set of forks with emulators installed and the shock? $200. Even if I get 50% of the handling improvement I'll be more than satisfied.  (For about 14% the cost) I can even get the F4i shock revalved and resprung for the FJ1200 and my body weight for another $200 making the cost about 30% that of the RPM suspension. For me that makes perfect sense because I can keep riding and building my skills so that when I can actually afford Randy's suspension I can really appreciate the improvement and use it.

[racerrad8]

There is a saying from another suspension manufacture that hits the nail on the head...

While I understand my market base and the ability to get a better level of performance over the stock suspension components with other components, I will never put a percentage value on it to compare with RPM products. That will have to be left up to the individuals who have felt and know the difference to do.

Again, the difference from anything you do to your bike with suspension products other than RPM is non-comparable as no other products have this patented technology built into the product.

Hopefully someday everyone will get an opportunity to ride an FJ with RPM suspension components and then you will be able to feel the difference for yourself.

But until then...

   "The best you've ridden is the best you know." - Paul Thede

Randy - RPM