Ohlins or Penske?

[Bill]

I'm going to replace the second Yamaha shock on my Gen II with either a Penske 8983 or Ohlins YA707.

I'm 200 lbs, ride solo 95% of the time, live in Southeastern Michigan (11 curves in 318 miles), usually exceed the speed limit on Interstates by an amount that would get me life imprisonment in the State of Ohio, and cover a lot of miles once I get rolling. I may make a trip once a year or two to the mountains but do most of my riding on Interstates.

To be completely honest, I hate screwing with things like fine-tuning suspension and tend to set it once and then leave it alone. Currently, I'm using the recommended settings from the Gen II Bin-o-Facts.

Which shock will be the best choice for someone like me?

 

[HaulinAshe]

Honestly and quite frankly, your ride situation sounds like a very low-demand environment. Your weight is not significant. Your bike loading is not extreme and remains consistent most of the time. Your most critical requirement is that someone gets your spring rate and valving correct for YOU.

My recommendation is to be choosy with who does the work for you and take their recommendation. You need their buy-in worse than you need shock features (bells & whistles).

IMHO, the Penske lacks adjustability and range of the Ohlins, but that's nearly a non-factor in your case. The Ohlins lacks multiple configurations (without preload adjust etc.) and that's where the Penske excels.

 

[steel23]

Personal opinion, for Penske, you are able to get custom spring weighted suitable for your weight. That's the reason why there aren't much adjustment as compared to Ohlins. As Ohlins uses fix weighted spring. So it might be neither here nor there for you and thus more adjustment. From what Bill had mention, not really into the idea of fine tuning suspension and all that, Penske will be a better choice for a more precise weight effect on spring.

I used to be using a Ohlins on my ex Hayabusa. Love it. Alot of fine tuning to make me understand more about suspension settings. If I should ever change ever again on any bike, will go for Penske. Check with specialist to confirm on whether what I have said is true as far as spring weighted is concern. If it is then go for it. That's what I know about Penske.

 

[redtail]

We are the same size, though I do some canyons. I took Dave's advice, and went with the penske.

I'm no expert on suspension, but I can tell you that the new shock and GP's rebuild of my forks totally changed the ride! It's like it's attached to rails!

I had lost most of my confidence as the old suspension faded. I really had to take some time to get used to the bike again! Best money I've spent so far!

 

[Bill]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions that the Penske would probably be the best choice for my riding style.

 

[steel23]

Good choice mate. I hope to be progressing to that soon. Just to check how much would it cost you to rebuild your forks and change the rear to Penske? :dance:

 

[Bike Effects]

I have had Penske shocks on my FJ1200 and my R1. I have a Ohlins now on my FJR1300. I have found both of them to be excellent shocks.

 

[LAF]

I have a Penske with a Shock Sock from Traxxion to go on this week. I have run Ohlins on other bikes but not a Penske, but saw the Penske recommended a lot on a lot of FJR sites so that is what I went with it. THe Shock Sock is too cool. So simple yet what a great item to help keep your rear shock clean and grit free. Dirt on the rod running through the seals just eat a shock up. Never saw or heard of it until I spoke to Lee at Traxxion. Oh and he should give you 10% off for forum membership. It mattered little to me as Lee came so highly recommended that I wanted to use Traxxion, as someday I hope to go to the AK full fork system.

 

[Bill]

Good choice mate. I hope to be progressing to that soon. Just to check how much would it cost you to rebuild your forks and change the rear to Penske? :dance:

I sent the forks off for rebuilding today. The cost is $600 which includes:

Labor

Dust Seals and Bushings

Oil

Fork Seals

Fork Springs

Compression kit

Rebound Kit

I ordered Penske Model #8983 with the recommended 850lb spring for $743

Penske Reservoir Mount Kit $72

Total is $1415 plus Shipping

 

[HaulinAshe]

I sent the forks off for rebuilding today. The cost is $600 which includes:Labor

Dust Seals and Bushings

Oil

Fork Seals

Fork Springs

Compression kit

Rebound Kit

Any chance you know what fork spring rate they are installing for you?

I'm betting either a .90 or .95 to match that 850-lb rear.

 

[steel23]

Good choice mate. I hope to be progressing to that soon. Just to check how much would it cost you to rebuild your forks and change the rear to Penske? :dance:

I sent the forks off for rebuilding today. The cost is $600 which includes:

Labor

Dust Seals and Bushings

Oil

Fork Seals

Fork Springs

Compression kit

Rebound Kit

I ordered Penske Model #8983 with the recommended 850lb spring for $743

Penske Reservoir Mount Kit $72

Total is $1415 plus Shipping

Wow.......thanks for the info. Pricing is always a part of comparisons. Think it's so much cheaper over at your end. I was quoted a total of S$3.5k for both front and back after discounts. But I really feel and understand the need for it. It's worth the hole in the pocket. :dribble:

 

[steel23]

I have had Penske shocks on my FJ1200 and my R1. I have a Ohlins now on my FJR1300. I have found both of them to be excellent shocks.

So agree with you on that. But it's also important to understand how shocks really work to fully utilize them.

 

[Dr. Bones]

Good choice mate. I hope to be progressing to that soon. Just to check how much would it cost you to rebuild your forks and change the rear to Penske? :dance:

I sent the forks off for rebuilding today. The cost is $600 which includes:

Labor

Dust Seals and Bushings

Oil

Fork Seals

Fork Springs

Compression kit

Rebound Kit

I ordered Penske Model #8983 with the recommended 850lb spring for $743

Penske Reservoir Mount Kit $72

Total is $1415 plus Shipping

Let us know how you like the set up after it's in! I've been thinking about the GP setup.

 

[sgoat]

Sounds like you've got a great setup on the way. I went with the Ohlins and some fork springs. Totally transformed my 09'. Dave @ GP was a great guy to deal with. Enjoy!

 

[3dogs]

You should consider Race Tech for a rear shock. They now make one for the FJR. The spring is matched to your weight/riding style etc.

Check Here for a description and picture of the shock for the FJR.

 

[Bill]

You should consider Race Tech for a rear shock. They now make one for the FJR. The spring is matched to your weight/riding style etc.
Check Here for a description and picture of the shock for the FJR.

I started this thread to get a few opinions on whether I would be happiest with a Penske 8983 or Ohlins YA707 rear shock, given my weight, riding style, and where I do most of my riding.

I wasn't interested in considering a Race-Tech

 

[3dogs]

You should consider Race Tech for a rear shock. They now make one for the FJR. The spring is matched to your weight/riding style etc.
Check Here for a description and picture of the shock for the FJR.

I started this thread to get a few opinions on whether I would be happiest with a Penske 8983 or Ohlins YA707 rear shock, given my weight, riding style, and where I do most of my riding.

I wasn't interested in considering a Race-Tech

Soo SORRY for providing additional information about a rear shock. I'm such a DICK for trying to help out! As soon as whatever crawled up your ass crawls back out the members of the forun know not to offer you additional advice.

 

[BentAero]

Personal opinion, for Penske, you are able to get custom spring weighted suitable for your weight. That's the reason why there aren't much adjustment as compared to Ohlins. As Ohlins uses fix weighted spring.

Please allow me to clarify something. Öhlins (USA) offers custom springing for your weight and riding style for each and every shock sold at no extra charge. The spring listed in our catalog is mearly the one it comes shipped with from Sweden, to us, the U.S. distributor. If it's not right for you, we'll happily change it!

If you are purchasing thru an authorized dealer and they don't ask you about your weight and usage regarding spring rate, call someone else. If you cannot get satisfaction with your dealer, call the sales staff here at ÖhlinsUSA.

Thanks,

 

[sgoat]

Personal opinion, for Penske, you are able to get custom spring weighted suitable for your weight. That's the reason why there aren't much adjustment as compared to Ohlins. As Ohlins uses fix weighted spring.

Please allow me to clarify something. Öhlins (USA) offers custom springing for your weight and riding style for each and every shock sold at no extra charge. The spring listed in our catalog is mearly the one it comes shipped with from Sweden, to us, the U.S. distributor. If it's not right for you, we'll happily change it!

If you are purchasing thru an authorized dealer and they don't ask you about your weight and usage regarding spring rate, call someone else. If you cannot get satisfaction with your dealer, call the sales staff here at ÖhlinsUSA.

Thanks,

That was exactly what happened when I ordered my Ohlins shock. Dave Hodges @ GP Suspension suggested and installed a more appropriate spring (no charge) to accomodate my "mature physique" ! :lol: