Motoscrubs.com

I would just like to give a shout-out for Hagon Shocks. Yesterday, while adjusting the chain on my 250 I felt a knocking as the rear suspension moved, which I traced to the left-hand rear shock absorber. This morning I rode over to the Hagon factory (they open at 7.30!) to ask them to have a look and see if there was anything wrong with the shock; half an hour later I left with a new pair of shocks; how about that for service? The shocks were almost two years old and just within the warranty period.

I could ask if the shock should have developed a fault (apparently it was a problem with the seal separating the gas from the oil), but leaving that aside, what wonderful service, and how refreshing today to find a company that is dedicated to customer satisfaction.

Cheers,

Colin

Aye Colin,

I wouldn't give them a "shout out". My pair of Hagon shocks that were 2 months over the 2 year warranty, had both lost all of their damping and the bike was riding like a pogo stick. I was no very happy.

However, it wasn't as bad as the pair of Betor shock absorbers that I first fitted to the 450, both of those within 500 miles of use unscrewed the seal holder on the top of the damper cylinder, the left-hand one becoming completely detached, losing all it's nitrogen charge and covering the rear of the bike with damping fluid! Unfortunately, I hadn't used them until over a year after their purchase, hence a lack of warranty.

Having purchased a pair of NJB shocks for the Morini 125H and been pleasantly surprised by their performance, I ordered another pair for the 450, with a length of 310mm between the eye centres. I supplied my weight, the weight of the machine, the type of use the shocks were going to be used for and the damper, with a suitable spring and 5 pre-load adjustments was delivered in short order. So far, after over 2,000 miles they are still performing well, with no signs of leaks or other potential manufacturing failures, unlike the Betor and Hagon shocks.

A current price comparison from the internet, gives the following prices for a 310mm between centres (Betor now only supply 300mm or 320mm between centres!), 90lb chrome spring, with bushes, pair of shocks.

Betor: £129pr delivered, 1 year warranty, unlimited mileage

Hagon:£190.50 delivered, 2 year warranty, unlimited mileage

NJB: £105 + £12.50 P&P

Keep wearing them out and good health, BillR

themoudie wrote:Aye Colin,

I wouldn't give them a "shout out". My pair of Hagon shocks that were 2 months over the 2 year warranty, had both lost all of their damping and the bike was riding like a pogo stick.

Hi Bill/Colin and just for general interest...
I was told by certain reputable Ducati single engineer in mid-Wales (no names, but we all know), that mounting Hagons upside down (with the preload adjuster collar at the top) prevents the problem of the gas and oil mixing thus loosing the damping. It should also reduce the unsprung weight by a small amount.

I hope you're enjoying the lovely dry weather!

Regards
Phil

Morning Phil,

I too received the same advice. However, in spite of spending some time impersonating the antics of breeding rabbits, with the shocks inverted, so as to separate the gas from the oil over a period of a week, I have no revitalised shocks, or bred any new ones!

I still think that NJB shocks are a better bet, for my purposes and if you require something more ..... there are plenty to choose from.

Off to wear it out some more.

Good health, BillR

themoudie wrote:Morning Phil,

I too received the same advice. However, in spite of spending some time impersonating the antics of breeding rabbits, with the shocks inverted,

Nice image that Bill!
Reminds me of my first ever motorcycle at age 17; a Honda CD175 with a complete lack of any oil in the rear shocks, (or noise suppression in the megaphones ). Halfway down a long sweeping curve on the way home from my mates house, there was a sudden dip which, at top speed, (not particularly impressive being a CD175) triggered a wallowing pogo which lasted for a good quarter of a mile.
I was far too young to worry about such idiosyncrasies.
Ride happy.
Phil

Aye Phil, thank you for the compliment.

As for the waltzing, wallowing, it was impressive when the top came off the top of the Betor, through a series of bends on the A85 near my place. It was the sideways slide, when the oil hit the tyre that gave even greater angst!

Off to sheet alley now to be up with the lark for a back road run to Arbroath in the morning. Smokies for supper, after the bike meet, very tasty.

Good health, BillR