Works Performance shockies - opinions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter silvo
  • Start date Start date
Handmade to suit your individual needs by a small company where you can get to talk to the owner or churned out of an Asian factory - your choice.
 
Seems to me like theyd be worth a go, theyre all built to order, so theyre not  churned out, have a look at their price list

1500 US for a set of custom built piggy backs, 5-800 for non

Check out their dual rate spring options and Adjustable rate suspension for pillions or large camping loads ( Drikko)

Go on Chris buy some,
 
In my experience, buying shocks from a source where there's no after-sales assistance is asking for trouble. If you find they're wrong, who's going to help you sort them out?

Davo reckons mass produced Asian shocks may be a less reliable option than the local Ikons (local to Oz anyway), but I bought a set of YSS shocks from an Australian supplier and he went to extraordinary lengths to make sure the spring and damping rates were correct for my needs. I contacted Ikon before buying the YSS shocks, and they only wanted to sell me what they had on the shelf - no follow-up tuning.

Cheers,
Cam
 
Well I found exactly the same as you with Ikon, and no service from YSS when I tried them, which is why I went for the Maxtons in the end. The Works stuff looks to be OK but I would want to be reassured I can talk to someone regarding set up on the bike before I bought anything.
 
Ideally I'd have a set of Wilbers as they are so good on the GS, but will probably remain outside my price range for a while- anyone know anything about Gazis- they should be able to do the 375mm length I want.
 
I have Works Performance shocks on my Jota and Executive and have had them on past bikes too and always have been very pleased. A number of the guys I rode with in the past used them too, everyone loved them. Custom made to fit you and your bike, excellent customer service, and a good price. Its hard to beat them. Parts are readily available if you need to do a rebuild down the road, technical assistance is easy too. To me its a no brainer, plus if you care they can put together a set that look quite period but have all the best parts inside. Look into their fork springs also, I have them in both the Jota and Executive, made a big improvement in how the bikes handle!
 
Reggie3cl said:
anyone know anything about Gazis- they should be able to do the 375mm length I want.
Click to expand...

Reggie, I have them on my '78 Jota, didn't know they were available in Pommy land (freight will cost a bit from Oz and they're certainly not cheap). 375mm is no problem, they actually have an adjustable mounting eye that gives you about 2.5-3 cm of length adjustment. Lots of adjustment available (I'm assuming you're looking at their piggyback gas shocks). You will have to use a longer bolt and a ~1cm spacer on the drive side mounting eye because the big fat shock bottom hits the chainnguard (or cut up/ditch the chainguard).
Living where I live I can't really comment about handling on real twisty stuff, maybe Silvo might have something to add here? I do know the ride is compliant and not harsh, and I haven't noticed any issues with fade (buggared how I'd know how to get fade on dead straight roads :(). I will say I had a bit of trouble dialling in sag, they have 2 different springs available and I fitted the softer of the 2 but still had trouble getting more than about 15mm of sag.

Ken
 
silvo said:
Have a go at these prices. Sorta throws the whole argument out the window.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ohlins-Shocks-Ducati-Bevel-DU140-1976-1984-860GT-860-GTS-900SD-900-Darmah-/251134013176?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a78c0eef8#ht_634wt_922
Click to expand...

Interesting that you brought those Ohlins to light.. Raises the issue of how important it is to quote the spec or model of the tyre shock. No adjustment on those Ohlins, nothing except preload, THey look like the type that were used OEM on Jap bikes like the XJR 1300, built down to a price with the same level of adjustability.  
Im not a suspension expert but that does prove the point about looking around rather than going for something in name only.
 
(I'm assuming you're looking at their piggyback gas shocks). You will have to use a longer bolt and a ~1cm spacer on the drive side mounting eye because the big fat shock bottom hits the chainnguard (or cut up/ditch the chainguard).
Click to expand...

Reckon the Sport X non piggy is favourite.  Just scouting around at the mo' as most of my money seems to diappearing into a hole marked 'GSXR wheel conversion'  Lovely looking shocks though (unlike the Maxtons, which look like Hagons.
 
Good point Rob, which is why I'm asking the question. Everyone has a different opinion based on what they deem as reasonable and sufficient. Not many people even know that Yamaha Ohlins are cheap non repairable units made by Yamaha because they owned Ohlins at the time. If we all throw in our 20 cents worth then anyone can draw a conclusion that suits them.

On the Ohlins. I know they're too short and I posted the site as a price guide teaser. It's an Ohlins dealer selling these particular shocks, not a fly by night jobbie. As Davo, I think, pointed out he bought Maxtons set up for his bike so it's a set and forget situation. These Ohlins are just the same for a lot less money than Maxtons. Courtesy of another forum member I know of another Ohlins dealer in the States that will sell anyone Laverda spec shockies for even a bit less than these. Where there's smoke there's fire.

My opinion is that there is Ohlins then there's daylight but I don't think any ones suspension is worth $2000 so that's why I asked about the Works Performance stuff.

So this is the field so far.
Gazi
Hagon
IKon
YYS
Works Performance
RaceTech
Maxton
Wilbers
Ohlins

The first four are all at the cheaper end.

I've had Gazi on my Jota and I thought they were pretty average. They blew a seal after 4000 kms so you pay for what you get.

The two American firms seem to build reasonable quality products and the three last ones are regarded as top shelf. 

Works Performance seem to winning the race so far on feedback but if Ohlins are available for less money than maybe that's the way to go.

Cheers
Chris
 
chris, i've installed custom built works units on some customer bikes
very nice indeed. for myself i went from progressives to konis to custom built race-techs
while the first two were incremental improvements the last was a night and day difference.
transformational. race tech and works are top shelf.
being custom built you need to be honest about your riding style and ability
you won't like expert level track settings for touring
fwiw team lavergnac is running race techs, might be worth asking bertrand
cheers,
scott
 
Reggie3cl said:
(I'm assuming you're looking at their piggyback gas shocks). You will have to use a longer bolt and a ~1cm spacer on the drive side mounting eye because the big fat shock bottom hits the chainnguard (or cut up/ditch the chainguard).
Click to expand...

Reckon the Sport X non piggy is favourite.  Just scouting around at the mo' as most of my money seems to diappearing into a hole marked 'GSXR wheel conversion'  Lovely looking shocks though (unlike the Maxtons, which look like Hagons.
Click to expand...

Reggie, same seller in the US who has the "short" Ohlins has a pair of 378mm Ohlins for sale. Just click the ling to his other items. They are Ohlins DU707s.
 
Thanks Scott. I'd been wondering just how good either Tech or Works were. Their web sites certainly give you a good impression. 
 
silvo said:
Thanks Scott. I'd been wondering just how good either Tech or Works were. Their web sites certainly give you a good impression. 
Click to expand...

Well they're not going to say "Our shocks don't work very well" now are they....... :-X :-X

 
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