Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Mar 2007
markincyberspace's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 66
Thumbs up Hagon Shocks...

Before setting off on our trip, I swapped the standard rear shock on our Africa Twin, with a new Hagon unit.

After 25,000 miles, 6000 of which were off road and fully loaded, the rear shock blew it's seal. After 150 miles of po-go-ing down nbumpy Bolivian roads, we finally made it into the small desert town of Uyuni (where we are now).

The next day I phoned Hagon and explained the problem.

"No problems" they said. "If you buy a replacement now, we'll ship a new one out to you via UPS. When you return, we'll take the new one back, refund you and recondition the old one free of charge".

So far, they get the thunbs up from me....
__________________
Two wheels good,
Four wheels bad (unless it's two bikes).

http://www.markincyberspace.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
I had similar good experience many years ago when Koni still made bike shocks. I had bought a bike with a crap old and totally worn out set of Konis.
On recommendation of a bike shop I contacted the Koni Importer and was asked to send in the shocks for repair.
They phoned me a few days later apologizing many times and telling me that they could not repair the shocks as they did not keep spares for this outdated model.
They asked me if it would be ok if they send me a pair of brand new shocks :-D
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Mar 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
I rate them

I fitted a Hagon to my Elefant before a little jaunt to Kazakhstan and back. It was a massive improvgement on the stock Boge shock that came on the bike, and survived a poor road, sand and rocks pounding that totally sheared my exhaust brackets and snapped my pannier racks in about 6 places...

Annoyingly it didn't survive the bike getting torched by some B*$%^rds once I got back to the UK..... hardly Hagon's fault though! I'm saving the pennies for another one right now.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
Thumbs up nothing to do with this topic i know, but......

henryuk, in chichester the other day i saw a "camel scheme" Elefant done up good as new, with a ducati 1000DS motor in it. looked and sounded fantastic!

the bike they shouldve built instead of the multistrada
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31 Mar 2007
markincyberspace's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 66
Unhappy Hummmm

Henryuk...so your jaunt to Kazakhstan must have taken you over a fair few miles of corrugations, yes? The reason why I ask is that I fitted the new shock a couple of days ago, got about 40miles down the road (after riding for an hour) and the bloody thing started to loose dampening again!

Under closer inspection I found that the dampening adjuster was leaking oil. Since then we've spent the last couple of days bouncing down beautiful Bolivian roads at a tedious 15-30 mph, trying to reach some smooth tarmac in Argentina.

I plan to ring them tomorrow and find out what the score is. So far, great company service.....great shock for two up on and off road (it survived the Transamtrail fine).....but weak on small, constant corrugations...

More to follow.....
__________________
Two wheels good,
Four wheels bad (unless it's two bikes).

http://www.markincyberspace.com

Last edited by markincyberspace; 31 Mar 2007 at 00:50.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Apr 2007
markincyberspace's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 66
New shock (2) sent through to Mendoza free of charge. I don't know what the problem is on washboards, but their service is excellent.
__________________
Two wheels good,
Four wheels bad (unless it's two bikes).

http://www.markincyberspace.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Apr 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
Glad to hear that they have sorted you out!

Yep there were lots of corrugations, huge blind potholes, dirt, rocks, a few flights of steps (don't ask), the bike was loaded right up on the back including two tyres and I gave it a proper pounding.

I might have been lucky with the rear shock, everything else got battered in some way, my pannier racks broke in about 4 or 5 places, one fork got bent, both lost a lot of chrome and wouldn't hold oil, rear subframe snapped..... When I got back compression on my horizontal cylinder was about 2:1.............

Thinking about it the rear shock might have been the only thing that didn't get damaged! A small exhaust fire took care of damaging bits and bobs at the back (indicators, plastics, bit of my seat) and an errant mercedes took care of the front. Everything in the middle just got knackered, even the Scottoiler died!

Lot of fun though!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Replacement Shocks Kurt BMW Tech 3 3 Nov 2006 08:43
Hagon vs. Stock shock Geoff van de Merwe Yamaha Tech 4 24 Mar 2004 03:20
Hagon fork springs Jim_K Yamaha Tech 2 21 Oct 2003 18:54
Shocks ' n' springs Huey Equipping the Overland Vehicle 2 16 Apr 2003 07:52
Ohlins shocks davidlomax BMW Tech 7 13 Mar 2003 14:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:35.