My wife and i left home August 2001 on our Africa Twin. We have covered 44,500 mile on it on our overland trip to Australia.
I admit everyones story is different and opinions differ on the rear shock.We have had no problems with ours and have found it to be perfectley adequate for the job.We are carrying 100kg of luggage as well as water and fuel when needed.
Alot of people seem to think you have to fit some fancy named/coloured shock with more knobs and dials than you can figure out what to do with.Ive met so many people bragging about the fact that there shock is rebuildable.Yeh thats fantastic but you try and get it rebuilt in the middle of India!
The SHOWA rear shock is put on the bike for a reason,because it works!
We carry our jerry cans(2x10ltrs) on either side of the crashbars mounted low down and have got an African Queen tool box mounted to the front of the bash plate again to keep the weight low and forward.With the weight spread out evenly and a set of progressive fork springs fitted with heavier fork oil we have found the bike has been able to handle anything weve needed it to.sure anyone can break a rear shock if you take it past the point of what it will really cope with.
Give the O.E. shock ago as the money saved will take you along way on your trip!
__________________
Peter Bowden
|