Ducati Monster Forum

... need you guys opinion and knowledge

Want to get a decent mono shock for my M1100 - suffered enough from the OEM damper
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/Szdq3qIoYuI/AAAAAAAAAyM/3xYNdfZLlTw/s800/100_0733.JPG)

I am currently looking at the following options:

>>>BITUBO
(https://lh5.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S1t7k2LaAtI/AAAAAAAABAc/Jfdjm95irvk/s800/bitubo-monster-rear-shock.jpg)
This is the S2R/S4R version. Don't really know if this one would fit or if BITUBO offers a M1100 model.
Any idea?

>>>Extremetech
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S1t7lMJesyI/AAAAAAAABAg/Uyv1zh5vppM/s800/mono.jpg)
Very much like these shocks, but Extremetech told me last week they don't offer a M1100 version. :-[

>>>Matris
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S1t785jNdiI/AAAAAAAABA4/KLEpiXyXUa8/s800/M05KE_flex_1.jpg)
Matris only offers an orange spring with their M1100 model. I am a bit reluctant putting an orange spring on a red/black bike  :-\

>>>Hyperpro
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S1t7l6Enb7I/AAAAAAAABAs/sQ2cMb-grvc/s800/HPMono-461.jpg)
With a few bucks extra you can get a red spring  :)

>>>Wilbers
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S1t8U4gQ73I/AAAAAAAABBY/iSAQeiqh2OI/s800/Wilbers-Schlauch.jpg)
Wilbers offers all possible spring colors. Their products get top ranks in all rear shock tests I have seen.  [thumbsup]

???Given all that and especially your experience, what would you choose???

you could get the matris shock and get the spring powdercoated any color you like.

Can you describe what's wrong with the OEM - what do you want to accomplish - have you had it set up for you?

From my personal point of view, changing to a linear spring will change your ride quite a lot. That and customized adjustment might be all you need?

I'm considering this option >> http://shop.revercorsa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_52_79&products_id=212 (http://shop.revercorsa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_52_79&products_id=212)

I was talking about this shock with the Ohlins rep at the bike show in NYC yesterday.  It seems like a nice setup (space being so tight).  What general or specific benefits are you looking for over stock Ohlins on the 1100S (which obviously has no reservoir)?  I am new to the nuances of shocks.

have you checked with Penske?
they have a shock that fits the MH900e that i bet isn't too different than  the 696/1100 dimensions.
i've read here that they are good with working with customers on getting a direct fit replacement

Haven't really considered Penske. What's the quality of their shocks?
Hyperpro did mention their M900 shock would be an exact swap.
Do you know if Penske has a distributor in Europe? 

Penske shocks are as good as, or better than ohlins... With the current exchange rate in your favor, they might be less expensive.

SPA Design, LTD.
Penske Racing Shocks United Kingdom
Common Barn
Tamworth Road, Packington
Lichfield, Staffs
WS149PX
United Kingdom
011-44-182-730-0150
011-44-182-730-0151 (fax)
Website: www.penskeshocks.co.uk (http://)
Email: sales@penskeshocks.co.uk

Penske rocks. [thumbsup]

And don't forget, removing the spring and having it pc'd black or purple or whatever color you want is a piece of cake. Don't get hung up on the color of the spring.

Yes, I had the entire suspension set-up changed. For the SHOWA rear shock spring preload was very much what you could change. But still the shock is quite jumpy and doesn't give a good felling especially during fast load changes. I did consider to change the spring only but decided in the end to go the full way and to get a decent damper.     

Alright, let me call the distributor in the UK then. Let's see what they exactly offer.
Do you have a Penske shock in your current street bike?

Yep. Penske 8983 on my Monster 900. Remote reservoir mounted on frame member. I'm in the US, so I went with Traxxion Dynamics to get set up, and they weren't too far from where I was living at the time. I weigh a good bit, so I also had a torrington bearing installed in the midst of the spring/preload collars so it was easier to adjust.

I am having a SHOWA shock. This particular Ohlins shock is really cool, like the concept very much because you wouldn't have a remote reservoir.  Unfortunately doesn't fit the stock exhaust system.

Remote reservoir, either remote or piggyback functions better than a reservoir-less shock. Sure it stinks to find a place to put it if room is limited, but the damping ability is superior.

I'll check with Penske coming week. Because of their horizontal reservoir on the 8983, they might have a piggyback version that fits the M1100 with stock exhaust. Let you guys know what they say ...

... I'll go for Penske with a remote reservoir. Thx for the tip Raux!

Does the rear suspension for the 1100 match the 696?.. So anything that would work for 1100 would also work for 696?

yep same rear shock setup.

that's correct. Same set up and exactly the same shock. Mike from Penske US was actually planning to get the 696 shock as a model for my custom made M1100 shock.  

 I have been running my own shock/ fork service business for about 18 years now. It's something I started for myself and branched out as word traveled. I started mainly with Fox snow mobile shocks and now do most any shock of the market. What I had concidered doing with my Ohlins was adding a remote reservoir with a compression damping adjuster. There is a particular Fox reservoir I had in mind. Again, the main benefit of this would be the added oil volume and also the addition of compression damping adjustment. Without going into boring detail, compression adjustment is achieved very easily through varying the oil flow between the reservoir and the shock body. My thinking is it would be insane to buy another shock when your bike has an Ohlins on it already.

hi gearhead - I do agree and appreciate your point. However, I do have a M1100 which has a Sachs shock. Deliberately I didn't buy the M1100s with Ohlins shocks because I thought you can build and buy better suspension for the price difference between M1100 and M1100s. For that money I get the Showa fork for done and a nice Penske shock and end up with substantially better suspension performance compared to the M1100s.   

... and it became a Penske 8983 shock with Eibach spring
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bYl3eM4PohA/S9iI3iXZsdI/AAAAAAAABYE/-kL-lnMaYTw/s800/100_0968.JPG)

could't be happier, worth every cent

Who'd you go through to get the Penske?

Also, why the 8683 model?

got it directly from Penske. Custom made by Mike Himmelsbach.
8983 is their double adjustable model

Wait, which did you get? 8983 or 8683?

typo, meant to say  8983

ah, i gotcha

and how many cents did it cost you?

Very nice  [thumbsup]

incl. shipment 71230 EURO cent = 93685 USD cent

hahaha. in cents.

 [laugh] [laugh] good answer  [thumbsup]

if any of you do go this route, I would be more than willing to take the stock shock off your hands, i would like more adjustability on my 696

thanks in advance

DT

the stock 1100 shock is the same as the 696

really? why?

same part. same setup. same base model thinking.
have to get the 1100s to get the upgraded shock

+1

lame

Its typically either the standard shock, or an "S" shock across the current lineup.