Shox?

I need some too.  Could somebody tell us about variable rate shocks?  I hear the Progressives are good.  Is it true that the Koni version is now obsolete?  What about Ikons?  I think one or two of these require some outspacing to give enough clearance for the springs.

I bought Ikons for my two most used Commandos,(my 850 Mk1 and Mk3) expensive (but much cheaper if you buy 2 or more sets from SRM) They are like night and day compared to Hagons or the cheaper versions, the adjustable damping is very good. With a fully loaded Commando its no longer like riding a pogo stick. There is a slight clearance problem with the chainguard because they are wider but nothing a little "adjustment" won't fix. My only critisism is that the chrome on the springs isn't the best and after a couple of winters they are showing signs of pitting.

If there was a rating I'd rate Hagons at 6 and Ikon's at 10 ,they are that much better (if you do the miles) Get a Landsdowne kit for the front as well and handling will be transformed!

Previously wrote:

I bought Ikons for my two most used Commandos,(my 850 Mk1 and Mk3) expensive (but much cheaper if you buy 2 or more sets from SRM) They are like night and day compared to Hagons or the cheaper versions, the adjustable damping is very good. With a fully loaded Commando its no longer like riding a pogo stick. There is a slight clearance problem with the chainguard because they are wider but nothing a little "adjustment" won't fix. My only critisism is that the chrome on the springs isn't the best and after a couple of winters they are showing signs of pitting.

If there was a rating I'd rate Hagons at 6 and Ikon's at 10 ,they are that much better (if you do the miles) Get a Landsdowne kit for the front as well and handling will be transformed!

Thanks very much for the invaluble info on shox Gino. Coincidentally, Classic Bike this month ran a feature on the 850 Commando and they mentioned Ikons as the superior shox of choice. What`s a "Lansdowne kit for the front"?

Previously wrote:

Ikon is a deliberate anagram of Koni.  Does that help?

I assume from what you have said that Ikons have to be mounted the other way up from Konis.

Previously wrote:

Hi ,  I need to buy a new pair of rear shox for my `74 850 Commando, I was thinking of getting either the RGM or Hagon`s , has anyone any advice on what to get ,please?

Hi Chris. My choice would be the HAGON Shocks. Reasons:

1) They are British made.

2) They are well made and work superbly.

3) They have dual rate springs.

4) They are relatively inexpensive compared to the IKON shocks and some others.

5) They have a long leak proof life, and are pretty resistant to corrosion.

6) They are all you require unless you go racing and want to spend days setting up your suspension, the differenece will be minimal.

7) Alf Hagon is a very nice bloke.

8) The rest are overated, just because they are foreign.

9) IKON shocks have appalling customer relations. I sent them a comprehensive email question and they never bothered to reply...I detest companies like that!

10) You can get Hagons in all British styles.

phew....managed to get 10 good reasons...LOL.

One negative though. I dislike the HAGON name strip. stuck on the adjuster...not because of the name but mearly because it looks out of place, but I think you can peel this off.

Regards.

Les H

I bought a pair from Rgm and they had zero damping so I sent them back and got a refund and put the old ones back on which work 100% better. Also take note that the wide diameter sprung shox foul the chain guard.