litespeed said:
1abv,
So is the rear shock just excellent? I keep thinking I want to buy a better rear shock. No regrets? Anything you would change? How does it do in whoops and when the wheel comes off the ground?
Tom
Short answer.. Hell Yes!
Its much better than anything else your going to find. I researched Ohlins, FOX, White Power, Elka and many others before deciding on this one. I've had custom Ohlins, Showa, KYB, and WP suspension.
I am pretty specific about suspension on my bikes and motorcycles. My front suspension looks like a Marzocchi 888 but the internals are custom and totally different. Avalanche racing. I mention this stuff not for bragging rights but to understand that suspension is very important to me. Much more than motor power.
The stock bomber DNM is a copy of an Elka which is a decent shock. A few of the issues with it is that the nitrogen levels are inconsistent shock to shock and most likely are low in all of them. The oil is cheap as hell and probably worn out and the valve stack has a limited range of adjustability. But the shock is 100-200 dollars so I didn't expect much. You can make it a lot better. I had the stock shock re-valved and re-sprung twice. It made it much better but not good. The square edge bumps were still a huge issue for me. It would handle bigger jumps fine as long as the take off and landing were smooth but that's about it. Other issues were that the rear end would kick like a mule no matter what I did to rebound and compression, it was harsh as hell, and would not track.
What your going to get with the Race Tech Shock is customization. You will get it dialed in to exactly what you want. Another guy w a bomber had one installed on his bike. His was set up for motocross. Initially they used his settings on my shock. It was way to hard for me. Part of me was thinking did I just blow 1500 bucks for a shock?? I sent it back and told him what I I didn't like and to make it for aggressive trail riding and now its the shit. I have it set up really light. 450 lb spring and the valving is light which I love. Its like a frocking trophy truck. Just soaks up everything I ride. I don't do big air so I'de rather use the travel for smaller bumps and obstacles. The more specific you are with what you want the easier it will be to get it. They can build what ever you want and can also help direct down the right path.
My back doesn't hurt at all after 25-30 miles in the dirt (with the DNM it was about 4-5 miles) The rear end does not kick up at all. it doesn't deflect over rocks and tracks straight though rock gardens. High speed downhills, the bike is totally in control. With the DNM I would be worried about a cross rut or a kicker on down hills.
If you are street bias there is no need for this. If you ride off-road and you have found limitations w the stock suspension then yes its the way to go. Is it worth 1500.00? That's up to you. I can tell you it will be better than what you have for sure. Will it be as good as a well set up mid drive bike.. Probably not. I ride my bike almost every day and needed it to be better.
Hope this helps!