Confused help needed please
 

Hi,

I wish to replace the rear shock on my 59 plate xt660z.

I have upgraded the front end with YZ and kept the standard 300mm travel.
I weigh 75kg without kit and ride 50/50 on off road. Off road stuff is the trails in Southwest and trips to Wales.

I have read many threads on the subject and appreciated the different opinions based largely on budget and usage.

I have contacted a local supplier who lists all makes of rear shock. I have asked for a shock for off road use that has the standard amount of travel offered by the original Sachs shock. This is to balance the bike front to rear the best i can. He has contacted Wilbers and Halgon who have told him they dont have anything suitable and all shocks have reduced travel to aid road use. He suspects the same response from Nitron, Ohlins etc.

I dont have a set budget and with in reason will pay whats needed to achieve what i want to.

My confusion lies in the manufacturers response saying they have nothing suitable for off road use and they suggest sticking with standard??

I threads i have read have reasonable reviews for ohlins and Nitron so are they running older versions before they reduced the stroke length.

Please advice me on which shock is going to be the best and which is the best value for money?

many thanks

Hi Bonzo,
at least the Ohlins shock has almost the same stroke as the OEM shock (look here: http://www.ohlins.nl/products/shock-...-660-z-tenere/).
Ohlins: 94 mm stroke, OEM: 95 mm stroke.

My Yacugar-Hyperpro shock has exactly the same length and stroke as the OE shock giving 200mm of travel. I can't imagine that the Wilbers, Nitron or Hagon would be any different either?

That Ohlins looks good for my needs.

The wilbers is apparently 20mm less than standard according to the guy i emailed. Really wanted some rebound and comp adjustment which i dont think halgon have. How do you get on with the progressive spring on your hyperpro?

Do you know of a uk retailer I can phone as its difficult when dealing with websites. I have tried rugged roads but they have not got back to me. into bikes just directed me to their website.

thnaks for the quick reply.

Google Revs Racing the guy who runs it is John Gaskell he's the sole UK importer for Wilbers.

give K-Tech in Derbyshire a call...top guys.
They serviced the shock and upgraded the spring on a WP shock I run on my XR400.
http://www.k-tech.uk.com/

I use a Ohlins 46DR1 with remote res with Hi/Lo speed
compression damping...

Front end is Showa twin chamber USD that has been reworked..
shortened travel 240mm / re vavled from MX to enduro / re sprung..

my bike is magic on the dirt..
BUT...
on the road it can wobble in corners the
full Enduro set up is not great on the road..

Thanks Waynovetten,

I spoke with John today very helpful.
The Wilbers are 20mm stroke shorter due to the lower eye design and internals making it not possible to replicate the oem shocks stroke.

He can also get Ohlins but �735, thats going to hurt if i decide to proceed.

Cheers