Thoughts about Showa shocks

[JACKAL]

@Hello_Darkness my impression is that you where using the vehicle at the speeds it was designed for.
If you cut the speed to half or a quarter then it would seam too stiff or rough and you might spill your beer.
(Just my 2 yen worth)

After a few hundred miles now, I can verify that statement, my 1000X-4 much prefers trail speeds in the 20 mph+ range and rides very well. Quite the contrast of the Pioneer 1000 who's sweet spot is the 12-15 mph range.

 

[Admin]

 

[JACKAL]

My guess is that Hahnda likes the name Showa from a marketing perspective and got these particular shocks cheap.

My SHOWAS on my 1986 ATC 250R were kick ass. Nothing new for Honda, just circling back ...

 

[1HasBeen]

I had three Ducatis with Showa suspension, and in every single case I felt that Showa substitutes harshness for proper damping control. The difference in my 748 when I had FBF set up Ohlins forks and shock was truly beyond belief. It achieved what you would think is impossible, meaning it was much more plush and planted on small stuff and chatter, like the ripple in braking areas, yet was immensely more controlled when really pushing it, especially pushing over the top of big elevation changes, where the Showas would wag the bars in your hands. Not a Showa fan at all.

 

[SLOWPOKE693]

My SHOWAS on my 1986 ATC 250R were kick ass. Nothing new for Honda, just circling back ...

Showa has been making forks and shocks forever and they have always been great. Their venture into SxS shocks, no so much.

You have to wonder how much influence Honda had on the design of the shock trying to pinch pennies. Kawasaki uses the same Showa shocks but theirs has dual rate springs, crossovers and adjustable spring tension.

 

[Smitty335]

yesterday for the 1st time in my life decided to be a passenger to help set up a 30 mile poker run loop in NE PA - in a 3year old can am X3 - 4 seater. I know the 4 seaters ride well - but to say I was impressed is understating it - that machine rode like a marshmallow on the rocky coal land trails - can am has their crap together in that department - and that suspension was bone stock with no electronics strapped to it.

Cmon Honda!!!!

I'm not going to say a thing!

 

[nobeer142]

I'm not going to say a thing!

Showa has been making forks and shocks forever and they have always been great. Their venture into SxS shocks, no so much.

You have to wonder how much influence Honda had on the design of the shock trying to pinch pennies. Kawasaki uses the same Showa shocks but theirs has dual rate springs, crossovers and adjustable spring tension.

I just put 100 miles on my new 24 x. I had dual rates on my 19 x and thought the ride was tolerable. Washboards with the showa and cornering was less than impressive. I had tools with and tried adjusting with not much improvement. I ordered elka stage 4 today. Buy once cry once I remember reading.

 

[Backwoods]

After a few hundred miles now, I can verify that statement, my 1000X-4 much prefers trail speeds in the 20 mph+ range and rides very well. Quite the contrast of the Pioneer 1000 who's sweet spot is the 12-15 mph range.

Pioneer is 40 on the trail. I still laugh about that. You were cruising

 

[JACKAL]

Pioneer is 40 on the trail. I still laugh about that. You were cruising

Well Stage 5 ELKA's helps with that on the P1K

 

[JACKAL]

Showa has been making forks and shocks forever and they have always been great. Their venture into SxS shocks, no so much.

You have to wonder how much influence Honda had on the design of the shock trying to pinch pennies. Kawasaki uses the same Showa shocks but theirs has dual rate springs, crossovers and adjustable spring tension.

Honda gives the specs for the machine and the parts mfg build to those specs / budget. The name brand is supposed to get ya, but Hondas pencil pushers made them cheap out on ya. Doesn't matter Fox, SHOWAS, etc.

Consumer getting only what Honda is willing to pay for not what the shock maker would offer if they had the say

 

[SLOWPOKE693]

Sounds like a great way to loose more customers....

 

[Smitty335]

Sounds like a great way to loose more customers....

Exactly! Some sales man with big numbers in his eyes and they don't have a clue about repeat customers