Question Need a Rear Shock with Adjustable Compression Damping

[WingMan71]

I've looked through most of the posts regarding rear shock options, but have not found an answer to my issue.

I've had my 2018 for a while now, and really like it, except the stock seat and the stock suspension. I fixed the stock seat myself by removing the cover and reshaping the contour considerably. I fixed the harsh front suspension with Cogent Dynamics DDC cartridge emulators.

Now I need a replacement rear shock so that my 75-year-old back can tolerate the harshness over large bumps and sharp edges, etc. What I need adjustment for the most is the high speed damping that affects very rapid movement of the fork sliders over harsh bumps. Those are the ones killing my back.

So, what aftermarket shocks are available that have a lot of damping adjustments, particularly high speed compression damping?

 

[dduelin]

@WingMan71, to complete your suspension upgrade consider Cogent Dynamic's rear shock for the NC700/750X. It does not have adjustment for high speed compression but with the correct spring for my weight it did an excellent job. This base model Moab shock was (at least when I bought one in 2015) was supplied by Ohlins. You might have to call them as it was recently not shown on the website but I think they can still build it to your weight and riding style.

Did you reduce sag in the OEM shock to lower the bike? If so the harshness might be from bottoming the shock on the bump stop.

 

[WingMan71]

@WingMan71, to complete your suspension upgrade consider Cogent Dynamic's rear shock for the NC700/750X. It does not have adjustment for high speed compression but with the correct spring for my weight it did an excellent job. This base model Moab shock was (at least when I bought one in 2015) was supplied by Ohlins. You might have to call them as it was recently not shown on the website but I think they can still build it to your weight and riding style.

Did you reduce sag in the OEM shock to lower the bike? If so the harshness might be from bottoming the shock on the bump stop.

Thanks!

I'll check into the Cogent Dynamics shock. You say it's actually made for Cogent by Ohlins?

I did reduce the sag of the OEM shock a bit, but not that much at all, and I've since moved it back up because I've lowered my seat by a good 1.5 inches. There's no way the shock is bottoming out. My riding weight in all my gear is only145 lb. The rear end is barely moving down at all when I'm experiencing this immediate harshness. If I was bottoming the shock, I'd know it.

Thanks again.

 

[dduelin]

Thanks!

I'll check into the Cogent Dynamics shock. You say it's actually made for Cogent by Ohlins?

I did reduce the sag of the OEM shock a bit, but not that much at all, and I've since moved it back up because I've lowered my seat by a good 1.5 inches. There's no way the shock is bottoming out. My riding weight in all my gear is only145 lb. The rear end is barely moving down at all when I'm experiencing this immediate harshness. If I was bottoming the shock, I'd know it.

Thanks again.

It was an Ohlins STX 46 that Cogent springs to the buyer's weight and style. The shocks on the website today are much the same.

 

[salishmoto]

I've been very happy with my Wilbers upgrade. The base model but with the correct spring rate for my 200#s and it's a nice ride. No more pogo sticking back there. I haven't done the front yet, aside from slightly heavier fork oil. There is a washboard on my way to work I ride over every day and it's murder on the stock suspension. The new rear goes a long way to reducing that hell. When I ride the same stretch on my K1300S I can't even tell it's washboarded!

 

[drdubb]

I can speak for the Cogent folks. I put a shock and the fork valves on my 2014. They were great. Just give them a phone call and they will talk you through it. Be prepared to give them your weight with equipment and be able to describe how your ride. When I was riding a DR650 we did a group purchase in which they rebuilt our stock shocks. Much better.

 

[WingMan71]

So, why has no one mentioned these? Yes, they're expensive, but they have preload AND damping adjustments.

YSS Shocks for 2014 to 2020

 

[MZ5]

There was at least a _little_ discussion of YSS here years and years ago. I don't recall it very well at all any longer. I also do not recall whether anyone here had used them or merely shopped. Perhaps our (dearly departed) Spanish friend/member had used them? I just cannot recall any longer.

 

[potter0o]

I have a YSS MZ456 on my S model. I was just looking for better than stock and got that. I think others who had higher expectations were underwhelmed. My take would be if your looking for performance buy something better. It is good enough for my budget backside. I got it out of the UK in 2022 for 340 British Pounds shipped. The exchange rate was better back then with Brexit. The same dollar amount now would cost me over $100 more just in exchange.

 

[milesprwr]

Another option is using a RSV4 rear shock and your choice of springs. These shocks can usually be had at $100 or less and springs are about the same price as well. A huge improvement over stock.

https://www.nc700-forum.com/threads/aprilia-tuono-rear-shock-sachs.6713/post-267225

 

[the Ferret]

Another option is using a RSV4 rear shock and your choice of springs. These shocks can usually be had at $100 or less and springs are about the same price as well. A huge improvement over stock.

https://www.nc700-forum.com/threads/aprilia-tuono-rear-shock-sachs.6713/post-267225

are they junk on an RSV4 and the Aprilia riders take them off and replace them with something better and sell them used cheap? Surely a new one can't be $100 or less when a stock Honda shock goes for $655.00 new

 

[dduelin]

So, why has no one mentioned these? Yes, they're expensive, but they have preload AND damping adjustments.

YSS Shocks for 2014 to 2020

I could be wrong but I believe the standard YSS shock does not have high speed compression adjustment but only preload and rebound damping adjustment. Options are remote preload and compression adjustment.

I have a set of YSS shocks on my BMW RT and I have been very happy with them.

I didn't mention it because I used a Cogent Dynamic shock on my NC and you did say you wanted compression damping adjustment.

 

[MZ5]

are they junk on an RSV4 and the Aprilia riders take them off and replace them with something better and sell them used cheap? Surely a new one can't be $100 or less when a stock Honda shock goes for $655.00 new

Good question. The Sachs shocks from the Aprilias are rebuildable (serviceable?). Aprilia forums talk about throwing away the Sachs shocks and replacing them with Ohlins (or Penske sometimes).

I guess whether it's 'worth it' depends upon exactly what a person can find. My rebuilt-and-resprung Aprilia shock cost me rather little, with very few miles on the rebuild, and the spring was appropriate for my weight.

O.P. if money is no object, I think Penske will custom-build you a shock with both high-speed and low-speed compression damping adjustment. You can probably choose between piggyback or remote reservoir, too. If you decide to go that way, though, you may want to pretend you're riding a BMW and Bring More Wallet.

 

[WingMan71]

I could be wrong but I believe the standard YSS shock does not have high speed compression adjustment but only preload and rebound damping adjustment. Options are remote preload and compression adjustment.

I have a set of YSS shocks on my BMW RT and I have been very happy with them.

I didn't mention it because I used a Cogent Dynamic shock on my NC and you did say you wanted compression damping adjustment.

So the Ohlins shock you got from Cogent has compression damping adjustment?

 

[dduelin]

So the Ohlins shock you got from Cogent has compression damping adjustment?

No, go back to post #2.

 

[ljurgens]

Another option is using a RSV4 rear shock and your choice of springs. These shocks can usually be had at $100 or less and springs are about the same price as well. A huge improvement over stock.

https://www.nc700-forum.com/threads/aprilia-tuono-rear-shock-sachs.6713/post-267225

Do these shocks also work on the 21+ model year bikes? I see there are a lot of them on ebay, the nicer low mileage ones are in the $130-$150 range.

 

[milesprwr]

Do these shocks also work on the 21+ model year bikes? I see there are a lot of them on ebay, the nicer low mileage ones are in the $130-$150 range.

The latest MY NC that I saw folks use in the thread was 2018. The OEM part number for the 2021 NC750X DCT Rear Shock Absorber is 52400-MKW-A01 while the 2018 NC750X DCT Rear Shock Absorber is 52400-MGS-305. So I can't say for sure if it will work for the 21+ model year bikes. If you can somehow verify overall length and perhaps width of the top/bottom of the shock, that might give a warm and fuzzy.

Another thing to consider is that on 2018 and below, the gas canister pushes up against the plastic fender a bit so that fitment on a 2021+ is an unknown as of now.

Would you care to find out?

 

[ljurgens]

I am tempted, but I'm such a noob as far as suspension goes that I am a bit intimidated by it.
I would like to get rid of that hard jolt when hitting a solid bump or small pot hole though, it is a bit jarring to the spine!

 

[WingMan71]

I am tempted, but I'm such a noob as far as suspension goes that I am a bit intimidated by it.
I would like to get rid of that hard jolt when hitting a solid bump or small pot hole though, it is a bit jarring to the spine!

Exactly the problem I'm trying to solve. My old back can't take those jolts.

I was concerned that the factory service manual says that the body panels on both sides of the bike have to be completely removed to access and remove the upper shock bolt. That's a ton of work! But, I found some videos on YouTube that show it can be done on my 2018 by just removing the bottom fasteners on two of the side panels and pulling them out a bit to access and remove the upper bolt. MUCH easier.

 

[drdubb]

I recall removing a lot of parts to get to the shock on my 2014. I needed the shop manual and checked them off as I removed them.