All bobber shocks are the same from 2017+. Pick one and roll with it!
2023 shock replacement
Hi everyone. Just ordered a 2023 bobber, really excited to get it comi from a Yamaha xsr700. First thing i want to do is swap out the shock, the problem is almost all websites only list shocks up to the 2020 bobber. Does anyone know if there have been any changes from 2020 to 2023 or is the shock the same ? Also i would be interested if anyone has tried the ohlins, k-tech or progressive shocks. I would love the wilbers but cant find anyone in Canada that carries them. Looking for a softer plusher ride especially for longer rides.
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Another Ohlins guy.
I’m in the U.K. and I’m thinking when the time comes to start modding my bobber I’m going Maxton. They‘re only 40 miles from me so I might call in and see what options they have🤓
As others have said, all of the shock mounts are the same for all years. I went with the Maxton option on my 22 and it is a beautifully made piece of kit which transforms the bike.
You won’t regret going with Maxton. They’re very knowledgable and build a great product.I’m in the U.K. and I’m thinking when the time comes to start modding my bobber I’m going Maxton. They‘re only 40 miles from me so I might call in and see what options they have🤓
I have a Matris adjustable shock (preload and rebound) from Italy and I love it. I gave them my weight (with gear) when I ordered it and they put a custom spring on it before they shipped it. Massive improvement!
I have Ohlins ,it has a black spring not the yellow one. I paid $475 ,cheaper than other brand it transformed my bike .Hi everyone. Just ordered a 2023 bobber, really excited to get it comi from a Yamaha xsr700. First thing i want to do is swap out the shock, the problem is almost all websites only list shocks up to the 2020 bobber. Does anyone know if there have been any changes from 2020 to 2023 or is the shock the same ? Also i would be interested if anyone has tried the ohlins, k-tech or progressive shocks. I would love the wilbers but cant find anyone in Canada that carries them. Looking for a softer plusher ride especially for longer rides.
Can someone help me understand what is specifically prompting the upgrades? Is it because the stock shock and spring are too soft for your weight or too stiff? I've got a 2023 Bobber and I weigh 192 lbs. I'm finding that the ride can be very harsh and jolting in the rear over bumps. So, my curiousity is are these aftermarket shock upgrades driven by superior comfort, handling, or because some of you are just too heavy or light for the oem shock but ride quality remains stiff?
In my case, I'd like it to ride softer in the rear suspension and not jolt my spine when I roll over a joint in the road. But I have a hard time believing that I'm too lightweight for the oem shock. So perhaps it is just a poor component.
Do the aftermarket shocks from Ohlins and others truly make it much less harsh?
In my case, I'd like it to ride softer in the rear suspension and not jolt my spine when I roll over a joint in the road. But I have a hard time believing that I'm too lightweight for the oem shock. So perhaps it is just a poor component.
Do the aftermarket shocks from Ohlins and others truly make it much less harsh?
Less harsh and ride and steer better .Can someone help me understand what is specifically prompting the upgrades? Is it because the stock shock and spring are too soft for your weight or too stiff? I've got a 2023 Bobber and I weigh 192 lbs. I'm finding that the ride can be very harsh and jolting in the rear over bumps. So, my curiousity is are these aftermarket shock upgrades driven by superior comfort, handling, or because some of you are just too heavy or light for the oem shock but ride quality remains stiff?
In my case, I'd like it to ride softer in the rear suspension and not jolt my spine when I roll over a joint in the road. But I have a hard time believing that I'm too lightweight for the oem shock. So perhaps it is just a poor component.
Do the aftermarket shocks from Ohlins and others truly make it much less harsh?
if you mean jolt as in a thunk of your shock bottoming out. An Ohlins shock will definitely help that and will help keep your wheel planted.Can someone help me understand what is specifically prompting the upgrades? Is it because the stock shock and spring are too soft for your weight or too stiff? I've got a 2023 Bobber and I weigh 192 lbs. I'm finding that the ride can be very harsh and jolting in the rear over bumps. So, my curiousity is are these aftermarket shock upgrades driven by superior comfort, handling, or because some of you are just too heavy or light for the oem shock but ride quality remains stiff?
In my case, I'd like it to ride softer in the rear suspension and not jolt my spine when I roll over a joint in the road. But I have a hard time believing that I'm too lightweight for the oem shock. So perhaps it is just a poor component.
Do the aftermarket shocks from Ohlins and others truly make it much less harsh?
stock shock felt like no shock ,I would hurt from jolt when hitting bump. no brainer stock sucksif you mean jolt as in a thunk of your shock bottoming out. An Ohlins shock will definitely help that and will help keep your wheel planted.
I installed Ohlins cartridge kit in forks too . I found I couldn't go fast on back road curves on stock suspension .Everytime I rode I would see the ditch closer . After I could go as fast as the bike would go .
For me it’s the damping on the stock shock that’s the problem. With such a small amount of travel you’ll never get a plush ride, but if it’s controlled then it makes it better. My replacement still gives a very stiff ride but it now feels supple and controlled in a way the stock shock never did. I still get jolts to the spine if I hit a bad bump, but it happens much less frequently, and it deals with smaller bumps a lot better too. It also offers much better control and feedback when riding twisties.
Thanks for your replies. Sounds like I need to start saving $.
We all love the long and low looks of the Bobber but there’s a price to pay - the rear suspension is short it has just 73mm of travel that’s 2.8” in American so it has to be a firm ride that’s just the way it is!
The problem many people have is the shock isn’t adjustable so if you’re too heavy it’ll bottom out and if you’re too light you’ll find it a harsh ride.
Fortunately at 70kg I must be in the Goldie Locks spot because I’ve got no complaints about the suspension it works great and I’m rocking a Statement seat at that! But I know I’m lucky and if the suspension doesn’t work for you then change it there’s lots of great options to choose from.
The problem many people have is the shock isn’t adjustable so if you’re too heavy it’ll bottom out and if you’re too light you’ll find it a harsh ride.
Fortunately at 70kg I must be in the Goldie Locks spot because I’ve got no complaints about the suspension it works great and I’m rocking a Statement seat at that! But I know I’m lucky and if the suspension doesn’t work for you then change it there’s lots of great options to choose from.
If you have jolts going up your spine it's because the shock's travel limit has been reached. When this occurs the only place the energy can be absorbed is the tire and rider. When you sit on the bike in your garage the shock compresses some amount. This compression of the shock spring can be measured, but regardless that much travel has been removed from the available total travel of the shock. If it compresses 1" and the total travel available is 3" you have effectively removed 1/3 of the total travel just sitting on it. If the shock's compression damping is under or over damped the shock bottoms out quickly over bumps, resulting in jarring and jolting hits up your spine. Compression damping is the amount of resistance to collapse of the shock. Rebound damping is the opposite, the shock's speed of extending back out. The balance between these forces is what provides the smooth ride. The preload is to set the amount of travel available. Properly adjusted a good shock will make the ride smoother and more comfortable. The OEM shock has zero adjustability, thus if you aren't in the engineered 'sweet spot' the Bobber is a harsh ride.Can someone help me understand what is specifically prompting the upgrades? Is it because the stock shock and spring are too soft for your weight or too stiff? I've got a 2023 Bobber and I weigh 192 lbs. I'm finding that the ride can be very harsh and jolting in the rear over bumps. So, my curiousity is are these aftermarket shock upgrades driven by superior comfort, handling, or because some of you are just too heavy or light for the oem shock but ride quality remains stiff?
In my case, I'd like it to ride softer in the rear suspension and not jolt my spine when I roll over a joint in the road. But I have a hard time believing that I'm too lightweight for the oem shock. So perhaps it is just a poor component.
Do the aftermarket shocks from Ohlins and others truly make it much less harsh?
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
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