I decided to try to consolidate this information for those interested in exploring this upgrade.

This is every entry level shock for the Triumph Bobber I could find; if you know of others, I'll add them to the list as long as I have edit access. If you see any errors, likewise.

Some of these companies make higher tier models that fit the Bobber (Wilbers 643, Nitron R2/R3, etc), and other companies will build to suit (Penske, Gazi, etc).

PRICE DISCLAIMER
By request, I added a price column. These are factory list in currency of origin as given on today's date (31 October 2023), unless the price is shown inside (parentheses). If so, price was sourced elsewhere. For GBP, price is sans VAT if so stated in listing; otherwise listed as shown - your guess is as good as mine.

 

I like this idea.
It would be great to see an idea of pricing. USD, Euro, whatever just as long as there are values so we can compare.
Also peoples experience with different brands. I took a risk and put a YSS rear shock on my '95 900SS, it was amazing compared to the 28 year old oem original. They're not a Hollywood brand but the factory and it's certifications seemed legit so I bought one, which was mid priced, and it was fantastic.
I've heard mixed reviews regarding the Fox shock, which I think is the Triumph factory upgrade option.

 

It would be great to see an idea of pricing...

I thought about adding a column for that, but pricing is just so all over the board I'm not sure how accurate or helpful it would be. I can try looking up the factory MSRP to give people a very broad ballpark idea.

 

You could add the stock shock for the 2018+ Speedmaster.

Rear Suspension Unit
Part Number: T2054347
$ 530.25

2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Rear Suspension Unit - T2054347 | HERMYS TRIUMPH eSTORE, Port Clinton PA

Rear Suspension Unit. 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. Genuine Triumph Part - T2054347. Ships from HERMYS TRIUMPH eSTORE, Port Clinton PA

www.triumphestore.com

 

You could add the stock shock for the 2018+ Speedmaster...

Do you know whether or not it has any damping adjustability, and whether it's emulsion or IFP? My impression from very brief research is that the only upgrade from the Bobber stock shock is that it has adjustable preload (since the Speedmaster is actually designed for an occasional passenger and/or luggage).

 

Hey chip thats really interesting and very comprehensive !
i looked into the 'affordable' end of the market and finally chose the Shock Factory emulsion M shock, a bit over £400, weight selected spring, adjustable preload, and combined adjustable compression/rebound damping
delivery is due any day now and ill post my thoughts on it as soon as ive tried it out

 

i looked into the 'affordable' end of the market and finally chose the Shock Factory emulsion M shock...

Excellent! I've read that Shock Factory is (or maybe was) basically a one man shop, so you get very personal service.

Can you confirm that the M-Shock is emulsion type? I read information that suggested both emulsion and IFP, but could not find a definite answer - so I left it off the chart. If you can confirm, I'll fill it in.

Thanks!

 

I’m going follow this closely coz I want the best shock for my money. Pre load and rebound at a minimum and looks to suit my Bobber Black

 

Great idea to make this list, I'm certain that it will prove very helpful for many!

Column suggestion: preload adjustment Y/N, if only to highlight the biggest flaw in the Fox shock.

Column suggestion: standard or progressive spring (Hyperpro and possibly others?)

Another shock upgrade option to possibly add to the list would be the Hyperpro progressive spring replacement for the OEM shock. 95€

 

Column suggestion: preload adjustment Y/N, if only to highlight the biggest flaw in the Fox shock.

I did think about adding that, but as you pointed out, it's really just the Fox that lacks this feature. I think in the interest of space, I can add a note in its 'Damping' column.

Column suggestion: standard or progressive spring (Hyperpro and possibly others?)...Hyperpro progressive spring replacement for the OEM shock. 95€

Yes! Again, wasn't sure where to make this fit in.

 

Hi Chip, I can’t seem to find now where I read it was the emulsion type ? Their spec calls it a ‘gas cell twin tube construction with a sealed gas cell ‘
So what do u think ??
They’re made in France and the company has great provenance, so my hopes are high for it !!

 

Their spec calls it a ‘gas cell twin tube construction with a sealed gas cell ‘

That's really interesting. This would be the only twin tube design I've seen for the Bobber. Twin tubes are great for smooth on-road use, because you can get more piston stroke out of an equal length tube. Twin tubes are generally a very limited emulsion type by design, but this description says 'sealed gas cell.' Very curious.

 

oh and the Shock Factory one has a black body and optional black spring so a good fit for the Bobber Black

 

Hey chip thats really interesting and very comprehensive !
i looked into the 'affordable' end of the market and finally chose the Shock Factory emulsion M shock, a bit over £400, weight selected spring, adjustable preload, and combined adjustable compression/rebound damping
delivery is due any day now and ill post my thoughts on it as soon as ive tried it out

Really interested to see what it looks like and definitely your impressions

 

Great job Chip. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I didn't realize that there were so many shock options. My original thought was to just stick with what I know which is Ohlins tried and true. Now maybe I'll do a little research and see if I can do this without spending as much money. Thanks again.

 

I didn't realize that there were so many shock options...

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly the reason I did this. I've already decided on my upgrade, but I've seen that a lot of folks are just unaware of the variety out there. Lots of folks on this forum talking about Wilbers and Ohlin, but it thins out quickly from there. The idea here is to put the assorted models up on peoples' radar and let them explore.

 

This is a great idea so well done. Just a couple of points on the Maxton NR4. I paid £636 including VAT (20%) and delivery in February 2023 so it’s a little more than you have in your table. The original price I was quoted at my initial enquiry was £510 plus VAT so perhaps that’s what’s missing here.
The damping adjustment is separate too. Rebound is at the bottom of the shock and compression damping adjustment is inconveniently located under the spring. It’s set at the factory to my specs and I’ve not felt the need to change it but if I did I’d have to either remove the spring to get to it or send it back to Maxton and get them to do it. Not ideal but it came very well setup from Maxton in the first place.

 

I paid £636 including VAT (20%) and delivery in February 2023 so it’s a little more than you have in your table. The original price I was quoted at my initial enquiry was £510 plus VAT so perhaps that’s what’s missing here.

Yeah, the table shows price without VAT.

The damping adjustment is separate too.

I'll see if I can squeeze that info into the table. Might need to throw in some abbreviations to make this all work.

btw, what park of Lanarkshire are you from? I spent a year at University of Glasgow.

 

Thank you this is the the exact post we need!

I want to add that I took my '22 SM with Wilbers 640 emulsion shock to a professional suspension tuner and he said that emulsion is not meant to be used at this horizontal of an orientation and therefore will not perform correctly. I am switching to a Nitron R1 since I am quite the fan of the R3 I have on another bike and it's quite apparent that they are very high quality, but I think any IFP is a good choice for these bikes.

I'm relieved to have this confirmed because as soon as I installed the 640 I was incredibly surprised at the lack of damping. IMO stay away from the emulsions for Bobber / Speedmaster.

PS Ktech shock part # is 283B-250-270-BOB

 

emulsion is not meant to be used at this horizontal of an orientation

I agree, but feel it is adequate in this application, given the relatively soft life of our bikes. Folks can decide for themselves when they are armed with the necessary information, which is what I am trying to encourage here. Still, I'm very happy circumstances led me back to Nitron.

Thank you, btw. It was your post over on the Triumph Rat forum that led me down the path of ordering from a UK shop. I also noticed a bit later that you dropped the same information here (and your seemingly same experience with the USA West Coast Wilbers distributor).

 

Glad to help! I have learned quite a lot about suspension in the past couple years, I can thank the Race Tech Suspension Bible (crazy it's only $4 on Kindle) and Dave Moss.

I should make a video with the Wilbers and then in comparison to the Nitron after I get that to show the difference in shock action.

I can tell from my other bikes that the Wilbers is unlike any other rear shock in that the action is almost completely undamped, and was like that from the day I put it in -- I still remember that surprise on day 1 testing it on the workbench being like "whaaaatttt??"

Oh and that stock shock is KYB if I remember the label correctly (I lost the OEM shock)

 

I was just looking at the various shocks on the list mainly to see the darker colour options and this Fox pic taken from Triumph website has preload adjustability?

 

I was just looking at the various shocks on the list mainly to see the darker colour options and this Fox pic taken from Triumph website has preload adjustability?

Scroll down a little further to the description. They are just using a stock generic photo of the shock, not the model specific version. It has fooled many before, I've seen this on multiple threads.

 

Man id be pissed if i fell for that

 

Shock Factory shock finally arrived it certainly looks the business, now to get it fitted and tried out and then ill let you all know what i reckon on it ;-)

 

Shock Factory shock finally arrived it certainly looks the business, now to get it fitted and tried out and then ill let you all know what i reckon on it ;-) View attachment 61059

That's the one I fitted, and have no regrets, hope you managed to get it done and out before the weather changed..............

 

I have an update for this great Shock Upgrade list. In regards to the Ohlins TR729, The "18 Clicks" of Rebound adjustment is actually the Ohlins "recommended Rebound setting" ± 5 clicks and not the Total amount of adjustment. This information comes from the TR729 Mounting Instructions that can be found online. I have yet to find the "Total" amount of Rebound adjustment spec for this Shock but I'm not overly concerned about that number considering the impeccable reputation of Ohlins Suspension.
I'm thinking a new rear shock is coming my way in the near future.................. decisions, decisions............. Will it be Ohlins? .......... or will it be Nitron R1? .................... TBD

 

I have an update...

Thanks for the feedback! I changed the table to read 'unknown'; perhaps someone with a TR-729 can check the total range and then we'll have a definitive answer.

 

That makes perfectly good sense. That puts the 18 click recommended setting smack dab in the middle of the adjustment. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

I put a note on the table regarding the Fox Shock, which seems to have a well documented issue with the spring rubbing up against the piston cylinder. For details, see this thread:

https://www.triumphbobberforum.com/threads/fox-shock-problem.19417/

 

howdy all, time and the weather have conspired against me and although the shock is fitted ive only ridden it a few miles to the petrol station and back, roads are pretty bumpy around here and first impressions are good, ive also fitted a Dan Medica gel insert to the seat so that might have a bearing on it too, but as soon as i can get a decent ride out on it ill post a full report !!
cheers all

 

I was leaning towards the Nitron R1 but your Shock Factory unit is beautiful. I’m waiting in anticipation of your impressions.

 

What I don't understand is, Triumph knows the stock shock is an issue unless the rider happens to weigh 175lbs. Why don't they just put a preload adjustable shock on the Bobber? They could even use the Speedmaster shock, which they already have, and fix most of the problem in one shot. This just isn't that hard to fix.

 

I recently swapped the stock shock with a Wilbers 643. When ordering I had to let them know my weight and type of roads I would ride. So I ended up with a custom setting of "85kg + 2kg luggage, comfort/road" out of the factory. I have to admit that there is a substantial difference between old and new shock. This shock is also combined with a medical gel seat (bought at rutan.cz). My teeth finally survive when I drive onto the famous Belgian cobblestone roads. So far no need to do some more fine tweaking of the shock (all parameters can be adjusted on the 643-type).
Swapping the shock is easy peasy.

 

I recently swapped the stock shock with a Wilbers 643...

The 643 is a huge upgrade from the 640 (and for the increased cost, it had better be)!

 

I've always liked K-tech, I rate their stuff and I love the look of the Razor shock. Might have to buy one this year.

 

i finally got a chance for a decent ride out with the new Shock Factory shock fitted and am pleased to say money well spent ! it absorbs bumps so much better than the original which felt like it was crashing thru them. Has certainly improved the ride, whether Ohlins etc at +50% more cost are 50% better than this i guess ill never know but it was certainly £400 well spent ;-)

 

whether Ohlins etc at +50% more cost are 50% better than this i guess ill never know but it was certainly £400 well spent ;-)

Excellent! As I've said before, I sincerely doubt that anyone riding a Bobber would ever be able to push any of these IFP shocks to the point of a discernible difference.

Also, BAAK carries this shock for EUR 350 (before VAT), for folks looking to do a bit of price comparison shopping:

Adjustable shock absorber for Triumph Bobber 1200 I BAAK

Mono black shock absorber for Triumph Bonneville Bobber 1200, easy to adjust thanks to one simple knob adjustement spring preload and relaxation.

www.baakmotocyclettes.com

 

If I was on your side of the pond I probably would have gone that route with a shock too. When I looked into it the cost of shipping was ugly so I figured it was best to stick with what I know. I went with Ohlins and I love the difference it has made with ride and performance. My guess is that your experience with your M-Shock is the same....... for less money.
Good choice! Glad to hear that you are happy with it.