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Seat Comfort: Rear Shock Upgrade or CoC Springer Kit?

5.8K views 75 replies 31 participants last post by  Chip  
#1 ·
I absolutely love my Bobber, but I believe I'm in the majority here when I say the factory components make your rear bottom hurt quite a bit on a trip that lasts a few hours. Looking to upgrade and solve this problem.

I'm about 170 lbs / 77 kgs (no gear on). I have both the stock Triumph seat and the Triumph Statement seat. I'd love to run the Statement seat permanently but I don't believe it could ever be comfortable on long trips due to its design (prove me wrong in the comments). Currently I'm running the stock Bobber seat. I don't want to switch to any other seat as I like the design of both of these seats better than any aftermarket option I've seen out there and, yes, aesthetics are important to me.

Do I upgrade the rear suspension / shock or do I purchase the CoC Customs Springer kit? I've heard amazing reviews on both solutions and many say either fixes the issues, but I am looking to know which solution would be better. I'd ideally like to purchase only 1 solution to keep costs down. The CoC springer kit is about $400 shipped to my door. For a little bit more cash, I'm thinking I could upgrade the rear shock and get all of the benefits of the CoC springer kit in terms of seat comfort + upgrading the rear suspension to give the bike better handling characteristics. But I'm not sure upgrading the rear shock solves the seat comfort issue as well as the CoC springer kit. What are your thoughts?

Thanks folks!! Looking forward to hearing all the real world opinions of owners who have solved this issue!

(I know there's been a thousand forum posts on this, but I haven't seen one answer this question directly.) Pic of my bobber.

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#2 ·
People seem to love the CoC mod, im not getting that first but that is purely personal choice. I just clicked home a öhlins rear shock and im going to purchase öhlins front aswell later on, but from what ive read here so far the CoC mod is insanely well liked. My guess is that the CoC mod is alot better for actual comfortability while the shock fixes the handling of the bike better.
 
#5 ·
You ask an intriguing question. Your weight suggests you are in the sweet spot for the OEM shock. What I did was go with an Ohlins TR729, a Matris full emulator fork set, and Tom Hurley Custom seat. If the only thing you need from the mod is more seat time without the pain, then the CoC is probably the best single mod. If your desire is to make the bike handle better, absorb bumps with aplomb regardless of speed, lean angle, or braking forces, and be all day comfortable then the suspension option works best.

I did mine in phases, first came the rear shock. No more spine jarring or compressing hits:
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Then came the front end suspension, no more vagueness or wrist hammering:
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Then came the Tom Hurley seat for all day butt in the saddle comfort:
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The front and rear suspension did take some adjusting to get the static sag correct, and I have minimal rebound damping set on it: Basically it glides over bumps
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The front end is fully adjustable now with preload (star thumb wheel adjuster), rebound and compression damping. The setup has one leg do the compression and the other fork leg does the rebound. This the rebound leg: the other leg has a "C" and adjusting is done with an allen key:
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#9 · (Edited)
Thanks for all the responses guys. There's some great info in here, I'm loving reading everything you guys have to say. To the guys that did a rear shock upgrade: do you felt it made as big of a difference as the CoC spring kit to specifically just the comfort of the seat?

I'm feeling sore in the rear mainly on the highway trips as all of the micro imperfections on the road add up going 75mph for more than 30 minutes at a time.

I'm trying to decide if I should go with the CoC springer kit for $400, or jump up to the $600-700 range for a rear shock upgrade. If the rear shock fixes the seat comfort issue just as much as the CoC spring kit AND improves the handling, that might be the move. But if the CoC spring kit does just a bit of a better job than the rear shock upgrade does to improve seat comfort, I'll go with the CoC spring kit.

What are your thoughts? Having a tough time with this decision!

Making a big edit to this: I did not realize that prices on the CoC website are in AU currency. USD pricing of the CoC spring kit shipped to my house is $250. Based on the amazing reviews and the much lower expense to this mod, I'll probably go this route first and upgrade my rear and front suspension down the road.
 
#43 ·
Not sure so take with some salty grains, but if you get the CoC there are 2 versions for stock and some aftermarket shocks. If you're planning to do CoC just keep in mind some aftermarket shocks may not fit. So one, the other, or both. I just did CoC and it came with a suggested setting that was spot on and changed everything about how the Boober felt during a ride.
 
#11 ·
I'm about the same weight as you. I ride the stock rear suspension and find the only handling limit is how easy it is the scrape the pegs. It takes a few miles to bed in but at your weight the rear shock works fine.

I fitted the CoC springer seat and it's brilliant.
 
#12 ·
If it’s comfort you’re after….buy that Coc kit! I’m the same weight as you and I always found the ride harsh and ALL the conflicting conventions about rear shocks never convinced me to switch it out. When Michael posted about his Coc kit and TEC progressive fork springs, I was sold. I installed both and now ride my Bobber much more than before. BTW I’m an easy rider, never scraping pests and ride back country roads close to home for a couple hours everyday on one of my bikes. Since installing the TEC progressive fork springs I can actually see the fork compress when hitting the small sharp bumps that used to jar me before.
 
#13 ·
If I were to recommend what to do, Forjox just said it. Install the CoC and put progressive springs in the front and you'll be set. I went the full tilt because I weigh over 300 pounds.
 
#14 ·
I prefer a stationary seat. I am 6'3", 85Kg dry, 100Kg all up. I installed the Wilbers 640 Road in the back and the Wilbers progressive springs in the front. This greatly improved the seating. comfort as it no longer bottoms out. I still need to stop and stretch my legs after 1 ½ hours but that is because of my long legs :)
 
#15 ·
To begin with I find that the Olhins brand is a little overrated except at the very high end which is not the case for the Bobber shock absorber.
Personally I have Wilbers progressive springs at the front, a Shock Factory at the rear and a CoC kit under the saddle which allows the shock absorber to be adjusted a little harder which allows for better trajectories and also less friction.
Just a note; when it comes to attacking in the mountains on a road, even a little distorted, the flexibility of the Coc destabilizes me a little when it comes to controlling the bike...
PS: the progressive springs associated with the 6-piston Beringer provide “trapper” braking!
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#16 ·
I hear tons of people swearing by the progressive front fork springs. I may have to do that sooner than later if it's truly this good as a mod. Interesting to hear about the CoC springer kit destabilizing you a bit on mountain roads, but it makes sense to hear that thinking about the mechanics of it.

I will likely keep the factory shock on for a while given I hear that I am in the sweet spot with my weight. But I'm thinking of doing the progressive front fork springs sooner rather than later.

Most of all, I hope I can install my Triumph statement seat back on the bike and be able to be on it all day on longer trips with the CoC springer kit coming in. I think that's wishful thinking so I'm not holding my breath. One can hope!
 
#18 ·
Hence the optimal solution of an adjustable rear shock in tandem with the "adjustable" stiffness of the CoC springs. Once dialled in for your weight and riding style -- and that takes multiple attempts -- then, as said, it's a matter of getting used to the slight destabilised sensation of hitting a dip or bump while twisting at speed through a tight turn. Definitely threw me off at first (not literally ;)), but enough to notice a sense of unease. But in short order, that is easily dismissed once confident that handling is unaffected. It's just the CoC spring doing its thing -- keeping your butt floating on a cushion of air.
 
#19 ·
This hesitation is only annoying when you "attack". It can be avoided, just like intensive friction, by getting off the bike without touching the knee, lol, let's stay serious, it's still a bobber...
As weird as it may sound, I also had a big surprise. After installing the CoC kit I am much better on the leather saddle than on the padded comfort saddle.
 
#21 ·
I absolutely love my Bobber, but I believe I'm in the majority here when I say the factory components make your rear bottom hurt quite a bit on a trip that lasts a few hours. Looking to upgrade and solve this problem.

I'm about 170 lbs / 77 kgs (no gear on). I have both the stock Triumph seat and the Triumph Statement seat. I'd love to run the Statement seat permanently but I don't believe it could ever be comfortable on long trips due to its design (prove me wrong in the comments). Currently I'm running the stock Bobber seat. I don't want to switch to any other seat as I like the design of both of these seats better than any aftermarket option I've seen out there and, yes, aesthetics are important to me.

Do I upgrade the rear suspension / shock or do I purchase the CoC Customs Springer kit? I've heard amazing reviews on both solutions and many say either fixes the issues, but I am looking to know which solution would be better. I'd ideally like to purchase only 1 solution to keep costs down. The CoC springer kit is about $400 shipped to my door. For a little bit more cash, I'm thinking I could upgrade the rear shock and get all of the benefits of the CoC springer kit in terms of seat comfort + upgrading the rear suspension to give the bike better handling characteristics. But I'm not sure upgrading the rear shock solves the seat comfort issue as well as the CoC springer kit. What are your thoughts?

Thanks folks!! Looking forward to hearing all the real world opinions of owners who have solved this issue!

(I know there's been a thousand forum posts on this, but I haven't seen one answer this question directly.) Pic of my bobber.

View attachment 66308
I haven't used the CoC seat kit so can't comment on that one. I order a Wilber's rear shock. When you order it it comes preset for your specific body weight, all details are filled in at time of ordering. I also have a Hurley custom seat. This combo gives not only excellent comfort but greatly enhanced handling over the custom shock.
 
#23 ·
I’d go with something other than the Fox shock. Better options for about the same money. I got a good deal on one second hand but wouldn’t pay the full price for it. A lot of them (mine included) have an issue with the spring rubbing against the shock body. There is a thread if you search that lists specs for all the different shock options.
 
#24 ·
I have a 2024 Bobber and weigh 155 lbs without gear. I went right to the CoC seat and it’s great but I should have done suspension first then the CoC seat. While I love my Bobber for its style, sound, and low end grunt, the suspension is by far the worst I’ve ever experienced. Some of the problem is my weight, i don’t think this bike was intended for someone of my weight. The front suspension follows every bump in the road perfectly Regardless of speed. The rear suspension does nothing at all. I’ll get it all straightened out eventually but my advice is start with the suspension And don’t forget to change gearing to 16/39 while you’re at it.
 
#26 ·
I'll second some of those comments.

Far better rear shocks out there for the same or less money than a Fox.

Apart from my CoC kit, the other upgrade I would definitely recommend is gearing. A 16T front sprocket will transform the throttle response and bike for the better. I run it with standard rear sprocket so I can't comment on the 39 rear, but the 16T front on its own is amazing and costs less ÂŁ20.
 
#32 ·
I'll second some of those comments.

Far better rear shocks out there for the same or less money than a Fox.

Apart from my CoC kit, the other upgrade I would definitely recommend is gearing. A 16T front sprocket will transform the throttle response and bike for the better. I run it with standard rear sprocket so I can't comment on the 39 rear, but the 16T front on its own is amazing and costs less ÂŁ20.
Where did you buy your 16T sprocket from please?

Ta.
 
#27 ·
The stock Bobber suspension isn’t great. CoC is great at masking it and improving comfort but the suspension still won’t be great. I only installed a Fox shock because back in 2018 when I bought my Bobber there weren’t many options (and mine isn’t rubbing). It works well enough matched with a custom seat for a comfortable three hour ride but CoC takes the remaining edge off. So for me it would be rear shock>CoC>seat.
 
#28 ·
I can only speak for the CoC seat upgrade, with the exception of the $16.00 horn I bought on Amazon, it is the best dollar for dollar upgrade I have done. I could feel the stock set up after 30-50 miles and by 100 it was basically intolerable. With the CoC and stock seat I can do a couple 100 before I feel real discomfort and can ride to 350-400 in a day before I have to tap out. I can't recommend it higher
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