Author Topic: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!  (Read 2742 times)

Offline 9fingers

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Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« on: July 23, 2021, 05:44:45 AM »
Hi, I have a new V7III Special as of November 2020 and 3500 miles on it. I have the Agostini pipes (spectacular) and just received a Conti Attack 3 rear and Outex tubeless kit, which I will install in the next few weeks. Other than the eventual front tire, the next up is rear shocks, which are quite mediocre. I know the Matris shocks are top notch, but they are also $850 a pair. I have heard lots of good about the Hagon units, which I think are in the $600 range. And I see the Bitubo units on Ebay and what little I read about them is favorable and at less than $500 a pair they are tempting. I have ruled out the Ikon (Koni) units as I think maybe more than 4 clicks of rebound damping adjustment is desirable, though I am sure they are better than the stock units. What all have you used and how happy are you with the choice? Thanks in advance.
Scott
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2021, 06:08:36 AM »
I went with the Bitubo because I could get the red spring I wanted, and they are Italian to put on my Italian motorcycle.  Make sure you are comparing apples to apples because they all make different levels of shocks. 
« Last Edit: July 23, 2021, 06:09:57 AM by twowheeladdict »
2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2018 V7 III Carbon Dark #0009 of 1921
2018 Road Glide Special
2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2017 Suzuki Van Van 200
2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

Offline huub

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2021, 06:34:03 AM »
get the best you can afford!
 i personally like the top end stuff like ohlins or WP,
but but you might look around what your local suspension specialist likes to work on.
for my le mans 2 i bought a used pair of ohlins, and had them revalved to suit my riding.
the end result is great. way better than the previously fitted Ikons.

the choice  of shocks depend a lot on personal opinions, just like tires.
i have had pretty lousy results with Ikon and Hagon, i would skip those.
 if you upgrade , you might as well do it properly,
 modern shocks are brilliant.



Offline 9fingers

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2021, 07:21:42 AM »
I went with the Bitubo because I could get the red spring I wanted, and they are Italian to put on my Italian motorcycle.  Make sure you are comparing apples to apples because they all make different levels of shocks.

And how do you like the performance?
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2021, 07:21:42 AM »

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2021, 08:09:14 AM »
And how do you like the performance?

Night and day difference from the OEM that came on my '18.  I think the newer V7IIIs actually came with a little more adjustability so I can't compare with those.  I'm not saying go with Bitubo over any of the others because I have no experience with them.  On other bikes I have had Progressive, Cogent Moab, and Ohlins.  Any shock that is properly sprung for your weight, has a decent stroke, and adjustability is going to be better than OEM.

I also did Traxxion Dynamics full Cartridges in the front at the same time. 
2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2018 V7 III Carbon Dark #0009 of 1921
2018 Road Glide Special
2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2017 Suzuki Van Van 200
2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2021, 12:40:28 PM »
Yep.  Made for your weight and style is 3/4 of the battle.  I had Ohlins and biTubo on my 2015 V7.  Ohlins were great-never got the BiTubo anywhere near complaint for me.  I hear good things-just could never get them to work for me.  I have high end Hagon speced for me now and am 100% satisfied.
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Offline bad Chad

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2021, 01:56:37 PM »
Perhaps I’m ignorant of just how great mid to high end shocks can be?

I put off the shelf Ikon on my v9 and found them dramatically better than stock.  I’m 250LB and have found the combination of preload and rebound adjustability to be just what I was looking for.   Now maybe that’s it,  I was looking to improve handling to a point I felt was appropriate for the kind of bike and my riding style.

As great of an improvement new shocks are, having the forks re-built by Race Tec has even more so.   What ever you do with the rear end, get the forks fixed to!
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2021, 03:12:42 PM »
^this
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Offline Guzzished

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2021, 03:36:23 PM »
First experience of Hagons twin shocks mid '80s, painfully oversprung and damped, second experience of Hagons shocks about 2012, would have been better off with iron bars, 20 minute test ride resulted in injured lower spine that took about a week to get better, serious arguments and many visits/variations over considerable length of time resulted in two bikes, one big block one small, with adequate suspension, ( not brilliant but acceptable ) recently bought immaculate '96, '99 registered Cali 1100i, came with recently fitted Hagons shocks with preload and damping adjustable, on softest settings are harsh and uncomfortable, increasingly painful over distance, max riding time tolerable in one hit about 60 - 90  mins, pillion can only tolerate an hour.
I would say, don't waste your time and money, put a hardtail on it, you'll be better off.

Offline danomar

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2021, 03:45:56 PM »
I am a fan of Hagon shocks because they are available in a nice array of custom options and they are reasonably priced. I have owned four sets for different bikes (two were Guzzi small blocks) and they work(ed) very well. One set started developing corrosion sooner than I would have liked, but the Hagons on my Moto Morini are approximately twenty years old and are still working very nicely. I did opt for their special shocks with larger piston rod and nicer springs for the Morini.

The old Bitubo shocks were cheap, as in cheaply built. Maybe the new ones are better.

Ikon (or old Konis) are very good and reasonably priced. Öhlins are excellent, as are Nitron and some of the other big names, but I think one pays more for the name than the product. Top-shelf Öhlins shocks are superb, but the less expensive iterations are not all that much better than Ikon or Hagon, methinks. On a Moto Guzzi, the differences between a $1000 set versus a $500 set of shock absorbers will be less apparent. Better fork internals, on the other hand, make a big difference.

Offline Roebling3

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2021, 09:00:45 PM »
I've always 'done' the front first. including better braking, followed by the rear suspension. 
Race Tech is excellent. As is the K-Tech frt end put on my V7 iii R. I bought the R series to get Ohlins shocks and adjustable foot controls.
It was an easy decision and no hassle regarding 'take-offs'.  R3~                                                                                               

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2021, 04:05:44 AM »
My V7 III was under sprung for my 200lb weight. You have to decide how much you want to spend and for how much of an improvement. I think suspension is another case of diminishing returns where you can make big improvements for reasonable money but can spend big money going for perfection.

I went with 40mm longer, properly sprung Hagon Trail shocks and .90 Progressive springs with 5 wt oil in the front. Not the full suspension upgrade many perform but it worked much better than OEM. Having fully adjustable shocks and new fork internals would be the next level. Jim Hamlin is a suspension expert if you want some professional advice.
The elder Eric in NJ

2020 V85TT Adventure
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Past Guzzis:
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Online mechanicsavant

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2021, 08:19:14 AM »
I’m in with the 100 (more or less) kg. Crowd . I’ve gotten good results w/ICON shocks . As many on this forum have said , radial tires are one of the major improvements! I’ve made on my V7II . I’m very happy with the KYB suspension pieces on my 21 centanario , but it is saddled w/bias ply tires . I’m doing my best to wear them out !

Offline BoatDoc

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2021, 07:14:10 PM »
I felt the same thing about the OEM shocks on my V7II Stornello. My first attempt was with the Progressive shocks. Not very expensive and a noticeable improvement, but not good enough as the only adjustment was preload. I then went with the RaceTech G3. Their website steps you through the process for selecting the correct shock for the MG V7 series based on your riding style, weight, etc. and the shocks are custom set up for you, plus both preload and compression damping are adjustable. Just a bit more expensive than the Progressives and they made enough of a jump in performance that I'm quite happy! I went for the +20mm travel option. No one ever complains about more shock throw! I've had them on for about 12k miles and no issues.

Good luck!

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2021, 08:10:01 AM »
Oddly enough, the day I posted this question, Todd at GTM posted on his forum that he will be selling the Bitubo shocks after they test them. Will see how that goes. I am not in a hurry but do want to make the change.
Scott
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

Offline sib

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #15 on: July 25, 2021, 10:55:14 AM »
I was advised by the proprietor of a MG sales shop/forum that Bitubo shocks are designed for the race track and their travel is too small for road use.  I opted for the very pricy Matris piggy-back shocks for my V7II Stone and they were a HUGE improvement over the OEM shocks.  I bought mine directly from CarpiMoto in Italy and saved about 30% compared to the USA prices.
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Offline bikensail

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #16 on: July 25, 2021, 12:08:59 PM »
I put Matris cartridges in the forks and Nitron shocks on my V7III. I got them through Fast Bike Industries in Hendersonville NC which is an incredible suspension shop.  I considered Matris shocks but went with Nitron for height adjustability.  I could not be happier with the suspension.  The bike is literally transformed. 
2018 V7 Milano
2019 KTM 790 Adventure R

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #17 on: July 25, 2021, 12:42:42 PM »
I was advised by the proprietor of a MG sales shop/forum that Bitubo shocks are designed for the race track and their travel is too small for road use.  I opted for the very pricy Matris piggy-back shocks for my V7II Stone and they were a HUGE improvement over the OEM shocks.  I bought mine directly from CarpiMoto in Italy and saved about 30% compared to the USA prices.

Thanks sib, I will check out CarpiMoto. Bitubo does make race shocks but they also make affordable twinshocks for normal road riders, by affordable, under $500 a pair.

http://bitubosrl.zucchetti.com/Bitubo/catalog/ENG/articolo/9-prodotti-finiti/idwwdxtyps-coppia-reg-precaricoestensione-twin-adjspring-p.html
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #18 on: July 25, 2021, 12:44:43 PM »
I put Matris cartridges in the forks and Nitron shocks on my V7III. I got them through Fast Bike Industries in Hendersonville NC which is an incredible suspension shop.  I considered Matris shocks but went with Nitron for height adjustability.  I could not be happier with the suspension.  The bike is literally transformed.

By chance I will be in Asheville next month visiting family, and bringing my V7III with me on a trailer. I will do my riding down there rather than deal with route 81 and this way my wife can visit too......she will not ride on a bike after seeing what happened to me in my last crash. Thanks for the tip, I will check them out.
Scott
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #19 on: July 26, 2021, 06:03:06 AM »
I was advised by the proprietor of a MG sales shop/forum that Bitubo shocks are designed for the race track and their travel is too small for road use.  I opted for the very pricy Matris piggy-back shocks for my V7II Stone and they were a HUGE improvement over the OEM shocks.  I bought mine directly from CarpiMoto in Italy and saved about 30% compared to the USA prices.

sib, I checked out the Carpimoto website and they don't show that they carry the Matris shocks, but do show the fork kits. Did you contact them for a price?
Scott
Current bikes:
V7 III Special - Sophia
Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500 Bullet - Guinevere
Suzuki V Strom 650 - Rita
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL250 custom
Honda TL125
Yamaha TY350

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: Hagon, Matris, Bitubo? Rear shocks!
« Reply #20 on: July 26, 2021, 01:22:13 PM »
I was advised by the proprietor of a MG sales shop/forum that Bitubo shocks are designed for the race track and their travel is too small for road use.  I opted for the very pricy Matris piggy-back shocks for my V7II Stone and they were a HUGE improvement over the OEM shocks.  I bought mine directly from CarpiMoto in Italy and saved about 30% compared to the USA prices.

I didn't know that all the bikes listed on Bitubo's website were used on race tracks.  Learn something new every day when you talk with a dealer.  LOL!
2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
2018 V7 III Carbon Dark #0009 of 1921
2018 Road Glide Special
2021 Kawasaki KLX300SM
2017 Suzuki Van Van 200
2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

 

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