Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: krglorioso on May 26, 2022, 10:50:59 PM
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I've used KONI/IKON shocks for almost 40 years and presently have a pair on my 2004 Breva 750. My '21 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 came with rather poor (I'm being kind) suspension, especially the shock absorbers. At 135#, I'm a bit shy of the mark for most shock absorbers to function at all, much less function well. I called Roger Kirwin, the US importer for IKON. Roger has a long history in motorcycling, having owned a dealership in UK for many years before migrating to Bedford, PA, USA and becoming the IKON distributor. I ordered a pair of IKON 7610 shocks for the Enfield, 20mm shorter (340mm) to give me a better chance to "flatfoot" at stops. That was no problem. I told Roger my weight and that I'd lightened the Enfield by over 30# and needed really light springing. Roger said the lightest IKON had was 11 Newtons of spring poundage. I bought these.
Trying them I found them better than OEM (no surprise) but still quite stiff. I told Roger that I'd keep them and just live with the bumps. Roger asked what poundage I'd like and I said "about 9.5 Newtons". Roger called Geoff at IKON's headquarters in Australia. Roger called back a few days later. "They've gotten some wire of the right gauge to make some 9.5 Newton springs and will get them here in a few weeks". They are on the bike now, at no charge and Roger even sent a pre-paid shipping label to return the 11N springs. The IKONs with the new, softer springs are excellent.
I expect that IKON is a pretty busy factory and for them to make me a one-off set of springs, and at no charge, is truly praise-worthy and that is the reason for this thread. Roger's phone # is (814) 592-7003, IKON USA has a nice website, too.
Ralph
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IKONs are my go-to shock. I love that green box.
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I installed a pair on my '98 EV and '96 Cali and have been pleased
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I too had an exceptional customer service experience with them in January. Needed a pair of progressive springs for the Jackals forks. A domestic vendor lists them but understandably bundles orders to place a large order to minimize shipping costs, which meant a likely timeframe of 8 - 12 weeks, hopefully. I wanted it off the lift quicker than that. Reached out to IKON US, who in turn reached out to Oz. They got back to my voice mail AND email, which I missed. Called me again two days later to say "the shipment is loading, do we put these on it or not?". I answered in the affirmative and in the end, I had the springs about 10 days after my inquiry.
They paired well the IKON shocks I'd put on the rear 6 months prior. I'm a fan.
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Wow, that really is over and above. It's nice to be able to read a positive story on occasion.
I've got Ikons on my Eldo and my California- they are pretty much stock-out-of-the-box and work pretty well. The Cali shocks are a bit stiff because I lightened the bike and don't run luggage, but I'm real pleased with them.
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If your shocks are a bit too stiff, you could always get a lighter spring set. I have changed springs to suit me with my Koni and Ikon shocks.
Tom
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If your shocks are a bit too stiff, you could always get a lighter spring set. I have changed springs to suit me with my Koni and Ikon shocks.
Tom
I might have to do that. They are pretty close though and I don't road-race...and I'm kind of lazy sometimes. Or inertial. Inertial sounds better. :thumb:
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I've dealt with Roger, and found him to be a really stand up guy. I used Ikons on my CB1100, and was able to transfer them over to my T120 once the Honda was gone.
Bob