Shout out for IKON

[krglorioso]

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

[Scout63]

IKONs are my go-to shock.  I love that green box.

[flower_king001]

I installed a pair on my '98 EV and '96 Cali and have been pleased

[kidsmoke]

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.

[jrt]

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. 

[Tom H]

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

[jrt]

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.   

[ohiorider]

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