ST1300 Rear Shock Recommendations

Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
5
Location
Redding, CA.
Bike
Honda ST1300
I have ordered the Progressive suspension 465 shock with remote preload. Currently on back order..should receive by end of April. I most certainly will post when installed and tested.
Tim
 
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
1,526
Age
72
Location
Wichita, KS
Bike
'05 ST1300
STOC #
6776
Just a reminder, in case someone didn't see the "for loan" post: I have a spare OEM that can be used for a Race Tech (or other) rebuild, so you don't have to have your bike out of service. Send me your old one after the rebuilt one arrives, and I'll pass it on to the next guy.
 
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
248
Location
Surrey, BC, Canada
Bike
2008 Goldwing GL1800
I would not discount the Works Ultrasport rear shocks so quickly. I was fortunate enough to buy a slightly used one on this forum to replace my stock rear shock. The Works product is of excellent workmanship and the quality is very apparent. My Works shock is also 3/8" shorter to lower the rear by about 1". That was exactly what I was looking for. The performance of this shock is fantastic, I never knew the ST was that easy to ride. The bike sticks to the ground like glue, my confidence is way up. I estimate that I can take the corners at about 3 to 5 MPH faster than before at the same comfort level. The best of all is that all that infinite adjustment is virtually not necessary, it took me one 10 minute ride to set my sag and rebound, and I was good to go. No need to play around with the knob or a screwdriver till I ride 2 up. If I knew what it could do, I would have paid full price for it.
Kenny
 
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
6
Location
France
Hello from France,

As you, I look for the best rear shock for my ST1300 and unfortunatly for me, in europe, we haven't the same choice in USA.
I look for some information about the rear shock Wilbers (German product) have you an experience with this shock ?
In my country they are :
Hagon http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/
Ohlins http://www.ohlins.com/
EMC http://www.emcfrance.com/
WP http://www.wp-group.at/de/wp-suspension-austria/
Wilbers http://www.wilbers.de/index_en.php
Fournales http://www.fournales.fr/catalogue/2_Roues/?PHPSESSID=d648d98a5627f41a297db7b1f0a2af9b

I look for the best rear shock for my ST13 with the possibility to adjust the pre load (solo/duo)

Your advices will be interresting for me ;)

See you ...................
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
5
Location
Redding, CA.
Bike
Honda ST1300
600 miles now on the Progressive suspension 465 series with remote preload.
The spring rate is right on the money,I ride two up
mostly. With the remote as with the stock shock easy to dial in the preload..I even checked the sag to get it just right. Only complaint on the preload is there are no markings to see where your at,I marked myself to help,just a small paint line did the trick.
The fit,finish and build quality is 1st rate,very very nice. The ride is outstanding,this shock is vastly superior to the stock shock in this area,really handles the bump well.
Recommend this shock for anyone who has to upgrade,Nice improvement to say the least.
more reports to come...

Tim
 

fiziks

I brake things.
Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
227
Location
Tropical (as in "southeast") Minnesota
Bike
2003 ST1300A
You said Ddullin had some issues with the RaceTech rebuild, like the preload adjuster orientation being 180 degrees off. Has RaceTech corrected these issues in subsequent rebuilds? I'm thinking about a rebuild when I put the bike away for the winter. I bought the bike with 54k on it and as far as I can tell the shocks are original. How do you know when it is time to rebuild/replace the shocks? I have noticed that with the preload adjuster set at the midway point (stock setting), turning out counterclockwise and back to middle is quite easy, but turning it clockwise from there in and back to mid is quite stiff. What does that tell me?

What are these gold valves for the front suspension and can you use the gold valves alone or do you have to replace the springs with Sonic springs when you go to gold valves?

For our European friends, while I have no experience with various brands on the ST1300, I can say that both Wilburs and Ohlins come VERY highly recommended by the BMW R-bike riders.
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
442
Location
Eden Prairie, MN
Bike
2003 ST1300
I bought the bike with 54k on it and as far as I can tell the shocks are original. How do you know when it is time to rebuild/replace the shocks? I have noticed that with the preload adjuster set at the midway point (stock setting), turning out counterclockwise and back to middle is quite easy, but turning it clockwise from there in and back to mid is quite stiff. What does that tell me?
It tells you that you probably need to replace the fluid in the hydraulic adjuster. Easy job. https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?106715-ST1300-Pre-load-Fluid-Replacement
 

Steve398

... another retired Black Rat.
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
218
Location
West Sussex, UK
Bike
2018 BMW R1200RT LC
Hello from France,

As you, I look for the best rear shock for my ST1300 and unfortunatly for me, in europe, we haven't the same choice in USA.
I look for some information about the rear shock Wilbers (German product) have you an experience with this shock ?
In my country they are :
Hagon http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/
Ohlins http://www.ohlins.com/
EMC http://www.emcfrance.com/
WP http://www.wp-group.at/de/wp-suspension-austria/
Wilbers http://www.wilbers.de/index_en.php
Fournales http://www.fournales.fr/catalogue/2_Roues/?PHPSESSID=d648d98a5627f41a297db7b1f0a2af9b

I look for the best rear shock for my ST13 with the possibility to adjust the pre load (solo/duo)

Your advice will be interesting for me ;)

See you ...................
I've always used Ohlins for replacement shocks but they only made a limited run for the Swedish Police ST's and the units that appeared on Ebay were snapped up quickly, you're unlikely to find any now.

Wilbers are a good shock. I bought a Type 641 Competition, top of the range with with remote preload and high/low speed compression, 2nd hand off Ebay and had it serviced by the UK importer. I've had it for about three years with no problems. On our 4 week touring European holidays we're always 2-up with full luggage and the Wilbers has performed faultlessly.

Hagons and EMC have had some poor reviews posted online, but I've never used them before so I'm only repeating others opinions.
Fournales is, I believe, an air shock and I know little about them.
WP I understand no longer make a shock for the ST due to problems with the weight and their unit failing.
 
Last edited:

Outbackwack

Howard
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
749
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Bike
'13 Vstrom 650
STOC #
8055
Not much activity here in a while. Anything new and improved on shocks since this thread was started? If I don't buy a new bike I will be doing a complete overhaul on the suspension. So, it's time to read and learn :)
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
215
Location
Amesbury MA
Bike
05 ST1300
STOC #
8739
Not much activity here in a while. Anything new and improved on shocks since this thread was started? If I don't buy a new bike I will be doing a complete overhaul on the suspension. So, it's time to read and learn :)
Boston, I am doing the same right now. Looking at Racetech and the Progressives on Ebay. Not sure on front yet still searching around the forum. Have you made any decisions?
This is tough to shop for.

Bob
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
215
Location
Amesbury MA
Bike
05 ST1300
STOC #
8739
Not much activity here in a while. Anything new and improved on shocks since this thread was started? If I don't buy a new bike I will be doing a complete overhaul on the suspension. So, it's time to read and learn :)
Disregard... found your new suspension thread
 

Outbackwack

Howard
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
749
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Bike
'13 Vstrom 650
STOC #
8055
Boston, I am doing the same right now. Looking at Racetech and the Progressives on Ebay. Not sure on front yet still searching around the forum. Have you made any decisions?
This is tough to shop for. Bob
Bob, my MCL fork brace came in about a week ago after being on backorder. Work has been stupid busy with end-of-year and all so I've done nothing yet. Plus, I have an unheated garage which gets damn cold. Next week I'll probably start calling around to get information and prices, then start pulling things apart. I wish I could ride the bike into the basement :) Let me know what you come up with too. I'll probably continue this on my other thread... Thanks and Happy New Year!

Howard
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
215
Location
Amesbury MA
Bike
05 ST1300
STOC #
8739
Bob, my MCL fork brace came in about a week ago after being on backorder. Work has been stupid busy with end-of-year and all so I've done nothing yet. Plus, I have an unheated garage which gets damn cold. Next week I'll probably start calling around to get information and prices, then start pulling things apart. I wish I could ride the bike into the basement :) Let me know what you come up with too. I'll probably continue this on my other thread... Thanks and Happy New Year!

Howard
Howard, I emailed Racetech today. Will report back results on your other thread.
I put an mcl brace on last winter. I really like it.

Bob
 

970mike

Mike Brown
Site Supporter
Joined
May 6, 2008
Messages
6,167
Age
66
Location
Lompoc, California
Bike
07 & 12 ST1300A
SPOT
LINK
STOC #
8057
Before you exchange your shock for a new one try refilling your reservoir pre-load adjuster as I bet there is no fluid in there like most ST's. There are several posts on refilling it here.
 
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