Rear Suspension Recommendation

[Scooterror]

Anyone have a recommendation for non oem uprated rear suspension for a 74 Rd? I have installed bronze swingarm bushes. Not a track bike but for aggressive street riding. I'm sure this was covered in excess on the old site. Sorry for the repeat
Thanks

[Eric P]

When it comes to suspension, the sky is the limit and your budgets and performance requirements will pretty much determine the best option for you.

I've had really good luck with those really cheap "RFY" adjustable shocks. They can be had for about $50-60/set and are a major upgrade over stock shocks. A lot of people rebuild them with fresh seals and a known weight oil to improve the damping. There are a few tutorials kicking around on how to do it. They're pretty much a bottom of the barrel budget option but seems to be working well for the street riding I do. They held up well on my cross country trip and my bike was loaded down pretty heavily with tools/parts/supplies. Well worth it for the money, but not necessarily the best quality out of the box.

I don't have any pictures of my cross country bike at the moment, but here is a photo of my R5 with the RFY shocks:


If you're looking to spend a bit more for quality and retain more of a stock appearance, Hagon would probably be my choice for name brand shocks. And if you want to spend big money and get a custom made shock with your specified spring rate, there's always Ohlins... though I've never been able to justify over $700 on a pair of motorcycle shocks!

Note that stock shock length is 325mm, so you'll probably want to stick to that or you'll be changing your suspension geometry. Also make sure that you get shocks with the correct ends as there are a few different types.

There's also suspension swaps from other bikes (notably the ninja 250), but I assume that that topic is a bit out of the scope of your question.

[m in sc]

rfys are 'ok', i have a set on 2 bikes, one being an R5. icon is good, as is hagon as well. .02

also, occasionally redwing nos rd shocks come up on ebay, ive run those as well. stock looking slimlines, but good performance.

[~JM~]

Tag along...

I've used Hagons & like them. Seem to recall a problem or price increase possibly due to new imported steel tariffs. Could be wrong on that. Had either Koni or Boges on my XR when I was a kid.

What about improving the swing arm rigidity?

[Organicjedi]

Progressive 12s are a very nice shock too.

[bizzcb1100f]

I also have a set of the RFY shocks on my 77 RD400. had Chris Livengood (CL Mototech) go through them, change oil and properly charge them. They have worked out pretty well so far.

[Hawaii-Mike]

I really like Koni's and their modern day versions, Ikon shocks.  They cost more but the ride is very nice. 

[Dvsrd]

If I was to buy a set of new shocks today, Falcon would be my choice. https://www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk
They build any length and stroke you want, and offer both alloy and steel bodies, in 3 and 4" stroke. For a performance oriented RD, I would have considered around 13.5" length with a 4" stroke. However that would require careful checking of tyre clearance and chain tension at full compression, and maybe some frame mods, depending on tyre width and section. 13.9" length with 4" stroke would eliminate those issues, but may create other problems.

What about longer swing arms for the early RDs? The 400s have 25 mm longer, and some aftermarket swing arms are even 51 mm/2" longer than stock. That must surely improve comfort and stability a bit, and tame the wheelie tendencies as well..... The last part may not be desirable for everyone  ;D

I actually had Danny at 29Cycles build me a 50 mm longer custom swing arm from slightly larger tubing. I still haven't fitted it, as I have to make a new loop (where the indicators are mounted), to be able to move the rear fender. One change leads to another...Also, longer swing arms OR longer shocks create clearance issues with stock mufflers. The advantages may or may not be worth it, depending on your priorities.

[e30 gangsta]

I got a set of new Hagons valved and with the correct spring for my weight. I love them.

[SoCal250]

I got a set of new Hagons valved and with the correct spring for my weight. I love them.

Me too. I ordered some a few years ago with custom length and spring rate. They're great, especially for the price.

[71R5JPAR]

Anyone give the Vintco air shocks a try? Cannot find any reviews on them for RD bikes.

https://hvccycle.net/air-shocks-vintco-13-5-inch-to-17-5-inch/

[automan]

Ain't nobody wants air shox

esp. at 800

[axldk6]

suspension is next on my list. so what model or part # is the RFY ( 74 350) ? looked on the site but 325 mm shows a ninja 250 with remote reservoir? tia.

[sav0r (CL MotoTech)]

The correct, or at least most correct RFY is the 320mm base shock with the 7mm spring. Ideally, if you can find it, the conical wound 7mm spring, but the square wound one is more common. Keep in mind even that spring is slightly stiff. I landed on 80lbs per inch on my fairly light RD350, I weight around 150lbs. RFY 7mm springs are like 96lbs per inch. Some people like it, some people want the mushy stock ride. It's all preference.

[The Red Scourge]

The correct, or at least most correct RFY is the 320mm base shock with the 7mm spring. Ideally, if you can find it, the conical wound 7mm spring, but the square wound one is more common. Keep in mind even that spring is slightly stiff. I landed on 80lbs per inch on my fairly light RD350, I weight around 150lbs. RFY 7mm springs are like 96lbs per inch. Some people like it, some people want the mushy stock ride. It's all preference.

Aha!  I was waiting for the RFY expert to weigh in!