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Post by Uralee on Feb 14, 2019 8:16:08 GMT 10
No ballast. I ride the Ural happily empty.....👍
Lee
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 953
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Post by andyh on May 1, 2019 5:40:58 GMT 10
Anyone thinking of buying a set just wait - Looks like Ikon is going into production with the cheaper version for the US late Spring / Summer 2019 Details over at " Soviet Steeds " Hopefully the last bit about only being available from Ikon USA is meant for worldwide consumption and Geoff in Aust can sort out the local demand. I will post up a bit about my experience with 3,200 kilometers of use tonight.
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Post by Uralee on May 1, 2019 8:12:44 GMT 10
Going soft on the SC is the last thing I would try. Do you have ballast in the chair? I am really interested to see how mine goes this weekend with an extra 55-60 kilograms My ‘other’ chair is a little lighter (aluminium) than a Ural and I have just gone a little firmer on the SC suspension by moving the upper mounting point rearwards. I run No ballast......never have, never will. 😜 lee
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 953
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Post by andyh on May 1, 2019 15:52:53 GMT 10
I don't run ballast either, but I did get to try the 4 Ikon shock version with a live person in the chair over a reasonable distance and am comfortable with the result. I don't think I need another Ikon for the Chair.
So after 3,200 kilometres I am still happy with the purchase and I am no longer saying that because I dropped the better part of a grand on 4 shocks. I ride predominantly on tar so take that into account when reading this.
A day (6-8 hours) in the saddle with the old shocks used to require a couple of days off to sort out the aches and pains. A day in the saddle now is a lot gentler on the back, neck and arms and I am looking forward to the next day. I still haven't got the setup completely right. The 7610-1664 has 3 preload settings and 4 damping settings. (Dampening for the pedants) For tar work with long stretches of B road at 90 kilometres per hour the front really needs to be loaded so I am running the second notch on the preload and the damping at 1. The rear is a bit more particular and seems to like 1 and 1. You can take this off-road but it isn't pleasant. I carry the C Spanner and stop and drop the front back to a preload of 1. Changing the Damping settings on the fly isn't so easy, they are covered by a shroud and require a bit of fiddling to get the wheel turned to the appropriate setting.
On the tar at speeds above 90 - if the front gets any irritation or unevenness in the road it will start to pogo which sets off the back and the whole thing becomes a huge wallowy whale. Go faster and it gets worse. Preloading the front to the second setting fixes that to a greater extent in that it only starts to wallow around max speed which I don't tend to sit at anyway so that’s ok by me. It will behave itself at 90-100 and I can maintain that for long periods without the usual aches and pains.
The shocks do not fix the tendency for the front to break traction and shudder under acceleration on rights or roundabouts. I thought it did but it doesn't - must have been an old tire. Simple fix is get the entry speed right... Although an Avon Triple Duty Sidecar front tire might go a long way in helping that due to the flatter profile.
As mentioned earlier I don't do much dirt. When I have, it has been tons of fun with the pre-loaed at 1 and it is surefooted and very stable. Even with live Ballast the difference in the handling is immediately apparent. Testing this on a road I know, it used to be a matter of allowing engine braking to slow the bike and hope it stayed pointed in the right direction, with the ikons I felt I could actually add input and it would respond. An automatic confidence giver - although that might not be such a good thing.
Would I throw 4 perfectly good Sachs shocks out? No - but I am glad one of mine failed so I could go on this adventure.
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roscoau
Life? Don't talk to me about life!
Posts: 838
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Post by roscoau on May 1, 2019 18:37:04 GMT 10
The cheaper shock they're offering is exactly the same shock except lacking the damping adjustment.
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 953
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Post by andyh on May 2, 2019 15:43:40 GMT 10
I think the shock would be fine without the damping adjustment. I am tempted to run the fronts up to 4 to see just how much that slows them up, but I doubt it will make a huge difference and Rick already mentioned that it makes them more susceptible to break out in ruts and corners.
Best thing is they are offering different spring rates. Personally I would have gone for a stiffer or more progressive spring for the fronts.
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 953
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Post by andyh on Aug 4, 2019 6:33:35 GMT 10
Ok - I finally got around to farting about with the settings and testing them over a set piece of road. I ride on tar (predominantly) so I chose a piece of ground that had hills, corners, 100km flats and plenty of room to pull over and make adjustments. I am kicking myself for not doing this earlier...
At max settings of Pre-load 3 - Rebound damping 4 - omg, it was so similar to the original Sachs shocks !!! but more refined and not as harsh - this could be the setting for heavy load with passenger? At minimum settings it was like a big wallowy sponge - very uncomfortable and a bit dangerous - bike wandered all over the place.
Checking rider sag helped give me a starting point, but I am not a suspension genius. I know how a normal bike should work, I don't know how the chair effects sag for set up. Given the sag rates (once I figured out the measuring points - stop laughing Chris) suggested a minimum of 1 preload front and back, possibly 2 on the rear, I started testing with 2 rear, 1 front and dialed the rebound back to 1 for all. That rebound saw the front breaking away too early, uphill and under acceleration, for my liking.
I settled on pre-load 2 and damping 2 on all shocks for everyday travel and it works well - this isn't loaded and I weigh just under 100 kilo's. The bike behaves well at all speeds and the ride is comfortable - the proof will be in a long run, hopefully in the next few weeks. Took it onto a fire trail with some good corrugations and it wasn't much fun but it was more sure footed and far less stressful than the original Sachs - I can live with that. If I decide to go all dirt warrior at some stage I will follow the same process and adjust accordingly.
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andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 953
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Post by andyh on Aug 28, 2019 5:36:05 GMT 10
Just an update because I know some riders I have spoken to are interested:
...So we're in the final stages of the project addressing packaging, naming (suggestions still welcome) and most importantly the design of a fitting/installation kit. While the current Ikon (Australia) listing for Ural is correct in terms of shock length etc., installation requires the owner to source additional hardware which can be annoying and time consuming. The Ikon fitting kit will include everything you need in terms of end caps and spacers etc. to perform a professional looking installation. While loath to commit to a launch date at the present time, I shall post it here first before the press release goes out.
So there is a good chance they will be out this year Macca So interesting info on the spring rates they have decided to go with. Must check and see which springs are in mine.
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Post by maccaoz on Aug 28, 2019 8:36:58 GMT 10
Just an update because I know some riders I have spoken to are interested:
...So we're in the final stages of the project addressing packaging, naming (suggestions still welcome) and most importantly the design of a fitting/installation kit. While the current Ikon (Australia) listing for Ural is correct in terms of shock length etc., installation requires the owner to source additional hardware which can be annoying and time consuming. The Ikon fitting kit will include everything you need in terms of end caps and spacers etc. to perform a professional looking installation. While loath to commit to a launch date at the present time, I shall post it here first before the press release goes out.
So there is a good chance they will be out this year Macca So interesting info on the spring rates they have decided to go with. Must check and see which springs are in mine.
I'm watching and waiting mate 👍🏼
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roscoau
Life? Don't talk to me about life!
Posts: 838
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Post by roscoau on Aug 29, 2019 16:46:01 GMT 10
Maybe as a forum we could do a 'bulk' buy for a better price?
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