Hi, like you I look to upgrade the suspensions of my Downtown. I have been looking and I'm still not sure because I'm only underway in my investigation. Like you the Ohlins are on my radar. I have to tell you Ohlins is a Babel tower.
I'm investigating because I have very specific need. I will be travelling in South America for two years I will be riding on roads of thousands of km in the depth of the Amazone that Brasilians don't believe they really exist. I will be carrying all my belongings with me including all the tools required to fix almost anything.
From day to day I will ride loaded or unloaded on all kind of roads subject to change within hours. With Ohlins shocks I can dial and adjust the shocs to the load I will be carrying. I'm in no rush to buy, and I have an eye on air shocks that can allow me to adjust the suspensions wether I ride loaded or not. For now I'm looking in that direction.
I will be riding on roads of thousands of km in the depth of the Amazone that Brasilians don't believe they really exist. I will be carrying all my belongings with me including all the tools required to fix almost anything.
However very few people have needs similar to mind. If someone ride solo and doesn't have plans to travel a lot of km for months and months if not years what Ohlins offers is way beyonds the rider's needs. I give up on Ohlins.
I don't know where you got h0529 shock, because it's nowhere on the net.
There seems also to be that the shocks for forza comes as mono shock or a pair. A bit confusing
Is it a two shocks 2013 to 2017or or a duo or a mono shock 2018 and up
From 2013 to 2017 it's holins STX 36 Scooter Shock for Forza 300 14-17 (HO430) it is available on Ebay at $705 US This is a pair of shocks kit
There is a weird one bellow here. Looks like a monoshock kit 2014-2017.
HO 430 REAR SHOCK ABSORBER OHLINS HONDA FORZA 300 - 2017
//www.ebay.ca/itm/REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-OHLINS-S36PR1-HONDA-FORZA-300-2014-17/274119882292?hash=item3fd2d17634:g:3XQAAOSwq15 $780. (monotube)
2018-2019 it's HO 818 OHLIN 2 x REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HONDA FORZA 300 - 2018 $$885.94 US
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HO-818-OHLINS-2-x-REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-HONDA-FORZA-300-2018-2019/174095911721?hash=item2888eccb29:g:sRMAAOSwHfxeEid0&vxp=mtrAll this is quiete confusing. Then there is no mention nowhere of the forza with ABS, or without ABS, or a shock for ABS or without ABS. One has to make sure when placing the order to clarify that
I can confirm you that lenght wise, all high end shocks are adjustable and what fits a Forza will fit the Downtown.
On my part I give uo on Ohlins
On my part, it looks like I will opt for a formales air shock kit. Like Ohlins I can dial the shock withins seconds.
All vehicle suspension units comprise two basic elements: something elastic which allows displacement of thegraph_velo3 weight it supports but tries to restore equilibrium (a leaf spring, torsion bar, or most commonly a coil spring) and a damper which controls and limits the movements of the spring. Although the two elements are straightforward, the way in which they are combined and controlled has given rise to many different shock absorbers over the years.
Fournales suspension units uniquely combine high pressure air springs with hydraulic (oil) damping - hence “oleopneumatic”. The two main benefits of the design compared with a standard coil-spring shock are illustrated left. At point A the suspension is in a steady state, with rider weight supported by spring. With a small increase in force, the Fournales unit allows a little more travel than the spring, giving a controlled and comfortable ride. As the bumps increase, the air spring firms up at a rising rate, so that by mid-travel the air spring is becoming firmer than the coil spring, allowing better rider control to be maintained. Towards the limit of travel, at point B, the coil spring can bottom out with jarring discomfort, risking a loss of control. The air spring simply gets harder and harder in a fully predictable way, and bottoming out is virtually impossible.
Another benefit of the oleopneumatic approach is that by varying the air pressure in the shock - simply by pumping it up - the whole stiffness curve rises. This is much more effective in matching shock absorber performance to the rider and/or passenger weight of a motorcycle than adjusting the preload on a spring, which has the effect of providing stiffer support under steady conditions , but does not change the spring rate as the shock’s travel is compressed in use.
Fournales shocks are manufactured to very high standards. Top quality materials are used, and the internal seals are rated to withstand 300 bar pressure (over 4000 psi), which is at least 10 times the working air pressure inside the shock. Consequently Fournales shocks are long-lived and reliable. And, when they do eventually start to tire, they are fully rebuildable.
http://www.mawsolutions.com/html/maw_prices.html300. sterling pounds
I have known and ride on Bituro shocks for a long time. They have the adventage to have everything very clear and available.
If I'm noI would sugget you look at butiro shockst wrong Bituro has a shock without ABS. KYMCO DOWNTOWN 300I ABS 2011 AMORTISSEURS ARRIERE SUSPENSION BITUBO WMB02V1 around 400US
@ thttps://www.ebay.com/itm/KYMCO-DOWNTOWN-300I-2011-SUSPENSION-REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBERS-BITUBO-WME02V1/273314680344?hash=item3fa2d30e18:i:273314680344
There is also a Bituro rear shock for the Downtown without ABS. KYMCO DOWNTOWN 300I 2011 SUSPENSION REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS BITUBO WME02V2 around 400US
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_odkw=kymco+downtown+300i+shocks&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=kymco+downtown+300i+shocks++abs&_sacat=0 There is also a good kit for the fork by BituroShock Absorber BITUBO Scooter Front Fork Kit for KYMCO /YAMAHA D $392.99 US
https://scooterpartsco.com/ricambi/021-vespa/shock-absorber-bitubo-scooter-front-fork-kit-for-kymco-yamaha?zenid=8302c62832874590bd9bb6336d19c2f5With the money save I would buy a steering damper. Very usefull on gravel road.
