3000-mile test
Editor Matt reckons a Hagon shock is a great upgrade for tired or budget OE shocks
Tested: £300 Hagon shock on CRF250L
THE CLAIM
“Our monoshock stainless-steel damper units are fully re-buildable, have an
18mm piston rod and a wide-ranging, single-circuit progressive damping adjustment with automatic compression/ rebound balance. There is a black powder-coated spring, fully progressive spring preload adjustment. Supplied complete with end-mounting bushes and bearings, tools and instructions for spring and damping adjustments. Hagon shock absorbers have a wide loadcarrying range and will be delivered with the spring preload set for an averageweight rider (75–100kg). We can supply units built to individual requirements; heavier or lighter springs.”
THE REALITY
The Hagon replaced the budget Showabranded shock on RIDE’S long-term test CRF250L trail bike. On a budget bike like the little Honda, for most riders it makes no sense replacing the shock with a £600 Öhlins unit — though some still do, of course.
Fitting the Hagon unit was very simple — the shock doesn’t come with any fitting instructions, but it doesn’t need them. As long as you can get the weight off the back wheel, swapping between the two is easy and, in fact, the narrower damper of the Hagon gives you more room to manoeuvre.
Even on standard settings, it was an improvement on the road — although the spring was rated about the same as standard, stronger damping meant the bike effectively sat higher when in use, didn’t wallow or sag as much and
because of this, front-end feel was improved too. The result was more confidence in the bike on the road and no more of the standard bike’s ‘bouncycastle’ ride quality.
It was better on the trails too — though I found the standard spring to be a little light for my 90kg weight — in hindsight, heavier trail riders might be better to opt for Hagon’s custom service. However, winding on some more preload helped with this. It’s not a proper ‘off-road’ shock and still feels a little out if its depth when you try to ride the little CRF like an enduro bike — but it’s not an enduro bike, it’s a gentle green-laner and the Hagon does well in that context. Far better than stock, certainly.
The shock comes equipped with a preload spanner in the box and, thanks to a shorter spring, there is now just about the space for the shock be adjusted with it — with the standard shock, the airbox gets in the way and you need a hammer and drift. Its damping adjuster is effective too, tightening up both rebound and compression in a balanced way that lets you play with set-up.
The wear and tear
It’s taken the last 3000 miles very well, despite salt, mud and rocks and months stewing in damp lock-ups. The stainless body hasn’t tarnished and the spring’s coating hasn’t been penetrated. Good stuff, as you’d expect from a company that sells shocks to many winter-riding commuters. Great build quality, even if it doesn’t look flash.