‘My Honda CRF is transformed’
Tested by Steve HerbertMattick for 19 months
My Honda CRF, with its tired Hagon shock, kept hitting the bump-stops so much that the rear Dunlop was catching on the numberplate. Time, then, for an upgrade to something better suited for off-roading’s big hits.
Rally Raid’s replacement shock is a serious piece of kit. It has a 46mm piston and 20 clicks of combined compression and rebound, easily adjusted with a single tool. The standard, non-adjustable Honda shock has a 40mm piston, while the Hagon’s is 38mm. That bigger piston makes a real difference – as it flows more oil, it is easier to control the travel up and down the stroke, and the larger volume of damping oil means it is less prone to fade. It also has far more sophisticated valving.
The stock CRF has around 250mm of rear-wheel travel but its springing is so soft that it has a huge amount of sag, so sits very low in its stroke. Rally Raid offer two shock options for the Honda. Level 1 gives 210mm of wheel travel but, thanks to less sag, retains the standard seat height. Level 2 has 250mm of wheel travel but raises the seat 20mm.
I wanted the 250L partly for its more forgiving dimensions, so opted for the 210mm Level 1, with an 85N/mm spring to match my 75kg kitted-up weight. Fitting a shorter-travel shock goes against the grain when it comes to off-roading but shorter controlled travel is better than longer uncontrolled, says Rally Raid boss John Mitchinson.
Instead of being just a regular emulsion shock, it’s charged with 20bar (290psi) of nitrogen which helps prevent the oil foaming as it heats up in use, giving more consistent performance when the shock is working hard. It’s also fully serviceable.
The CRF now wafts over potholes and speed bumps, the shock’s controlled return removing all hints of pogoing.
On the trails it feels much more connected to the terrain, making the bike feel lighter. The bottoming-out is gone and the ride quality is so good I can attack rocky climbs and gravel tracks almost like I could on a proper enduro bike, but with the reassurance that when I put my foot down, the ground will be there.
At nearly £500,this upgrade isn’t cheap but the difference it’s made to the bike and the amount of fun I have riding it is remarkable, so it’s been well worth the investment.
Quality Value www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk
PROS & CONS
Improved ride quality, off-road capability, easy to adjust £500 isn’t cheap – but you’ll feel the benefit on every mile ridden