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Mono-shock vs "Modern" Twin Shocks

J

Jasepaste

New member
Joined
May 30, 2008
Location
Sacramento
Moto(s)
Thruxton 900
Name
JP
What are your thoughts on newer bikes with twin shocks (Bonneville, CB1000, etc)?

How much of a performance difference do you think exists between bikes under 10K with the differing shocks?
 
Doesn't appear on highend bikes, does appear on cheaper bikes.
Probably not as good, Probably gets the job done.

2.5 on the performance chart from the Russian judge
 
If you want a lot of suspension travel, like on my bikes, a single shock is the only way to get it.
 
Nerdy answer: Twin shocks can be just as effective or moreso than single shocks at absorbing energy given the same valving technology. They have more collective surface area to dissipate heat and potentially twice as much valve area for tuning sensitivity. The disadvantages are that you have a very linear compression ratio (no progression for heavy loads or big hits), limited travel, and twice as many parts to do the same job (heavier and more expensive).

Practical answer: it depends more on implementation and the quality of the shock itself than format. Put Ohlins on your Bonnie and it'll outperform most if not all stock monoshocks.
 
What about the fact that based on the placement of the mono shock setup, there are several options available to use rising rate linkages etc.? I would think this would be a big advantage for the single shock setup.
 
I assume the dominance of single shock is primarily because you can get the same performance with half the parts count. It seems like the only rational behind dual shocks (on a modern bike) is appearance. Which is not to say that it is a better/cheaper idea to fabricate a single shock swingarm for something like a Bonneville.

Wouldn't it be theoretically possible to engineer variable rate linkages for dual-shocks if somebody thought that were a worthwhile endeavor?
 
Jasepaste said:
What are your thoughts on newer bikes with twin shocks (Bonneville, CB1000, etc)?
Click to expand...

I think the twin shocks on these newer bikes are nostalgia to mimic the retro looks of bikes from days gone by.

Glad I can be of help. :laughing
 
NoneMoreBlack said:
I assume the dominance of single shock is primarily because you can get the same performance with half the parts count. It seems like the only rational behind dual shocks (on a modern bike) is appearance. Which is not to say that it is a better/cheaper idea to fabricate a single shock swingarm for something like a Bonneville.

Wouldn't it be theoretically possible to engineer variable rate linkages for dual-shocks if somebody thought that were a worthwhile endeavor?
Click to expand...

A dual shock is much more likely to cavitate which really lets the performance of it go. the amount of travel it has to move and the speed cause this.

A monoshock helps prevent this by not having to work as hard.
 
Two shocks are better than one but the cantilevered shocks offer a better spring profile for a suspension system. If you cantilevered a twin shock it would be a better system.
 
Jasepaste said:
What are your thoughts on newer bikes with twin shocks (Bonneville, CB1000, etc)?

How much of a performance difference do you think exists between bikes under 10K with the differing shocks?
Click to expand...

My 2007 Bonneville had OEMs when I bought it. The very first thing I did after rolling in to the garage when I got home with it....got online and found some better rear shocks. (Hagon)

But, not matter how you look at it, all things being equal, a single rear shock is superior, unless of course there are other considerations, the swingarm and wheelbase among them.

Then again, if you don't ride aggressively or on any technical roads/track then you may never really notice the difference between a perfectly setup single shock bike with Ohlins rear components and some hella cheap ass springs/shocks on a bike with a cheap frame.

Someone will also point out that a single component is only that, a bikes overall rideablilty and handling characteristics are the sum of the whole package, including the frame, swingarm, forks, geometry and blahblahblah.

Generally speaking you can use the dollars measure...the more it costs to buy and setup, the better it will be.

here's an article on the subject

And if you really want to know too much, here is an Ebook on motorcycle dynamics
 
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russ69 said:
No, not really. The shock does not stop the torsional load on the swingarm, both designs need to be equally stiff.
Click to expand...

This. If you run a spindly swingarm/dual shock setup, the swingarm will wind up like a motherfucker. My race Norton did this. One side will move faster or slower than the other and set up a harmonic vibration.

Simply put, if the duals were better, they'd be running them on all modern bikes today.

My buddy Fred races the Thruxton cup ( won it twice IIRC national champion), and when I follow him I can see his swingarm flex, tire chatter, etc. The bike gets wound up like mfer. (He runs the best Ohlins he can get)
 
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russ69 said:
No, not really. The shock does not stop the torsional load on the swingarm, both designs need to be equally stiff.
Click to expand...
Note for the humor impaired: A smiley after some simple statement usually means that it was not meant to be a serious comment. :)


:laughing
 
"usually" is a bit vague...the laughing face is better, at indicating humor.

Then there is something about just talkin truth...If that isn't too difficult...It shouldn't be a requirement for the reader to figure out if it is crap or not...Pretty heavy burden for the ones that don't know what is truth or not, to have to detective their way through it.
 
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louemc said:
"usually" is a bit vague...the laughing face is better, at indicating humor.

Then there is something about just talkin truth...If that isn't too difficult...It shouldn't be a requirement for the reader to figure out if it is crap or not...Pretty heavy burden for the ones that don't know what is truth or not, to have to detective their way through it.
Click to expand...

user6133_pic34477_1326494238.jpg
 
:wtf

If they are adjustable, I have the right side softer than the left side since right turns are often tighter and left turns are longer and faster...

It works out well for me even if the turns are faster on right hand sweepers..

Tried the both even settings and it actually felt weird while having one side slightly different work better for most kinds of surfaces..

Seems more versatile and forgiving most times..
 
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