Your Thoughts On Piggyback Shocks

[Guest]

The other day I was presented an intriguing opinion against spending a ton of money to get fully adjustable piggyback shocks.

That opinion was this: While the piggybacks look super cool, they're not really going to provide a noticeable performance advantage over a quality set of monotube shocks (Progressive or equivalent) when mounted to one of these old steel frames, particularly in stock form.

I can definitely see how that would apply to me and my riding experience - I'm not anywhere near being able to ride my bike to its limits and then pointing out its shortcomings.

What about the more experienced GS owners that have really flogged their bikes with piggyback shocks? Obviously, they'll be lightyears beyond the stock shocks, but how do they compare to a set of Progressives? Huge improvement or not?

I could save up for a set of YSS G-Series piggybacks, or I could essentially grab a set of Progressive shocks and still have money left over for a set of Progressive fork springs and maybe a set of cartridge emulators.

Those piggybacks sure do look nice though...

[posplayr]

The other day I was presented an intriguing opinion against spending a ton of money to get fully adjustable piggyback shocks.

That opinion was this: While the piggybacks look super cool, they're not really going to provide a noticeable performance advantage over a quality set of monotube shocks (Progressive or equivalent) when mounted to one of these old steel frames, particularly in stock form.

I can definitely see how that would apply to me and my riding experience - I'm not anywhere near being able to ride my bike to its limits and then pointing out its shortcomings.

What about the more experienced GS owners that have really flogged their bikes with piggyback shocks? Obviously, they'll be lightyears beyond the stock shocks, but how do they compare to a set of Progressives? Huge improvement or not?

I could save up for a set of YSS G-Series piggybacks, or I could essentially grab a set of Progressive shocks and still have money left over for a set of Progressive fork springs and maybe a set of cartridge emulators.

Those piggybacks sure do look nice though...

Make an overall budget based on a balanced set of upgrades and then get a set of rear shock that fit within that budget.

[salty_monk]

You'll notice a decent pair of shocks over a set of progressives. The progressives are ok but my Works Performance (non piggy back) are loads better.

You may not notice the difference of the same shock model with or without the Piggyback, if the internals/valving/piston etc are the same the Piggyback is only there to provide additional oil volume to stop the shock fading when worked hard from heat... You'd have to be working it really hard on the street to feel the difference I would think. Off road you might be able to get a shock working hard enough (or race track obviously).

Key point here is that the shock needs to be the same quality shock. Have a look at the works steel or black trackers ($500 ish), cheaper than a set of Piggy backs & just as good for street use. Or get the YSS non piggy backs with the big piston. Down from that look at IKON's, then Hagon or Progressives.

[MadCapsule]

Make an overall budget based on a balanced set of upgrades and then get a set of rear shock that fit within that budget.

For sure.

To wit:

You'll notice a decent pair of shocks over a set of progressives. The progressives are ok but my Works Performance (non piggy back) are loads better.

You may not notice the difference of the same shock model with or without the Piggyback, if the internals/valving/piston etc are the same the Piggyback is only there to provide additional oil volume to stop the shock fading when worked hard from heat... You'd have to be working it really hard on the street to feel the difference I would think. Off road you might be able to get a shock working hard enough (or race track obviously).

Key point here is that the shock needs to be the same quality shock. Have a look at the works steel or black trackers ($500 ish), cheaper than a set of Piggy backs & just as good for street use. Or get the YSS non piggy backs with the big piston. Down from that look at IKON's, then Hagon or Progressives.

Those steel trackers look to be a bit more within my budget. The big piston, non-piggyback shocks from YSS are approaching a price where I would probably just take the plunge and save up to buy full piggybacks, if I was going to spend that kind of coin.

It's starting to look like I'll probably be going with Works steel tracker shocks and Progressive fork springs to go with the twin-pot conversion up front.

Thanks for the input!