Rear Shock Choices for the 401?

Vintage Veloce

Vintage Veloce

pro rider
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
1,088
Location
San Diego
I was just going to get a new rear spring for the stock shock, but now I'm thinking a whole shock would be better.
I'm seeing a bunch of options, but not many reports on how they have worked for people.

I'd love to see pictures of the various options installed on bikes, and where the remote reservoir is mounted if the shock has one. Please post pictures of your installation! And tell us how the shock is working for you, which bike you have, and your weight with all your gear (if you aren't shy about that.)

To get things started, Sisco did a great list in the spring thread, I'm going to copy it here:
Sisco said:
The experts I spoke to said that the piston size will make a difference, I'm not sure what the stock piston size is but stay away from KTech Razor R because the piston size is 35mm which is tiny (smaller than stock) Rod sizes is also different between Nitron R1 (14mm) vs R2 (16mm) maybe that's a factor as well, YSS and Ohlins piston size is 45 mm and significantly bigger than the Nitrons.

The K-Tech is 14-35MM piston
Nitron R1 is 14-40MM
Nitron R2-R3 is 16-40MM
YSS is 16-45MM
Ohlins is (probably 16?) -46MM

Nitron R1 vs YSS

View attachment 368

Stock vs Nitron R2

View attachment 370
Click to expand...
 
I got the Nitron R2 first and it's the most popular option locally, had a lot of people vouch for it, the #1 Supersport 300 winner in nz is using it.

The Nitron R2 mount location is position on the right hand side, and it's a good spot doesn't get in the way, I think Ohlins mounted similar to this.

1604547247797.jpg

The YSS is supposed to be better and newer so I got it for my race bike (was using Nitron R1 that came with the bike)

YSS has a piggy back reservoir and mounted upside down (the bumper stop is at the top rather than the bottom), I like this one better as it more protected from crash damage and it should not get in the way of most aftermarket exhausts,

This one also has the hydraulic preload, which is cool but probably didn't need it.

1604547463756.jpg
 
I’ve done some research on what shocks are available for the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401. I figured I'd make a copy of the links and share my notes

Many shock manufacturers don’t list our bikes, but list the very similar KTM 390, so I included that in my search.

Especially for piggyback reservoir shocks, note that the many changes with the 2020+ Huskies (especially the exhaust routing) may effect what fits on the bike. And I think for a piggyback shock to fit at all, it will have to be installed “upside down” with the piggyback reservoir on the swingarm end. I don’t know if that is a problem, but it would certainly be subjected to a lot more vibration and movement there. And it would add a bit to the unsprung weight.

And of course we cannot assume the KTM 390 shocks will fit either, that need to be verified.

I think my personal preference is for a shock without a separate reservoir, as that simplifies installation. I might be convinced to try a shock with a separate “hose attached” reservoir, but I wouldnt want to clamp it it too prominent of a location.

Options listed below I've provided more detail on the shocks I was personally more interested in.

Ohlins
KT 301 : 300mm long, rebound only
KT 801 : 304 +10/-2 mm long, external reservoir, comp and rebound
KT 303 : 300 +9/-3 mm long, external reservoir, comp and rebound - for RC390

KNOqMUHQ1tJVAuYkOJ1jbTJMI4-G4AEg-yTt2o4FgEzcrID5oSNLzqS0pGUZrY_MGThGTVri-fTSfVMU2NCp4fvgfiyH3STGJIjutZDmSEqAzZpaxXYmCeLQ9tTeo7tfwpfP6vJ7

www.ohlins.com

STX 46 Street - Adjustable shock absorber for motorcycles | Öhlins

STX46 Street Performance Line is based on our popular STX46 DR1 shock absorber and developed for naked sports bikes and street performance bikes....
www.ohlins.com www.ohlins.com
www.ohlins.com

STX 46 Supersport - Shock absorber for motorcycles | Öhlins Racing

The Öhlins STX 46 shock absorber comes in a wide range of styles and for many different bikes in the smaller Hyper Sport segment.
www.ohlins.com www.ohlins.com

KT 301: https://www.ohlins.com/product-item/54059/
KT 801: https://www.ohlins.com/product-item/63079/
KT 303: https://www.ohlins.com/product-item/54981/

https://www.ohlins.eu/en/products/motorcycle/kt-301--4773/
https://www.ohlins.eu/en/products/motorcycle/kt-801--6614/
https://www.ohlins.eu/en/products/motorcycle/kt-303--5211/

Ohlins Pricing:
https://store.hardracing.com/ohlins-shocks/ktm-ohlins-shocks/
https://mnnthbx.com/product/ohlins-kt303-for-ktm-390/

Nitron
https://www.nitronusa.com/buy-online/motorcycles/husqvarna/401-svartpilen/-18-20-
https://mnnthbx.com/product/nitron-ntr-r1-2017-husqvarna-vitpilen-401/
NTR R1 : adjustable preload, height and “combined rebound compression”

YSS
https://www.yss.co.th/racing_product.php

Shock Factory
https://shock-factory.co.uk/522-shock-absorber-ktm-390-duke-13-18

Wilbers
https://www.wilbers.de/shop/en/Motorcycle/KTM/390-Duke-KTM-IS-Duke/?cur=5&year=2016

JRi
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/long-term-ktm-rc390-suspension-upgrade-jri-shock-installation/

Penske
https://www.penskeshocks.com/product/8900-series-2015-ktm-rc390/

Hyperpro
https://www.webshop-hyperpro.com/en...uspension/rear-suspension/rear-shock/HU04-0AA
https://www.webshop-hyperpro.com/en...uspension/rear-suspension/rear-shock/KT03-0AB
https://www.webshop-hyperpro.com/en...uspension/rear-suspension/rear-shock/KT03-1AB

RacingBros Shicane HLR Edge
https://www.steadygarage.com/store/racingbros-shicane-hlr-edge-rear-shock-for-ktm-duke-390-rc390

Matris
https://www.matrisdampers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/KTM-RC-390-15-16-web.pdf

EMC
https://www.emc-suspensions.fr/en/3077-390-duke-2018-2020

K-Tech
https://www.ktechsuspension.com/road/

Yacugar
https://www.teknikmotorsport.com/?rf=kw&kw=husqvarna+401+shock

Bitubo
https://www.bitubo.com/Bitubo/cms/ITA/category-cms/31-road-racing.html
 
Last edited:
Sisco said:
I got the Nitron R2 first and it's the most popular option locally, had a lot of people vouch for it, the #1 Supersport 300 winner in nz is using it.

The Nitron R2 mount location is position on the right hand side, and it's a good spot doesn't get in the way, I think Ohlins mounted similar to this.

View attachment 427
Click to expand...
On the Nitron... how hard was it to get in there to rotate the preload adjuster? Or did you get the hydraulic one?
 
Vintage Veloce said:
On the Nitron... how hard was it to get in there to rotate the preload adjuster? Or did you get the hydraulic one?
Click to expand...
It wasn't too hard with the brand new R2 one because the adjustments was easier to wind and smoother but on my old Nitron R1 it was really stiff I think because it was a bit weathered and for both shock I was only able to spin it maybe 1/8 turn at a time, because of the limitation from the frame of the bike that gets in the way and can damage the paint around your frame with the tool if your grip slip.

eg this area here is pretty much what you have to work with and you need to wind up or down the top preload setting.

1604626851712.jpg
 
Sisco said:
It wasn't too hard with the brand new R2 one because the adjustments was easier to wind and smoother but on my old Nitron R1 it was really stiff I think because it was a bit weathered and for both shock I was only able to spin it maybe 1/8 turn at a time, because of the limitation from the frame of the bike that gets in the way and can damage the paint around your frame with the tool if your grip slip.
Click to expand...
The Nitron uses "pin" type wrenches right? I know the stock shock is hard to get in and rotate up the ramped collar with a spanner wrench.
On my bikes with WP or Ohlins shocks with notched collars I often use a tool that is like a long screwdriver:
1604627667585.jpg
It actually works pretty well.
I don't think that will work with the Nitron, will it? I dont think it has notches, only round holes? And those pin holes looked far apart, maybe more than 45 degrees...60 degrees?
 
The tool included with my Niitron shock is super slick - to me an indicator of their overall build quality.

It's a two sided pin tool that is also compact enough to fit under the seat.

I'll post a pic later this weekend
 
Last edited:
Claytonroy said:
The tool included with my Niitron shock is super slick - to me an indicator of their overall build quality.

It's a two sided pin tool that is also compact enough to fit under the seat.

I'll post a pic later this weekend
Click to expand...

I'll do the same for Hyperpro.

Vintage Veloce said:
I think my personal preference is for a shock without a separate reservoir,
Click to expand...

What exactly are the benefits of a reservoir type for a street bike?
 
Ok, but I'm not sure why one would need adjustment when its properly tuned?

If you are using an offroad vehicle on different tracks, or different terrain I can see that this would provide benefits.

But what benefits are there on a street bike?
 
BISavage said:
Ok, but I'm not sure why one would need adjustment when its properly tuned?

But what benefits are there on a street bike?
Click to expand...

Maybe I will rephrase a bit.

For road use:

When I were to buy a suspension for a specific purpose, I will order it from the manufacturer to come pretuned for exactly that purpose, no adjustment to the damping is required.

When buying a generic suspension, then it will need to be adjusted properly, one time, in order to achieve the desired results.

For example, when I buy a Laguna Seca Edition Suspension from Supplier X for my Racer X Bike then one would expect it to outperform any other setup on that track with that bike, without any adjustment.
 
BISavage said:
Maybe I will rephrase a bit.

For road use:

When I were to buy a suspension for a specific purpose, I will order it from the manufacturer to come pretuned for exactly that purpose, no adjustment to the damping is required.

When buying a generic suspension, then it will need to be adjusted properly, one time, in order to achieve the desired results.

For example, when I buy a Laguna Seca Edition Suspension from Supplier X for my Racer X Bike then one would expect it to outperform any other setup on that track with that bike, without any adjustment.
Click to expand...
Your assumption is that all riders who specify the same parameters (weight, typical use) like the same suspension settings. And that they prefer the same settings all the time.
Rider A may ride in the mountains and corners harder and might want things a bit stiffer and turn up the compression damping.
Rider B may ride in the city with bumpy roads and might want less rebound damping.
Rider C might be like rider A on Saturday and Sunday and rider B on his commute Monday - Friday.

And some riders just like different settings than others. Frankly, it is very hard / impossible for a vendor to guess the damping setting an individual rider will need or want. They often even get the spring rate wrong, as a more aggressive rider may and a stiffer spring than a mild rider wants.

And finally, I think most vendors selling adgustable damping shocks use the same basic dampening for a wide range of springs, and count on the user adjusting the damping to suit themselves.

All that said, most riders, myself included, are pretty tolerant of of "non-optimal" suspension. That is why the factory shock and settings often work for a wide variety of riders.
 
Well stated.

I guess once you know what you want you can find the vendor who supplies it.

And in all honesty some people just want adjustment, and there are vendors who provide it every flavor.

So aside from adjustment, or lack thereof, is there a technical benefit to using a reservoir for street bikes?
 
BISavage said:
So aside from adjustment, or lack thereof, is there a technical benefit to using a reservoir for street bikes?
Click to expand...
Some people think the reservoirs look really cool! ;-)
The reservoir allows the shock to have a greater fluid volume and helps keep the fluid cooler. I think if you work the shock hard enough the extra volume helps reduce shock fade. Certainly likely to matter if you take your Svartpilen on a long ride down a bumpy dirt road. Probably doesn't matter if all your riding is at a modest pace on smooth roads.
Remote reservoir shocks also separate the gas and oil. And some shocks (most?) without the remote reservoir allow the gas and oil to mix: an emulsion shock.
I *think* all the higher end shocks like Ohlins and Nitron, even without remote reservoirs, are non-emulsion. But I wouldn't be so sure about the WP stock shock.

Me personally, I just need something that doesn't slam my spine over expansion joints, road ridges and cattle guards. More than that is just bike jewelry for me. Sometimes I like that too. 💎
 
BISavage said:
Ok, but I'm not sure why one would need adjustment when its properly tuned?
Click to expand...

The consensus is that no you can't properly tune the suspension without separate compression adjustment, I talked to a number top racers at the track and suspension experts and they all said rear shock without remote reservoir is simply garbage. Don't be cheap and just get it :) .
 
Aren't about all the quality aftermarket shocks from any given manufacturer whether with / without the remote reservoir exactly the same shock, with either a hose and reservoir or a blank screw in the hole?

Kinda the same as the preload adjuster, you just add it to the same model shock if you want to have more knobs to play with.
 
I'm a bit confused as to what exactly what are you trying to say?

External Reservoirs are for looks?
You don't need any adjustments?
All aftermarket shocks are the same?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom