Is a 2-way adjustable shock worth it over 1-way?

Totality

Totality

Totality

Soldato
Joined
5 Jul 2007
Posts
2,571
Location
NZ
I am getting ready to purchase a new rear shock to replace the nasty cheap stock one on the 2014 Street Triple (standard not R). The stock only has a preload adjustment but the spring is also too much for my weight and the travel is small.

Nitron customise the shock for your weight, etc and do a 1-way and 2-way model (Sport and Track). The 2-way has individual rebound and compression.

Given I have never adjusted suspension in 15 years of riding (never done a track day and only carried a pillion a handful of times) would a 2-way set up be a waste of money? The Triple is the first bike I have owned that made me think about aftermarket shocks as it is that noticeably bad on the bumpy roads around here. Other bikes I assume have been soft hence weren't as precise on the road, but handled harsh bumps better. My Ducati 848 Evo with Ohlins is hard, but absorbs the bumps a lot better which is what I'm after with the Street.

I originally thought about just getting the 1-way made up for me and having it fitted, but am wondering if the 2-way will give a suspension specialist more fine control when setting it up as you are not just stuck with preload and combined compression/rebound - but can adjust the compression/rebound individually.

Is 2-way just useful if you do tracks - or does it transform biking into something I have never experienced on the road too?
 
yes the 2 way is the better shock, as you may need 2 clicks on one and 3 clicks on the other, the one way adjusts both at the same rate so is a compromise, but will be fine in most cases on the road.
I have just fitted a Nitron shock myself and I went for the combined 1 way adjuster.
also try and fit it yourself, its only 2 bolts, seems a waste of money paying a shop to do it, when it so easy.
you will love the shock, its like night n day over the stock shocks most bikes come with.
also remember the weight you give them is with your gear n helmet on and not just your weight in your jeans n T-shirt
 
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The nitron's seem to come pretty well set up if you give them all the right details like weight and riding style. As you say the 2 way is only worth it if you want to get it set up further or you know what you are doing and can fine tune it further. For the road it's probably not worth it.
 
^ lol this, no suspension is any good without professional setup.

I would just got to the sport option for the ST Totality, or even better if you can get one the rear shock of the Daytona, they go straight on.
 
Was talking to the suspension specialists in NZ about options for bikes and it turns out they are based in the same town as me - utterly random so decided to just pop on down to their workshop.

It's like a candy store for suspension. Multiple dyno machines and different shocks and brands everywhere. They have already tested the suspension on the new Street Triples and confirm they are utter garbage. They recommended Nitron out of the options they have.

Bike is now in the shop whilst I head offshore for two weeks. They are replacing the rear shock with a Nitron Sport model and customising the spring to suit bike and weight, then doing the work required on the front forks with new valves, oil, springs, etc as needed and putting the bike on a suspension dyno to get it all tweaked and adjusting as needed!

He advised against the 2-way model as I won't ever be touching it and will just be riding it on the road. He said to just spend less on the 1-way model and the rest of the money upgrading the front to match.

Still dissapointed in the bad quality of the stock suspension tbh, but glad to be getting it all sorted ready for the 6000KM ride I have planned with a mate in summer round the North and South Island :D
 
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