Rear Suspension

One of the great things about this bike is the rear monoshock. However, the aged air assisted damper is heavy, soft and frankly woeful.

Replacing the shock is right up there on the 'must do' list for any XV and there are really only 2 options:

• find a stock sportsbike shock and modify the mounting to make it fit
• buy a custom shock that is designed for the XV

Sportsbike shock

The length of the stock shock is much longer than most modern sportsbike shocks so even before we look at travel, spring rates and damping there has to be a shock that might fit. As part of the build plan on this bike, I am trying not to modify the frame of the bike to make any changes as simple as possible (and less likely to cause an issue later). This means modifying the frame to accept a shorter shock is not an option. Based on my research there is only one that is even close to matching the length - from a Triumph Daytona T595. From the meagre information I could find online, the shock characteristics are close enough to work, but finding one that is in good condition is like finding a needle in a haystack. Stylistically, the shock is not the prettiest thing out there and there is a remote reservoir that needs to be mounted on the bike somewhere...

Custom Shock

There are a limited number of companies doing custom shocks for the XV; Hagon makes an excellent adjustable shock with internal reservoir that is a bolt on change that has been designed for the bike. And it looks amazeballs...

There was only ever one choice...