Claviger
Aspiring Student
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 6,934
- Location
- Olympia Washington
- Ride
- '21 Z H2, '14 R3R, '02 Daytona 955i
This video I linked, watch his videos when you have some free time. He knows more about racing suspensions that still work well on the street than anyone I'm aware of. He learned the trade working on motorcycle suspension and applied his knowledge to cars. Fatcat suspension is equiped on nearly every SCCA champion car these days, many of which are street driven with the exact same setup. I've ridden in one, and I thought it was the stock suspension because it is so comfortable. There is nothing special about motorcycle suspension theory vs cars.
I'd suggest viewing, in particular, his discussion about Konis (which will apply to Ikons). They're far from bad, but also far from optimized (so are Wilbers).
Starting effort on all these nitrogen gas shocks is going to be too high. Fatcat may be willing to do a one off set of motorcycle shocks, I haven't inquired as the Wilbers are fine for me and I don't want/need a plush ride.
65/130 spring rates aren't all that high to be honest for a Rocket 3. Only slightly higher than the Progressive 444s, what will make them feel stiff is the gas pressure being (too) high.
If you're after drag specific shocks, contact Penske. Skip all others, go directly to Penske (with a big budget). For the right money they'll build a custom setup.
The brilliance of them is only realized in certain scenarios, on seriously bad roads where most suspension will bottom out, the Wilbers will not and cornering where they don't collapse under cornering forces. It's a compromise for sure and one not for everyone.
When you get to the point where you're riding beyond the spring rates established for your weight, and have to start springing for speed instead of weight, the Wilbers are perfection in motion. Weight use to determine spring rates is only ever a starting point for suspension design.
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