I have an 01 Cali Stone. At 88kg dry (naked � yuk) I found the Ikon 7610-1500SP8 too hard. I chose these shocks because at 367mm eye to eye they are 27mm longer than standard and offer an extra 10mm travel, better cornering clearance with quicker steering. Supposedly meant for 02 and later EV�s these shocks came with #217 springs, measured by my suspension guru at 2.9kg/mm. He performed his magic internally and it now runs 5wt Silkolene synthetic fork oil. I�m not sure of the valving but can find out if you require.

My favourite 300k loop has 40k of the worst road in Oz, Legume to Woodenbong (no herbs intended J) in northern NSW, virtually a bitumen coated motocross track. With a standard bike, 50-70kph and you�re nearly bounced out of control. With my suspension mods (front included) 80-90kph is the max when standing/jumping/bouncing out of control.

This week I fitted #204 springs (specs on Ikon web site) and what a difference! Averaged 90-100kph, remained seated for the entire performance, never felt stressed, just cruised the whole way and only endured one big hit that hurt my old injuries. I�ve finally reached �NIRVANAH� with my Cali, there ain�t a road on this big Island that can stop me now, even corrugated dirt feels smooth now.

Wayne J.
pmt>at<aapt>dot<net>dot<au

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  I recently installed a set of the IKON shocks from MG Cycle. I have put @2000 miles on then since installation. Those miles have been two up and some with camping gear included. Thus far, I am very satisfied with them. The springs are progressive rate and the preload and rebound damping are adjustable as well. I have been able to find a setting for whatever I needed. In that mileage figure is all varieties of road, four lane to the Virginia Rally and twisties all the way home. The only thing I found bad, if you can call it that, is that with the EV, the rebound adjustment at the top of the shock is nearly inpossible to reach without removing that piece of chrome foo foo. I am currently using a rebound setting of 3.
JD Henry
cougarelim>at<alltel>dot<net

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  I am running the 1529 Ikons which are specified for the (pre' 02) EV. Eye to eye length is within a 1/4 &quot; of the stockers. The bike is much more stable, doesn't pogo over bumps when leaned over. More important for me is I can put in 500+ mile days for weeks at a stretch without a sore butt on the stock seat. With the stockers I was good for about 150 miles tops.
Pete Serrino
serrinop>at<localnet>dot<com

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  I've run a set of 7610s on my old SP 1000 for over 60,000 miles, in all weathers, and with/without pillion/panniers etc. They're a great all-round shock, that are as good now as when I put them on 8 years ago (cost �115) and give just the sort of firm, safe ride a Guzzi should have. Only minor fault is that unless you lube the damping adjuster occasionally, they seize up. The chrome on the bodies is still perfect, but a little of the powder coating on the springs has flaked (but this is with all year use and severe neglect!). I'd definitely buy another set, and will be putting a set of IKONs on my LM1 unless I can find a set of old Konis cheap!
Bob Case
bob>at<caserh>dot<fsnet>dot<co>dot<uk
Wiltshire, England