Road test of a reasonably priced shock

[Storkfoot]

I have had my issues with shock absorbers in the last few years but, even so, I still find it hard to lash out £200 on a bgm one. So, I bought a Scootopia one for £70. I kind of think that a lot of people go through the same thought process as me and there is little real world experience of these shocks, it seems to me. That's the reason for this thread.

I would say that it appears very similar to a Stratos I have had previously but which retail for a fair bit more than £70.

I have only fitted it today but just thought I'd share my experiences with it over the next few months. It is fitted to a GP TS1225 with MB progressive front springs and Scootopia front dampers.

Initial impressions are that it is well made, nice and solid with, what appear, sturdy bushes. The shock next to it in one of the pics is a standard Escort. It weighs significantly more than the Escort and you can see the spring is thicker.

Anyway, here's a few pics and I'll report back over the months ahead, both with and without serious rally going gear on the back.

[ToBoldlyGo]

I'd be interested to know what you make of it. I'm thinking about getting one too. Initial impression is that it looks the part. An uprated standard looking shocker that isn't in your face.

[mickyb]

Fitted one to mine, can't fault it for the price. Nice to be able to alter spring preload

[Donnie]

Interesting looking, Im in the market for a new shock soon as my escort bushes are starting to go. I have one of the early hagons sat on a shelf for years as I never refitted it after the failings they had

[HxPaul]

I had one fitted to my series 2 and had to take it off and refit my Escort shock because the Scootopia shock was too long.Here's a picture of it,mine has a black spring.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scootopia-Lam ... SwjC9ZhGH3

[ladsdad]

... will be interesting to see how this shock fares over the long term, I've had a few poor experiences with so called quality remade parts from your shocks supplier recently ranging from just doesn't fit to useless.... so hope they can redeem themselves a bit.
Not wanting to hijack your thread but if your in the market for a good quality British made fully re-buildable, adjustable shock,& it's available in different lengths, have a look at the one's Protect sell. A bit more expensive at £156 Inc vat but recommended by people who do a few miles & shock absorbers is all they make, no trying to sell you other Lambretta tat...

Good luck Mark.

[burnside]

I've got a Hagon rear shock in my S3 and more than happy with it, adjustable and British made and a few pence change from £100

[Toot]

I've got a Hagon rear shock in my S3 and more than happy with it, adjustable and British made and a few pence change from £100

Have to agree.

[LuiLui]

I've got the Scootopia one but only done a few hundred miles so far, happy with the fit and the ride but I can only compare it against my old escort one. For seventy squids I think it was a good choice.

[corrado]

Interesting looking, Im in the market for a new shock soon as my escort bushes are starting to go. I have one of the early hagons sat on a shelf for years as I never refitted it after the failings they had

Why not send it back to them Paul to check or replace the bushes that were too hard, that way at least you'll have peace of mind selling it on if you choose not to use it.

[HxPaul]

Interesting looking, Im in the market for a new shock soon as my escort bushes are starting to go. I have one of the early hagons sat on a shelf for years as I never refitted it after the failings they had

Mines for sale if you want it.The reason it wont fit is because I have a Scootopia clubman and the exhaust hits the runner board first.Its 320mm eye to eye (centre to centre)The Escort that I've fitted is 305mm.The adjustable shock cost £70 + P&P,its for sale for £50 inc.postage.

[Donnie]

Interesting looking, Im in the market for a new shock soon as my escort bushes are starting to go. I have one of the early hagons sat on a shelf for years as I never refitted it after the failings they had

Why not send it back to them Paul to check or replace the bushes that were too hard, that way at least you'll have peace of mind selling it on if you choose not to use it.

I remember that many did send them back but I thought there was a certain window of opportunity and assumed I'd missed it?

[Feersum Injun]

I got one at the start of the season and have done both SDR and C2C on it travelling from Wirral, as well as my daily commute. So that's probably around 1500 miles then. So far it's been great and so much better than the S2 Escort I had on. Handling is great on corners whereas the the Escort was like trying to control a space hopper... I've never actually adjusted the damper though, I just put it straight on. Setting looks similar to that in the OP photo. I'd interested in hearing if you've been tinkering with this??

[HxPaul]

Interesting looking, Im in the market for a new shock soon as my escort bushes are starting to go. I have one of the early hagons sat on a shelf for years as I never refitted it after the failings they had

Why not send it back to them Paul to check or replace the bushes that were too hard, that way at least you'll have peace of mind selling it on if you choose not to use it.

I remember that many did send them back but I thought there was a certain window of opportunity and assumed I'd missed it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REAR-SHOCKER- ... SwBLlVaKtt

[Storkfoot]

Initial impressions are pretty good. I've tried it at quite a soft setting and it's still firmer than an Escort. I have, however, settled at a fairly stiff setting as that's what I prefer.

I have only done 350 off miles on it though, so it's early days. Less than half those miles were laden up with tent and spares on the back. Both front and rear felt grounded without being harsh.

Oh, and the bushes still look mint

[Tractorman]

Initial impressions are pretty good. I've tried it at quite a soft setting and it's still firmer than an Escort. I have, however, settled at a fairly stiff setting as that's what I prefer.

I have only done 350 off miles on it though, so it's early days. Less than half those miles were laden up with tent and spares on the back. Both front and rear felt grounded without being harsh.

Oh, and the bushes still look mint

Got to agree. I have been using one for a few months now and it is clearly better than the none adjustable one it replaced.

[Cgt75b]

Great informative post thanks for sharing your experiences.

[foremanbob]

My scootopia rear shock has chucked it with only 137 miles under its belt...

I'm becoming less and less impressed with the quality of Scootopia stuff recently

Scootopia ex shock, now just a spring by Robert Burns, on Flickr

I've contacted them to see what they say.... this had the potential to be serious....

[ToBoldlyGo]

Ouch! The rod is gone altogether. I wonder how Mr Storkfoot is getting on with his?

[HxPaul]

My scootopia rear shock has chucked it with only 137 miles under its belt...

I'm becoming less and less impressed with the quality of Scootopia stuff recently

Scootopia ex shock, now just a spring by Robert Burns, on Flickr

I've contacted them to see what they say.... this had the potential to be serious....

I woudn't hold your breath.I contacted them ages ago about the problems I encounted,I'm still waiting for an answer.