Rear shocks

[proctorls]

I guess I'm not quite clear on this rear suspension/handling thing.  My '84 LS has the original shocks on it (67K).  When I tore it apart a while back, I looked for an excuse to replace them, but they seemed to still have good damping and freedom of movement, so I put them back on.  Since then I've put on several thousand miles of moderate to hard riding on the back roads of Vermont.  Even when I'm pushing my personal limits, the bike has never dealt me any nasty surprises.  Even a bump or wallow in the  middle of a hard corner causes no more than a brief nod, and an immediate return to the correct line.  About the only complaint I have is the suspension seems a little harsh on some of our rougher roads..
I've had people tell me I need to spend upwards of $500 to get a really good pair of shocks, but I have to ask, where's the advantage?  Am I going to become a faster, better rider?  I feel like I really haven't yet found the limits of the factory units. And how will I know when I do?  Or do I not want to go there?

Steve

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

How old are you?  I am 53, and I've quit worrying about speed, so a pair of $200 Hagons were good enough for me.

Advantages of spending a lot of money are rebuild-ability and more adjustments, like damping.

If you are happy with your original shocks, don't worry about it.  But most of them on bikes this age are past their prime.  

These are not sport-bikes by the modern definition, so unless you have a lot of money to spend, why should you?

[montmil]

Are you sure the shocks are OEM? Urban legend says the factory rear shocks were worn out when the bike was first uncrated. I dunno.

The originals have a lever at the bottom of the coil spring that's used to set preload. You gots? You also could simply have a pair of good shocks. My '83 has OEM's but until I can challenge Rossi for the lead, I'll keep 'em.

Post a photo perhaps for identity.

Monte

[proctorls]

Pretty sure the shocks are OEM, but I don't know if they're the ones that came on the bike.  They do have the adjusting levers.  
I'm working on an ID photo.  It will show this 65-year old Vermonter and his 25-year old German mistress.

Steve

[montmil]

 It will show this 65-year old Vermonter and his 25-year old German mistress.Steve

Is that what they mean when they say, "riding a naked bike?"  [smiley=evil.gif]

Monte

[Altritter]

Is that what they mean when they say, "riding a naked bike?"

Oh, the fun I could have with that set-up line, were this an all-male forum.   Monte, you're a helluva straight man!  

My $.02 contribution: Whatever shocks we buy, at our ages, they probably will outlast us.   (Since most of us are male, that probably goes for female companions, too.   ) Bottom line: At this comfort, go for comfort, not speed. If they feel good, go for them.