Date:         Wed, 9 Sep 1998 18:31:23 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      Syncro: OEM Boge vs KYB shocks again
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have some more first hand data on the merits of KYB and Boge shocks on a
syncro, specifically a syncro Westfalia. At the beginning of this summer,
after running with the KYB GasAdjust shocks for almost two years, I
installed a new pair of OEM Boge shocks. The ride was better with the OEM
shocks but the handling was not as good as with the KYBs. After about 3
months and 3000 miles, I switched back to the KYB GasAdjusts (same pair).
The switch confirmed my original perceptions: Handling is significantly
better with the KYB shocks. To be precise (as precise as subjective
perceptions can be), there is much less side to side sway with the KYBs.
This is especially noticeable when simultaneously slowing down and turning
as when braking on a cloverleaf freeway exit. When I first reinstalled the
OEM shocks, I actually felt a bit unsafe for a while because I was used to
taking the exits at a higher speed with the KYBs. The downside of the KYBs
is the harsher ride--every little bump in the road is a jarring thud,
especially with the tires inflated to 44 psi or so. I'm going to stick with
the KYBs though as the better handling is more important to me than the
softer ride.

One criticism of using the KYBs for syncros is that they limit suspension
travel because they don't extend as far as the OEM shocks. I measured both
shocks and here are the results:

KYB GasAdjust: 22 5/8"
OEM Boge: 23 5/16"

The measurements were made from center to center of the mounting holes.
There is a difference of 11/16". This difference is probably significant to
hard core offroaders, but I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference
otherwise.

Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westfalia