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Old 10-02-2014, 09:12 AM   #1
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FYI: New Koni Shock for Western Alpine

Subject: New Koni Shock Replacement for Western Alpine

The original shock recommended for my Western Alpine 38FD were Koni FSD 8805-1021 for the front. Koni has a new Heavier duty shock available now for the front. A Koni 99B-3209 without the dustcover.

I have had this Alpine about a year with approximately 61594 miles on it and do not know if the shocks had ever been replaced. My coach would porpoise on bumps to the point that on a recurring rough patch, like on a bridge, control was difficult. I went to the FMCA rally in Perry Ga in March 2014 and had the Koni shocks replaced on the front with the same 8805 shocks. A Koni representative was there and came out to the coach to look over the situation as I already had Koni shocks that had a life time guarantee. The 8805 shocks were worn out so the new 8805 were an improvement.

As it turns out I was on an east coast trip and found out that I was going to be near the factory. KONI wanted to do ride work on my Alpine coach, so I allowed them to use my RV to see how the new 99 series shocks would fit and for tuning. They replaced the Koni 8805-1021 (I had put about 3,800 miles on the new 8805) with the New 99B-3209 shock and did some road testing. I have put about 1000 miles on the new 99B and can really tell the difference, for the better. Most bumps do not have any bounce, just a smooth transition over a bump or dip.

I found that the 99 series shock provides less initial roll/lean on corners like on/off ramps, better front end steering control and absorbs bumps in the road much better than the 8805. It does not have the bounce that the 8805 shock had. I would estimate a 30-35% improvement in performance.

- Koni states “that the difference between the 8805 and the 99 series piston is that it is almost 40% larger than the 8805 series (50 mm vs 36). Which means it can take a lot more force, or the same force with less pressure. This improves durability and performance. The 99 series is also our latest shock design. It was developed for high end motorcoaches in Europe, and we are just starting to introduce it in America in the RV market. Both shocks control up and down movement, but we have found a better balance between the two with the 99 series setting.”


My wife used to complain about the roughness and bouncing of the ride with the 8805s. I never hear a word out of her now with the 99B shocks. (Did not mean that to sound like a commercial – just fact)

Duane Fuller
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Old 10-02-2014, 10:25 AM   #2
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Duane,
This is good news. I replaced he Koni's on my rig with another set about 18 months ago. Replacement was under the lifetime warranty program. When these shocks go kaput I'll look into the 99 series.
Thanks for the info.
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Old 10-02-2014, 10:33 AM   #3
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I read this post as well and even on the Koni website they don't have these listed. I sent Koni a message asking when these would be available and what the cost will be.

Geoff
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Old 10-02-2014, 12:09 PM   #4
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Just received this from Justin at Koni. The reply to my message was quick!

Geoff: thanks for your interest in Koni. The 99B3209 shock is in production and will be available around January 15.

The list price is $248 each, and if you want to do the work yourself, you can buy online from us for about 225.

I will update the website in the coming months so it is available to order once it is produced and ready for shipment.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Justin
I guess I will have to put up with my "bounce" for a few more months!

Geoff
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Old 10-02-2014, 04:33 PM   #5
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Glad to hear that they have made a change!! But too late for me. I already switched.
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Old 10-02-2014, 04:39 PM   #6
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Hi Jim

Until I saw this post I was going to change out the 8805s in the next week or so. I'll wait now until these new ones come out.

Geoff
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Old 10-03-2014, 07:00 PM   #7
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Nice. I will probably update my Koni's the first of the year. I certainly noticed a vast improvement over the stock shocks when I replaced them quite a few years ago.
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Old 11-18-2014, 04:25 AM   #8
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Thank you all for this valuable information. There, 99's on my wish list for the new year.
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Old 11-19-2014, 06:10 PM   #9
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http://www.konirv.com/nextstep.cfm?M...0g5pPKKWprxvQY

The 99's are in. Come and get em.
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Old 11-19-2014, 07:28 PM   #10
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Thanks for that info and link on the 99s. I better get in line!

Geoff
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Old 11-20-2014, 07:40 AM   #11
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Just visited with Justin McCoy at Koni. Here is what he said:

"Don’t get me wrong, I love the buzz that is going on around this shock right now. I just don’t think I can guarantee that anybody will get some in their Christmas stocking this year."

So, appears that the website is slightly ahead of the product. Sorry Santa.

Sure sounds like they will be worth waiting for.

Brett
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Old 11-20-2014, 08:16 AM   #12
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Just a FYI, are these new shocks "99's" rated by GVWR? Can they be used on my bus? GVWR 44K? Thanks.
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Old 01-23-2015, 06:26 PM   #13
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Just got mine from UPS today. Will give a report in a few weeks. I have about 60,000 or more miles on my present Koni's.

I was expecting a high pressure shock and these are not. Interesting.
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Old 01-23-2015, 06:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich and Cork View Post
Just got mine from UPS today. Will give a report in a few weeks. I have about 60,000 or more miles on my present Koni's.

I was expecting a high pressure shock and these are not. Interesting.
I'm looking forward to your impressions. My understanding is this is not a gas pressure shock (like a Bilstein), it's an emulsion shock with a larger bore and piston with new valving. I just replaced my shocks with Koni's and I expect to get at least 20,000 miles out of them before I replace again.
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