Community Forums

Daniel6001 · 09-26-2012, 03:00 PM

Hi everyone, does anyone have any info on buying Koni shocks. I checked the web but that's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I heard that Koni are better than Bilstein(advise). Any input you might have would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.
Daniel

336muffin · 09-26-2012, 03:09 PM

I don't know what you have but I changed out the Bilsteins for Koni's on the steer axle and we are very happy with the ride! My opinion I wished I had done it much sooner. We just finished a 6,900 mile trip after the swap and still very pleased.

is.chowa · 09-26-2012, 03:16 PM

I put konis on 4 corners of my ASLY2000. Best move could have made. Try shox.com, price includes delivery.

Steve

wardy · 09-26-2012, 03:21 PM

Just put "Koni" in the search on the top right, there is plenty of discussion on them. I am also a pleased Koni owner, 2nd coach that I installed them on. You will find plenty of Bilstein fans as well with their newer "Comfort" series.

HHIDan · 09-26-2012, 03:28 PM

I just, 2 weeks ago, replaced my 6 Bilsteins for Konis. Purchased from Spartan directly, www.rvchassisparts.com. Very happy with this upgrade, replaced front and then went for a ride before I did the rear drive and tag. The difference is not day and night but it is very noticeable. The rear did not make that much difference but like someone else said, the rear is not bouncing around as much any more. I left the adjustables the way they came (softest). The sheets that came with them to show how to adjust were not much help; the correct procedure is on-line. BTW Konis are made in China...

what next · 09-26-2012, 06:30 PM

Just put Konis on front of my W22 Workhorse 2 months ago. It is much improved, very happy, it was so harsh before we just dreaded every ripple in the pavement. I got them here Koni-RV fast shipping no problems.

Sky_Boss · 09-27-2012, 06:47 AM

Listen, I put on 4 new Konis and like all have reported, great improvement BUT...

I have to think this is an apples to oranges comparison to some extent. Unless someone replaces new shocks of any brand with new shocks of any other brand there is really not an easy way to make a fair, comparative judgement.

Replace old Konis with any new, reputable shock...most will probably say

(Any one for a blind seat of the pants test?)

Old shocks suck...pretty simple. Replacing old shocks with new shocks will always make a big difference.

Now, that doesn't dismiss the other issue of longevity. Cheap shocks will probably start to suck sooner. That also doesn't dismiss the fact that some new shocks of some brands perform better than others.

All that being said, I can't figure out a reason I shouldn't be happy with my Koni FSDs for a long time. I think I will keep them. LOL

sc3283 · 09-27-2012, 07:35 AM

sky_boss...well said

I have 8 new Bilsteins and as sky stated...better than the old....which were 16 yr old Bilsteins

HHIDan · 09-27-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

Listen, I put on 4 new Konis and like all have reported, great improvement BUT...

I have to think this is an apples to oranges comparison to some extent. Unless someone replaces new shocks of any brand with new shocks of any other brand there is really not an easy way to make a fair, comparative judgement.

Replace old Konis with any new, reputable shock...most will probably say

(Any one for a blind seat of the pants test?)

Old shocks suck...pretty simple. Replacing old shocks with new shocks will always make a big difference.

Now, that doesn't dismiss the other issue of longevity. Cheap shocks will probably start to suck sooner. That also doesn't dismiss the fact that some new shocks of some brands perform better than others.

All that being said, I can't figure out a reason I shouldn't be happy with my Koni FSDs for a long time. I think I will keep them. LOL

Fair enough, except I read in another thread about someone who was testing shocks for a certain period of time. Both Konis and Bilsteins. I beleive it was MrD. He ended up buying Konis for himself. Some observations I made while replacing my shocks, the Konis were about 1.5 times the size of the Bilsteins and the Bilsteins were only 6 years young not leaking and only 25K miles on the RV...

Belgian · 09-27-2012, 10:45 AM

I replaced the OEM shocks with the Bilsteins. The Bilsteins were far better than the OEM shocks but a little hard on the ride. I then read about the Konis and all the raves from everyone who tried them. So I removed the almost new Bilsteins and replaced them with the Konis. I am very happy with the Konis but they aren't cheap. I bought ours from shox.com

Sky_Boss · 09-27-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian

I replaced the OEM shocks with the Bilsteins. The Bilsteins were far better than the OEM shocks but a little hard on the ride. I then read about the Konis and all the raves from everyone who tried them. So I removed the almost new Bilsteins and replaced them with the Konis. I am very happy with the Konis but they aren't cheap. I bought ours from shox.com

Now THAT is Apples to apples!

Still glad I went with Koni FSDs.

UFO Pilot · 09-27-2012, 11:04 AM

I replaced our factory Bilstein's with Koni's at 6000 miles so I can give you an apples to apples opinion. The Koni's are 100 times better, at least they are on my chassis!

mikron · 09-27-2012, 11:31 AM

2007 F53 cassis under our 2008 A coach 22,500 lbs Koni's, Ssftey T Plus and rear track bar with a 99.99% handling/ride improvement.

jauguston · 09-27-2012, 01:48 PM

Probably one of the best sources for shock recommendations for RV's is Henderson Line-up in Grants Pass,Oregon. A phone call to their tech support guys would be well worth your while. RV handling issues is their business. I took their recommendations to go with Koni FSD's when our last Class A porposed something terrible. It had 25,000 miles on it and the original shocks were Bilsteins. The FSD's totally stopped the porposing.

Jim