Hondasxs
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Testing the 2024 Talon 1000 with SHOWA Shocks
It's early June, and the HondaSxS Club's Pioneer Takeover is in full swing. This year, we had some special visitors from Honda making rounds, seeing owner rigs, asking lots of questions, and gathering feedback. One frequent complaint from Talon riders was the stiffness of the Fox Shocks. Honda claims the 2024 Talon with the Showa Shocks is designed to address these concerns. Shortly after my return, I received an invite to test the new Showa Shocks.2024 Updates to the Honda Talon 1000 with SHOWA Shocks
Outside of the new SHOWA Shocks, there are no additional updates to the Talon 1000 for 2024. However, Honda left us with some confusion in 2023 with the carryover year "S-model," so we will clarify this now.For all intents and purposes, it’s best to consider the 2023 "S-model" as a 2022 model. This temporary model's primary purpose was to push over excessive inventory while awaiting a late-year model changeover.
Mid-year, Honda introduced the real 2023 Talon 1000 (not the S model) along with the new Talon 1000 R4. Read more on the R4 here. This model included many welcomed upgrades that users really enjoy. Most notably, these upgrades include full coverage doors, upgraded power steering, a new return-to-center function, improved programming, Kenda tires, and a few other odds and ends. One feature I personally find positive is the retraction of the wheelbase by 1.5 inches in the front, which dramatically helps reduce the turning radius.
Test Driving the 2024 Talon 1000 with SHOWA Shocks
Arriving at "THE FORTY," a desert complex near the King of the Hammers off-road area. Our goal was to give the 2024 SHOWA Shocks a thorough evaluation. We aimed to tackle various terrains, including open deserts, desert canyons, mountains, and Joshua Tree-filled areas. Starting near HammerTown, we rode through Rattlesnake Canyon, Cactus Flats, and other areas, covering approximately 80 miles in total.The Design Approach
For 2024, Honda switched to SHOWA Shocks for the base Talon for several reasons. The most significant reason is the flexibility and ease of tuning for the average user. The SHOWA Shocks allow for more control with a wider range of quick adjustments. Honda claims this results in a more comfortable ride with both high and low-speed rebound control with bottoming-out resistance.Previously, the Fox shocks had only three levels of low-speed adjustment. The new SHOWA Shocks offer 12 clicks of low-speed adjustment and four clicks of high-speed adjustment. While these adjustments require basic tools, we were able to complete adjustments on all four shocks in just a few minutes while out on the trails.
One notable upgrade was the stainless steel shock sleeves. The Fox shocks were prone to wear and tear, as debris could damage the soft aluminum bodies, sometimes causing issues within a few thousand miles. The SHOWA Shocks incorporate a stainless sleeve that extends the shock's lifespan and prevents this issue.
Rider Report
Our ride was quick and intense, with the hammer down more often than not. We sped through the desert mountains, battling dust and heat. The speed kept the wind in my face, making for a decent ride. At several points, we hit maximum speed, reaching the rev limiter a few times throughout the day.Starting off, we encountered sand and whoops. The 4-seater ideal for this terrain. I requested a maximum soft setting to feel the limits, but it was too soft and had me all over the trail. Switching to full hard provided more control but made the ride too stiff. Finally, we settled on about 6 slow and 3 fast, which was the sweet spot for this adventure. During faster runs, I tried to bottom out the shocks in full soft, but didn't want to push it too hard. Despite my caution, I ended up with a flat after hitting a rock in the X4 through the desert mountains taking a hit to a rear tire.
Requesting a Slower Ride
As an East Coast rider, 74 mph on tight wooded trails isn't my thing. I requested a slower pace, between 10-30 mph, for family and beginner riders. To test this, I had to request a side adventure with full soft settings on both low and high-speed compression. My goal was to compare my personal Talon with Fox shocks set to click 1 against the SHOWA at MAX SOFT. I found an uphill rocky section near "KOH Back Door" and did a few slower crawling loops. I only had about 10 minutes for this test before packing up for the day.
Results of the East Coast-Style Ride
Overall, the SHOWA Shocks provided a much softer ride compared to the Fox. The adjustability of the SHOWA allows for a setup suitable for almost anyone looking for a more factory ride. During my side adventure, I navigated rocky trails at a slower pace, and the ride was pleasant. The SHOWA Shocks were noticeably softer out of the box compared to the Fox. I even tried to replicate the hard "thump" at full drop that the Fox shocks often exhibit, but couldn't. Personally, I use limit straps to prevent that issue.
Shown Shortcomings
The SHOWA Shocks do have a few shortcomings. The most significant is the lack of spring pre-load adjustability. The Showa has a fixed spring, meaning there is zero pre-load adjustment. When questioned about this design choice, Honda stood by their decision, mentioning that a user could see a difference of about 2 inches between full soft and full hard. Additionally, the Showa lacks a cross-over ring.
The Tender Spring
We spent some time with the Honda techs trying to understand the purpose of the top springs. Many people think this spring should have some life (spring) at stock settings. Honda referred to this as 1G, (one machine weight, gravity), meaning the spring is designed to absorb more an unloaded or between resting and fully extended state.
Overall Impressions
It's too early to make a definitive judgment, but the SHOWA Shocks seem to be an improvement over the Fox QS3's. They offer more quick adjustment settings on the trail and will be a great option for those needing a more stock sport machine. However, more advanced riders will always prefer shocks that offer greater tunability. My final thoughts are still open and hinge on needing more seat time in the East Coast woods to provide a solid opinion on the SHOWA Shock upgrade for 2024.Additional pictures and info:
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