My off-road adventures came to an abrupt halt, literally, thanks to a leaky rear shock that turned my garage floor into an oil slick! It’s a frustrating situation when a key component fails, especially when you least expect it.
Upon discovering a mysterious puddle of fluid beneath my Kove 800X Rally, I initially struggled to pinpoint the source. It wasn't the usual suspects like engine oil or coolant, leaving me puzzled. However, the moment I wheeled the bike out and put some weight on it, the problem became glaringly obvious. Instead of the expected controlled suspension, the bike felt like a bouncy pogo stick. The puddle? It was the entire contents of the rear shock, completely drained of its damping fluid, leaving only a spring that would make a superhero envious!
But here's where it gets a bit baffling... The bike was stationary in my garage when this happened, not even during an intense ride or a daring jump. This makes the failure particularly peculiar.
A trip back to Kove UK confirmed the issue: the main seal on the rear shock had given way. Interestingly, this shock is designed as a replica of a well-regarded KYB part and had been performing admirably until this point. It features a substantial remote reservoir, operating under roughly 10 bar of pressure. The fact that the failure occurred while the bike was at rest is a head-scratcher, and Kove UK themselves are equally perplexed, with no other similar incidents reported.
One theory I've considered is whether the anti-corrosion fluid I used during a recent cleaning might have played a role. Could the spray have somehow hardened and, upon moving the bike in the garage, nicked the seal? It's a possibility, though we may never know for sure. I'll certainly be keeping a closer eye on it.
And this is the part most people miss: the fix was surprisingly straightforward. Kove UK efficiently replaced the faulty shock. The process involved easy access to the bolts connecting it to the frame and the linkage, allowing it to be simply dropped out and a new one fitted in its place. With the new shock installed, the Kove 800X Rally was instantly restored to its former glory, ready for more adventures.
While at Kove UK, I also had a set of Oxford HotGrip Pro 2.0 heated grips fitted. These are a premium offering from Oxford, boasting two additional heat settings compared to their standard model. Priced at £199.99, they represent a significant step up from the £109.99 standard HotGrips. I'm eager to rack up some more miles in colder weather to determine if those extra heat levels justify the £90 price difference.
My 100-mile journey home through pouring rain and temperatures below 5°C served as an immediate and rigorous test for the new grips. I'm pleased to report they passed with flying colors, suggesting they will be a worthwhile investment for winter riding. Now, let's hope the rear shock proves to be a more reliable companion!
Good to know…
With the shock issue resolved, I'm keen to see if the recent engine tuning, including the Rapid Bike Evo and HP Corse exhaust, has translated into noticeable performance improvements during my next off-road excursion.
The stats:
- Miles this month: 380 miles
- MPG this month: 43mpg
- Costs this month: £41.15 (Fuel), £199.99 (Heated grips)
- Miles to next service: 2110 miles (minor)
What are your thoughts on component failures happening when a vehicle is stationary? Do you think preventative sprays can ever cause damage? Let me know in the comments below!
