Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Topic: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride (Read 1574 times) previous topic - next topic

Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

April 12, 2018, 08:44:47 am

I'm wanting to replace the OEM shocks and thought I would ask if any members have tried the Bilstien Comfort shocks. I know many members prefer the Koni FSD and both would probably be noticeably better than the OEM Bilstiens. The Koni's are considerably more $$.$$ and may be worth the cost. Motorhome magazine had an article that gave the nod to the Bilstien for a softer ride over rough roads and expansion joints, like I40 thru Oklahoma. Any personal experience with both? Pro's and con's on either?

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #1 – April 12, 2018, 12:11:22 pm

They are both great shocks, had the Bilistiens on my SOBs, Konis on this coach. Got to say, these KONIs provide the BEST ride I've ever had!

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #2 – April 12, 2018, 01:01:33 pm

I checked the Motorhome magazine article and noticed that it was 9 years old. I would be interested in finding something current. I don't think you would find comparisons on a blog, since most of us buy one or the other. I would pay attention if someone had a negative experience - harsh ride over expansion joints, for example.
I am also looking for shocks, but are leaning toward the Bilsteins since they are significantly less and offer an comparable ride to the Konis. In the nine years since the article, I would assume that they have only improved.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #3 – April 12, 2018, 01:43:35 pm

I would go with the Koni's.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #4 – April 12, 2018, 07:14:46 pm

I took the Foretravel production tour today and they put Bilistiens on the Realm. I did not ask about the IH-45.
The tour is impressive.
Jim

2002 U320 42' with 1000 watts of solar

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #5 – April 12, 2018, 07:36:13 pm

According to Foretravel's 2019 IH-45 Product Guide they use Bilstein shocks too 60mm front and 46mm rear and tag.

I have never had Bilstein shocks so I cannot compare but I have put Koni FSDs on my previous Class C Leisure Travel Van Libero and it made the ride and handling remarkably better. I wished I had put them on sooner!

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #6 – April 12, 2018, 07:37:14 pm

Quote from: John44 – April 12, 2018, 01:43:35 pm

I would go with the Koni's.

Seems like our estimable moderator, Mr. Wolfe, did some modifications to beef up the front end on ours for the KONI shocks, maybe he remembers?

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #7 – April 12, 2018, 09:13:52 pm

Mike,

You have the ONLY U225/U240 with Koni FSD shocks. Our coach was the design coach for the FSD shocks on RV's. I worked with the engineers at Koni in Hebron KY on them-- that is another story!

Yes, Koni has FSD's for newer Foretravels, but they know there are not sufficient number of U225/U240's to warrant a separate product run.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #8 – April 12, 2018, 09:20:50 pm

I am considering just replacing the four fronts now and then changing the rear four later this year or next. I would like to do the fronts before our trip to Utah and Colorado this summer.

Do they all need to be changed at the same time?
Is it not a good practice to use different shocks on the front than the rear?

Biggest reason for this is just to save a little time and $$.$$. The coach doesn't ride bad now, probably is softer and quieter than most new coaches that cost less than 500K sold today. (says a lot for the FT unihome/unicoach with no slides)
Not sure how much the shocks can dampen the expansion joints and potholes anyway, tire pressure would probably affect the ride more than shocks. Pressures are set according to the Michelin tire chart and our front and rear weights.
I am leaning toward the Konis even though they are the more expensive, won't need to purchase shocks again for a very long time.
Just wondering why FT uses the Bilstiens on new coaches.......... $:-\$

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #9 – April 12, 2018, 09:36:05 pm

No problem with different shocks front to rear. Probably would NOT use different shocks in front of/behind a particular axle.

Yes, the Koni FSD's do make expansion joints "less rough", as their dual valving gives them very little dampening over those small, sharp bumps. Agree, tire pressure is at least as important, and probably more so.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #10 – April 13, 2018, 12:24:12 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 12, 2018, 09:13:52 pm

Yes, Koni has FSD's for newer Foretravels, but they know there are not sufficient number of U225/U240's to warrant a separate product run.

Are you saying I cannot get replacement Koni shocks? Yikes!

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #11 – April 13, 2018, 01:18:07 pm

You MAY be able to get them reworked by Koni, but NO, there are no new ones.

They should still have the valving information under my name.

But, suspect they should be good for a number of miles yet.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #12 – April 13, 2018, 01:34:51 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 13, 2018, 01:18:07 pm

But, suspect they should be good for a number of miles yet.

Ya, I see you installed them in May of 2010. 'Blue Book' shows you were around 148k. Yours/mine has 170,000 miles now.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #13 – April 13, 2018, 02:06:38 pm

I would think they are still good,for peace of mind remove the easiest one completely and see how it compresses.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #14 – April 13, 2018, 02:12:47 pm

All Koni shocks should compress EASILY. The vast majority of their dampening is on EXTENSION. So, pushing down to compress should be very easy. Pulling to extend should require a lot of force/time.

That is because dampening on compression adds to effective spring rate, adding to harshness of ride.

Dampening on extension is not nearly as "harmful" to the ride quality.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #15 – April 13, 2018, 10:06:38 pm

Interesting point Brett, that rebooted my brain. Since most of our coaches have variable air spring rate somewhat controlled by the orifice size in the ride height valves I am thinking. This I would think would offer a boatload of suspension tuning opportunities. How close do you think that the factory got it right? Any known tips or simple mods might be of interest.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #16 – April 13, 2018, 10:23:31 pm

I think there was a five second delay built into the ride height system. Zero delay was the older design. Yes I asked those questions then also.

If you really want better handling remount the two rear ride height valves to the front. One in the year.

That was how it should have been built according to mr Neway. Foretravel used a trailer drawing.

I was there when we had him advise on suspension long ago. Old guy with a cigar

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #17 – April 14, 2018, 10:16:45 am

Wouldn't having the two ride height valves in front cause twisting?
The rear is much heavier and to lift it from the front would torque the chassis.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #18 – April 14, 2018, 11:30:18 am

Without knowing a LOT more than I do, I would not rearrange where ride height valves were located.

I am fully aware of coaches with 2 in front, one in the rear and aware that they allow for less lean on cornering (the outer front side's air bags "hold" rather than send their air to the other side).

There is even one chassis designer (Gary Jones) who uses 4 ride height valves-- one for each wheel position.

But, again, this is not something I would suggest a shade tree mechanic (even a good one) "redesign".

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #19 – April 14, 2018, 11:38:01 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 14, 2018, 11:30:18 am

Without knowing a LOT more than I do, I would not rearrange where ride height valves were located.

I am fully aware of coaches with 2 in front, one in the rear and aware that they allow for less lean on cornering (the outer front side's air bags "hold" rather than send their air to the other side).

There is even one chassis designer (Gary Jones) who uses 4 ride height valves-- one for each wheel position.

But, again, this is not something I would suggest a shade tree mechanic (even a good one) "redesign".

Brett, wouldn't 2 in front and one in rear suit a front engine coach? Is that the ones set up that way?

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #20 – April 14, 2018, 11:47:37 am

Chuck,

I have not worked on any FRED's.

But with IFS, I have seen it.

And on the Peak chassis (Gary Jones) used by Alpine, there are 4. I don't know what Gary is using on the Powerglide chassis he designed for Tiffin.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #21 – April 14, 2018, 11:54:24 am

As the saying goes "if it ain't broke don't mess with it" Our setup works fine.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #22 – April 14, 2018, 12:16:56 pm

Tripods are more stable many times than four legs.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #23 – April 14, 2018, 12:18:51 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – April 13, 2018, 10:23:31 pm

I think there was a five second delay built into the ride height system. Zero delay was the older design.

.......... replacing ride height control valves there is a choice between "Standard Flow" and "Immediate Response" have not been able to fully understand exactly what the difference is. I went with "Standard Flow" all seems to be well.

Re: Koni FSD or Bilstien Comfort Ride

Reply #24 – April 14, 2018, 12:33:47 pm

Agree that a tripod might be more stable but that stability is a equalateral triangle,have seen some Safaris with 2 footings in back
and 1 way up front that would be more stable with 4.

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