yamakazie
New member
Last year the 02 Viper that I have been in love with for 6000 miles blew a head gasket and washed a rod bearing. I bought an 04 Viper S in mint condition with low miles. I know the obvious differences, Ohlins piggyback shocks and DCS. I was just wondering if there are any other engine, clutching, or other general differences.
Mighty
Member
Hand warmer controls, 1.25 ripsaw.
And
S comes with rear heat exchanger and no tunnel protection.
Madmatt
S comes with rear heat exchanger and no tunnel protection.
Madmatt
sledneckdon
New member
04 has non rebuildable rear shocks. recommend replacing them with Pioneer performance custom valved ones much better ride unless you like bucking bronco's
yamakazie
New member
What if I put the shocks in it from my 02 Viper? Are they better?
Better?
Depends on your perspective. They'd be "better" in the sense that they are rebuildable but they will not be valved as well as the ones in the 04 so they will probably ride a little more harsh. But if your 02 shocks have 6k on them and they have never been freshened then they are overdue too. You'll like the Ohlins on the new one up front. Consider sending the rear 02 shocks to someone like Pioneer or Hygear or REP and have them revalved & freshened. Then pop em in.
Madmatt
Depends on your perspective. They'd be "better" in the sense that they are rebuildable but they will not be valved as well as the ones in the 04 so they will probably ride a little more harsh. But if your 02 shocks have 6k on them and they have never been freshened then they are overdue too. You'll like the Ohlins on the new one up front. Consider sending the rear 02 shocks to someone like Pioneer or Hygear or REP and have them revalved & freshened. Then pop em in.
Madmatt
yamakazie
New member
Thanks for the info. Your right the 02 shocks have never been rebuilt and are way overdue I'm sure. I've never looked into revalving or rebuilding shocks. How do I know how they should be revalved and what does something like that cost?
They are due
There is probably some rule of thumb on how often they need to be done. I ususally do mine every 3k miles or so....or sooner if they don't feel like they are working right. If you dont need much valving changed and if all the parts are in good working order it should be less than $50 per shock. Check out some websites, Hygear and Pioneer are both advertisers on here I believe. I personally prefer Tony's work at REP: www.repracing.net. He does all the suspension work on my kid's race bikes and I think he does a great job.
Madmatt
There is probably some rule of thumb on how often they need to be done. I ususally do mine every 3k miles or so....or sooner if they don't feel like they are working right. If you dont need much valving changed and if all the parts are in good working order it should be less than $50 per shock. Check out some websites, Hygear and Pioneer are both advertisers on here I believe. I personally prefer Tony's work at REP: www.repracing.net. He does all the suspension work on my kid's race bikes and I think he does a great job.
Madmatt
yamakazie
New member
Thanks I'll look into it. For now I'll just use the 04 shocks that are in it. I'll do some research and have the 02's rebuilt to put in later.
One other difference that I recently learned (almost the hard way!) is that the throttle cable on the Viper S is a Y-cable with one of the ends going to the oil pump. I say almost the hard way because the one on my wife's almost broke and we all know what happens next. Obviously nothing special or differenct in terms of performance, but just something else to "keep an eye on".