► Seats (too high, too hard, pillion...) and suspension

[GS Biker]

Does anyone have the Ohlin shocks fitted ?

I'm looking into the possibility of fitting ohlin shocks to my F650 08

has anyone fitted them to the F650GS (twin)

I'm looking into the Ohlin rear shock BM801 S46PR1B and ohlin Progressive Fork Springs, the rear being modified to match my weight of 213lb or 96kg or 15-3 stones. as i understand it the fronf forks will then stiffen up 10-15% to compliment the rear.

Has any one done this with the F650GS or F800GS I would be greatfull of any hands on feed back from the Ohlins or any other shock absorber system.

Thanks,

Dean

As a matter if interest, what do you find wrong with the standard set up?

 

[Dean]

Shocking

As a matter if interest, what do you find wrong with the standard set up?

I'm just probing the what if at the moment ....


I usualy adjust the rear spring load at its highest setting and when I sit on the bike with my weight I get a fair amount of sag as the spring is rated for a certain weight rayio

so i'm exploring the advantages of fitting a rear shock taylor made for my weight one suspension specialists is sugesting an increased shock height of 9mm which will give a 3 to 1 ratio of 27mm increased seat height! another is sugesting uprating the rear ohlin to suit my 96.6 kg of weight. the front forks uprated will compliment the rear and will have less dive characteristics.

also....

They say:" Öhlins the world’s-leading performance suspension components for motor vehicles, from two to four wheels. Öhlins suspension components transform a vehicle’s performance more than any other modification, improving acceleration, handling, and braking in every condition and extreme. Öhlins specializes in the technology of fun.

Famous for its fitment on world-championship winning motorcycles and automobiles in every class of racing, Öhlins shocks, forks and steering dampers provide the ultimate in control and confidence for drivers and riders of all types of machines. From motorsports to dirt riding to tuners to touring and cruising, Öhlins has a product or service to improve the experience."



aparently I will notice a vast improvement and more positive feel from the bike.


so i just thought I would post it here to see if anyone can offer any feed back of fitting the ohlin front and rear to specificaly the F800, F650 and hear there personal view

Dean

 

[bikinalong]

First post, so be gentle! I bought the BMW comfort seat late last year, and it seems to have snowed ever since (I blame the Bavarians), so I've only done one longish trip. Straight away, it is much more comfortable. Slightly higher seating position. However, with the bucket effect to the seat, it means you can't slide back. The riding position is further forward and slightly supermotard, and takes some getting used to. It will get a much better test in July when I head to the Pyrenees for my annual Tour de France fix.

Hi v8legend

How are you getting on with your new seat? I'm going down my local dealer in the morning to have a sit on one but i thought the stock seat was ok when you sit on it in the show room, I'm really after some idea what its going to be like after a couple of hours use. I know we are all unique with our needs but any opinions will be great.

Matt

 

[v8legend]

Hi v8legend

How are you getting on with your new seat? I'm going down my local dealer in the morning to have a sit on one but i thought the stock seat was ok when you sit on it in the show room, I'm really after some idea what its going to be like after a couple of hours use. I know we are all unique with our needs but any opinions will be great.

Matt

Hi bikinalong. I'm now getting on fine with the comfort seat. The original seat feels fine in the showroom, but turns into a plank after about 1 hour. This one is much better, although I haven't managed any really long runs yet (blame the weather). It is slightly higher than standard, and the seating position is further forward, and initially took some getting used to. However, that is something I no longer think about. Having said all that, my mate with the same bike has no problems with his seat at all, although he is much lighter than me. But then again, I am allways the first to start squirming at the cinema.

 

[GS Biker]

I'm just probing the what if at the moment ....


I usualy adjust the rear spring load at its highest setting and when I sit on the bike with my weight I get a fair amount of sag as the spring is rated for a certain weight rayio

so i'm exploring the advantages of fitting a rear shock taylor made for my weight one suspension specialists is sugesting an increased shock height of 9mm which will give a 3 to 1 ratio of 27mm increased seat height! another is sugesting uprating the rear ohlin to suit my 96.6 kg of weight. the front forks uprated will compliment the rear and will have less dive characteristics.

also....

They say:" Öhlins the world’s-leading performance suspension components for motor vehicles, from two to four wheels. Öhlins suspension components transform a vehicle’s performance more than any other modification, improving acceleration, handling, and braking in every condition and extreme. Öhlins specializes in the technology of fun.

Famous for its fitment on world-championship winning motorcycles and automobiles in every class of racing, Öhlins shocks, forks and steering dampers provide the ultimate in control and confidence for drivers and riders of all types of machines. From motorsports to dirt riding to tuners to touring and cruising, Öhlins has a product or service to improve the experience."



aparently I will notice a vast improvement and more positive feel from the bike.


so i just thought I would post it here to see if anyone can offer any feed back of fitting the ohlin front and rear to specificaly the F800, F650 and hear there personal view

Dean

Fair enough, have you looked at other products? Let us know how you get on, if you decide to but the up rated system? Will be interesting to know.

 

[Tengiz99]

BMW Comfort Seat

Bought the comfort seat this week, have not had that much time on the bike recently so was hoping that the change in seat would ease the 'erse' breaking in period when I got back in the, er, saddle.

Went out for a good hours run today and I'm finding it quite hard to live with so far. The sitting position is quite different, because of the curved back to the seat, you are forced into a quite forward and upright sitting position. At 6' 1" and a 32" inside leg, it leaves me a bit more forward than I'd like to be, more upright and with the knees and angles more bent. With this position, finding the gear lever and rear brake is a bit of a struggle, and though probably it's just the fact that I'm not used to it yet. It makes a fairly tall bike seem smaller somehow. More of an issue is that it also seems to have me sitting on the, er, how can I put this, me nuts basically. Dunno if it's the raised seat pulling my trousers up at the back and therefore gradually pulling the 'lads' back into the very tight space between my legs and the seat, but it will definitely take some looking at. Going out on a day trip tomorrow so will play around with my seating position and see how it pans out.

I took some pics to get some comparisons.

Side by side.

Standard seat.

Comfort seat.

Standard seat from the front.

Comfort seat from the front.

 

[Buz]

Looking at one of these myself, where did you purchase the comfort seat?
I know what you say about 'the lads' i find the original seat causes numb nuts at times!!!!
Being 5'7" i'm wondering how it will effect the riding position?

 

[Tengiz99]

Buz,
BMW North Oxford didn't have one in stock, but they did have a customer order that they let me sit on and try for size, well as much as you can do when sitting on a static bike for 10 minutes. They had it delivered to them next day and for 6 quid DHL'd to anywhere in the UK the following day.

Been out for another spin, think it's the nethers between the boys and the bum that is carrying the load now.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

I can recommend the BMW OEM Rally seat for those with long inseams. I've had torn knee ligament surgery in my left knee last autumn and wanted a higher seat for relief during rehab. I therefore ordered my new 2010 800GS with the additional BMW Rally seat - being 2,5cm higher and somewhat narrower then the stock seat.

Here a pic from German GS-forum:

http://www.yatego.com/bohling-eisel...2118c950d70_2,rallye-sitzbank--f800gs--f650gs

My inseam is 36" and much to my surprise the Rally seat actually was more comfortable than the original seat pan. The real pro bonus being the flatter seat profile omitting sliding forward when braking/decelerating. My initial scepticism on this seat from other people's reports soon vanished. It's actually more comfortable for my prefs on multi-hour rides than the original standard seat.

I ride all-year and really appreciate this reasonably priced BMW extra. For me the flat, non-sculpted Rally seat has been a very nice, positive surprise - actually improving my long distance comfort. I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and recommend the Rally seat since it releaves knee angle and allows a good freedom of seat position enroute. I can move freely back/forth and personally find the seat foam more than adequately comfortable even after several hours in the saddle.

__________________
Norway :adv:
________________________________
Current stable:
2010 BMW F800GS
'04 BMW F650GS Dakar
'94 Honda ST1100
'09 Garmin Zumo 550

 

[jeff]

Numb Ass

Pictures show me And Trish on our 1200GSA with new friend Stefan who had ridden his new F800 from Holland. To quote him "I need an ass transplant or a new seat". On his way to Turkey where a seat upgrade will be first priority

 

[v8legend]

Bought the comfort seat this week, have not had that much time on the bike recently so was hoping that the change in seat would ease the 'erse' breaking in period when I got back in the, er, saddle.

Stick with it. It does take some getting used to.

I'm still not totally sure on the new riding position (several months later), however it's not that it's bad, it's just not natural, feels a bit hypermotard.

But (Big Butt), it's definately got rid of the arseache!

 

[v8legend]

Buz,
BMW North Oxford didn't have one in stock, but they did have a customer order that they let me sit on and try for size, well as much as you can do when sitting on a static bike for 10 minutes. They had it delivered to them next day and for 6 quid DHL'd to anywhere in the UK the following day.

Been out for another spin, think it's the nethers between the boys and the bum that is carrying the load now.

Your info says Dublin, but I'll assume that you're nearer. If you want to try the Comfort seat for a bit longer, send me a pm.

 

[v8legend]

Pictures show me And Trish on our 1200GSA with new friend Stefan who had ridden his new F800 from Holland. To quote him "I need an ass transplant or a new seat". On his way to Turkey where a seat upgrade will be first priority

So, it's not just mine. Another topbox/panniers that don't line up!

 

[Tengiz99]

Your info says Dublin, but I'll assume that you're nearer. If you want to try the Comfort seat for a bit longer, send me a pm.

Thanks for the offer but I bought it anyway, I thought I could always sell it if I didn't get on with it. Like so many things, you just have to give it a good try before deciding if it works for you or not.

Weather is beautiful today, taking her out for a spin, will go find some nice twisty irish roads to play on!

 

[SKON]

Perhaps some before and after photos of `the lads` (and`lassies`) would be useful.
A set for each of the available seating options, would no doubt be very helpful to the would be purchaser of aftermarket options.Perhaps this would also assist BMWs marketing department, with thier decisions regarding the acceptable level of discomfort and distress they can get away with inflicting on thier loyal customers

 

[bob the grizz]

Seats

I had my seat upgraded by Tony Archer in Huddersfield, £80. to sculpt the seat and £60. to put in Gel pad, well worth the ££ excellent service.
See pics-



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A FEW PICS OF MY GS800 WHILE TOURING IN PORTUGAL BIKE WENT LIKE A DREAM NO PROBLEMS (was worried after reading forum problems)

 

[bob the grizz]

http://i49.tinypic.com/11qnx34.jpg

 

[Dean]

http://i49.tinypic.com/11qnx34.jpg

I like it Bob the grizz

looks very nice great yellow piping blends it with the bike and it looks realy comfy

seems a fair price for a good job

 

[SKON]

Yeah that looks the Biz Bob! If it rides as good as it looks,reckon you got bargain Glad your Portugal jaunt went without major setback.The forums can give a few worries sometimes!
Did the rework on the seat make a big difference to the amount of time you could comfortably keep riding for?

 

[lunchbox]

Airhawk

I have just taken delivery of a new Airhawk small cruiser sized inflatable cushion. Tried it out for a couple of days and it is OK,...but.... because the 8gs seat dips so much you tend to sink into the Airhawk and the linked air pouches you sit on push up in front and behind your arse, meaning you can no longer move around on the seat (and giving you betty swallocks this weather). It also raises your sitting position a bit so negating my lowered seat and Vario tall screen somewhat! I am not convinced but it may come into its own on a trip to the Pyrenees in August. Next attempt at comfort is a pair of crotch padded cycling shorts under my summer trousers, which feels like you are wearing an incontinence pad but may prove effective.....watch this space.