too tall, and too slim. I hate you
1150 Ohlins shocks Am I Mad ?
- Thread starter generalconfusion
- Start date
too tall, and too slim. I hate you
I used to think that, but once I'd ridden someone's bike with Ohlins................I was smitten
Any OEM shock is a budget price concious compromise for the manufacturer and whilst it does an 'ok' job..........................once you've tried premium aftermarket suspension, you'll be hooked
dubster
Registered user
I was also bidding on those... but failed to wake up at the required crack of dawn 
Spoils to the victor, good buy
Spoils to the victor, good buy
generalconfusion
Registered user
I was also bidding on those... but failed to wake up at the required crack of dawn
Spoils to the victor, good buy
thanks Dubster I am up at 5 am for work (self employed) but i was winning them for £365 until a last minute bidder bid twice at 11 seconds and 1 second to go !!
Thank you for all the advice I presume they may well be set up about right from the previous owner's bike unless he was way lighter than me (very possible !). If not I will look on the Ohlins site
For piece of mind get them serviced at a local suspension specialist (£80 ish)(will be right for the next 25,000 miles) and, when fitting the rear on just cover the swinging arm with some duck tape/rag immediately below the spring to stop any accidental drop of the old unit marking the paintwork.
Ohlins
I did exactly the same as you and bought a pair on impulse off eBay for my 1200GS as there were no bids on them. You won't regret buying them as they have totally transformed the bike IMHO and when you do sell the bike you will get most of your money back selling them on.
I find the ride they give is very confidence inspiring and they look great.
Darren
I did exactly the same as you and bought a pair on impulse off eBay for my 1200GS as there were no bids on them. You won't regret buying them as they have totally transformed the bike IMHO and when you do sell the bike you will get most of your money back selling them on.
I find the ride they give is very confidence inspiring and they look great.
Darren
generalconfusion
Registered user
just spoke to the technical dept at FTR Suspension and after giving him the kit part numbers he suggested the following set up
front Shock (rebound only) 18 clicks from fully closed (wound in)
rear Shock adjust preload (spring compression) to give 35-40mm sag with rider onboard (allows that amount of upward travel until full extension) and both bump and rebound 12 clicks from fully closed
As Johnny Boxer said the standard 140 nm spring on the rear is designed for a 60-80 kg rider + similar pillion so should be ok solo but may bottom out 2 up with luggage
front Shock (rebound only) 18 clicks from fully closed (wound in)
rear Shock adjust preload (spring compression) to give 35-40mm sag with rider onboard (allows that amount of upward travel until full extension) and both bump and rebound 12 clicks from fully closed
As Johnny Boxer said the standard 140 nm spring on the rear is designed for a 60-80 kg rider + similar pillion so should be ok solo but may bottom out 2 up with luggage
You will definitely want a stiffer spring than the 140nM, if that's what is on the rear
With you @100kg, plus luggage and pillion .................the 140nM spring cope and it will bottom and blow the shock seals and preload adjuster O ring
I did, oil everywhere.....................in the Dolomites on a 1150GS
When I moved to the 1150GSA, in 2005 I was advised to run a 180nM rear spring and no preload, new shock was valved accordingly
I did that and solo or with luggage it's been great, with KAIS Ohlins recommendations
Stiffer spring on my rear Ohlins too, ideally set up for no additional pre load when solo then you won't blow any seals
generalconfusion
Registered user
Thanks Guys I agree about the stiffer spring , but most of my time is solo with no luggage commuting into London , so dont want to go tohard on the spring , does 160 nm with no preload solo and preloaded for the occasional weekend away sound a sensible compromise
i'm about 85Kg and i'm pretty sure my wilburs has a 160 spring. it's really good two up with a fair bit of pre load on it. one up with no pre load, i'd say it's it's slightly too hard.
i certainly don't need a heavier spring, and going back to a 140 (BMW OEM IIRC) would not be any use loaded, so i guess it's the best compromise i can get.
i've never measured or set up the sag. it's all seat of the pants stuff starting with the recommended base settings.
generalconfusion
Registered user
Ok thanks Cookie so if 1 up with you at 85kg its a bit to hard then with my lardy 100kg it should be fine , sounds like I need a 160 then
i just noticed you have 1150 and i was talking about my current 1200.
not to worry - i definitely had a a 160 on the ohlins on my 1150 and i was a few Kgs heavier then
not to worry - i definitely had a a 160 on the ohlins on my 1150 and i was a few Kgs heavier then
motobiker
Registered user
I'd leave them as they are.. possibly consider uprating the spring when they're due a rebuild. but until then and without trying them first. it seems an odd course to take.
seems to me the consensus on this forum is always the same - you've spent some money. but you really do need to spend more.
seems to me the consensus on this forum is always the same - you've spent some money. but you really do need to spend more.
Really, my motto is do a job, do it right and do it once
With the 140nM spring on................I blew all the oil out of newish Ohlins, 2 up in the Dolomites, with just system panniers. I'm 100kg and my girlfriend was 8 stone
The 140nM is too soft - it's designed for a 12 stone bloke, with no luggage of pillion
When I bought new Ohlins for my next GSA, the 180nM went on straight away
Excellent price.
I gave up trying to find reasonably priced second hand Ohlins for my 1100 and have just bought a new rear hyperpro (albeit a custom uprated build) for almost half as much again as you paid for the pair.
I gave up trying to find reasonably priced second hand Ohlins for my 1100 and have just bought a new rear hyperpro (albeit a custom uprated build) for almost half as much again as you paid for the pair.
The Grey One
Registered user
My rear Ohlins went pop when the bike was parked on the mainstand as I was increasing preload ready to take Ros on the back. Preload oil everywhere, I dread to think what might have happened if it had done that on one of our local mountain passes. At that point it had been on for around 10,000 miles. Cost to rebuild remote adjuster and service shocker was £300.
I wonder, seeing the various posts, how much of the improvement is down to having a spring matched to the rider. Having said that there is no doubt that the damping is more controlled than with an OE unit. Discuss!
John
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I think at under £500 you have an absolute bargain. I paid that for 1 2nd hand rear shock for my BMW a few years back.
I'll be selling an almost new pair of Wilburs soon as part of my pre move clear out for around what you paid (mind you they are literally unused).
EBay came up trumps for you.
I'll be selling an almost new pair of Wilburs soon as part of my pre move clear out for around what you paid (mind you they are literally unused).
EBay came up trumps for you.
IMO the spring is too light on the OEM units. i thought germans were big blokes, but bmw don't seem to agree.
i could understand the lightweight springing if they had some decent damping, but that isn't part of the standard shock either.
from my limited experience of the new LC GS, i would say there is a bit more damping, but the spring is still a bit weedy for my personal taste. it still leans towards "built for comfort" a bit too much.
YMMV
