1150GSA Broken Rear Shock Spring

[JMAC]

Does anyone have any history of the std Rear shock spring of a 1150GSA just simply braking under normal usage? (Solo riding, 14stn, no luggage) If so, is this a problem with the std BMW units? what did you fit in its place?
Thanks

 

[toucan]

i've never heard of it. what mileage is on the bike?

 

[PIGGLET]

A lot of folks reckon the rear shock is past it's best after about 25K miles. I'm sure rider weight and type of riding also have an effect on longevity.
No idea how long a spring itself is good for though
It's the rear shock that has the greatest impact on handling and an aftermarket unit can dramaticaly improve handling over the stock shock whether it's goosed or not.
Popular replacements are Ohlins, Wilbers or WP in no particular order.

 

[Hay Ewe]

The actual spring broke or the shock failed?
got any pictures?

Hay Ewe

 

[Rob Farmer]

A lot of folks reckon the rear shock is past it's best after about 25K miles.

I would have loved 25k out of my GSA rear shock. My first one failed at 4k (replaced under warranty) the replacement failed at 12k. The standard BMW shocks are a fecking disgrace on bikes costing so much. I've had a Maxton on for 13k without any further problems.

Both standard shocks simply lost their damping - no leaks just no damping. I couldn't fault BMW for their replacement service but the quality of the components is crap. The shocks are made by Honda (Showa) so it's only to be expected.

 

[Rugged Path]

I have covered 72K Kms on my 1150GS Adv. on some grievious potted and undulated highways in the ME. I dread the day that happens to me in the middle of nowhere.

We are not exactly inundated with dealerships over here.

Maybe I will do what the local do if something breaks down, leave it and go buy a new one .

 

[JMAC]

The actual spring broke or the shock failed?
got any pictures?

Hay Ewe

The spring has actually fractured into two bits. The bike has not been used that much and only done 10800 miles since new, I have never had a shock fail this way before and BMW want me to jump through hoops to get an engineers assessment before they will consider action. Crap for the cost of the bike!

 

[JMAC]

10800 miles!

 

[sblackmo]

I had the same thing happen to me after about 23,000 miles, the rear spring just broke in half. I only ride solo but did have the habit of Jumping over speed control bumps on the way to work - I put it down to that.

For the same price as the standard BMW shock I bought an Ohlins, much better and hopefully will last a bit longer...

 

[JMAC]

I have also riden over the odd speed hump but never launched the bike. The failure is not what you would expect from a shock costing £500. You are right, I will swap to Ohlin or WP.
thanks

 

[davegs]

Shocks

On a little poodle on the bik last year on poor fellow on a 1200 six month old gs got through three rear shocks, two up with luggage springs always ok just the damping failed.