1200 gs/a suspension

[Garfieldus]

In 2004 I went from an 1150gsa to a 1200gs, couldn't live with it and after only four months went back to an 1150gsa. One of the things I most deffo did not like in the 1200gs was the (imho) very stiff / harsh / hard (mainly front) suspension even at its softest setting.

Although the suspension wasn't the show stopper for me I know I wouldn't have lived with it. I've now just completed 1600kms on a dealer's 1200gsa demo and everything I didn't like about the 1200gs seems to be gone EXCEPT the suspension is still (imho) very stiff / harsh / hard.

I know I'm not the only one here who thinks this so a few questions.... has anyone changed the suspension on either their 1200gs or 1200gsa? If so why did you change? What did you change to? Was it worth it?

TIA

 

[shedracer]

On my GS12 (04 bike from new), I didn't like the suspension (mainly the front being too harsh), so went with Wilbers front and rear. This really made the bike so much better.

Now I have the GSA12, I find the suspension better than the 04 standard shocks, but I still think the front is too harsh (its on its softest setting). So I am looking at either Wilbers again or Ohlins, although the Ohlins are currently not available for the GSA12 yet. As far as I know there are a few on this forum who have after market shocks on there GS12's, Thunder being one of them.

From my experience of the Wilbers, (no experience of Ohlins), it may cost a fair bit, but its the best upgrade you can possibly do.

I'm waiting to find out about the Ohlins and their price, before I go ahead, but Wilbers are excellent, made to your spec and are generally cheaper than Ohlins.

 

[Wizard]

Replaced the GSA shocks with Ohlins for a standard 1200GS (Touratech leg extensions still out of stock). The Ohlins at 600miles are nowhere near as choppy as either the GSA or my 05 GS standard shocks at 7500 miles.

Worth the money? I certainly think so

 

[Gog yn y De]

Replaced the GSA shocks with Ohlins for a standard 1200GS (Touratech leg extensions still out of stock). The Ohlins at 600miles are nowhere near as choppy as either the GSA or my 05 GS standard shocks at 7500 miles.

Worth the money? I certainly think so

Tell me more!

Where did you buy them from and how much?
Did you fit them and if so was it easy?

 

[GSinEurope]

I've had my 12GSA for just about month with nearly 2000 miles on her now. I'm just the opposite and find my suspension too soft. As I've not made any adjustments to the factory settings I'll start to stiffen things up over my next couple rides until I dial it in.

 

[Gog yn y De]

Wilbers

After a lovely comfy ride in Slovenia/Serbia/Bosnia/Montenegro/Croatia, two up, on a 06GS over all sorts of surfaces I came back and reassesed my 06GSA - still too hard. Perhaps if I put on at least 10 stone it may improve. Decided to replace the standard suspension with Wilbers at end of the month. Hopefully will improve things.

 

[CBFer]

Do you need to replace the whole suspension unit? If the ride is too harsh does that not indicate that the problem lies with the springs being too stiff? Perhaps some progressive springs from these guys are the (considerably less expensive) answer?

http://www.hyperpro.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?p=springs

Just a thought. I'm very far from being a suspension "expert".

 

[Gog yn y De]

Do you need to replace the whole suspension unit? If the ride is too harsh does that not indicate that the problem lies with the springs being too stiff? Perhaps some progressive springs from these guys are the (considerably less expensive) answer?

http://www.hyperpro.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?p=springs

Just a thought. I'm very far from being a suspension "expert".

A replacement spring should do it but as I've got a tree outside harvesting money for me I thought I'd go the whole hog and replace the lot. Have to plant another tree ready for when the brakes start juddering like my 04GS. Bloody expensive business this BM' lark.

 

[CBFer]

If this tree of yours ever produces any saplings, could I have one please?

 

[Denis Milne]

I've done about 4500 mls on the GSA now and the suspension is the only fly in some very sweet ointment.

Initially I backed off the front pre-load by 1 click and that stopped the front pattering. Various attempts at adjusting the rear pre-load yielded little success.
Yesterday, with some assistance from someone who knows more about suspension than I do (this doesn't narrow the field down very much), I adjusted the rear rebound damping and the bike is transformed.

Previously I had experienced severe problems staying on the bike over bumpy and hilly roads, e.g. the A93 south of Glenshee - i.e the sort of roads that a GS should devour before lunch. Now it is so much smoother.
A quick test over some appalling surfaces (many thanks to South Lanrkshire council for the test facility) shows the bike to be vastly improved. There is still a bit of harshness at the front but nothing too bad.

I am 6'2", about 14 st and the settings are: front 1 click less than standard, rear pre-load standard and rear rebound 1 turn from H.

It is such a great bike

 

[Every Accessory]

Suspension

hi guys,


EDIT.....

Sorry, but to sell stuff, you do need to be a sponsor first......

Only £12 and I'm sure you'll make that back very quickly...good to have you on board

Bill