Air Shock Failures

[Wings]

It seems the BMW Air shocks are not reliable, I had one break after 2000 k's on an X Challenge it caused an accident in the traffic and I sold the bike straight away.
After 18,000kms the rear shock on an HP2 snapped in Namibia. We had to ride 400 kms on dirt with no rear suspension.
The shaft actualy snaps cleanly in two. The HP2 was just out of warranty and they have laughed at the suggestion of replacing it. Theres another R16,000 (1000 pounds) down the toilet.

Has anyone else had the rear shock fail in this way?

 

[Bob's yer uncle]

2 On GS Challenge in Leydsdorp this year, also not warranty replaced.

GO OHLINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I have only heard of one guy who incidently was here from the states who had rear shock failure on his HP2. To be honest guys I don't have much trust in the airshock and need to keep mine topped up as it loses air throughout the month, nothing serious but enough to take the pump out.

Won't be selling my bike due to a shock, had friends go through Africa with brand new ohlins which only lasted half way (they were touring so not even riding hard). Funny enough Ohlins also did not replace it and merely charged the cost of the spares so it could be serviced. I think you are better off with conventional springs i.e. Ohlins or WP at some cost but again don't expect these guys to honour their warranty either the moment it went offroad

Will be saving up for some white or yellow in due course

 

[Loiq]

I've got an rear unit in my garage for the HP2 must sell it some day, replaced the unit with Wilbers rally unit and better springs and heavier oil in the forks...

 

[piedevant]

It seems the BMW Air shocks are not reliable, I had one break after 2000 k's on an X Challenge it caused an accident in the traffic and I sold the bike straight away.
After 18,000kms the rear shock on an HP2 snapped in Namibia. We had to ride 400 kms on dirt with no rear suspension.
The shaft actualy snaps cleanly in two. The HP2 was just out of warranty and they have laughed at the suggestion of replacing it. Theres another R16,000 (1000 pounds) down the toilet.
Has anyone else had the rear shock fail in this way?

Yup, sure have. The original air shock on my HP2 snapped in half in County Clare last September after just 4,000 miles from new. (Can't imagine how anyone could ride even one km, never mind 400 with it snapped!)
Phil Gunn kindly lent me his original air shock so that I could ride home and BMW did the decent thing and replaced mine with a new one, even though the bike was just out of warranty. I don't trust the air shock though. It's clearly a flawed design IMHO. I intend to replace it with a Wilbers.......
PNB in SW London

 

[pikeydave]

I've got an rear unit in my garage for the HP2 must sell it some day, replaced the unit with Wilbers rally unit and better springs and heavier oil in the forks...

I've wondered whether it'll fit a std GSA?

 

[Mav]

Yup, sure have. The original air shock on my HP2 snapped in half in County Clare last September after just 4,000 miles from new. (Can't imagine how anyone could ride even one km, never mind 400 with it snapped!)
Phil Gunn kindly lent me his original air shock so that I could ride home and BMW did the decent thing and replaced mine with a new one, even though the bike was just out of warranty. I don't trust the air shock though. It's clearly a flawed design IMHO. I intend to replace it with a Wilbers.......
PNB in SW London

I've got 22,000 miles on mine and, apart from the top bush wearing a bit, it's in great shape. It's way better than the stock shock on my GSA.

That being said, I still took advantage of buying one cheap of ebay when I saw one

 

[Welshman]

I have only heard of one guy who incidently was here from the states who had rear shock failure on his HP2. To be honest guys I don't have much trust in the airshock and need to keep mine topped up as it loses air throughout the month, nothing serious but enough to take the pump out.

Won't be selling my bike due to a shock, had friends go through Africa with brand new ohlins which only lasted half way (they were touring so not even riding hard). Funny enough Ohlins also did not replace it and merely charged the cost of the spares so it could be serviced. I think you are better off with conventional springs i.e. Ohlins or WP at some cost but again don't expect these guys to honour their warranty either the moment it went offroad

Will be saving up for some white or yellow in due course

Hi Mav,
I had an HP2 in my garage this afternoon, the Airshock is a suspect item so if you want to do Angola, you want some options, so we have a spare very nice Bitubo, the HP2 specs for the shocks are?

Length, travel etc

 

[oldfool]

hp2 air shock

I have 28,000 miles on mine and never really had a problem. I ride distance and off road. The times I did hear of shock failure was when the air was let out to lower the bike. Not enough air causes trouble so another approach to lowering is needed. I almost bought an ohlins set up but it was like ten pounds heavier then stock. The stock shock is amazing how light it is. Something I did not know till I bought a spare one. Richard

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Mine is also on near 31 000 miles and no problem so far. It does lose air over periods of time but nothing serious. Welsh what sizes/dimensions are you after

 

[Spout]

Yep. 33 000 miles and no problems with rear suspension















Just wish I could say the same about the front though

 

[Welshman]

Mine is also on near 31 000 miles and no problem so far. It does lose air over periods of time but nothing serious. Welsh what sizes/dimensions are you after

What are the centres, what is the shock travel (not wheel travel).

 

[(RIP) maverick]

What are the centres, what is the shock travel (not wheel travel).

I will take some measurements and get back to you mate

 

[Welshman]

I will take some measurements and get back to you mate

I understand the shock centres are 410mm ish, but travel I have no idea? Busy with a little job for a mate

 

[Garry.W]

I've got 80,000 kms on my HP, despite a lot of hard off road use only had to replace the rear shock lower bearing case around 70K 'cause it siezed up. No worries with it otherwise. Just spent $4K on a new clutch kit though

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Maybe those with shock failures should post their weight and amount of luggage they carry around

 

[Wings]

Maybe those with shock failures should post their weight and amount of luggage they carry around

100 kg in the flesh. The X-Challenge never carried any luggage at all.

The HP2 was ridden by a 80kg rider with approximately 35kg luggage when it broke but had done some hard graft before that. the shock was pumped fairly hard.

I am impressed at the 80,000km mark with one shock thats good going, what do you weigh and do you carry luggage at all?

The Ohlins replacement has been fantastic I replaced the front end with KTM triple clamps & WP 48mm Motorcross Shocks with 315mm travel now it is a serious off road machine.

 

[Spout]

I replaced the front end with KTM triple clamps & WP 48mm Motorcross Shocks with 315mm travel now it is a serious off road machine.

Any pics? Details?

Have you managed to retain the original headlight/mudguard bracketry?

Ta

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I am impressed at the 80,000km mark with one shock thats good going, what do you weigh and do you carry luggage at all?

89kg's about 13.5 stone for those more familiar with the other weight

I must be honest very seldom carry luggage or anything heavy on the rear. If I do normally my rollbag with tent/sleepingbag and few bits of clothing. Can't be more than 15kg's. Tankbag normally takes my personal stuff like camera/wallet/phone.

As with all things the type of enviroment/riding style changes the circumstances and lifespan of these things. I am convinced the heat in South-Africa also plays a role as the extreme temperatures have a harsher affect on tyres/rubber/plastic possibly limiting their lifespan

 

[Mav]

Maybe those with shock failures should post their weight and amount of luggage they carry around

Ridden like this, 2 up for several thousand miles:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/1469130807/" title="IMGP1290 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1469130807_b1f6b2316f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1290" /></a>

In the end, the mounting at the top of the shock ended up with too much play in it so it was replaced under warranty at 24k miles.