Any experience of Wilbers shock absorbers?

[matpp]

Having just bought a '02 GS 1150 from Germany (cheaper there) with 10K kms on the clock and being lucky enough to have some of the best Pyrenean French/Spanish roads on my doorstep, I would like to improve the handling if possible. I have been offered a pair of Wilbers shock absorbers front 630, rear 640 ( www.wilbers.de ) and would like to know if anyone has any experience of these. They certainly look the part but do they perform as well as say Ohlins?

Happy riding

 

[Emperor Norton]

When I was in Europe,I had Wilbers shocks in my CBR, my 1150 RT and my daughter has still got them in her Hornet. Qualitywise Wilbers is at least on a par with Oehlins, only much cheaper. Due to his long racing experience, Benny Wilbers, the factory owner, is the no. 1 expert on suspensions in Germany. He has written a standard textbook on suspensions, which I found very useful to read and which has tremendously improved my understanding of the matter. You will find it on the homepage, but I do not know if there is an English version.

What I found extremely helpful (and an advantage over Oehlins) is that they manufacture the shocks according to your personal requirements. When you order, they ask you to fill in a form sheet and to state your weight, riding style etc., so the shocks come customized to your needs (valve settings, spring rate etc.). The quality is superior, beyond any doubt. I would have fitted them again to my GS, but unfortunately I didn't find a dealer in the US.

When it comes to road performance, there is no difference with Oehlins at all. Fit them and you wont't recognize your bike anymore.

 

[lkyphl]

matpp,
I've had a front Wilbers on my '00 GS for about 90k kms, and have had no problems with it in that time. The main difference between it and a front Ohlins is that you must remove the Wilbers from the bike to adjust the preload, as the adjusting nuts are at the top of the shocker. Fitting it (and an Ohlins rear) improved the handling and ride quality without doubt.

Be different - everyone has yellow springs, try a blue one !

Phil

 

[Paul Young]

They look very similar design to the Hyperpros on my bike, but a different colour. Even the rear shock hi/lo speed damping adjuster looks the same.

Anything more than coincidence?

 

[matpp]

Thanks for your replies......i was getting a bit worried as it was my first thread.
I'm tempted to go for the Wilbers if only for the colour (it goes better with the 1150 GS graphite) ! I've never heard of hyperpros; any good in your opinion? I put the name in google but couldn't come up with very much. Do you have a link?

 

[Gecko]

A mate of mine in Germany has a set on his1150GS and he swears by them . He's ridden all over the place including Russia and the Baltics and has done lots of off roading on them too and they are the mutts nuts in his eyes. They look a lot compacter than Ohlins which means you probably can get the plastic cover off the front of the engine a lot easier than with Ohlins. The Ohlins spring is very big and it makes getting that cover off almost impossible if you need to get into the pooly belt to chnage or adjust it.
On price they are hard to beat and had I known about them before I bought my Ohlins I reckon they would have been on my bike today instead. Hyperpro is at the same price if not more than Ohlins when I was looking around. Same with white power.

 

[Denis FR]

Wilbers, Fournales & Ohlins

Hi All

New to the forum, although I've been reading you for some time already - but now I have a question. Could anyone provide me with experience on Fournales vs Wilbers shocks ? I'm planning to upgrade both shocks on my 1150 (2003; 35000 km), I mainly ride on surfaced roads - 65% single with luggage, 35% two up with luggage. The original have really had it two up. I'm looking for the best of both worlds : comfort AND planted front. I'm also considering Ohlins if I can find a bargain. I'm not interested in Bitubo which I've tested : great handling, but sore butt.

Thanks,

D.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Are you allowed to say 'White Power' anymore ?

I thought the PC police came and beat you up if you did ?

oh well - too late....

 

[Rabbitson]

HyperPro shocks the same price as Ohlins? Are you sure Gecko? I thought thay were about 40% cheaper . . .

David