GS/GS ADV Ohlins difference

[sproggy]

Does anyone know the difference between Ohlins shocks for a GS and those for a GSA? I know the latter are about 8mm longer, but how are they longer - is it just the spring or is the shock body and/or rod longer on the GSA ones? Looking for some better shocks for my GS and have an option on some GSA ones, but I don't want the bike any taller. And don't want to end up buying used and then spending more getting ADV shocks rebuilt and shortened than it would cost for new shocks the length I want.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Does anyone know the difference between Ohlins shocks for a GS and those for a GSA? I know the latter are about 8mm longer, but how are they longer - is it just the spring or is the shock body and/or rod longer on the GSA ones? Looking for some better shocks for my GS and have an option on some GSA ones, but I don't want the bike any taller. And don't want to end up buying used and then spending more getting ADV shocks rebuilt and shortened than it would cost for new shocks the length I want.

Not sure, but KAIS suspension said it was easier/cheaper to buy some Adv shocks rather than alter lengthen the GS shocks I already had, a few years ago
I guess the spring and rod is longer for starters

 

[dean0n0]

A longer spring doesn't make the unit longer.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A longer spring doesn't make the unit longer.

Ok, depends how it compresses I guess

 

[sproggy]

Not sure, but KAIS suspension said it was easier/cheaper to buy some Adv shocks rather than alter lengthen the GS shocks I already had, a few years ago
I guess the spring and rod is longer for starters

Thanks - good to know - sounds as if the GSA shocks are a non-starter. I'll keep looking.

A longer spring doesn't make the unit longer.

A shorter (lowering) spring makes the unit shorter, therefore a longer spring has the potential to make the same unit longer if it otherwise provides sufficient travel. Doesn't sound as if that's the only difference with the Ohlins though.

 

[KMD]

I had some Ohlins shortened shocks returned to standard height on my 1200Gs at Reactive Suspension. It was explained to me that the difference between them all was in the internal shim stacks. They can, apparently, be lengthened or shortened internally.

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[dean0n0]

A shorter (lowering) spring makes the unit shorter, therefore a longer spring has the potential to make the same unit longer if it otherwise provides sufficient travel. Doesn't sound as if that's the only difference with the Ohlins though.

A shorter spring allows the unit to compress further, but the length of the unit is the length of the unit, it can't be any longer than being topped out.
A longer spring will give greater pre load so will compress less.

 

[sproggy]

@KMD it's interesting that it's possible, however for what these shocks are advertised at (£725) I suspect by the time I've paid for a rebuild @ around £150 per shock which will be necessary for the internal work to be completed (plus whatever the length change costs) I'll be very close to the new price. Well, maybe not to the price of new Ohlins, but close to the price of something broadly comparable. I think these would have been viable only if it was only external changes required.

 

[twizzle]

I paid £220 for a complete rebuild of my front Ohlins - including new internals, oil and nitrogen re- gas

I was happy enough

 

[KMD]

I paid £220 for a complete rebuild of my front Ohlins - including new internals, oil and nitrogen re- gas

I was happy enough

I paid about that each for my Ohlins when they were lengthened. Basically that is the cost for a full service. Oils, seals, re-gas etc…the shims stacks were removed as part of the job at no extra cost.

 

[Cjm2993]

Ok, depends how it compresses I guess

If the spring is too long for the stroke of the shock, it’ll bind up with coil to coil contact before it delivers full shock travel.