Has anyone just changed the front shocker.

bumpy

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Its an expensive business changing both front and rear, and many bikes are improved by concentrating on the front forks/suspension. The rear on the GS has ample adjustment but the front cannot be adjusted for damping and rebound.

I know its not the full monty, but has anyone fitted just a different front shocker and had good results.
 
i'd do the rear first. i'm sure it will make a much bigger difference to your bike.

not so much a lack of adjustment, more a lack of real quality in the OEM rear.
 
I'm no expert here, but inmy experience the rear is where it's at as it's too soft and the bike 'squats' under acceleration - making for some 'interesting' results on the road.

Someone on here published what Maxton Suspension say about the OE shocks on a 1200. It's worth finding......
 
;) agree with all the above...
with the front chock other than a change in quality the only extra adjustment you get is damping which is not there on the OE model..you DO have pre-load adjustment on the OE.
it is the rear that makes the biggest difference expecially if you splash for the fully adjustable shocks with seperate high and low speed compression damping and rebound damping.
Hydraulic pre-load just makes it easier to change from solo to two up to luggage etc...
if I was only going to do one.the rear is the one I'd choose...
 
A cheaper option is to change the springs which did the trick for me:thumb

Can you tell me a bit more. My over riding issue is that the front shock absorber just doesn't. It lets me know quite abruptly of any pot holes, ridges in the road etc.

I drive solo and weigh about 80Kg and just think the front spring is too powerful for my use.
 
Can you tell me a bit more. My over riding issue is that the front shock absorber just doesn't. It lets me know quite abruptly of any pot holes, ridges in the road etc.

I drive solo and weigh about 80Kg and just think the front spring is too powerful for my use.

That seems a bit strange, is yours the original unit? My 05 1200GS is very compliant at the front, even when taking speed bumps way too fast. I am only a bit heavier than you and ride solo.
 
Can you tell me a bit more. My over riding issue is that the front shock absorber just doesn't. It lets me know quite abruptly of any pot holes, ridges in the road etc.

I drive solo and weigh about 80Kg and just think the front spring is too powerful for my use.


I think you'll find that because the rear is so soft it's making you *think* the front is hard.

See if you can find someone close to you who'll let you have a go of their GS with aftermarket shocks.
 
I think you'll find that because the rear is so soft it's making you *think* the front is hard.

See if you can find someone close to you who'll let you have a go of their GS with aftermarket shocks.

I am just looking for a combination that does not shake my fillings out over pot holes, ridges etc.

The back is now set at minimum pre load and minimum damping. The front is a bit of a mystery. At minimum pre load I feel the bumps more than on position two and on increasing the preload to position three and four the front harshness increases again.

I may just be sensitive to this effect.
 
That seems a bit strange, is yours the original unit? My 05 1200GS is very compliant at the front, even when taking speed bumps way too fast. I am only a bit heavier than you and ride solo.

Mine is a 2007, I think there was a change of manufacturer of shocks between ours.

My bike is just fine over speed bumps and can be taken at good speed if I rise out the saddle a bit:augie.

The problem is at about 20 to 40 mph when I encounter road defects (pot holes etc) that require the suspension to respond very fast. Then the front shock absorber doesn't absorb shocks. The back seems OK by comparison.
 
I am just looking for a combination that does not shake my fillings out over pot holes, ridges etc.

The back is now set at minimum pre load and minimum damping. The front is a bit of a mystery. At minimum pre load I feel the bumps more than on position two and on increasing the preload to position three and four the front harshness increases again.

I may just be sensitive to this effect.

No - you've discovered that the OE shocks are, well, shocking.

Seriously, either go to a place that does setups (~£50) or a place that really sells quality stuff (I don't know one close to you, but someone will:confused:) - although they're usually one and the same place, IYSWIM.


This lot - http://www.mctechnics.co.uk/setup.htm - come very recommended by people that I've met and respect. There's almost certainly others too.....
 
if you are of typical gser dimensions, that will do horrible things to the steering.

At 12.5 stone in my gear, i'm not sure if I am typical dimensions!

I appreciate that what I am doing with the suspension is causing compromises elesewhere, but I dont ride at graveyard speeds and really wanted to explore if there is a 'forgiving' setting hidden in the standard suspension. Its the short sharp shocks that I want to soften (not cure).
 
Hi, got wilbers front and rear.rear off at mo for repair so original back on.
not massive difference tbh. Big difference in front tho.poor quality,harsh original was useless.totally transformed by front wilbers and would recommend trying just front first.turn damping up at rear.happy days.:monkeypiz
 
At 12.5 stone in my gear, i'm not sure if I am typical dimensions!

I appreciate that what I am doing with the suspension is causing compromises elesewhere, but I dont ride at graveyard speeds and really wanted to explore if there is a 'forgiving' setting hidden in the standard suspension. Its the short sharp shocks that I want to soften (not cure).

I'm a similar weight to you and FWIW on my '05 I have settled with one notch less preload than standard on the front and on the back pretty much full preload and a 1/4 turn more compression damping. I get a good, compliant ride with that and quicker steering than on the standard set up.

Try some Avon Azaro/Storms when you next need new tyres, they will smooth out your ride significantly, honestly :thumb2

Andres
 
Bumpy, it's possible that for your (rider) weight you don't have enough preload and damping at the rear. Given the info you've provided the front suspension may be not behaving quite right because of a rearward weight bias (not enough rear preload) and then pitching to the front (not enough rear rebound damping). In fact without enough rear preload your bike may not be steering as precisely as it can either.

The damping qualities of the OEM units are of reasonable quality, they are not shite as some claim, and more than up to the job for most riders on UK roads. It's the spring rates that are not quite right but it's often the entire assembly that gets the blame. 2004 and 2005 models came from the factory with White Power suspension front and rear. From 2006 they've come with Showa units. The rear tends to be a bit undersprung and the front slightly oversprung.

Unless you really want to splash out hundreds of pounds have a serious look at Hyperpro replacement springs. They do recommend replacing them as a set and I believe that's good advice. The original springs on my '05 GS (White Power) were are rated at 50 NM initial on the front and 130 NM on the rear. Hyperpro progressive springs for the White Power units are 47 NM front and 147 NM rear. After installation the bike was transformed, particularly when riding with pillion and panniers. And it was a heck of a lot less expensive than installing premium units. The front is noticeably plusher and the rear a bit firmer as the spring compresses, which you would expect given a progressive spring. I'm 75 kg. The damping qualities at both ends are just fine. The rear rebound adjustment screw is out 1 1/2 turns. If you go this route make sure to top up the rear's preload adjuster reservoir (easy) when the spring is off.
 
Bumpy, it's possible that for your (rider) weight you don't have enough preload and damping at the rear. Given the info you've provided the front suspension may be not behaving quite right because of a rearward weight bias (not enough rear preload) and then pitching to the front (not enough rear rebound damping). In fact without enough rear preload your bike may not be steering as precisely as it can either.

The damping qualities of the OEM units are of reasonable quality, they are not shite as some claim, and more than up to the job for most riders on UK roads. It's the spring rates that are not quite right but it's often the entire assembly that gets the blame. 2004 and 2005 models came from the factory with White Power suspension front and rear. From 2006 they've come with Showa units. The rear tends to be a bit undersprung and the front slightly oversprung.

Unless you really want to splash out hundreds of pounds have a serious look at Hyperpro replacement springs. They do recommend replacing them as a set and I believe that's good advice. The original springs on my '05 GS (White Power) were are rated at 50 NM initial on the front and 130 NM on the rear. Hyperpro progressive springs for the White Power units are 47 NM front and 147 NM rear. After installation the bike was transformed, particularly when riding with pillion and panniers. And it was a heck of a lot less expensive than installing premium units. The front is noticeably plusher and the rear a bit firmer as the spring compresses, which you would expect given a progressive spring. I'm 75 kg. The damping qualities at both ends are just fine. The rear rebound adjustment screw is out 1 1/2 turns. If you go this route make sure to top up the rear's preload adjuster reservoir (easy) when the spring is off.

All good advice guys, particularly the above.

Does anyone know the spring ratings on the 2007 GS?
 
Does anyone know the spring ratings on the 2007 GS?

That depends on your weight and what you're using the bike for. There isn't a 'definative' value.


Some 18st bloke with a wife who will use the bike for touring in Africa is going to want a very different spring compared to someone like me who is 10 st and only really uses the bike for 'light' travelling alone on UK roads. BMW guessed and its a horrible compromise.....
 


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