Help sort out my rear end

[mikedefieslife]

I need to do something about the shock, so have been reading through old threads to weight up my options.

As I found out my trip, the Sachs is woefully inadequate when on tough trails, but now since I've been back from Morocco I notice it more on the road too. Seems now to work best with the preload jacked up to max and I'm only 75-80kg.

I'm not racer, and don't ride difficult trails often, mostly road and gravel and typical UK green lanes (dirt/mud). I don't ride fast either when off road. I just want something that works and is hassle free. Looking at say 80kg of rider, 60kg of pillion and 30kg of luggage on my next trip.

Options seem to be:

1) Get the OEM shock re-sprung.
Seems like a good choice as it's relatively cheap, and I definitely need the remote preload adjuster. Hpyerpro seem to have a couple of springs for the xCh/xCo. On the downside my shock at almost 10k probably needs some reconditioning and the bump stop replacing.

2) Wilbers shock
Been recommended the 642 and quoted £675 plus £165 for the preload adjuster (5 year guarantee). Seems a popular shock across the pond. Not heard too much about them on these forums.

3) Hyperpro
Got no idea on price probably the most expensive. Emailed Bas about springs but got no response I imagine he's super busy. People rave about hyperpro so must be decent, but probably more shock than I need.

4) Hagon
Spotted the Hagon on the Motoworks website. Always thought they were super budget material but some people seem to like them. Guaranteed for 2 years unlimited mileage and sprung for a 75-100kg of rider and 64kg of pillion. About £425 with remote preload adjuster.

5) Air shock
xChallenge air shock, cheapest of the lot, works (well even for some), but I guess has issues with sag and is often replaced for a reason.

Another consideration is that I'll probably change bike at the end of 2016. I always fancy something new/different after a few years.

 

[Losttheplot]

I need to do something about the shock, so have been reading through old threads to weight up my options.

As I found out my trip, the Sachs is woefully inadequate when on tough trails, but now since I've been back from Morocco I notice it more on the road too. Seems now to work best with the preload jacked up to max and I'm only 75-80kg.

I'm not racer, and don't ride difficult trails often, mostly road and gravel and typical UK green lanes (dirt/mud). I don't ride fast either when off road. I just want something that works and is hassle free. Looking at say 80kg of rider, 60kg of pillion and 30kg of luggage on my next trip.

Options seem to be:

1) Get the OEM shock re-sprung.
Seems like a good choice as it's relatively cheap, and I definitely need the remote preload adjuster. Hpyerpro seem to have a couple of springs for the xCh/xCo. On the downside my shock at almost 10k probably needs some reconditioning and the bump stop replacing.

2) Wilbers shock
Been recommended the 642 and quoted £675 plus £165 for the preload adjuster (5 year guarantee). Seems a popular shock across the pond. Not heard too much about them on these forums.

3) Hyperpro
Got no idea on price probably the most expensive. Emailed Bas about springs but got no response I imagine he's super busy. People rave about hyperpro so must be decent, but probably more shock than I need.

4) Hagon
Spotted the Hagon on the Motoworks website. Always thought they were super budget material but some people seem to like them. Guaranteed for 2 years unlimited mileage and sprung for a 75-100kg of rider and 64kg of pillion. About £425 with remote preload adjuster.

5) Air shock
xChallenge air shock, cheapest of the lot, works (well even for some), but I guess has issues with sag and is often replaced for a reason.

Another consideration is that I'll probably change bike at the end of 2016. I always fancy something new/different after a few years.

Hi Mike,

If you have anymore trips planned with this bike i personally wouldn't go with the Hagon or the original XChallenge air shock.

When i "sorted" my bike a few years back now, i wanted a shock that would be reliable and perform well, and after hearing quite a few stories of the air shocks loosing pressure over night, and also of the hagon shocks failing (a chap on this forum had one a few years back that let go after very little use IIRC), i decided against staying standard or going the hagon route.

I'm using a hyperpro on my bike, which now it has the hydraulic preload adjuster fitted is just fantastic. It will be even better after some more fettling. If i hadn't bought hyperpro it would have been the wilbers shock.

Hyperpro also do a more cost conscious shock for your bike for under £400 which maybe a better option for you? I went through Rugged roads when ordering my shock, but i see recently Rugged roads are also doing Nitron shocks which look to be very good as well which maybe a third option?.

As for your standard shock, it sounds knackered, and even in working condition maybe you are expecting more than BMW originally intended when they spec'd it for your bike?

If you want to try an air shock i have one under the bench somewhere....

Nathan

 

[mikedefieslife]

Hmm.

Got one more big trip planned for the end 2015 early 2016 which should be South America for 3-6 months. So will be riding mainly sealed roads and gravel this time. I'll be 2 up with luggage though.

I probably need to ask Bas about the lesser Hyperpro shock. Being an emulsion shock I presumed It would be similar to the Sachs unit but with a better spring.

Don't like the sound of the air bladder failing on the air shock.

 

[mikedefieslife]

Well Bas won't return my email (probably you lot keeping him too busy). Can anyone recommend a good UK place to get the OEM shock serviced and fitted with an uprated (possibly hyperpro progressive) spring?

 

[coyotedave]

Fox racing in keithley, West Yorkshire would be able to do what you want.
Remember, the more you want the more you will pay.


Cheers Dave.

 

[mikedefieslife]

The Hyperpro emulsion shock with hydraulic preload adjuster and raise ride height by 1" comes in at £649

I'm not convinced that the Hyperpro (emulsion) unit is any better than the Sachs. So might as well have the Sachs shock cleaned up and fitted with a new spring.

I'll try to get in touch with Fox Racing. Thanks for the info.

 

[dean0n0]

It's Firefox, http://firefoxracing.co.uk/firefox-racing-is-now-the-uk-leading-independent-yss-specialist/

or better http://firefoxracing.co.uk/rear-shock-servicing/

 

[mikedefieslife]

Yes. I spoke with a chap there called Andy. Going to get it sorted. Thanks.

I'll have the sachs unit reconditioned, re-sprung, and have an 0.5-1" added to the ride height, all for less than I could buy even the cheapest replacement unit.

Sounds good enough to me.

Only problem is being without a bike for two weeks whilst the shock is being worked on.

 

[PeterNI]

+31 172 41 71 71
Bas's phone number

 

[mikedefieslife]

Got my shock back from Firefox Racing after a lot of hassle with the return delivery. UKMail collected it then seemingly didn't bother to deliver it when they were suppose to.

Anyway. It's been serviced, resprung, had a new rod, and slimmer bump stop.

Here's the catch. I can't get it to fit.

The top screws in as normal, no worries.

The problem is the bottom end. The bolt that is suppose to hold to it in place doesn't fit through the bush. It will go in if I screw if, but only part of the way, not enough to show at the other end.

On the receipt I noticed I've been charged for 'bearing' I'm presuming this is a new bush on the bottom. I'm wondering if he's got the size, additionally there is massive play in the bottom bush too.

Livid isn't quite the right word.

Check out this free play (the video is unlisted):

 

[bighair]

Looks like it has a rose joint / bearing type fitted looking at the movement in the video. helps the shock during travel.
Can you pop the washer spacer off and have a look.
But it does not help if the bolt does not go through wrong size id

 

[mikedefieslife]

Washer spacer? It doesn't look like there is anything pop off. As long the play is lateral and not ventricle then it's fine, but I can't get it on the bike to check.

A rose joint sounds funky.

But yeah the ID of the bush is wrong.

I can't change the bolt as the swing arm and everything is all set up for that size bolt, so the only option would be to have the bush bored out 0.5-1mm or whatever it is. But after £400 I shouldn't have to do any work myself. My weekend was already messed up due a problem they had with UKMail.

The bike leaves for Argentina in a few weeks.

 

[mikedefieslife]

Well I have a working shock again.

They offered to short out shipping and to fix the issue, then we realised it was the same bush and it must be a burr causing the problem.

A couple of mins with the file and it's all sorted.

I did questions the bearing and it is indeed a rose joint, so that's all good.

Phew

 

[bighair]

Good News

Glad for you and it is now sorted , have a good trip .
Thought it was a rose joint type nearly had me thinking what else could could be the issue.
Let us know what you think of the shock after you have had a test ride etc.

 

[mikedefieslife]

Well it's a difficult one because I have it sprung for my upcoming trip, so that's an 80kg rider and 60kg pillion (all kitted up, as well as 30kg of luggage. So the preload needs to be backed off a fair way for solo riding.

There was hairline crack in the bottom eyelet of my original shock so I ended up with a rod from YSS, since the eyelet and everything is all one piece.

I wasn't given any setting notes so it's just been trial and error so far.

I'm finding though that the rebound is much much slower than I've noticed before. There's about 70 clicks of adjustment, but even all the way out it's slow, perhaps it's just because the spring is stiff it's hard to tell.

Will see how it is 2up at the weekend.