Leaking rear shock - would you still ride?

[stevekdavis]

Hi everyone,

At my service last week, the dealer reported that the rear shock was leaking on my 2008 GSA with ESA. Luckily I have extended warranty so they ordered a replacement.

I'm off on a 1500 trip for a week on Thursday in North Wales and have it booked in tomorrow morning (Wed) for the new shock to be fitted and the bugger has not arrived. There's a slim chance it may arrive tomorrow but assuming it doesn't I'm planning on going ahead with the trip.

I figure that based on the fact I never knew there was a leak, cannot feel any difference in the suspension, and even now I've looked I cannot see any oil, I'll be fine for a week. I have breakdown cover

Am I asking for trouble?

Steve

 

[richie]

Hi everyone,

At my service last week, the dealer reported that the rear shock was leaking on my 2008 GSA with ESA. Luckily I have extended warranty so they ordered a replacement.

I'm off on a 1500 trip for a week on Thursday in North Wales and have it booked in tomorrow morning (Wed) for the new shock to be fitted and the bugger has not arrived. There's a slim chance it may arrive tomorrow but assuming it doesn't I'm planning on going ahead with the trip.

I figure that based on the fact I never knew there was a leak, cannot feel any difference in the suspension, and even now I've looked I cannot see any oil, I'll be fine for a week. I have breakdown cover

Am I asking for trouble?

Steve

Go for it, enjoy your trip.

 

[Yellow Peril]

I did 1000 miles throu Spain/France with knackered preload, it was interesting and don't think I would do it again if had the option.

Can't the dealer give you a loaner, as BMW f**ked up the delivery of a new part? as a goodwill gesture on their part.

I believe you could push them for a hire car under the terms of the extended warranty, as they will state that the bike is not safe to ride(them covering their arses) so use it to your advantage, you may be surprised that the shock appears from nowhere.

Be nice but firm works wonders...

 

[Greg Masters]

You'll be fine*.

Greg

*until the shock runs out of oil!

 

[TLSgazza]

You'll be fine*.

Greg

*until the shock runs out of oil!

Or until you get oil on your back tyre.

 

[Ogmios]

Or until you've been along a dull boring straight bit and lost all the oil and THEN try to get round a bumpy corner.
Been there / done that - not nice. no pleasure - but it will teach you a lot about machine control.

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Just been round Scotland with a pogo stick for a rear shock. very little rebound/compression. Interesting but you quickly learn to ride round it.

 

[JayC]

I figure that based on the fact I never knew there was a leak, cannot feel any difference in the suspension, and even now I've looked I cannot see any oil, I'll be fine for a week. I have breakdown cover

Am I asking for trouble?

Steve

Your time schedule has no bearing and wouldn't make any difference if it were a month you were away , it's the mileage and continual use that will be the over riding factor.

Put it this way, you'll only be sorry the once!

 

[Wapping]

This jaunt of yours is off to a flying start, isn't it.

First a panic over a ballast for your spotlights (it will still be a motorbike without them) and now a leaking shock.

Should you go with it leaking? Well, it's really up to you. You say you can't see that it's leaking and you didn't notice it before. Well, that either means the leak is minor or that whatever oil there was in it has gone. Some units do not leak whilst on the main stand, the drip-drip-drip only becoming obvious when the bike is lent over on its side stand. Have another look.

A shock with no oil in it is very uncomfortable.... Buy a gel seat, you may well need it.

 

[mark2jag]

Dont do it.

See if Dealers can fix it in time. If not i would agree with the post about getting them to lend you a hire bike, dont rant and rave at them , but be firm with them. After all its not YOUR fault the shock is going to be delayed.
Seriously dont even contemplate riding it with a leaking shock. i wouldnt anyway!!!if all else fails have a gentle word with Bmw Customer services, and the complaints handling team.

 

[richie]

don't listen to this lot, it is weeping has been doing so for a while no problem enjoy your trip

 

[Micky]

Lost all the oil from my rear shock, discovered as I got off the ferry in Ireland, spent a week on them thar Oirish roads with no rear damping at all

Go for it FFS

 

[Yellow Peril]

Just think about one thing, you know the rear shock is faulty, in the event of an accident you know the rear shock is faulty. Accident not your fault at all, but you knew your rear shock was faulty. And the other side finds out suddenly you are at fault you KNEW the rear shock was faulty.Take it from me they will find out if there is any sum of money is involved.

Having it go during a trip is one thing but setting off on one, knowing you have a protentially dangerous fault is another.

 

[earthmover]

I found out that my rear shock was leaking/had leaked halfway to Barcelona, when it started to feel "a little odd" into corners. I finished the trip without any problems by riding a little more carefully, but it was always at the back of my mind. The bike wasn't unrideable by any means, just not how I was used to.
Good luck.
Mark

 

[Steptoe]

don't listen to this lot, it is weeping has been doing so for a while no problem enjoy your trip

 

[stevekdavis]

Well unsurprisingly the shock didn't arrive this morning and Bahnstormer Alton were very apologetic.

I explained the situation and asked for their advice so took the bike in. They had a good look at the rear shock and showed me there is a very very light covering of oil on the piston but not enough that it's pooling anywhere. They described it as a slight weeping.

They checked and confirmed suspension is currently fine, working and damping correctly and advised I'm good to go on the trip but to check it at the end of each day for any increase in oil leakage. I asked if it was worth getting the new shock sent to a dealer near where I'm staying and they said I'll be fine.

They also confirmed that even if it did let go it's still rideable, just a little more bouncy and uncomfortable.

So thanks for all the advice and comments, I'm going to go and enjoy my trip that we've been planning for months now.

 

[earthmover]

Sounds good to me!
Mark

 

[stevekdavis]

After 8 days and over 1100 (very very wet!) miles the shock was absolutely fine. No more oil on the piston than when I started and no change in handling. Front tyre is now in need of replacement though

 

[Shep]

Thats good news, mind you i've seen a shock 'leak' diagnosed after the dealer spotted excess FS365 residue on the shock

 

[IanC]

I'm generally the throw caution to the wind type

But if all the oil goes, go a bit steady on the corners. When mine did I found the back skipping on less than perfect surfaces, where it wouldn't normally, so it's not just the big bumps you need to worry about.

Have a good one!