Loading up the GS 80 Kalahari

Captain Black

Captain Black

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Following on from my fully loaded ( camping gear and pillion ) with my GS 100 PD and the associated handing issues that I assume are down to a crap OE rear shock and maybe front forks/springs.
I got to thinking tonight how would the GS 80 cope with the same loads for a trip ?
My line of thinking is the better equipped rear White Power shock.

Anyone have any thoughts / experience ?

A better option maybe ? :nenau
 
I have a white power but it's too stiff. The Technoflex is really good.
 
ChasF said:
I have a white power but it's too stiff. The Technoflex is really good.
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I'm thinking the 80 maybe better for a " heavy " camping trip.

It handles like a dream and the shock looks more up to it ?

Maybe go for a fully loaded test ride, get my lad on the back he's 12st.

Edit; or stick a white power on the PD maybe ?
 
My task for the weekend is to fit the pannier frame and rack to my faux basic. The worry with the basic is it holds the weight even further back than the standard gs. Strangely, after chass comment above, I have a technoflex fitted to it. Considering technoflex became Wilbers the damping is so much better on the technoflex shocks.

im going for a shock factory rear shock on it. They're made by a Brit who lives in France, springs are made in Sheffield. I've a pair on my guzzi and the ride and build quality is superb. http://www.shock-factory.co.uk
 
Interesting, thanks for the link Rob. The Ohlins on my G/S failed some months ago and due to the amount of damage its borderline beyond economcal repair, so I have been looking at other options - Wilbers and Ohlins are so friggin expensive and so far my Ohlins experiance hasnt been all that great (in terms of reliability) so this might be the one......
 
Rob Farmer said:
My task for the weekend is to fit the pannier frame and rack to my faux basic. The worry with the basic is it holds the weight even further back than the standard gs. Strangely, after chass comment above, I have a technoflex fitted to it. Considering technoflex became Wilbers the damping is so much better on the technoflex shocks.

im going for a shock factory rear shock on it. They're made by a Brit who lives in France, springs are made in Sheffield. I've a pair on my guzzi and the ride and build quality is superb. http://www.shock-factory.co.uk
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I'm more than happy with my WP shock on the 80, I did a solo camping trip in Europe on it a few years back, fully loaded it was still amazingly good. But now I should consider the weak design of the subframe on it for loaded two up riding..
I suppose what ever I go on to the TT " loaded up " its only a short hop from Manc land to Lv' pool / campsite. Then I'm ten days riding without the kitchen sink. :D

I'm tempted by the shock factory offer for the PD , looks to be good quality and its red!

Can't get my head around the daft money stuff.

Probably make a huge difference and may cure the wobbles a bit ?

Is it easy to fit ?
 
Very easy to fit. Literally less than two minutes.

They have a range of Spring colours to choose from.

the subframe on the basic/kalahari is much stronger than the one fitted to the g/s bikes so shouldn't be an issue.
 
the rear shock from shock factory looks a good deal ive only ever had had one different shock from std on all of the airheads ive had and that was an ohlins,and i have to say it was great but it came with the bike ,not sure i could afford one now .
so the other one looks a good bet should i go down that road again :augie
 
Rob Farmer said:
Very easy to fit. Literally less than two minutes.

They have a range of Spring colours to choose from.



the subframe on the basic/kalahari is much stronger than the one fitted to the g/s bikes so shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

You know what Rob for 350.00 all in ( new bolts for mounting i wonder ?) I'm gonna order one next week. I know you said the OE spring was shite anyway, its probably ok for solo pillion/load free riding. I'd feel much more catastrophic failure free with one of those fitted!

Just hope I can get one delivered in the next week or so, TT is looming now!

Didn't know the basic /Kalahari subframe was different.

Thought it was just aesthetics on the run out models.
 
jackass dave said:
the rear shock from shock factory looks a good deal ive only ever had had one different shock from std on all of the airheads ive had and that was an ohlins,and i have to say it was great but it came with the bike ,not sure i could afford one now .
so the other one looks a good bet should i go down that road again :augie
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I'm going to try one Dave.

I really find 700/1000 for a shock just crazy. And even the so called named brands fail from what I've read.
 
We did several long trips ( more than 2k miles) in the 80s on an r80st loaded with camping gear. We totalled about 160kg, and we still do! The bike was on a OE rear shock which had next to no damping - I remember pogoing along the Route Napoleon at dangerous speeds trying to keep up with a couple of Gendarmes on R100s. Our abiding memory of that bike was it was very cramped and the seat was very uncomfortable aftter 50 miles.

When we bought the R100GS for our trip to Cape Town we told the dealer what we were up to, and were advised that the OE rear shock wouldn't even get us to Dover. We bought the BMW sport option which was the White Power. This had sprung a leak by the time we reached Cape Town but managed the rest of the trip. We got it replaced under guarantee when we got back but when not loaded with 90kg of luggage it proved much too hard so I bought the Technoflex which is very good. The 100GS is much roomier and with a modified seat good for 400 miles a day in comfort.
 
When youre young you dont give a damn about luggage loading, just get it on and go.

This was set up for two up riding, my wife will have been taking this photo before squeezing back on bike.
 

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jackass dave said:
they seem a good deal let us know if you get one
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Ordered mate. I'll let you know when I get it and test ride it. Delivery time is appx ten days.
Chap called mike at shock factory, raced enduro in years gone by I knows his onions . :thumb
 
BMurr said:
When youre young you dont give a damn about luggage loading, just get it on and go.

This was set up for two up riding, my wife will have been taking this photo before squeezing back on bike.
Click to expand...

I know... I'm young .:D:blast
 
Back in 86
 

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Captain Black said:
Ordered mate. I'll let you know when I get it and test ride it. Delivery time is appx ten days.
Chap called mike at shock factory, raced enduro in years gone by I knows his onions . :thumb
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I don't think you will be disappointed mate ,mine has been top notch,I am also getting a pair for my lemans
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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