New Shocks?

[(RIP) Johno23]

The time has come I think to change the shocks. 42k of which at least 25k was two up fully loaded. The bike still seems to ride ok, although
it seems a little wallowy here and there and doesn't seem to absorb the bumps like before, or so it seems. Because I ride it so often I wonder
how bad it has got, or maybe not, have I just go so used to it, I've forgotten how good it was.
Now, Should I get the Wilbers WESA fitted to it? £1295 fitted!! or have the originals refurbed about £500. £1300 is a lot of cash, but I'm keeping the bike so perhaps it's worth it.Or are there any other sugestions, possibly a bit limited as it's ESA. Thoughts

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

The oil is probably knackered so something is worth doing. For all the glowing reviews of the Wilbers of which I am sure are accurate I think it is a lot of money as well. I would go the rebuild route personally. Without a doubt that alone will make a big difference.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Keep an eye out there are always secondhand units out there....

 

[Greenman14]

If it's a long term keeper then the Wilbers might be worth it. They would be built to your specific requirements and are rebuildable and if worst comes to worst have a resale value.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

These people have been mentioned a few times on here for refurbs

http://www.mctsuspension.com/Home.html

 

[mikeyboy]

Once you have ridden a bike with wilburs or ohlins your question will be answered,
Only you can decide whether it's worth spending the cash(a lot of cash)
I have fitted a few sets of wilburs to esa bikes for customers and the ride is a lot better,it takes out a lot of the harshness of the ride,and makes the bike feel like your riding on smoother Tarmac,
If you spend having the originals refurbished they're still the oe shock,built to a price,set up as a compromise.
I don't know about it being the best thing you've ever bought or being GVFM but it will definitely be better

 

[lawvar]

BMW R 1200 GS ESA (04-10) Wilbers WESA pair of Shocks Rear Shock Front Shock

On E bay vmtech £889 for the pair

 

[adventuredon]

plus 1 for MCT. Cheap as chips and really made a difference. But cannot compare to wilbers etc et al. But my stock shock was a /is a different ride since the refurb

 

[Ethaneil]

I asked a similar question recently when my rear shock let go.

Several responses recommended MCT. Around £100 per shock for a rebuild or IIRC £138 each including delivery and return.

I am just waiting for a pair of Wilber's from Revs at £1175. Saved a few bob as I am local enough to pop them in and collect, and just about capable of changing them myself.

This definitely makes the bike a keeper, of course!!!

 

[Streetbike]

Delighted with my Nitron NTR's recently fitted to my 38K GS. Real revelation for £810.

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Johno23,
As Mikeyboy says night and day feeling between oem and Wilburs. Just had mine done at service time with the very man. Mine were working ok but had saved up over the years to buy Wilburs ESA for my 2010 twin cam. Lovely bike needed some TLC. The ride home the long way yesterday 200 mixed miles fantastic. Have the option to repair old shocks and sell on or sell as is. If you aim to keep your bike long term ,well worth it as whole set up is sprung and set up for you and your height. Can order height reduction as I did so feet more planted when on two up with luggage setting.

 

[Bendy toy]

Wilber's are still worth having even if the bike isn't a keeper.

Have the OEM shocks rebuilt and store carefully. Swap them back for when you sell the bike and sell the Wilber's for about 50% of new price. A bit more hassle if you have ESA but still doable.

 

[tweedy453]

Johno23,
As Mikeyboy says night and day feeling between oem and Wilburs. Just had mine done at service time with the very man. Mine were working ok but had saved up over the years to buy Wilburs ESA for my 2010 twin cam. Lovely bike needed some TLC. The ride home the long way yesterday 200 mixed miles fantastic. Have the option to repair old shocks and sell on or sell as is. If you aim to keep your bike long term ,well worth it as whole set up is sprung and set up for you and your height. Can order height reduction as I did so feet more planted when on two up with luggage setting.

Hi I was thinking of going the wilburs route both as major ride handling improvement but also a slight seat height reduction only problem is for my 2011 GSA TC which has the ESA there are only 2 options 15mm lower or 50mm lower !!!!! Ideally 25 mm lower with low sargent seat and I would be well happy. My question is iam 5'10" with a 29" inside leg are you the same / similar and if you had the 15mm lower set did it do the trick ? Cheers jon

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

John at Revs discussed with me over the phone, I am sure that the GSA can be lowered by 15 to 25mm anymore and they just look wrong,ring him and have a chat. Nice bloke and knows his stuff. Mike at overland rode mine no problem and I am sure we went for 25mm as I do a fair bit of two up riding Sept to April when Julie's bike is hibernating. Been out today two up, fantastic ride on new shocks. Hope that helps.

 

[mikeyboy]

I'm a 29 inside leg, and I managed Andrews bike no prob
Stock GSA seat on its low setting.
I normally struggle a bit on a gsa with the standard seat,
I have a low seat for road testing customers gsa's

 

[tweedy453]

John at Revs discussed with me over the phone, I am sure that the GSA can be lowered by 15 to 25mm anymore and they just look wrong,ring him and have a chat. Nice bloke and knows his stuff. Mike at overland rode mine no problem and I am sure we went for 25mm as I do a fair bit of two up riding Sept to April when Julie's bike is hibernating. Been out today two up, fantastic ride on new shocks. Hope that helps.

I have spoken to John at revs but it was last year and iam sure he said for the GSA with ESA the only options were 15 or 50 mm which is nuts in my opinion but hey ho BUT he did say that one of the lads in there workshop was of a similar size weight and inside leg and he could touch the floor with both balls of his feet with the 15mm lowering kit I was hoping to find some one who had the 15 mm lowering on a GSA with ESA as iam afraid I tend to be a synical b£terd when it come to sales patter and at 1300 quid a pop for the wilburs on top of been a tight arse Yorkshire man I want me cake n eat it !

 

[tweedy453]

I'm a 29 inside leg, and I managed Andrews bike no prob
Stock GSA seat on its low setting.
I normally struggle a bit on a gsa with the standard seat,
I have a low seat for road testing customers gsa's

That's good to know mikeyboy since if you can do it on the stock seat on the low setting then iam guessing that's about the same as a low version Sargent seat thanks for that ! Cheers jon

 

[Bendy toy]

I have standard GSA suspension I've dragged a boot edge a few times and caught the brake lever bottom edge on the road but never put the pegs down so it could probably lose 1" of ride height. Even 1/2" can make a big difference to those with not too long legs.

That said, going for a ride/seat height that allows both feet to go flat is not all its cracked up to be. The footrests are not forward like a Harley so its harder work to haul your legs up, risks more of a wobble and a leg can more easily get trapped WHEN you drop it.

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Tweedy453, going the extra mile for you ,spoke to John at Revs, 15mm reduction on mine. They said 50mm makes bike look wrong. Now I have 30" inside leg the lowering was enough to plant both feet at 2 up setting, does the job. If you are over near Sheffield at the Peak District end of town you are welcome to sit astride my AWSOME STEED Hope this helps you part wi some cash ya tight Yorkshireman.

 

[tweedy453]

Tweedy453, going the extra mile for you ,spoke to John at Revs, 15mm reduction on mine. They said 50mm makes bike look wrong. Now I have 30" inside leg the lowering was enough to plant both feet at 2 up setting, does the job. If you are over near Sheffield at the Peak District end of town you are welcome to sit astride my AWSOME STEED Hope this helps you part wi some cash ya tight Yorkshireman.

Top bloke thanks for that ! Totally agree about lowering by 50mm seen one done and just reminded me of a poor little donkey buckling at the knees under the weight of its obese rider not a pretty site lol 15mm doesn't sound much but from what your saying it should be enough to give me what iam looking for and dare I say it part wi sum ov mi ard earned cash !! Thanks again for calling revs and clarifying the lowered spec of your bike it's always best to get it from the horses mouth as it were all the best Jon