Nitron Suspension for the BMW R1200GS (04-13) & R1200GS Adventure

[Stormforce8]

Since last year we’ve been developing a new range of shocks – Adventure Series - with the well-respected UK manufacturer Nitron Racing Systems Ltd.

The Adventure Series range of shock absorbers has been developed specifically for Dual Sport bikes with components especially designed to enable them to function and perform on the heavier bikes being used both on and off road.

Using billet aluminium components, the Adventure Series shocks feature heavy-duty rods and a high-flow piston, both of which are custom tuned and developed for the demands of long-distance road trips through to competitive endurance events, and will vastly improve the ride and handling of your bike at a significantly reduced weight compared to a standard shocks.

All shocks are fitted with Nitron's exclusively developed Bi-Axis fittings (on hose shocks) that allow for simple and precise installation.

All shocks are built in the UK, have a unique identifier code, and are fully serviceable.

So far we have developed Adventure Series Shock Absorbers for the following bikes:
• BMW F800GS (08-12)
• BMW R1150GS
• BMW R1150GS Adventure
• BMW R1200GS (04-13)
• BMW R1200GS Adventure (06>)
• Honda Africa Twin XRV650/XRV750 (89-92)
• Honda Africa Twin XRV750 (93-03)
• Yamaha XT660Z Tenere (08>)

I’ll start a new thread for each model, so this one is all about the shock absorber range for the BMW R1200GS (04-13) and R1200GS Adventure.

 

[Stormforce8]

NTR Adventure Series Shock Absorbers for the BMW R1200GS & R1200GS Adventure

There are 3 versions available, depending on the amount of adjustability you want, and all are available with or without a remote Hydraulic Preload Adjuster (HPA):

1. NTR SPORT+
2. NTR PRO
3. NTR XTREME

As each shock is custom built for each rider, depending on weight and riding style, you can specify if you require a lowered or lengthened shock to suit your specific requirements at no extra cost.

A very useful feature of the front shocks is that we specified a lower manual adjuster for Preload, as well as the standard one at the top for those that don’t want the remote Hydraulic Preload Adjuster. What this means is that you can easily adjust the preload with the supplied C-Spanner without removing the shock from the bike, or suffering knuckle rash – which pretty much makes having the HPA option redundant on the front shock.


1F – BMW R1200GS FRONT – NTR Sport+
1F – BMW R1200GS Adventure FRONT – NTR Sport+

Features:

• 2-way combined rebound and compression damping control
• 40mm body
• 16mm piston rod
• Adjustable manual spring preload (or optional remote HPA)
• Manual preload adjuster at base of shock for ease of access
• Independent adjustable ride height
• 24 click combined adjustment (on base of shock)
• Complete with Nitron spring

The shock features spring preload as well as shock length adjustment. It comes preset for damping and preload and includes the bearing end spacers and preload c-spanner.
The combined damping adjuster knob varies the compression and rebound damping simultaneously.

As an option you can add a hydraulic preload adjuster which allows you to quickly and easily change the preload on the spring via a remote knob making c-spanners and other tools unnecessary.

 

[Stormforce8]

1R – BMW R1200GS REAR – NTR Sport+ & NTR Sport+ with HPA
1R – BMW R1200GS Adventure REAR – NTR Sport+ & NTR Sport+ with HPA

Features:

• 2-way combined rebound and compression damping control
• 46mm high-flow piston
• 16mm piston rod
• Adjustable manual spring preload (or optional remote HPA)
• Independent adjustable ride height
• 24 click combined adjustment (on base of shock)
• Complete with Nitron spring

The shock features spring preload as well as shock length adjustment. It comes preset for damping and preload and includes the bearing end spacers and preload c-spanner.
The combined damping adjuster knob varies the compression and rebound damping simultaneously.

Optionally, the hydraulic preload adjuster allows you to quickly and easily change the preload on the spring via a remote knob making c-spanners and other tools unnecessary.
This is particularly useful for people who regularly take pillion passengers and/or luggage as it allows you to compensate for a variation in load, maintaining the comfort and handling characteristics of your bike by retaining the correct ride height.

 

[Stormforce8]

2R – BMW R1200GS REAR – NTR Pro & NTR Pro with HPA
2R – BMW R1200GS Adventure – NTR Pro & NTR Pro with HPA

The NTR Pro shock is a high performance damper with a remote reservoir allowing for simple, independent control of compression and rebound damping

Features:
• 2-way independent compression and rebound damping control
• 46mm high-flow damper piston
• 16mm piston rod
• Adjustable spring preload
• Independent adjustable ride height
• Remote canister
• 24 click rebound adjustment (on base of shock)
• 16 click compression adjustment (on remote canister)
• Complete with Nitron spring

The shock features spring preload as well as shock length adjustment. It comes preset for damping and preload and includes the bearing end spacers and preload c-spanner.

Optionally, the hydraulic preload adjuster allows you to quickly and easily change the preload on the spring via a remote knob making c-spanners and other tools unnecessary.
This is particularly useful for people who regularly take pillion passengers and/or luggage as it allows you to compensate for a variation in load, maintaining the comfort and handling characteristics of your bike by retaining the correct ride height.

 

[Stormforce8]

3R – BMW R1200GS REAR - NTR Xtreme & NTR Xtreme with HPA
3R - BMW R1200GS Adventure REAR - NTR Xtreme & NTR Xtreme with HPA

The NTR Xtreme shock is the top of the range standard shock built by Nitron - with a remote reservoir allowing for independent control of both high and low speed compression.

Features:
• 3-way independent damping control
• 46mm damper piston
• 16mm piston rod
• Adjustable spring preload
• Independent adjustable ride height
• Remote canister
• 24 click rebound adjustment (on base of shock)
• 16 click high speed compression adjustment (on remote canister)
• 26 click low speed compression adjustment (on remote canister)
• Complete with Nitron spring

The shock features spring preload as well as shock length adjustment. It comes preset for damping and preload and includes the bearing end spacers and preload c-spanner.

Optionally, the hydraulic preload adjuster allows you to quickly and easily change the preload on the spring via a remote knob making c-spanners and other tools unnecessary.
This is particularly useful for people who regularly take pillion passengers and/or luggage as it allows you to compensate for a variation in load, maintaining the comfort and handling characteristics of your bike by retaining the correct ride height.

 

[Stormforce8]

I've just posted the details of our September offer on Nitron shocks

 

[Time Traveller]

Nitron Shock absorbers – whadda I think?

As you know Rugged Roads advertised on the forum to find a willing volunteer with a 2008-09 GS for fitting out with Nitron shock absorbers. A guinea pig, if you like. My wife thinks I’m a pig, and I have a 2009 R1200GS. So I duly volunteered.

Now the deal was: they have my bike a couple for weeks while they measure it up as a pattern for future production for this model. In return, I get to keep the shocks. They didn’t ask me to write anything – but for the sake of others on here, I thought I might let my journalistic spirit run wild and share what I think…

Bike, my stuff and me
Just a brief outline of me – then you can make your own judgment on the rest of the stuff I’m going to write. I passed my test in 1979, but left biking, coming back to it again in 2002, buying my own bike in 2003 (a TDM900), since 2003 I’ve ridden about an average of 10,000 miles a year, in all seasons and in all weathers.

Roadwise – well I’ve ridden everything from the Central London, M25, to remote Scottish roads, and abroad in France, Belgium Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. My preferred roads though are back, country and B roads. Whenever I go anywhere, I tend to head cross-country in a “general direction” rather than by a planned route (obviously longer trips are a bit more planned) hence my compass. Yes, I have a satnav, but dead reckoning is far more fun, and I’ve ended up in some interesting places!



And the bike? I got the GS about a 14months ago from Cannon BMW in Braintree with 18000 on the clock

my bike at Cannon's, before I bought it

– its been a low mileage year due to redundancy and money saving – so it’s now done 25500 and only been abroad as far as Wales a few times. The original rear shock collapsed 80 miles after I bought it, and so it was replaced under warranty. The front shock, I think, is the original.

Nitron Shocks
Nitron? Never heard of them. But, I’ve never researched the shock market before. TBH this is the first bike I have ever replaced shocks on. Plus, I figured the front must be close to dead and if BMW shocks only last 18K miles (and cost more than a Nitron Shock to replace) and if I’m going to replace it must be sensible getting fully rebuildable and serviceable shocks that allegedly perform better to boot. I mean, thinking about it, I had only just had the rear replaced – so it seemed – but it was already a third of its way through its life. Ridiculous!

Anyway, the first thing was to fill in their form – rider weight, pillion weight estimated luggage weight – how often will I have a pillion/ luggage etc. This allows them to build the shock to my specification. That is, it’s not some standard of- the-shelf thing, and “by the way, if you want a different from standard spring, that’ll be extra please”. The Nitron shock has been built to my specific requirement.

Sporting new shocks!


So now they’re on there, what do I think? I have to say, the change is a revelation really! Who’d a thought it?? You know when you try a different brand of tyres – and you really like them, and start recommending them to everyone else – remember Metzler Z6’s when they first came out (no they are NOT gay tyres), and Continental Road Attacks etc. Well, it’s like that. My very first impression is increased grip, like I’d found some revolutionary new tyre – but a quick double check shows they are the same old Tourances (7000 miles old, so down to the last 2mm).

I would never have thought it would make that much difference – I mean I don’t hang around… no chicken strips on my tyres (in fact they’re pretty evenly worn all the way across the tread profile) – but at the same time I’m not into scratching, wheelies and racing, so only a limited curious interest in “performance” shocks to date. In fact, I’m now a convert. Really, as an “ordinary” rider (mind you, my kids say I’m “special”) I didn’t think it would make that much difference.

So. More grip. What else? Remember my compass I mentioned?

One annoying thing about that is that, despite being fluid filled and compensated (it’s a kayak compass actually), on anything but smooth roads it would bounce back and forth between North and South (or even go round and round!), making it a bit pointless on anything but smooooth roads, or low speeds, or stopped at a junction. With the new shocks, it sits there, pointing the way (allllllelujah brother!) far far more than before – I can actually read it whilst riding on B roads (most of my miles). Wow. So the bike is smoother. :cool


And? And more planted. I’m not really sure what that means TBH – just less bouncy and less compensating (and less tiring to ride) on uneven roads, especially when lent over in a bend. I can’t really say more than that.

One of my initial concerns was the colour. Cyan isn’t really my thing (mind you, it’s better than pink). When you look at the piccys on the Nitron website, my first reaction was…well at least I’m not paying. BUT. Look at my piccys.

On the bike they really don’t look bad. And the actual quality of, not just
the paint, but all that titanium and gold anodising (they really look fantastic in the flesh) makes them look quality-nice.

Because they are tucked away it’s not anywhere as in-yer-face as I thought it was going to be.

Okay so I didn’t pay for these - other than in time (3 days of back and forth) and petrol (500 miles), so would I have bought Nitron shocks anyway? Honestly? Well, no, not on a brand new bike – yes the Nitrons are far better, but I don’t think I could personally justify just changing them for the sake of it (unless money is no object…then go for it!) . But, if the shocks needed changing anyway. That, as they say, is a no-brainer.


What I can’t tell you is how they compare against Ohlin’s, et al. No idea. Judging from the fact Nitron support teams like Aston Martin and Lotus in the motorsports arena, they probably are up there with the best? I just know they are, IMHO, better performing, and, yes, better looking than the BMW ones.

I also know that they are more competitively priced than the other brands, and that Nitron match the springs to your rider requirement at no extra cost (I’m told other brands supply standard springs and anything different is extra)– that must make them worthy of investigation.

And, finally, yes: I would fit them again (not that I will need to, as they are fully serviceble!)

 

[andy14049]

PM sent regarding shock purchase for my R1150GS

Regards
Andy

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Mine arrived today.......... Looks even better in the flesh!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Shocks now fitted to the bike

Before I go any further, I must confess...... I have a few tools, but am most definately NOT handy with them. Until now, brake pads were my limit.

Replacement of the rear shock was a piece of cake. I think I could have instructed my 10 year old how to do it ( and there was no need to remove the rear wheel)

As for the front.... well, I watched the youtube vids and read the online advice.. No, I didnt have the slightly rare 15mm spanner necessary to remove original, but a mate in work had 3 of them, so I borrowed his.

I removed the plastics behind the Beak..... First time ever, loosened the tank and moved it back a bit to give access to the top nut (15mm) of the front shock.

Front.... Trying to hold the shaft/ rod / whatever it's called, with the 5mm allen key whilst undo-ing the 15mm nut with a mate's 3 spanners was time consuming to say the least.

But rewarding when it was done.... I ended up lashing the handlebars over the rafters of my garage as I thought the trolly jack on the front was now gonna make the bike fall over. ( I needed to keep jacking the front up as my ancient jack was slowly lowering proceedings every time I let my guard down )

I decided the removal of crash bars was un-necessary (Wrong) as was the removal of the generator cover (Wrong).

So 'AFTER' removing the front shock, I find I can't get it away from the bike without removing these two components.

Un-do the bits above and it was a simple replacement. ..... except for that Shock's front top nut, which I can only describe as a BARSTEWARD! I applied the recommended locktite... guessed roughly how tight it needed to be compared to all the other torque settings I had experienced today, but am not at all worried.

Nitron kindly supplied their own, 17mm 'LOCK' nut. And the best bit was, my special 90 degree swivel head ratchet spanners I got from Santa, was just the right tool for the job

First impressions on the new suspension? Very much a quality piece of kit.

The nice gentleman on the end of the phone when I ordered these referred to the units as "Bike Porn".... I didn't get it till they arrived.

That was last night... bike now sitting very high on the side and centre stand. , but also felt stiff and NEW.


I got home from work a bit early today, so decided to try things out.

I declined my 7 year-old's offer of a pillion, as I thought that something MUST be wrong with the shocks, just because "I" had fitted them. But HEY HO I was wrong.... in fact I could not have been more wrong.

We have all heard of the descriptions online of how changing suspension is the best upgrade of a bike ... EVER!.

Well, I have been about bikes quite a bit, constantly for the past 20 years or so. I don't claim to be an expert, but profess to know a wee bit about them. But I have never had aftermarket suspension fitted to a bike.

So, MY first impressions. My 2010 GSA now sitting a bit higher than before..... prob at the limmit of my 31" inside leg. But once I sit on the bike, both front and rear drop a little...... and I mean a little.

I'm a fat boy and used to rear dropping and front not really moving much at all. Today though, they both drop roughly the same amount.

Out on the road...... I did a 20 mile mix of town riding, main roads, dual carriage way and country roads........ and dont forget 5 or 6 large roundabouts.

Flipping transformed the bike. YES the bike felt harder, but that was just a wee bit of it. The whole ride was much smoother..... I even rode over a level crossing at speed just to try to upset the bike..... It was bloody brill!

Bends, corners and roundabouts? Class!

First impressions are that this was money well spent........ and coming from someone who'd spent a fortune previously on silly bike mods which def didnt make the bike any faster.

I have often dreamed of a set of tailor made Wilbers ( because they were cheaper than Ohlins). But these are cheaper again. And no, they don't feel a penny cheaper than what I guess the best should feel like!

Tomorrow, I plan to take the bike to work.... It's a 40 mile each direction, crappy mix of everything from Town, motorway and crappy back-road run......

And I can't wait.

Would I recomment Nitron shocks to a mate...... without a doubt!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Shock covers

Much as I love the look of them, I decided to get a set of covers to protect the shocks over the winter.

Ended up getting a set made from America, great quality and cheap as chips.

$40 ( £26 ) delivered from here.... http://www.dirtskins.com

Neoprene and a perfect fit. If anybody else interested in sizing, I measured mine for the GSA as
Front 9"L 10"C
Rear 10"L 11.25"C (Yanks still prefer their feet and inches)

At bottom of homepage is a link to "Can't find your sizes... Custom fit "

 

[MasterBaker]

Dirt skins ? By the look of that baby she's given a steam bath evey night , very clean indeed .Can't wait to get my nitro's for my 1100.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Ok Colin... you are the guru of all year riding....

but the shocks got a bad soaking 2 weeks ago during a ride home from work.

Impressions are that they are still very different from the standard shocks..... bike very different on side and centre stands.

But on the move, they are very, very much improved.

For example, the fast straight I know so well between 2 bends on my commute home.... where an overtake is almost compulsorary...Before, when I rode the 3 or 4 dips in the road, the rear suspension soaked them up like a lazy armchair. Now, i'm out passing the slow mover and find the rear stays put and bike does a little wheelie in the middle of the dips, which before absorded the play in my GSA rear.

Not my usual style, but made me look cool..... at least that's what I thought..... And that's what counts.

 

[Time Traveller]

Hmmm just be a bit careful covering shocks...any shocks. Any grit will chafe like abrasive paper. Dampness stays in side (even water tight cover won't stop condensation from the metal falling below the dew point). IMHo you're better off with a mudsling on the back, and just coating everything with anti corrosive FS365 or ACF50 - or whatever your chosen weapon.

Just don't do what Cannon motorcycles did and put the plastic cover over the standard shock, then fail to do the screw up - the paint was gone on the new shock on the ride home when I spotted it!