Ohlins or Wilbers???

[Wobs]

I'm just going thru the same nental turmoil about replacing shocks on my 2000 GS.
Consensus seems to be Wilbers over Ohlins, but guess it'll come down to dosh as well.
Anybody know best place (ie cheapest) to get either?
Thanks

 

[Blackal]

I'm just going thru the same nental turmoil about replacing shocks on my 2000 GS.
Consensus seems to be Wilbers over Ohlins, but guess it'll come down to dosh as well.
Anybody know best place (ie cheapest) to get either?
Thanks

Try Everyaccessory for Wilbers - they treat customers right

They are here!

Al

 

[Micky]

I'd go Ohlins as they look so cooooollll

Mmmmmmm yup... for looking cool, parked outside the cafe on a Sunday afternoon then I'd go for the Öhlins without a doubt

But for riding my 'bike then without a doubt I'd go for the Wilbers



www.adventure.gs

 

[BSD]

I fitted a pair of Wilbers to a customers 1150 GSA this week. Fantastic quality, better than Ohlins I have fitted in the past, and much better value.
Brian.

Don't think it was a GSA Brian

Anyway..+1 for Every Accesory.Don't forget to mention that you are a member of this site.10% discount.
I ordered a total of 3 shocks..1 front and 2 rears and was given a very good price.
Used Ohlins before..and having done just about 600miles on Wilbers,performance and quality are similar.5years warranty with Wilbers.Made to your specs with Wilbers..and the best part is the price difference.

 

[BSD]

I'm just going thru the same nental turmoil about replacing shocks on my 2000 GS.
Consensus seems to be Wilbers over Ohlins, but guess it'll come down to dosh as well.
Anybody know best place (ie cheapest) to get either?
Thanks

Try organise a group buy..and have a chat with Pete in Every Accesory.Shocks are made to order and will take apprx 3weeks from date of order to your front door.

 

[guised]

Hi,

I'm also in the market for some new shocks and quite fancy the Wilbers for their bespoke setup. One question I have is if there's any issue putting adventure length shocks on a normal gs. I'm 6'7" and am happy to have the extra height & suspension travel but am worried about the drive shaft angles, center stand etc.
Is it a big difference in length or hardly worth worrying about?

Thanks

Dan

 

[Welshman]

Hi,

I'm also in the market for some new shocks and quite fancy the Wilbers for their bespoke setup. One question I have is if there's any issue putting adventure length shocks on a normal gs. I'm 6'7" and am happy to have the extra height & suspension travel but am worried about the drive shaft angles, center stand etc.
Is it a big difference in length or hardly worth worrying about?

Thanks

Dan

Busy with it, but my understanding is that ADV length shocks work. The drive shaft is longer on the ADV, but the rest is the same, so the splines have a bit more engagement on the ADV.

As a tall one, your biggest issue will be peg to seat?

I have modded my seat to give a 50mm lift, plus bar raisers, this is crucial for me to get "control" having your knees bent too far, you lose the control leverage and comfort.

I ride lots of gravel and some sand so it is very obvious very quickly

 

[Sir James]

Try Everyaccessory for Wilbers - they treat customers right

They are here!

Al

Just spoke to these lads and quoted me ..... :eyesdown

£340 Front .

£470 Rear with 22 click damping preload type thingy .

Mentioned the Gs Site and gave 10% discount

£729 a pair with 5 year waranty and a buy back guarantee if you sell or swap bike

 

[WOODY]

Just spoke to these lads and quoted me ..... :eyesdown

£340 Front .

£470 Rear with 22 click damping preload type thingy .

Mentioned the Gs Site and gave 10% discount

£729 a pair with 5 year waranty and a buy back guarantee if you sell or swap bike

Same here James
I put in my order last week, present rear shock is like a pogo stick and wheezes like proff

 

[mrfandangle]

Neither!..nothing wrong with stock ones. I just had mine redone including a valve braised into the top for regassing and its as good as new... The "You cant redo the BMW shocks " isnt true as they can be re gassed etc.

Morning!. Where did you get the work done and how much did it cost? ( If you dont mind me asking).

 

[guised]

Hi,

Managed to bag myself some used Wilbers at a good price.

The previous owner was a similar build to myself so I'm hoping the springs are a good match to me.

The front is marked

46/46-55-200

and the rear

59/59-170-165

I think the numbers breakdown as wire diameter, rate, length uncompressed. If that is the case how does 55 lb/inch?? and 170 compare with a "normal " setup i.e. are these firmer or softer than standard.

Cheers

Dan

 

[Timolgra]

The main difference between the two choices (other than price/looks) is that Wilbers are built exactly to your own requirements like a 'made to measure' suit. Ohlins are not:

Tell Wilbers your riding style, weight, ride height, use of pillion/luggage etc and they will assemble the shocks with the correct spring weight, suspension travel and damping you require.

Buy the more expensive Ohlins and you may still have to spend out on new springs, alterations to the damping etc, rather like buying an 'off the peg' suit and having it re-tailored.

For this reson I bought Wilbers over Ohlins, and haven't regretted it for one moment.

Funny how opinions differ.
I phoned Kais suspension yesterday, who are Ohlins specialists.
They will supply shocks to my spec at no extra cost, so it depends who you're buying from as Ohlins tend to have more outlets.

I've decided against Wilburs as I don't believe the build quality is a patch on Ohlins regardless of them being around £50 cheaper.

 

[motobiker]

I've decided against Wilburs as I don't believe the build quality is a patch on Ohlins regardless of them being around £50 cheaper.

Funnily enough the Chap who fitted my set of Wilbers thought the opposite. He had never heard of them before - more used to Öhlins, WP and other makes. He remarked on the build quality and was visibly stunned when I told him exactly how much they cost - together with how they're ordered, produced 'bespoke' and the speedy delivery.

I mentioned that 'revs racing' was the importer - his reply was 'they don't sell crap'

 

[Timolgra]

Funnily enough the Chap who fitted my set of Wilbers thought the opposite. He had never heard of them before - more used to Öhlins, WP and other makes. He remarked on the build quality and was visibly stunned when I told him exactly how much they cost - together with how they're ordered, produced 'bespoke' and the speedy delivery.

Fitting a shock doesn't really qualify anyone to make a real judgement, particulary with a shock like Wilbers because they do look and perform well. I'm sure they make a great road only choice although I've been with 1200ADVs running Wilbers offroad and they too have been good.

I'm only making 'my' choice after reports of failed shocks, more importantly, how and why they came to fail.

When it comes to price, you can buy a brand new Ohlins for 1150ADV for £400 right now from a dealer advertising on Ebay, Wilbers I believe retail at £475

Like I said, funny how opinions differ.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I'm only making 'my' choice after reports of failed shocks, more importantly, how and why they came to fail.

r.

Apart from Margus's problems what other 'reports' have you heard? Serious Q as am still trying to decide what shocks to use for the Calum's Road trip.

Andres

 

[ukaloon]

I paid around £750-£800 for my pair of Ohlins shocks in 2007 for my 1150. I could have specified spring weights etc but didn't think about it at the time.
I've had Maxton on a VFR before and they make it and set it up to your specific weight and riding style. That cost around £850 plus getting the bike up to Cheshire.
I've just taken my bike to M C Technics suspension in Stowemarket. They are an Ohlins supply and service centre. They supplied a heavier weight spring (£50) as I'm 14st 6lb and I want to my wife pillion plus luggage. They charged £50 to take out and re-fit the pair of shocks and then £75 per shock to service them and change the spring. Included in the service they adjust the settings for your weight and riding.
All in cost for the service was £290 including VAT. I am totally impressed with their service and consider it very good VFM. I wish I'd gone to them and had them supply and fit the shocks in the first place.
The bike is transformed and the shocks are now working together as they should have been.
As long as the shocks you buy are good quality and they have the correct specific weight springs and damping for the use you will put them to I don't think it matters which you go for. What is more important is the set up and service.
M C Technics do WP as well as Ohlins, but the guy that works in receiption there told me that he owns a 1200GS and has owned a 1150 and chose Ohlins to fit to his bikes.
I didn't ask why
Maxton were sublime, Ohlins (now sorted) are every bit as good; M C Technics are the Mutts

 

[motobiker]

Fitting a shock doesn't really qualify anyone to make a real judgement.

Of course... his comments were completely facile. just as anyone who does a certain job for a living - his opinion based on years of experience was worthless.

 

[Timolgra]

Of course... his comments were completely facile. just as anyone who does a certain job for a living - his opinion based on years of experience was worthless.

If you'd said the chap had years of experience rebuilding a variety of shocks, not that he'd never even heard of Wilburs suspension then I wouldn't have made the same comment...but you didn't

Of course it's not only Margus's problems that have swayed my choice I'd have to go searching other reports again to give you the links Andres.

I've had a few dealings with Maxton in the past, they specialise in road race shocks and seem very good (and expensive), but several years ago they messed up a std 1150 Ohlins of mine during a rebuild.

So there's probably no definitive answear for me as to which really is best for my purposes, possibly WP, but again for a GS they're expensive.

Confusing innit

 

[motobiker]

you'll be hard pressed to find anyone who's not a regular visitor to this forum - advrider or the various clones that have heard of Wilbers. I don't know if thats a bad thing or not. But exactly the same can be said of Touratech.

just did a search on another forum I'm a member of with 55,894 registered users and 2,066,341 messages - just 1 result.

 

[Mzokk]

I've only ever had Ohlins aftermarket shocks on sports bikes and on the GS as I live 11miles from the Irish Ohlins Dealer so its handy if rebuilds are required. Having said that the shocks (and I'm sure any other aftermarket shock) will be an improvement on standard shocks.

I bought my bike with 5k miles on it and found the rear shock could not control the weight of the rear drive and wheel and felt harsh when you hit a sharp bump in the road (the rebound damping adjuster on the rear shock does not do much). It also had a tendency to wallow on long constant radius corners with a few dips and occasionally skip/slide unexpectedly when heeled over on bumpy bends.

Eventually at 32k I got a second hand set of ohlins and had them rebuilt and resprung and the transformation was superb. Firmer ride with no harshness (esp with standard rebound knocked back a tad after setting sag both ends) no wallowing. Altogether spending money on decent suspension is the best mod you can make to a bike as you get the benefit at all times and speeds.

The standard showa shocks look very cheaply made, they have a very narrow (compared to aftermarket shocks) body and shaft which means that they have less damping oil and gass space (more likely to overheat) and if the external appearance is anything to go by I dread to think what the internal bushes bearings and shim stacks are like.