Ohlins

[Alphason]

Just wondering..........

Does anyone have experience of Ohlins shocks on the GS 1100, 1150 or 1200? How do they effect the handling of the GS? Are they worth the money?

 

[Emperor Norton]

I fitted Oehlins shocks (front & rear) after 4000 mls, mainly for the following reasons:

- I commute every day and take my youngest son to school. He's got his school stuff in one pannier, mine is in the other. Roads are bumpy and the stock shocks are simply too weak for the full load.

- The same goes for our holiday trips.

- With my former bikes I made the experience that at higher speeds traction on bumpy roads is far better with Oehlins shocks than with the stock ones.

- Thrashing on curvy mountain roads with Oehlins is sheer delight.

After 6000 mls I can say that the investment is worthwhile, although at a high price. However, in Europe I would consider Wilbers shocks which are at least a match to Oehlins but cost less.

If you're not yet sure whether or not to exchange the shocks, tick off the following positive list:

- mileage > 20000 per year?
- Do you often drive with luggage and/or pillion?
- Do you often drive on curvy and/or bumpy roads?

If two out of these three apply, close your eyes and get the yellow thingies.

 

[Wreford Miles]

I put Ohlins on my 1150 at 48,000 miles bloody fantastic it's like a new bike...

I like riding bumpy b roads and making progress.

I paid 800 quid fitted and would recomend it if...

1. You can afford it
2. If your bikes got more than 20,000 miles on it
3. You want to keep your GS for a long while

 

[Ming]

Worth every penny

 

[notadrop]

I'm interested BUT
What about these 15K 'service' intervals on top of the purchase price, I hear thats how often they should be overhauled?
Has anyone had to do this, or are they a fit and forget?

 

[Wreford Miles]

notadrop

I would imagine you know the road through Burnham Beeches between J2 M40 and Taplow.

If you where to ride it with standard GS shocks and then with Ohlins and you'll be straight on the phone to Harris performance.

Also of J2 M40 roundabout going into Beaconsfield as you enter that link dual carrigway the out side lane has some nasty ripples...well not when you've got Ohlins

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I haven't got any ohlins anywhere near my bike.

Strangely, i can accelerate, brake and generally ride about a bit.

Do i need councilling ?

Will they get me to work any quicker by making all the traffic lights green ?

 

[Wreford Miles]

Will they get me to work any quicker by making all the traffic lights green ?

In short no... but if you every do buy some you'll think they're the dogs


I brought mine because my shocks where knackered, would I recomend relacing good shocks for Ohlins? Only if you've got lots of cash

 

[Cornish Bob]

Shocks.

Hi,
read an article in Bike mag about after market shocks and they spoke to a few of the specialist companies. At the end of the artical they said that any of the companies could rebuild your original shocks to suit your needs, at a fraction of the costs of more expensive units, with good results.
Cheers.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just wondering..........

Does anyone have experience of Ohlins shocks on the GS 1100, 1150 or 1200? How do they effect the handling of the GS? Are they worth the money?

The difference is 'chalk and cheese'
The stock shocks are built to a price and can be harsher and cruder in their operation, when compared to any pricier 'performance shocks'

Try Kais Performance near Manchester for Ohlins, they will set them up for you and are nearer to you than Harris Performance In Hertfordshire

www.kais-performance.co.uk

 

[boxer]

I don't think my GS handles any better on Ohlins than it did on OE - at least at the 'level' I ride at and with my experience I don't. To be honest when I first installed the Ohlins I thought the OEM better until Kais set them up for me [cost 45GBP]. I was much happier knowing various adjustments had be done correctly.

If you're the type of rider [like I am] that's got to ask if the Ohlins are worth it then I think that maybe refurbishing the stock shock is the way to go.

If you're the type of rider that's got to ask someone to set them up for you then a refurbished stock shock is the way to go. There's an awful lot of adjustment you'll pay for, never use and then maybe worry about.

Fully loaded my rear Ohlins popped a seal [35GBP to fix] in the shock body that effected the preload. We were VERY fully loaded and it didn't stop us, but still.........

IMO, 800GBP is a lot of money - and for me anyway - the extra cash over a refurb OE shock probably wasn't worth it. I could have a week in Scotland with the money I'd have saved by sticking with OEM. I'm sure I can appreciate a week in Scotland, I'm not sure I can appreciate the advantage Ohlins offer over OEM.

 

[GSAde]

I'm no riding god but...

I could tell the difference when I went back to the OE Showa units when I removed the Ohlins to transfer them to my new bike, due shortly. Due to time constraints I removed all the "bling" from my old bike about a month before new one was due (tomorrow ) when I went for a ride boy could I tell - wished I could have left the Ohlins on longer!

Was like riding over a washboard compared to the Ohlins - hopped about all over the place on bumpy corners - definitely slowed me down - & before someone says it was old OE shocks, they'd only done 600 miles. Had the Ohlins fitted at the old bikes first service - 20,000 miles ago - & they're still far superior to the "new" Showa's. There seems to have been no noticeable deterioration over this time on the Ohlins - but if you take your quarter ton GS "motocrossing" or heavily overload it ....sure you may pop a seal.....on any shock.

One of the first jobs on my new GSA will be to fit the Ohlins - to make it handle properly


If you can afford them get some, you won't be disapointed!

Cheers

Ade

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Me too Ade................I found exactly the same thing.

I was a sceptic 4 years ago, until I rode a GS with Ohlins and immediately bought some...............best mod to do.........forget a Remus Can and Y piece, the bike will be faster on better suspension

So the GSA was equipped with Ohlins when it was taken out of the crate and PDi'd...............forget the Showas ..............they're pants