Rear shock leaking!

[JSC]

2011 GSA, 12500 mls, first noticed a clonking noise from the back end when going over pot holes etc.
First checked rear wheel for play and compressed the suspension but all seemed fine.
Then laid underneath the bike and noticed that oil was pissing out of the oil seal on the shock, been using it for work all week with that oil getting on the rear tyre!
Used BMW recovery to take it to the dealer, they said it will be covered by the extended warranty.
Has anyone else had this problem?

JSC

 

[Neil W]

Mine lasted 700 miles !

 

[oldnfat]

I think you will find that this is a relatively common issue. Mine let go at 18k. Many on here who are out of warranty go for Wilbers replacement which is much better quality and can be rebuilt.

 

[1157]

My top seal on a 2012 GS blew (esa unit at 6000 miles), and told yep that year build was shite for quality by dealer .All covered under warranty which is fine but hoping the front now blows before two year warranty expires.
Its been said before but you should get a quality bike for the cash paid ,but it seems the more popular a selling brand ,is the easier it is to farm out your parts for production by other companys and then sit and wait for the early failed units to come in knowing they will come in at low milages or not !!!
To stay in front if your keeping for several seasons and don't want to pay full price after warranty ,your forced into extended warranty for piece of mind

 

[Blobby]

Two rear and one front ESA shock replaced in two years. Have just taken extended warranty as a result. The first time I've ever taken an extended warranty on a bike (a bit lacking in confidence in the build quality) and if something breaks and it pays out it will have been worth it. If something breaks and the warranty doesn't pay out, the GSA will be sold. Questionable quality aside, it's still a cracking bike in so many respects.

 

[B4ndit]

This is very worrying.

To read about an expensive bike that sh_ts shocks at such low mileage.

I like my ESA. I expect it to last at least 6 years. So along with the FD I am sitting on yet another BMW time bomb.

 

[pmk]

Mine went on my 2012 triple black at 12k, replaced under warranty.

 

[B4ndit]

Mine went on my 2012 triple black at 12k, replaced under warranty.

OMG.

 

[B4ndit]

Why do we buy these bikes.

At present I have a KLV also. On the Vstrom web site there are non of these expensive horror stories. Same thing for all my jap bikes really.

I do like my GSA. It goes well. Handling is pretty good. Suspension is good. But I hate the fact it could be an expensive beast to maintain.

I have put a few hundred quid to one side for emergency's with the BMW. Not so with the Kawasaki. Ironic.

BMW. Good on a good day. Shocking awful on a bad day.

 

[JSC]

Spoke to the dealer again today, they say they need to replace the whole shock and have ordered one.
It is covered under the extended warranty and thank F**k for that as they told me for the part only it will be £1260!!!
God knows what the labour costs would have been on top plus the fact that It wont be ready until the end of the week so have got to use the car for work so get stuck in traffic!
Think I will be seriously thinking about a different bike soon, might see if Triumph or KTM are any better?

JSC

 

[Wicker]

The workshop time to replace the rear shock is not much - circa 1 hour.
However the price of the ESA shock is Glad my replacement was also covered under warranty.

However BMW should really make shocks of that price serviceable / rebuildable. Even the better units (such as Wilbers) benefit from an oil change and service circa every 25k. For me that's every 2 years.

 

[sethmopp]

So far no problems with mine at 25000 in 16 months. However, check your warranty especially the extended one as I think they only cover the shocks till 30000.

 

[Bendy toy]

The shocks can be rebuilt by most suspension specialists. They drill the case and fit a gas pressurisation valve, so once done it can be serviced as required.

However the WIlbers shocks are MUCH better quality and built to be serviced. TBH a bike rear shock has a very tough life so annual services make a lot of sense (IMO).

It may well be worth asking the dealer if he will fit a Wilbers instead of an OEM unit. North Oxford once mentioned they have fitted them before. I didnt ask if this was possible under the warranty.

 

[JSC]

As I said fortunately I am covered with the extended warranty, but what pisses me off is that in over 25 years of biking I have never had any trouble with any of my bikes and that includes the last three being Harleys! (one of which I built from the frame up!).
I love the bike but in the two years iv'e owned it iv'e already had a couple of problems which would have cost me about £2000 without a warranty.
Add to that the service costs at about £400 a year plus over £300 for the extended warranty, its just to much hassle and expense!

 

[birdseye]

Think I will be seriously thinking about a different bike soon, might see if Triumph or KTM are any better?

JSC

Not re-assured by the stories on the Triumph forums and having had a KTM 990 Adv with apalling fuelling I wouldnt go that way again. If quality and reliability are important there only is one answer - Honda. Tried the Cross whatsit?