Rear suspension - and brakes

[uncle dick]

Hi all, I'm new here and just in the process of doing a semi restoration on a '96 1100GS. My rear suspension unit has lost most of the oil from the preload adjuster so I figured it was time to spend some money. The most consistently well rated unit seems to be the Ohlins.

Firstly, and assuming nobody's got a decent secondhand one, where is the best place to purchase? Touratech at £470 plus carriage looks about the best deal at the moment but why is it that a pair is nearer £1750? They're obviously different but there's no explanantion.

Or, is it worth waiting until the NEC show next month? I've never been before so don't know what deals might be available.

Lastly, what are your recommendations for brake pads? 99% on road and not huge mileage.

TIA
Dick

 

[sockpuppet]

Welcome

The best way to get a decent price for a Ohlins is just to phone around. Doubt there will be many mega deals as most dealers just order to request so don't hold stock they have to get rid off.

Brake pads speak to Steptoe (aka GS-Shop advertised at the top of the forum). I got all the pads from him earlier last month. Next day delivery, good stuff and cheap, what more do you need.

 

[shready]

Welcome to the site

For the suspension you could try Wilbers, do a search on here, get a brew and start reading, highly regarded.

I always use genuine OEM pads, better wear on the discs and good performance, by one set, get one half price from here http://www.motobins.co.uk/

Don't expect to get any 1100GS bargains from the NEC show.

 

[g.s.john]

i fitted wilbers for the pair just under £800.00 cant remember the exact price and they come with a five year warranty IMO better value than ohlins and they will build to your requirements.
Every Accessory Suspention
0121 501 3321 http://www.everyaccessory.co.uk

 

[mpjbiker]

You probably don't need to buy anything-just refill the preload adjuster with fresh oil. I can't remember the exact details, but I did it to an RT a few years ago, and it transformed it, actually better than the ohlins that I'd replaced it with. I took the ohlins off to sell the bike. Seach the yank bmwrt site-it's a well known fix.

 

[shready]

You probably don't need to buy anything-just refill the preload adjuster with fresh oil. I can't remember the exact details, but I did it to an RT a few years ago, and it transformed it, actually better than the ohlins that I'd replaced it with. I took the ohlins off to sell the bike. Seach the yank bmwrt site-it's a well known fix.

There is a company that rebuilds shocks for about £100. They can also replace the spring if you need that done.

 

[davegs]

Money

Welcome to the site, don't waste your dosh on the NEC, nowadays a load of
expensive crap. Honda amongst others will not be there so spend it on a shock and save your self getting a one! time you've paid for car park and admission prices!, and possible heart attack when your charged for a crap cup of tea!.

 

[motobiker]

I chose Wilbers over Ohlins for two reasons... Wilbers were cheaper.. but more importantly Wilbers are built to suit YOU.. rather than Ohlins which are an 'off the shelf' item and then need setting up. For road use Wilbers are absolutely fine.. there have been problems with them reported by owners who do what I consider 'extreme off roading'... or distance touring on very VERY bad roads. Most Notably Tsiklonaut on his epic ride through the Americas... but for the UK and European roads Wilbers are more than up to the job. I am completely happy with mine.

I have kept my original shocks to use when my Wilbers are due a rebuild...

 

[MattW]

but more importantly Wilbers are built to suit YOU..

This is something I've wondered about a few times.

What if you're like me and your riding covers everything from solo, unloaded flirting around to two up touring? Is it possible to specify a 'compromise' shock which will cover all this?

 

[sockpuppet]

There is a company that rebuilds shocks for about £100. They can also replace the spring if you need that done.

Steptoe has a bloke who does this.

i fitted wilbers for the pair just under £800.00 cant remember the exact price and they come with a five year warranty IMO better value than ohlins and they will build to your requirements.
Every Accessory Suspention
0121 501 3321 http://www.everyaccessory.co.uk

Ohlins also build based on your requirements.

 

[sockpuppet]

This is something I've wondered about a few times.

What if you're like me and your riding covers everything from solo, unloaded flirting around to two up touring? Is it possible to specify a 'compromise' shock which will cover all this?

Yes, thought it'll always be a compramise. It's very hard to specify a shock with that great a range of ability.

Most places would probably tell you to go for the heavier spring 180Nm say and then when riding on your own take all the preload off and just expect a harder ride on the old tush.

 

[King Rat]

My original shocks cope perfectly well with the range of situations you describe.

Solo riding with nothing more than a camera bag in one pannier (extra loaded weight around 10kgs, so the difference in peoples' body weights). Then loaded solo with a weeks worth of kit AND the camera stuff - loaded weight around an extra 35kgs, so again, some tossers weight much more than me! Then two up, loaded with all the kit. Yes, the bounce is slower but it doesn't bottom out and the handling is perfectly acceptable for riding with mrs, kit and expensive camera gear loaded up - I don't tend to do edge of the tyre stuff when riding two up and loaded. I just give the preload knob a twist to change between situations - I keep saying I will put some marks on it to give me some reference points, but I haven't got aroundtuit yet!

Rebuild the original. Save your pennies - put the £350 towards a trip round the Picos to test your rebuilt shock!

 

[shready]

My original shocks cope perfectly well with the range of situations you describe.

Solo riding with nothing more than a camera bag in one pannier (extra loaded weight around 10kgs, so the difference in peoples' body weights). Then loaded solo with a weeks worth of kit AND the camera stuff - loaded weight around an extra 35kgs, so again, some tossers weight much more than me! Then two up, loaded with all the kit. Yes, the bounce is slower but it doesn't bottom out and the handling is perfectly acceptable for riding with mrs, kit and expensive camera gear loaded up - I don't tend to do edge of the tyre stuff when riding two up and loaded. I just give the preload knob a twist to change between situations - I keep saying I will put some marks on it to give me some reference points, but I haven't got aroundtuit yet!

Rebuild the original. Save your pennies - put the £350 towards a trip round the Picos to test your rebuilt shock!

Have you ever tried riding with a suspension upgrade?

If you had I doubt you would have just posted that!

 

[ciderman gs]

i bought ohlins the front has rebound and manual adjustment for compression found the best setting for empty solo and fully loaded two up (camping gear and wife) the rear is remote preload and remote compression the units were re sprung for weight and now all i do set the bike up for solo or two up takes seconds and the ride is so much better than the standard shocks that even the wife noticed and for the first time ever has said that was money well spent IMHO the best money ever to spend on a bike is on the suspension even down to the fact of your tyres last longer due to the smoother ride

 

[Mutley]

Also worth talking to Maxton Engineering - they will custom build anything you want.

 

[motobiker]

This is something I've wondered about a few times.

What if you're like me and your riding covers everything from solo, unloaded flirting around to two up touring? Is it possible to specify a 'compromise' shock which will cover all this?

Matt.. the questionaire you fill in asks all this.

And the shocks they built for me are exactly as you describe.

from memory they asked my weight.. the weight of my regular pillion and if I take full luggage. also my riding style... I specified that I'm exclusively a tarmac rider... pillion weighs 10 stone. (that was a fib ~ but felt it was a sensible answer to cover most scenarios)
Told them I was mostly solo.. and the shocks arrived set up for that... but ready to be adjusted for the pillion and luggage.

so fully bespoke.

In my opinion the 'compromise' is buying an off the peg Ohlins... thats a 'one size fits all' and having to mess about getting it right.

 

[Wrigsby1]

I've always stuck with the standard shocks also. They are fine for most things and work well loaded up (in fact they seem to work better!). Ohlins etc are great as long as you use the extra ability which usually means off road or similar. You can throw money at these things but whether you will need them is another matter. Also Hagon do a cheaper alternative.

Sometimes it's a good thing when the bike tells you where the limit is!

I am thinking of doing an alternative guide as to "GS'ing on the cheap" or "Credit Crunch GS" as an antidote to the Wunderlich/Ohlins/12GS stuff.

Ta
G

 

[sockpuppet]

In my opinion the 'compromise' is buying an off the peg Ohlins... thats a 'one size fits all' and having to mess about getting it right.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You can get Ohlins specced to how you want them, spring rate, change valves for damping etc.

I wouldn't say walking into the dealer and having a choice if spring rates and rebound options to choose from was messing around with it.

 

[motobiker]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You can get Ohlins specced to how you want them, spring rate, change valves for damping etc.

I wouldn't say walking into the dealer and having a choice if spring rates and rebound options to choose from was messing around with it.

indeed so.. but at what price?

no.. don't answer that.. I remember looking into this at the time and I distinctly remember gasping.

read the OP.. its pretty obvious to me the chap isn't made of money.

 

[MattW]

Matt.. the questionaire you fill in asks all this.

And the shocks they built for me are exactly as you describe.

from memory they asked my weight.. the weight of my regular pillion and if I take full luggage. also my riding style... I specified that I'm exclusively a tarmac rider... pillion weighs 10 stone. (that was a fib ~ but felt it was a sensible answer to cover most scenarios)
Told them I was mostly solo.. and the shocks arrived set up for that... but ready to be adjusted for the pillion and luggage.

so fully bespoke.

In my opinion the 'compromise' is buying an off the peg Ohlins... thats a 'one size fits all' and having to mess about getting it right.

Ah - thanks