shock life

[rovert57]

Hi all
just looking at some bikes and those in my price range have around the 27000 mile and above ,so what is the general life of the suspension units on the gs range I mean the ones that are used as road bikes not the off road hero ones .

 

[JJH]

It depends what you want. If you consider a shock ok till it starts leaking then you should be ok. Some people buy a new gs and then start changing things like shocks. They are both extremes. I'd say have a good look and a long test ride. Remember these shocks are rebuildable. It's been discussed on here a good few times. Jjh

 

[bisbee]

Depends, there may be different experiences between ESA and ordinary OEM

 

[Bendy toy]

27K is about the expected life of a rear shock. Mine was replaced under warranty at that miles. Bike now has 52K miles so I'm in for a bill very soon.
Get the bike you like and budget £500 (ish) for a Wilbers or £150 for a rebuild.

 

[jags]

mine has just shat itself at 25020mls. now at firefox racing for a rebuild. 09gs road use only.
edit it's on esa suspenders.

 

[robb]

Swapped my esa shocks at 28k for wilbers. They were "tired" but no leaks. Road use only.

 

[Bendy toy]

I want Wilbers on mine but budget wont run anywhere close ATM.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

BMW only warrant their suspension units for 30000 miles so that should give you a bit of a clue

 

[cookie]

they start new being undamped boingy shite, then they get worse.

 

[sethmopp]

Mine on 50000 and still original ESA units, not sure how good they are now but still no leaks.

 

[Beemerman59]

Mine never leaked but were shagged at 30k. Fitted Wilburs WESA and never looked back.

 

[Roymondo]

Depends, there may be different experiences between ESA and ordinary OEM

Adjustment method shouldn't make any difference. ESA simply provides a convenient, press-button way to adjust the preload and damping, it doesn't alter the way the suspension works (or the rate at which the dampers wear out).

 

[Tam]

19500 and rear knackered ,front ok,
wilbur fitted now

 

[bisbee]

Adjustment method shouldn't make any difference. ESA simply provides a convenient, press-button way to adjust the preload and damping, it doesn't alter the way the suspension works (or the rate at which the dampers wear out).

Wouldn't an ESA shock that was set up right more of the time last longer than a non ESA one, which may be set for solo and not adjusted for two up?

 

[Micky]

they start new being undamped boingy shite, then they get worse.

That's about par for the course Cookie

In over thirty years of experience with BMW's, and maybe half a million miles, their standard suspension is well fucked at the 20k to 30k mark

 

[m1keyp]

I recommend this guy for Wilbers and particularly ESA, with the £ € at 1.4 mine were £500 less than I could get them here

http://gs-parts.de/

The guy is called Roger and his communication is excellent

 

[Bendy toy]

The prices look good (dampers only - springs extra) . I imagine the job needs special tools in addition to bike grade spring compressors.

Do you have instructions or at least basic guidance on what is needed to do the job right.

 

[fringe]

The prices look good (dampers only - springs extra) . I imagine the job needs special tools in addition to bike grade spring compressors.

Do you have instructions or at least basic guidance on what is needed to do the job right.

Looks like there is an option for 1050 Euro, to send your shocks to them to transfer over for you supplying your weight etc, first by setting the suspension to One rider/Comfort mode.

 

[Bendy toy]

Assuming it's including VAT does look worth having. I'm 200 miles from Revs Racing so ride in ride out service would be at least a very long day of not an overnighter.

 

[adventuredon]

Had my rear OEM non ESA rebuilt as a precaution at around 38k. Bike feels lovely now. Didn't realise it was bit tired until had it done. But it wasn't leaking at 38k!