shocking!

[Spanish Bob]

Pinty if you NEVER had a shock go you:

are not fat enough

you are too lucky

you ride like a big girls blouse


Youll know the symptoms....

actually it can be quite unpleasant when they go pop, but the worst is the deterioration, you kid yourself you´ll "have a look" and course you dont.

 

[cookie]

dunno which column to tick. i have decarbon ohlins on the back & emulsion on the front

ps. i think all the other ohlins riders do too

link

 

[Fanum]

Must admit I'm with some of the others here on why replace something that seems to work well in the first place.

I know I have WP rear on my '03 built/'04 reg Adv, but with 17k miles on the clock, even with my sylph like 19 stone + extra large panniers fully laden a lot of the time and pillion, the bike's handling is better than my riding can provoke........so why do I need to chnage?

I'll look again if i start to notice any major degradation of the handling........unless it's within my two year's warrenty in which case BWM will damn well pay for it

 

[Arthurwg]

Before my R12 was delivered I had planned to replace the stock shocks as soon as Ohlins had a set ready to go. But at 3300 milkes the originals are working really well, so well that I doubt that a switch will be necessary.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I replaced my 50k rear shock with another second hand less used OEM for £70. The symptoms was very obvious for me, loaded and pillion every bend we went in the bike was all over the show and the rear very twisty.

Offroad I could bounce the bike and bottom it out by standing on the footpegs. The difference is amazing and even though I am no pro think a pair of heavier sprung shocks will make the world of difference when touring two up with all our shite strapped on the back.

Pity these things is so expensive and you really have to turn a penny to splash out on new shockers.

 

[Ming]

I have just purchased a set of Ohlins for my adventure.(again)

for several reason .

I weigh 18 odd stone so when swmbo and luggage goes on top of that weigh its too much for the stock shock.

the ride is much better on ohlins

and the bike squats less cornering so I dont loose the ground

clearance mid corner.



they are worth every penny

 

[laughingBob]

I can't see any point in changing anything or the sake of it. I changed standard rear shock for an Ohlins on my R100GS for a long overland trip due to the ridiculous amount of weight we were carrying. The first unit was defective and was replaced under warranty and the second unit packed up in the middle of knowhere after 4K. I changed back to the standard BM unit and it was still going strong when I sold the bike. If it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[Bikergary]

I didn't want to buy Ohlins, i wanted to keep the OEM, but I could never adjsut them enough to take my light 18Stone, passanger and camping kit, and still have the headlights shine on the road (i won't say what it was like over bumps especially drains), I even manage to get hold of another second hand one, but no different...... so got hold of a pair of second hand Ohlins, and yes they take the weight but can I set them up propperly... like hell can I.. so Steptoe, if you decided to alter them, make sure you write down the setting when they are cold.

 

[ArgyBargy]

From bitter experience:

Standard shock should do 30-50K according to your replies on my front shock thread a while back.

Ohlins recomend rebuilding at 15K miles. (mine lasted 17K before it leaked its usefulness away)

Fournales recomend a rebuild at 80K and having just done that to mine and refitted it, its not far short of the Ohlins on performance.

So, you pays your money and makes your choice. If you do high mileage, Ohlins are v.v.expensive.
£100 each for rebuild, best part of £100 for someone to swap them over, plus £70 on the train for a week while they are away, plus £10 P&P, that's nearly £300 every 18 months - no ta.

 

[cbritton]

How the Ferk did you get them at that price ?

Was £450 for the pair B.S ? If not, how did you manage it ?

Colin.

 

[pazza1150]

Big saving

Just saved myself possibly £800ish on new ohlins by visiting a nice man at Falcon shock absorbers in Wareham. Thought my suspension was passed it at 55k, but after freeing off the adjusting screw and a few trial bounces they were passed as absolutely fine. So treated myself by getting the bike on the dyno at the Aprilla dealer in Wareham (never seen the place before) cracking bloke and bike right on the numbers with more torque than an RSV, so a good day all round.

 

[Muppet]

Just saved myself possibly £800ish on new ohlins by visiting a nice man at Falcon shock absorbers in Wareham. Thought my suspension was passed it at 55k, but after freeing off the adjusting screw and a few trial bounces they were passed as absolutely fine. So treated myself by getting the bike on the dyno at the Aprilla dealer in Wareham (never seen the place before) cracking bloke and bike right on the numbers with more torque than an RSV, so a good day all round.

Pazza - some details/contact numbers of this bloke please - shocks are my next 'must do' item and I can't afford £500 on Ohlins or similar. Was thinking of getting my OE unit rebuilt (if that's possible), or cheaper units if not.

Ta.

 

[Pukmeister]

I had the rear shock rebuilt on my other bike at 33500 miles (Yam YZF600) and it transformed the handling for about 12 months. The damping was poor and the remote reservoir was down on its Nitrogen charge. With fresh fluid and Nitrogen it was amazing.

On a cross country 'scratch' back from Thruxton BSB this year, the shaft seal blew, she couldn't take anymore abuse. It was like riding a lowered pogo stick. Instead of another rebuild at £105 plus parts, I just fitted an OE shock taken from a very low miler at a breakers for £55. Bargain.

Some of the comments on here seem confusing. People say their rear shock is too soft and needs replacing as their headlight points skywards. This is the fault of the spring rate being too soft for the job, and not the 'shock absorber' (damper). Either that or their hydraulic preload adjustment is shot. The spring controls the ride, and the damper controls the spring, not the other way round.

If I had Ohlins and it wasn't up to the job I would be well pissed off considering the price and quality of manufacture. It is the best on the market. Ohlins will match the spring to your requirements, its worth asking them to fit an uprated spring if you are a well-built rider or have luggage and pillion, or do a lot of off-road. This option is suggested in the Touratech catalogue however any Ohlins supplier/suspension specialist will be able to do this.

If the R1200GS WP shocks are rebuildable I will probably get mine rebuilt at 30,000 miles if it is lots cheaper than an Ohlins replacement set (I suspect it will be).