Shocks Knackered

[jenks]

A bit of advise need here, The rear shock is knackered on my 2002 GS, I think I will go for Ohlins as a replacement, but should I change both front and rear or just the rear. The front was replaced under warranty about 4000 miles ago, so seems in good nick.

I have heard on here all the rave reports about improved handling etc, but will I loose some of the benifits by just replacing the one thats knackered

Thanks
Jenks

 

[Timolgra]

I would just change the rear, you'll get a massive improvement in handling.
The benefits from a good front shock on an 1150 are much less so.

 

[cookiemonster]

or...

If its a Showa, get it rebuilt at ABE in Greenwich for around £100. It wont be as good as an Ohlins but it will be as good as new.

http://www.allbikespares.co.uk/

I had mine rebuilt by them (and a CBR600 before it as it happens); highly recommended if you dont want to go down the £500 Ohlins route.

jon

 

[Timolgra]

highly recommended if you dont want to go down the £500 Ohlins route.

jon

Mine was £350 during a sale from Motor Works a few years ago. It's now being overhauled and rebuilt as an ADV shock with a stiffer spring by Maxton Engineering.

The old Ohlins spring was too soft and had bottomed out so hard the body was completely knackered. But the damping from a decent shock is what you're after

 

[Jimb]

Jenks

Change both if you can afford it, the difference is amazing, a rebuild on an Ohlins is £95.

As i said on another thread the OE Showa's are the cheapest, lowest quality BMW can get away with to last the warranty period, DON'T replace with OE shocks its money straight down the drain, fit ohlins and keep the original for when you sell the bike, you'll get your money back on Ohlins if you change to another maker.

 

[JJ Crafford]

A bit of advise need here, The rear shock is knackered on my 2002 GS, I think I will go for Ohlins as a replacement, but should I change both front and rear or just the rear. The front was replaced under warranty about 4000 miles ago, so seems in good nick.

I have heard on here all the rave reports about improved handling etc, but will I loose some of the benifits by just replacing the one thats knackered

Thanks
Jenks

Hi Jenks

Please describe symptoms of knackered shocks.

Thanks.
JJ

 

[jenks]

Please describe symptoms of knackered shocks.

Thanks.
JJ


JJ

In the last 500 maybe 1000 miles the handling has gone off, the slightest bump in the road upsets the bike, where as before you never knew there was a bump. The other thing is that the bike sits lower than before, I can now get both feet firmly on the ground, and it's become a bitch to get on the centre stand. It's either I have grown in the last couple of months and am even more feeble or the damping and spring have finally had there day.

Does any one know of a good place to get Ohilins?? my thought process is to have the bike set up correctly, I can fit them but my eyes glaze over when it comes to static sag, rebound, up three notches etc. I spoke with Harris they wanted way over £800 plus £150 or so to set the bike up, I don't know why but I thought it expensive

Andrew

 

[Pukmeister]

Jenks, the Ohlins shocks are shown in the Touratech catalogue, though any UK Ohlins dealer should be able to supply you. For starters, why not do a Google search for Ohlins and UK?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ohlins+uk&meta=

 

[cookie]

harris were cheapest when i was looking. they will set them up with the right spring and compression damping for your weight/riding style FOC as well. i bought a custom built rear shock from them @ stock money.

my front shock i bought from this board at a considerable saving over new price. they come up on for sale & wanted all the time not convinced it makes much difference, but it is a fetching shade of yellow.
can't get the belt cover off the front of the engine any longer without taking the front shock off as ohlins unit is fatter.

as to ride height etc. i just stuck them on with the standard suggested settings & rode the bike, made a few little mods 'til it felt right. job done