Stock shocks , do I need to upgrade or not ?

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Richie B

Richie B

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Hi, this has probably been discussed many times, but I'm after fact please !! I ride a 1200GS 09 ESA
So if you have personal experience, would you please share it with me.
I am off on a 3 month tour on 1st May 2016 we are planning to tour black/caspian Seas area. Expecting some minor off roads so thinking the shocks may take some punishment. Do I need to change the shock ? if so which is the best ? Will changing just the spring do the job? I am on a budget so not prepared to throw unnecessary cash at it ! (ie TT/Olins )
thanks in advance Richie
 
Is the bike still on the original shocks and if so, how many miles has it done? Does it feel like the damping has gone off, i.e. wallowy and imprecise? Does it wear out tyres more quickly than it used to? Does it feel like there's less grip than there once was on bumpy corners and is it a handful when you're pressing on?

Also, it's arguable whether or not buying a pair of Ohlins or even Wilbers is an unnecessary expenditure. Good suspension makes a hell of a difference to every aspect of the ride quality.
 
Good suspension makes a big difference , but if the OEM is still in spec you don't "need" to fit Nitron/Wilbers/Ohlins etc.

The jury is out as to the value of Ohlins against Wilbers or others of similar cost. A racer will feel the difference but road users probably won't be pushing the bike hard enough to notice. The jury is not out regarding the value of Wilber's etc against OEM. They are poles apart. Even the main dealers will tell you how good they are. At least Benham Wolverhampton did.

If the OEMs are wearing out the cheaper option is to have them rebuilt. If the OEM shocks have about 15K miles they will "feel" ok but benefit from a rebuild and the costs should be quite low as internal parts should not be usable. At 30K they will be well hammered so expect a costly repair with spares required. Money that could otherwise go towards some much nicer quality shocks.
 
interesting info,

Took my '09 1200GS for MOT today and the rear shock is losing oil, just a little it was an advisory, so need to decide on rebuilding or new! the bike has just done 15k
I quite like the idea of upgrading to maybe Ohlins. Is it OK to just replace the rear for now?
regarding rebuilding OEM, does anyone know somewhere who would do this?

I am based in the south east
 
My bike is currently at 51k miles , shock still working fine. I've been told you can not rebuild the OEM. Had a rebuilt shock fitted to my Dakar 650 as the OEM failed, made a huge difference, transformed the bike. My fear is the OEM on the 1200 will fail while on tour as its bound to get a bit of a hammering.
 
try ringing firefox racing in keithley west yoks ,they will tell you if they can refurb your original shocks ,they are very good at what they do ,price is ok too .:thumb
 
If the bike still has the original shocks at that mileage I'd definitely be replacing or at least rebuilding prior to a big trip. You may not have noticed how much it has deteriorated over time but will notice a big difference when its reworked or replaced.
 
At 51k your shock is way past it's best. The problem with ESA is the replacement cost which is eye watering.

A rebuild is definately in order and it won't be the spring which is the issue. It's the internals and oils which degrades over time. if you are on a budget, just do the rear as the front doesn't actually do a lot of work and is probably still OK.

You might want to try MCT at Stowmarket for a rebuild as I think they do standard shocks.
 
TBH, Wilbers are not cheap whether ESA or plain. Probably at least £1000 to a do a non ESA bike and £1300 for ESA. Saying that you can double the costs if you want Ohlins.

I believe that putting a new Wilber's ESA on the back but leaving the front standard will be a bigger handling compromise than doing the same with a non ESA bike. Others may know better.
 
Thanks for the couple of contacts I will ring them later. cheers all
 
Sgt Bilco said:
At 51k your shock is way past it's best. The problem with ESA is the replacement cost which is eye watering.

A rebuild is definately in order and it won't be the spring which is the issue. It's the internals and oils which degrades over time. if you are on a budget, just do the rear as the front doesn't actually do a lot of work and is probably still OK.

You might want to try MCT at Stowmarket for a rebuild as I think they do standard shocks.
Click to expand...

Do you have personal experience with MCT ?
 
fizzer said:
try ringing firefox racing in keithley west yoks ,they will tell you if they can refurb your original shocks ,they are very good at what they do ,price is ok too .:thumb
Click to expand...

Hi , do you have personal experience with fire fox racing ??
 
david_fraser75 said:
interesting info,

Took my '09 1200GS for MOT today and the rear shock is losing oil, just a little it was an advisory, so need to decide on rebuilding or new! the bike has just done 15k
I quite like the idea of upgrading to maybe Ohlins. Is it OK to just replace the rear for now?
regarding rebuilding OEM, does anyone know somewhere who would do this?

I am based in the south east
Click to expand...

Hi , I have spoken to the two firms recommended above plus a couple of others, loads of info, some conflicting but all saying shocks should be serviced/changed every couple years . If you want to chat give me a PM , cheers Rich
 
Bendy toy said:
Good suspension makes a big difference , but if the OEM is still in spec you don't "need" to fit Nitron/Wilbers/Ohlins etc.

The jury is out as to the value of Ohlins against Wilbers or others of similar cost. A racer will feel the difference but road users probably won't be pushing the bike hard enough to notice. The jury is not out regarding the value of Wilber's etc against OEM. They are poles apart. Even the main dealers will tell you how good they are. At least Benham Wolverhampton did.

If the OEMs are wearing out the cheaper option is to have them rebuilt. If the OEM shocks have about 15K miles they will "feel" ok but benefit from a rebuild and the costs should be quite low as internal parts should not be usable. At 30K they will be well hammered so expect a costly repair with spares required. Money that could otherwise go towards some much nicer quality shocks.
Click to expand...

:confused:
 
got my rear shock rebuilt by firefox. it was leaking oil ( 23k ). cost £190, esa shock. did a good job and turned round in 10days as promised.
 
Hi guys, thanks for all the feedback. think I will go with firefix would love a wilbers setup but i'am on a budget


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