Suspension help needed!!

[Geordietraveller]

I ride 2-up most of the time and find that I am regularly grinding both stands on corners. I would say this is because I am a riding God but the fact is that I reckon the suspension is being 'overwelmed'. Now I am not light - 17 stone in fact (I've seen plenty bigger GS'ers ) but this is without luggage and it's starting to really put me off my riding.

I've wound up the preload and increased the rebound damping which has improved matters but when really travelling a bump mid corner can still cause touch down. Never had this problem with my previous bikes (and no I haven't put on weight!).

We are about to 'do off' on the bike for a year and I have no confidence in the shock coping with our weight and all that gear..

Do I:

a - Junk the shocks and buy correctly rated stuff (ohlins)?

b - Go back to the dealer and ask why my suspension is not doing it's job?

c - Have the existing suspension revalved/get a beefier spring?

d - Slow down and enjoy the view?

e- go on a diet? (thought I'd get that one in first)

I'm leaning heavily towards the ohlins option - where is best/cheapest?



Si

 

[Ming]

I have Ohlins fitted to my Adventure for similar reasons .


that copes very well with me and mrs ming and luggage

not a cheap option though

 

[legger]

re suspension

I got rid of my 1200gs for the very same reason, 3 side stands 3 centre stands and 3 rear brake levers, it just had to go, just got myself another adventure for me it is a proper bike, you can still scrape the pegs but you are well over before touch down, the 1200 does need stronger shocks.

Andy

 

[TerryM]

Why not talk directly to BMW about running with such a high load. They may suggest heavier springs to keep it off the deck and just maybe more viscous damper oil or a more restrictive compression and/ or rebound damping valve set up to go with the springs.

Terry

 

[Geordietraveller]

Cheers guys - at least I'm not alone!

I did mention it to Mill in passing last week but had little response. Might be nice to find out the official line.

Si

 

[MikeO]

If you decide to buy Öhlins - make sure to describe to the dealer exactly what your requirements are. At no extra charge, Öhlins will come up with a re-springing/re-valving solution to meet your needs.

When I was preparing my Adv for my USA trip, I gave them my fully dressed riding weight, the terrain I was expecting to cover and the all up weight I wanted the bike to cope with (actually the same as the Gross Vehicle Weight from the handbook). They recommendd a +1 spring on the rear shock as being the only necessary change from standard.

I then had Harris (in Hertford) set the suspension up for me (cost about £30 - money very well spent) - they really know what they're doing...

Mike

 

[Geordietraveller]

Thanks Mike - I'm going to speak to some dealers today. When you say 'set up' do you mean setting the sag and adjusting the damping for you?

Si

 

[MikeO]

Thanks Mike - I'm going to speak to some dealers today. When you say 'set up' do you mean setting the sag and adjusting the damping for you?

Si

Yep - all of the above. They measured it all up, set up the rebound and preload, then sent me off for a ride along a local route. When I came back, I decribed how the bike had handled, and they re-set the suspension & I did it again. Took about 3 or 4 trips down the route, but at the end of it the handling was transformed.

I wrote it up at the time - link

Cheers

Mike

 

[Big Lee]

I`d pick "C" "Have the existing suspension revalved/get a beefier spring" It`s made by WP I wonder if they do a revale etc for them?

 

[Geordietraveller]

I`d pick "C" "Have the existing suspension revalved/get a beefier spring" It`s made by WP I wonder if they do a revale etc for them?

Lee, I think if I'd been staying in the country I may have explored this route but I just want to get the best possible job done ASAP. Consequently the bike is going next Monday into Kais in Manchester who do a load of work for BSB and British MX teams and who I've also seen recommended on this forum. Ride in ride out fitting service inc. set up for £80. The shocks are a bit more on top

Cheers for the info Mike - it'll be interesting to see how they compare.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Si

 

[Big Lee]

"I'll let you know how I get on" No don`t, I`ll just want some then
Post some pics of them too
At least when you come to sell the bike the Ohlins can be removed & you can recoup some of the cost.

 

[Geordietraveller]

Pics of Ohlins

We endured rain hail and wind to get down to Manchester to get these! But it was worth it.

Bike handles better fully loaded now than it did with just me before. Kais did a good job of stting it up for me + pillion + luggage but they were just too busy for me to give them full marks on the day. Andy (the boss) realy knows his stuff though and I have a open telephone link to fine tune the set-up for different scenarios. (which I intend doing a lot of today )

Anyway the pics:

Visually the Ohlins are a lot more beefy than the stock shocks

Front1

 

[Geordietraveller]

Rear1

 

[Geordietraveller]

Front 2

 

[Geordietraveller]

Last one - I promise

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Go on then.....

how much for the shocks and fitting - on top of the price of the bike ??

 

[iangough]

How do you adjust the shock for 2up riding/luggage. Is it the same as on standard?

 

[Geordietraveller]

Worked out just under £900 - so it wasn't something I did lightly and I am well disapointed with the standard suspension considering BMW's intended use of the bike (Touring enduro).

In all honesty I couldn't have justified it if we weren't going to be living on the bike for the next year but as we are it makes no sense not to do it now.

Ian - the adjustment is exactly the same only the rear preload is on a remote(hidden behind the right side panel), front is a C spanner job and the rebound damping is on a collar at the base of both shocks.

Si