what's the spring rate?

[cookie]

of the standard rear shock on a 1200GSA, anyone know?

failing that, what is the rate found on a normal replacement unit from ohlins, wp, wilbers etc?

 

[shedracer]

Don`t know what the spring rate of a standard GSA is, but there isn`t really such a thing as a standard spring rate on wilbers, Ohlins etc, you specify your weight and riding style when you order and a semi custom spring is fitted. All I can say about this, is, the difference between the standard shocks and wilbers/Ohlins is quite incredible, IMHO the best aftermarket accessory you can fit to your bike

I have messed about with settings with all the GS`s I`ve had and have never been that happy with the feel and comfort, even though the bikes still handle very well. The standard shocks are built to a price and have to cater for all weights and riding styles, so will always be a compromise. If you`ve got some cash to spend on your bike, forget pipes, gps etc, get the suspension sorted first, you won`t regret it, its definitely the best and if you regularly carry a pillion you`ll be amazed with the results.

 

[vfxmark]

...the standard shocks are built to a price and have to cater for all weights and riding styles, so will always be a compromise. If you`ve got some cash to spend on your bike, forget pipes, gps etc, get the suspension sorted first, you won`t regret it,
...

Top of my list upcoming, now that I've installed my Tobinators and spent a gallon of gas roaring up and down the freeway testing various setting combinations.

I live a couple of miles from an outfit in California called Works Performance which makes shocks up per your weight, loading, and riding style. I've had a couple of pair of shocks from them. They have some clever compression damping valving which makes them very soft for the first little bit and then progressively harder...

Very effective on freeway expansion joints - those little bumps went away completely yet the bikes are more sure-footed in hard cornering...slightly more compliant than the stock shocks but not spongey.

I suspect they are probably dirt cheap in GBP given our dollar's plunge .

I have not tried their R1200GS shocks yet... I am not sure that I will be able to keep the easy pre-load adjustment with the hydraulic knob, and I do like that as I use the bike for hauling all sorts of heavy crap around town...

 

[APE]

The standard spring rate for Ohlins are 140 rear and 52 front (I think that's a Newton measure).

The standard springs supposed to be good for a 80kg rider. I weigh 67kg and replaced the rear with a 130 which works a lot better for me.

 

[cookie]

The standard spring rate for Ohlins are 140 rear and 52 front (I think that's a Newton measure).

ok, that's the same as the 1150 then (at least the rear is). i went up to a 160Nm on my old bike's ohlins & will probably do the same on the 12.

i'm trying to get a comparison, so i know what i might order

OEM unit is all spring & no damping. bike pitches back & forth at random and after a bump it takes about 3 "boings" to settle down again. rebound adjuster appears to be purely decorative

 

[APE]

i found the standard ohlins felt harsher on the 1200 than on the 1150. I keep the 140 spring on my 1150 but couldn't live with it on the 1200.

Interesting that Ohlin specify the same spring rate on the 1150 and 1200 even thought the 12 is 30kgs lighter. Have they done their homework on the new bike ?

You might try the 150 on yours...

 

[2 wheel humvee]

OEM unit is all spring & no damping. bike pitches back & forth at random and after a bump it takes about 3 "boings" to settle down again. rebound adjuster appears to be purely decorative

I felt the same re; rear shock initially,I've either got used to it or it has settled down/improved with age

 

[cookie]

the 12 adv is not too far off the weight of an 1150 GS so i guess that's why they are the same.

whether they carry that weight the same is another matter.

 

[cookie]

just ordered a set of wilburs with all the bells & whistles (on the rear). dunno what the spring rate will be, as you just give them details of your weight & the factory knocks them up to your spec. but well over £200 cheaper than ohlins



blue is the new yellow

 

[Psycho]

just ordered a set of wilburs
blue is the new yellow

cookie you wont be disapointed as long as you set up the static and dynamic sag for your wieght and then its amazing as the mechanic said once he fitted mine ''i have never known a set of shocks with such balanced damping'' well worth the money and takes comfort to a new leval as well as lean angles warning wife may thump in kidneys when you nearly make her get knee down on back----enjoy

 

[matteb]

Well, I did change the spring on my 1200GS fitted with Wilbers. The standard
spring is 150 (59/59-150-165) N/mm on the rear for me and I'm 75 kg. Most time riding solo, no luggage.
On the front Wilbers fitted a 55 N/mm spring (46/46-55-185).

I felt the rear one was too stiff, riding was harsh. I changed to a 130 spring
and it's much better now.
I am now thinking about changing my front spring too, 45 N/mm maybe. I think it's too hard now, bigg bumps goes right in the handlebars.

Has anyone changed front spring??

 

[APE]

I changed to a 130 rear, 48 front on my Ohlins which seems like a good match - I weight 65kgs.