Wilbers 'High-Kit' on an 1150GS

[Onwalkabout]

Currently I am upgrading a few components I should have done a while ago. One item I am looking at is a new set of Wilbers Shocks. I was wondering if anyone else has fitted the 'High Kit' to a standard 1150GS and, if in doing so, do I need to change the front brake lines and swap the stands for something a little taller?

The 'High Kit' adds around 25mm to the ride height - so I suppose this is approaching GSA height.

I am interested to do this to improve suspension travel for the occasional off road and rubbish road use and to boost the carrying capacity a little.

All suggestions and advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Colban]

I believe the difference in height between the GS and GSA is 20mm,and you will certainly need the stands.Not sure if you need to fit extended brake lines but the GSA has a differing driveshaft arrangement to cope with the greater rear wheel travel.
Check here.
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp

 

[Onwalkabout]

Many thanks for the information. Somehow I thought this would not be as easy as it seems. I am having a few problems getting information as there are various conflicting stories but the parts list certainly helps - now firmly plugged into my 'favorites'.

Sounds like the best option is to keep the standard ride height (I'm not sure shelling out another $666 for a shaft is necessarily the best use of cash). I have used the machine a few years now on alpine roads and mountain tracks so I guess the standard is easily all I need.

 

[Steptoe]

Ibut the GSA has a differing driveshaft arrangement to cope with the greater rear wheel travel.
Check here.
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp

(I'm not sure shelling out another $666 for a shaft is necessarily the best use of cash). .

here's a fact - Don't assume different part numbers mean different parts.

The drive shafts are identical for the ADV and standard GS.
I know because i've bought both of them brand new, with the different part numbers. And they're identical.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Bet they weren't the same price?

 

[D6]

here's a fact - Don't assume different part numbers mean different parts.

The drive shafts are identical for the ADV and standard GS.
I know because i've bought both of them brand new, with the different part numbers. And they're identical.

this happens all the time in the jap bike/car world,
i know of a 1150 with gsa suspension on and its done 47000 miles since, no probs, no modifications exept lengthening the stand

 

[Onwalkabout]

Now that puts things in a different light. The stands I can understand - the old bike leans far enough over as it is on the side stand. I saw different part numbers on the web site given and they are both the same price. My repair manual also suggests that the parts are the same but it is not entirely precise on the matter.

Brake lines - are they adequate given the extra travel?

 

[D6]

i would have thought definatley on the rear, just pull the front and see how much play, the adv isnt that much higher, a new hose isnt hard to fit anyway

 

[Onwalkabout]

My supplier is pretty flexible and will exchange them if there is a problem so I will give them a go and see how they work out. Once I have them fitted up I will post how they go.

 

[Colban]

The drive shafts are identical for the ADV and standard GS.
I know because i've bought both of them brand new, with the different part numbers. And they're identical.

Hmmm...i could have sworn i had read on here in the past that the GSA had a different arrangement to cope with the extra articulation of the susension.
Are the lengths of the Cardon shaft the same but the GSA has a longer splined section on the bevel end U/J?.

 

[D6]

surely wilburs would have looked into this?besides, the bike may sit higher but the angle of the uj isnt a lot more

 

[Onwalkabout]

From Wunderlich

Dear Sir,

if you want to fit, everything will be fine, only the
Centre stand does not fit anymore.
With Kind regards
Team Wunderlich
Julia Krätz

Lots of information here!

Looks like it is a new centre stand then...

Also spoke to my local dealer and he is sourcing a lengthened front brake line just to be on the safe side.

 

[clivewhilde]

Have you thought of an adjustable rear torsion bar from Motorworks, about £200. It only raises/lowers the rear but might be an option. I am thinking of one to improve handling, anybody fitted one or heard any reports?

 

[Onwalkabout]

I looked at this but as I need new shocks, I thought - to hell with it, may as well go the whole way. My local supplier is also supplying me with some extended brake lines, particularly for the front to make sure there is no problem here, even though Wunderlich feels it should be fine - last thing I need is a brake line popping as the wieght comes off the front off road.

Shocks are on order and when it's all fitted up I will report back.

 

[Number8]

if its of any help i ran my old 1150gs from about 25k to 125k with a pair of gsa shocks and nothing else modded . she never really suffered

a couple of notes tho

the centerstande works , just but both wheels sit on the floor so its of limited use , the side stand works but by god does it lean a long way over , its only a couple of degres short of falling over , i just bolted a 5cm lump of pig iron to the bottom of it and it worked well.
and i was getting through paralever beairings every 12k as the angle of the bevel box to the swinger with the standard torque arm it quite extreme.
erm i think thats everything , ive just build me another gs and ive fitted gsa shocks to that as well with stock gs parts

 

[Onwalkabout]

Feedback as promised

Shocks received and a snowy Sunday spent in the garage. The result is amazing. This would have to be the single best modification I have done to the bike. Once setup, the ride is firm but not harsh and the feedback through the bars and seat is terrific. It is a different bike to ride and has completely transformed the experience (it also indicates that my originals were probably completely knackered). Feedback and control on rough and slippery sections of road is excellent and the bike feels far more agile and composed.

Aside from waxing lyrical about the change, here are the practicalities;
1. Fitted was the Wilbers 'High Kit'. This provides 2.5mm over the standard shock kit which, in reality translates into an increase of around 5 cm given that there is less settling of the bike with the newer, firmer springs. If you have already fitted a low seat, this might not be the option for you.

2. The kit is designed for the 1150GS - not adventure. Standing the bike beside an adventure, the ride height is now almost identical.

3. Set-up is straightforward with good adjustment. The only fitting mod is that I placed the rear preload adjustment on the right side and mounted it on the frame.

4. A few points to note.

a. Wunderlich states that no modifications are needed. This is true to some extent; however, as Number8 says, it is a brave man who slings the bike on the side stand without checking the ground underneath is firm. Not truly hazardous, but I am extending the stand.

b. As also mentioned by number8 the main stand is short. It touches down, but just. On a firm level surface (such as my garage) the main stand sits the bike up, but a significant amount of weight remains on the wheels - no chance of fixing a tyre without a block of wood under the stand. I have found a used Adventure stand and this is going on.

c. The speedo cable is tight and I will keep an eye on it - it may need to be replaced but it seems fine for now and is not interfering with the steering.

d. Brake lines and ABS cables seem fine, even at maximum travel, which was a surprise as I expected to have to replace at least part of the line with a longer piece.

5. The extra ride height is not noticeable during normal riding as the stiffer springs and better handling of the suspension set seem to negate the slightly higher centre of gravity.

Whether you fit a 'high kit' or a standard set I cannot emphasise enough the difference the Wilbers have made to the bike. Highly recommended and a good use of hard won cash.

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Aside from waxing lyrical about the change, here are the practicalities;
1. Fitted was the Wilbers 'High Kit'. This provides 2.5mm over the standard shock kit which, in reality translates into an increase of around 5 cm given that there is less settling of the bike with the newer, firmer springs. If you have already fitted a low seat, this might not be the option for you.

Surely not 2.5 mm ?? Maybe 2.5 cm ??
Curious as I have just ordered a standard Adv Wilbers rear shock for my 1150 GSA.

 

[Onwalkabout]

My mistake - it's all metric to me...

25mm is the correct height as stated by Wunderlich/Wilbers but the reality is that it lifts the bike quite a bit higher as there is less overall sag. I'm not sure what the difference between the 'high kit' and the standard Adv shock is, but with the two bikes side by side, there is not much in it.