Wilbers or Nitron

[Streetbike]

I'm not actually sure I need to change my rear shock on my 38K 05 as the handling seems fine to me. I'm certainly no riding god but my rear tyre is totally devoid of chicken strips and handling is very stable and predictable on all road and fine gravel surfaces. There are just so many threads on the forum about the active life of shocks. My type of riding is one up touring making progress etc. Any thoughts welcomed.

 

[MWH]

If you're happy with what you have, why change is my mantra. If it does break several companies can fix/rebuild them.

I'm 99.9% happy with mine, would possibly like a slightly stiffer rear shock but will just change the spring, if I can really be bothered!

 

[notadrop]

With time you do adapt as your shock changes. I changed mine when I was unable to adjust the rear, as it as it had seized & was giving a hard ride and poor damping/rebound (55k).
I went for Nitron. I had Onlins on my previous r1150gs and was very pleased. When looking at the price for my 1200gsa I felt they were to expensive.
The Nitrons I am pleased to say have proved themselves an equal to Ohlins at a better price. So biasedly I recommend NITRON of the two.

 

[seahorse]

+1 for Nitron

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Not quite an equal comparison but I have used both although not on the same bike. I changed to Nitron on my 800 VFR and didn't really notice a great improvement. I changed to Wilbers on my 1200 GS and noticed a great improvement. If the bank account can stand it it's a good thing to do. When you sell the bike you can always sell the wilbers.

 

[Streetbike]

Many thanks for the comments guys. Looking like a Nitron. Good advice from MWH though.

 

[Bones]

I changed to Wilbers when my rear shock lost all damping and it is a better shock than the standard unit. I would happily have carried on with the standard shock had it not expired though. I may get the standard shock rebuilt (£99 I believe) and put back on the bike before I sell it though as the Wilbers sell well second hand.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I *think* Wilbers and Nitron are the same base unit shock with the Wilbers being a slightly higher spec build? Or did I imagine that............... ?

Whatever, I replaced the shocks on my 1200 with Wilbers at around 20,000 miles and was blown away by the improvement. I went for the remote reservoir rear shock with high and low speed damping although once set up how I wanted it I have to admit I only adjusted preload and occasionally the compression damping when loaded up. The rest of the adjustability remained unused.

Andres

 

[Streetbike]

That's a good thought Bones. Who will you use to rebuild the shock?

 

[Bendy toy]

Low cost rebuilds (e.g. £99) assume a strip, clean, new oil and seal with no other replacement parts. A 10 years old unit with 38K miles will be internally worn and could rack up a significant spares bill. By all means, send it for a rebuild quote but expect costs to be a lot more than £99.

My 28K miles rear shock is defy passed it's best and many would say it's goosed but its not leaking (yet) and I'm broke so Im putting up with it. I know that a basic Wilbers will be a squllion times better but it will have to wait.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I'm not actually sure I need to change my rear shock on my 38K 05 as the handling seems fine to me.

Your shock will be way past it's best at that mileage and you probably not have noticed because you will have adapted your style to suit. I recently rode a mates bike with high mileage and his original shock. It was horrible and I said did he know his shock was goosed? He said he hadn't noticed!!

Getting a good rear shock is one of the best things you can do to your GS in my opinion.

 

[Streetbike]

Again, thanks for the latest comments, also I don't doubt your advice Sgt B. Appointment with Rugged Roads tomorrow.

 

[Bendy toy]

Many have said the two biggest and best value upgrades for the GS are (decent) shocks and a Hilltop map (or Power Commander).

 

[Bones]

That's a good thought Bones. Who will you use to rebuild the shock?

http://firefoxracing.co.uk/rear-shock-servicing/

 

[Streetbike]

Many thanks for that Bones. New Nitron ordered from Rugged Roads today, when it arrives and is fitted I will still get a quote for the old OEM WP unit from Firefox and keep for re-selling in due course.

 

[J biker]

Going against the flow here..but, had purpose built Nitron rear shock for my then 08 Fz1s. Despite being supplied with rider weight etc. the spring was far too stiff even when backed off.
Know of another Fz1s rider who had to get his Nitron rebuilt due to leaking.
Had a ride on a mates 1150gsa several years back with Wilbers back and front and that handled very nice. Sure they also give 5 year warranty. Gets my vote.

 

[cookie]

Wilbers warranty is/was subject to service carried out every two years IIRC.

 

[Bendy toy]

Wilbers warranty is/was subject to service carried out every two years IIRC.

It is, but to be fair we really should not expect any suspension to run indefinitely without at least an oil change. An OEM shocks lasting 30K+ miles shows they were pretty well built from New. Who knows how long they could last with a service avery 15K.

 

[Flipfly]

I *think* Wilbers and Nitron are the same base unit shock with the Wilbers being a slightly higher spec build? Or did I imagine that............... ?

Whatever, I replaced the shocks on my 1200 with Wilbers at around 20,000 miles and was blown away by the improvement. I went for the remote reservoir rear shock with high and low speed damping although once set up how I wanted it I have to admit I only adjusted preload and occasionally the compression damping when loaded up. The rest of the adjustability remained unused.

Andres

Not sure that is true, shaft is thicker on the Nitron, I'd say they were totally seperate units. I have Nitrons and the build quality is superb and every bit as good (if not better) than the wilbers. Both fantastic units though and a super upgrade over oem.

Wilbers warranty is/was subject to service carried out every two years IIRC.

Nitron warranty is the same, based on 2 year service

 

[cookie]

It is, but to be fair we really should not expect any suspension to run indefinitely without at least an oil change. An OEM shocks lasting 30K+ miles shows they were pretty well built from New. Who knows how long they could last with a service avery 15K.

i had my wilbers serviced when i swapped an 07GSA for an 11. they were 4 years old and had done 25K and felt fine. they were very different when they came back from Revs and took another 1000 miles to bed in.

just shows how they do deteriorate and you just don't notice.

nitrons look very different to wilbers, but i guess it could just be increased use of beautifully turned and anodised ali bling? whatever, decent shocks are the best mod you can make to a bike IMO, but YMMV.