Wilbers ordered what to expect?

[BlueBird]

I ve just ordered Wilbers front and rear for my 05 1200.

I have read the write ups and opinions and am convinced enough to order.

Everyone makes the comment that it will be like riding a different bike,but I find that hard to except,it,s the first time in 30yrs I will have changed the suspension on a bike from standard.

So what can I expect

My 1200 has 70k up on orginal shocks.

 

[Rasher]

Everyone makes the comment that it will be like riding a different bike, but I find that hard to except,it,s the first time in 30yrs I will have changed the suspension on a bike from standard.

So what can I expect

I doubt it will be the last bke you change! I have had fewer bikes with stock suspension than ones I have modified and you don't need to be Rossi to tell the difference.

Suspension tends to be one area where most manufacturers cut costs and often fit the same parts to a multitude of bikes, sometimes without even re-springing or altering damping as it is cheaper to order 10,000 the same rather than two slightly different orders of 5,000.

Most aftermarket stuff is much better quality, and normally designed for the specific model (and even custom built as in the case of Wilburs)

Even modifying standard suspension (especially forks) can have a massive effect, but the likes of Ohlins and Wilburs (plus others) tend to have a much wider range of adjustment (or even more / finer adjustments) and generally work better even if you never twiddle anything.

I have had bikes respond better than the GS to changes, but I think that is because the stock stuff is pretty reasonable as these things go, mine only seemed to start getting into trouble two-up and loaded, but with the wilburs even solo it is much better being smoother over bumps, yet more composed at the same time.

You should be happy with the results - enjoy

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So, just to understand, you've chucked the best part of a grand at your bike and you don't know what you're gonna get for your wonga?

Andres

 

[g.s.john]

what he will get is quality the bike will feel different you will find for the first five minutes or so the ride will be a bit harsh this will improve as the units warm up this will get better with use as the units bed in good choice

 

[Wapping]

So, just to understand, you've chucked the best part of a grand at your bike and you don't know what you're gonna get for your wonga?

Andres

He is expecting you to tell him what to expect, I expect.

 

[Keith Chapman]

He is expecting you to tell him what to expect, I expect.

He can expect a couple of boxes containing the suspension units and a large credit card bill.

 

[Mark Hooton]

From experience

I ve just ordered Wilbers front and rear for my 05 1200.

I have read the write ups and opinions and am convinced enough to order.

Everyone makes the comment that it will be like riding a different bike,but I find that hard to except,it,s the first time in 30yrs I will have changed the suspension on a bike from standard.

So what can I expect

My 1200 has 70k up on orginal shocks.

Mate, you will be well chuffed. I had Wilburs fitted to my 2010 GSA primarily to lower it but the handling improved a great deal - even I noticed it!

You will not be disappointed - the only advice I would give is that if you are not Rossi don`t feck with the adjustments!

Enjoy
Mark
www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk

 

[Wapping]

He can expect a couple of boxes containing the suspension units and a large credit card bill.

I expect you are right in your expectations.

 

[BlueBird]

He is expecting you to tell him what to expect, I expect.

I am.

best part of £1200,

I dont fiddle with suspension,on the standard rear i back of the preload as the tyre wears to stop it squirming around.

So basically i know ive bought some good kit and i want to build the excitment waiting for them to arrive.

 

[Packer]

Measure the length before you fit them. When mine arrived the front was correct, the rear was not, they'd sent a completely wrong unit.

They have a much wider range of adjustment than the standard items, for bimbling along rocky tracks or potholed minor roads at low speed I back the damping off almost to minimum. If you forget to wind it back up before going for a hoon you'll get a very unpleasant surprise as the wheels start to bounce, chatter and slide sideways as you stuff it into a corner. I'll let you guess how I found that out

 

[Giles]

I dont fiddle with suspension,on the standard rear i back of the preload as the tyre wears to stop it squirming around.

yer gonna have to explain that one to me ......

 

[Wapping]

So basically i know ive bought some good kit and i want to build the excitment waiting for them to arrive.

 

[bladerunner]

You'll wish you had done it earlier - shocks deteriorate gradually so riders don't notice the steady deterioration. At 70k I guarantee yours are shot.
A GS with wilburs out handles most every bike.

 

[oldnfat]

Had em on my 08 1200 for 8 months. Set up was for pillion + luggage. Firm solo but boy what feel. Touring is just awesome. Being of the larger variety of tosser there is quite a bit of weight to lug around when touring. When I tested and ESA version 2 up I found it quite wallowy in fast bends.

Wilbers on the other hand manage to deliver a magic carpet ride AND fantastic control....spooky. Plus, when you sell the bike sell the shocks seperately and you will get a good chunk of your money back....did for my 1150.

 

[Rasher]

When I tested and ESA version 2 up I found it quite wallowy in fast bends.....

Wilbers on the other hand manage to deliver a magic carpet ride AND fantastic control

+1

I found the ESA2 stuff still quite "crashy" over bumps even on comfort setting and a shade wallowy (and even more clunky) two-up in sports mode.

The "base" setting I have for one-up and two-up work on 95% of roads / surfaces and 30 seconds to adjust from solo to two-up is not a real hardship when you consider the better quality ride and handling.

Only once on my 3200 mile Alps trip did I change from my "base" settings and that was on a particularly bumpy pass, OK I had to pull over and twiddle for 30 seconds, but I could ride in flat out sports mode with both of us on the bike and all our luggage, somehting I could not see being possible on OE suspension (And the same would probably go for any production bike, except maybe the MTS)

 

[BlueBird]

Thanks for the input.

Is it worth going to Revs to have them fitted?

I guess its not like a sports bike with sag and rebound damping etc to set up ,

They want 50nicker to fit them,if theres no set up input ill do it myself

 

[oldnfat]

Nothing too difficult fitting them BUT getting the front shock on is allot of hassle in terms of the stuff you have to take off will take you about 3 hours plus. Remember the allen key for the top of the front shock otherwise it will just turn in the mounting.

Final point...follow instructions to the letter on torque settings. On both shocks I followed BMW procedure which is to fit a new lower bolt in both....I am sure this is over engineering the process but wasn't willing to die for the cost of a few quid.....on balance I probably would have paid the £50 for the hassle and safety factor and not got all macho about wielding a spanner.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Thanks for the input.

Is it worth going to Revs to have them fitted?

I guess its not like a sports bike with sag and rebound damping etc to set up ,

They want 50nicker to fit them,if theres no set up input ill do it myself

All bikes benefit from correct sag but if the shocks were spec'd for your weight they should come pretty much ok out of the box.
The paper work you get with the shocks should give you base settings for damping that are based on the spec you gave when ordering them.

Cookie wrote up a very clear fitting guide in the 1200 section if you run a search

Andres

Edit: HERE you go

 

[Rasher]

£50 is bloody good to fit them, I watched MCT fit mine and it was not a 2 minute job, especially with the front shock lower bolt that was jammed and took them about an hour to get out!

As for setup I guess it may be less improtant than a sportsbike, and I found on the GS is is all about how it "feels" on the road and it took me a bit of experimenting to get it exactly how I like it, but MCT doing the initial setup helped a lot in getting it right quicker.

 

[BlueBird]

Nothing too difficult fitting them BUT getting the front shock on is allot of hassle in terms of the stuff you have to take off will take you about 3 hours plus. Remember the allen key for the top of the front shock otherwise it will just turn in the mounting.

Final point...follow instructions to the letter on torque settings. On both shocks I followed BMW procedure which is to fit a new lower bolt in both....I am sure this is over engineering the process but wasn't willing to die for the cost of a few quid.....on balance I probably would have paid the £50 for the hassle and safety factor and not got all macho about wielding a spanner.

LOL
I have a fully equipped workshop at home with bike bench etc and the experience, Im more than capable of fitting them,just thought the the help with setting the shocks up, off which I have no experience would be worth the dough.
As for changing the bolts etc I dont buy it and will be using the oringinals as long as they show no wear.