Wilbers ordered what to expect?

[oldnfat]

In that case I would go the DIY route as they are set up out of the box.

Take your point on the bolts.......but......a bloke who knows alot more about this stuff started talking about reduced sheer rates on torqued bolts over a certain amount in relation to the bolt width/composission. Could be complete BO##OCKS of course....but....you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

[moly]

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.

set your sag !!!!! leave it alone dont forget take a while to bed in ......

 

[BlueBird]

There here

They got delivered to my house today,pretty good as revs only got them friday,

Im in the shetlands at the moment and dont get to play with them until next week

They look slightly differnt to a set onsale on here recently,they had a red and blue adjuster of somesort on the nearside which mine does not appear to have?

well excited though

 

[cookie]

The red/blue adjusters are high/low speed compression damping. I have them on mine, but wouldn't miss them if not specced.

 

[moly]

The red/blue adjusters are high/low speed compression damping. I have them on mine, but wouldn't miss them if not specced.

high and low speed very important if off roading ,you sould allways keep them within 4 clicks of each other

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

So what can I expect

Sorry to be cynical but if you're like me then a week or two of buyers remorse, then months of deluding yourself that its better than stock, followed by disappointment when you take it off to sell the bike and ride it on the standard shocks again just to see.

 

[cookie]

high and low speed very important if off roading ,you sould allways keep them within 4 clicks of each other

revs told me recently they should really be the same. no more than 2 clicks apart if necessary.

but i never take the bike off road, so it doesn't matter anyway

 

[Rasher]

I add quite a bit of low speed compression for two-up as it helps keep the steering accurate. Two up with luggage I may add 3 clicks more low speed compression but only add 1 click of high speed.

I always run the minmum amount of rebound needed to keep wallow at bay once I have the compression set nicely..

Don't do off-road and I find my "base" settings good 99% of the time, but if I am going to be doing a lot of very bumpy roads I knock 1-2 clicks of all daming settings.

 

[moly]

Sorry to be cynical but if you're like me then a week or two of buyers remorse, then months of deluding yourself that its better than stock, followed by disappointment when you take it off to sell the bike and ride it on the standard shocks again just to see.

ooohhh you feel the difference instantly !

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I find Wilbers not as good as Ohlins and have been harder to set-up

They are cheaper for a reason

 

[stick]

Wilburs

I find Wilbers not as good as Ohlins and have been harder to set-up

They are cheaper for a reason

I may be wrong (but i think not)- but Ohlins are just aftermarket shocks off the self with a general set of internals which you then set about altering and spring changes etc .Wilburs are tailor made to suit your style / weight etc and work straight out of the box with maybe a click here or there.
I say this because Ohlins are fitted to production bikes ,which are designed to be used by Fat bloke to Skinny ribs , Wilburs hoever are specially built.

I have had both - sold the Ohlins to buy wilburs - now on my second set , and its the best £1200 i have ever spent - Revs thanks again

 

[Edventure]

I have had both - sold the Ohlins to buy wilburs - now on my second set , and its the best £1200 i have ever spent - Revs thanks again

Totally agree. I am surprised anyone would say they can't feel the difference!

 

[g.s.john]

I have had Wilbers for two and a half years now they were built to my specification the only adjustment is the knurled ring for rebound damping factory set 13 clicks off maximum.
The only adjustment i have made is four clicks off on the front as it was a bit harsh it is now well balanced with or without luggage why complicate things with high and low speed damping you are not setting up a race bike on glass smooth race track you are riding a G.S on badly maintained roads all you need is the ability to get a stable predictable ride so you can make 'progress' in comfort.
Anything else is just chasing the perceived error which if you adapted your riding slightly you can get round,
as for off road does it make that much difference?
There aint no world champion motocrossers on this ere site.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I may be wrong (but i think not)- but Ohlins are just aftermarket shocks off the self with a general set of internals which you then set about altering and spring changes etc

I say this because Ohlins are fitted to production bikes ,which are designed to be used by Fat bloke to Skinny ribs , Wilburs hoever are specially built.

I think you may be wrong, for example the 'Ohlins' fitted to a production XJR1300 (Yamaha own Ohlins) aren't the same as the aftermarket performance ones

Ohlins are still built to your spec, tailored by the shop selling them (so no difference to Wilburs)

There's a lot of urban myth and bullshit still out there

 

[stick]

Urban bullshit

I think you may be wrong, for example the 'Ohlins' fitted to a production XJR1300 (Yamaha own Ohlins) aren't the same as the aftermarket performance ones

Ohlins are still built to your spec, tailored by the shop selling them (so no difference to Wilburs)

There's a lot of urban myth and bullshit still out there

Hmmmmmmmmmm , will look into this as i have bought ohlins for my bikes before but had no options about shim stacks etc hmmmmmmmmmmm
My mate bought a rear ohlins for his R1 and found that it was not suited for him and had to send it away for revalve

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hmmmmmmmmmm , will look into this as i have bought ohlins for my bikes before but had no options about shim stacks etc hmmmmmmmmmmm
My mate bought a rear ohlins for his R1 and found that it was not suited for him and had to send it away for revalve

I suggest that you choose an Ohlins supplier that knows what's what (like Revs for Wilbers)

I use KAIS Performance and they know what's what

You have a chat about your use/weight etc and they sort it out, much the same as Revs do

 

[cookie]

i have had ohlins supplied by harris, and they were rebuilt to my spec at no extra cost.


have to say, i do wonder at a the insensitivity of someone who can't tell the difference between OEM and quality aftermarket suspension

 

[Rasher]

Anything else is just chasing the perceived error which if you adapted your riding slightly you can get round

How do I "Ride Around" an extra 100kg of pillion and luggage, does altering my riding style remove the extra weight

I find the extra weight is best compensated for by compression damping, I do not need to addd any rebound as I have an extra 100kg to stop the bike returning too fast.

This has been the case on other bikes I have had (with Ohlins / Maxton etc), I agree having one adjuster is simple and as long as the thing ain't weaving all over the place you are 75% of the way there, but the extra adjustment is relevant to normal riders on normal bikes under normal circumstances.

I have to admit I can't really differentiate between high and low speed compression on the GS, but I definately treat rebound and compression differently and bought the more expensive Wilburs specifically for this extra adjustment.

In some cases the shocks with extra adjustments are also of generally higher spec, for example some of the cheaper Ohlins are Emulsion type whereas the ones with more adjustment will be de-carbon and often have temperature compensation built in.

I think any aftermarket unit is likely better than OE, but like everything in life you get what you pay for, and to say none of us could ever tell the difference is certanly not the case, it may not turn me into Casey Stoner, but it does make a difference I can feel.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

have to say, i do wonder at a the insensitivity of someone who can't tell the difference between OEM and quality aftermarket suspension

 

[Wapping]

For all his oddities (with which he is not alone, I hasten to add) Rasher has worked hard on understanding how suspension works, how it can be tweaked / adjusted and how he likes to have his bike set up. He's probably spot-on with most of his observations and findings.... and it takes his mind (and keyboard) away from the imminent death of his final drive.... for which fellow 1200 owners should give thanks.