Wilbers shocks (or something else?)

[MattW]

Another vote for Hyperpro (emulsion in my case). I fitted an uprated rear and standard front to my 1100 last summer - transformed it and performed faultlessly on a 2500 mile two up tour around the alps last September.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've got Wilbers on my GS, 40,000 miles now.

I have them serviced and am dead pleased with them, they work for me at a price I could afford.

One thing I'd say is don't bother with the extra high/low speed damping unit. I did, set it it up when first bought and have never touched it since. Wasted on a GS IMHO.

Andres

 

[metropolis2k]

Spot on

Rear spring rate is crucial

If you're over 15 st you need a heavier spring rate
If you ride with a pillion, you need a heavier spring rate again
If you ride with loaded alloy boxes, you need a heavier spring rate
A combo of the above and you need a heavier spring rate

You missed an option out.... what if I weigh less than 70kgs!

I've just placed an order for some Nitrons but got the equivalent Ohlins specced out at the same time (I have Ohlins on my 1100S) and got told I'd most probably need a different spring too.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

I've had both and can't recommend any of 'em. In fact I'd stay stay away.

Öhlins is a nice on-street strut made to look visually good, indeed performs well on-road but is very fragile and unreliable offroad - too brittle and lightweight materials (I've had my Öhlins split in two in Pakistan)
Wilbers is like a low-blow - doesn't perform particulary well and rather utterly unreliable - multiple design flaws with the piston rod (coating) and sealing mechanism (I've had mine pissing out oil in just 100km of hard stuff in South-America).

Maybe recommend Öhlins only if you want to sell the bike quickly - so the bike looks tempting for a unexperienced rider with those fancy yellow colored struts giving better impression.

If you want a high quality product, robust and reliable yet something performs virtually the same as finely tuned Öhlins on-road and definitely beats it offroad it's Hyperpro. Particulary the Hyperpro "3D" models where oil and gas are separated (the non-emulsion type) making it more reliable and functional design overall. Particulary if you want to keep your bike for a long time and ride it like you stole it over humongous distances and not worry about the shocks all the time - nothing beats the Hyperpros IMO.

Hyperpro's were the only shocks I couldn't destroy in exreme conditions in Trans-Africa and Yemen/Oman ride, progressive springs work wonders in hard offroad (no bottoming outs like Öhlins and Wilbers even if you have spring ratings and dampening right for the weight and conditions - they still too often bottom out because the linear spring has no countering "stopping effect" like the progressive spring on Hyperpro) yet they're superb on road as well when you set them straight (3D models have high- & low-speed dampening and rebound ajustments over wide range). Having owned them all with all the bitterness and hassle I can say the only pity is that the Hyperpro doesn't have the massive hype- and PR-machine behind like Öhlins or Wilbers (too much PR and hype was the very reason I was stupid enough to buy mine anyways) since IMHO Hyperpro's really do deserve the credit for their ingenious design and vastly superior reliability - considerably more robust main body, thicker pre-dampener, stronger rebound limiter, higher quality rod coating (Wilbers polishes out quick, Öhlins relatively soon after), thicker rods, robust main seals, more angular tolerance and progressive springs as stock.

Anyways, just me 2c.

Margus

perfectly summed up.

btw...I was one of the first here years ago to advocate Hyperpro over Ohlins sheep.

 

[Packer]

You missed an option out.... what if I weigh less than 70kgs!

You need to resign from this forum, you clearly aren't a proper Tosser. 11 stone your only half the size of many a Tosser. Or eat lots of pies

 

[metropolis2k]

You need to resign from this forum, you clearly aren't a proper Tosser. 11 stone your only half the size of many a Tosser. Or eat lots of pies

I'm only here to buy all the medium and small sized clothing for sale that nobody else wants

The worst thing is the GS feels the right size to me now. Even my 1100S feels small and it's still bigger than most bikes. Also I look like a child if I ride my mate's 1200GSA (with extremely tall Ohlins TTX shocks on it).

 

[MikeO]

perfectly summed up.

btw...I was one of the first here years ago to advocate Hyperpro over Ohlins sheep.

That's nice dear...

 

[YYguy]

In January I ordered a set of hyperpro 3Ds for my 1150 GSA. There was a January 15% off sale so it was a pretty good deal. I was pricing all three brands and they're all within the same range, wilbers are maybe a bit cheaper. Note I was pricing/buying in the US so it may be somewhat different within the EU. I went with hyperpro really based on Tsiklonaut's experience.


I haven't installed them yet so can't speak to the improvement over stock.

 

[macpants]

I am really interested in this thread but need to know which suspension to consider for a very different reason. My problem is not handling etc. but height. I have a new GSA LC and am 5ft 9in tall. I can very nearly touch the ground flat footed on both sides but theres no real weight taken up. By this I mean that although my heels make contact with the ground they take no weight.

The reason I am considering the Wilbers is because they do lowered options up to 65mm (only need about 30mm) and, as I understand it, are the only aftermarket suspension that is 100% compatible with ESA. This coupled with quite an attractive price seems to be the way to go.

I am now getting a bit concerned that the quality is not there?

Would I be better off with a lower seat (and an Airhawk R to compensate for the discomfort)?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Packer]

As has been said if you ride mostly or only on road then Wilbers are fine. Mine had done getting on for 60,000 miles when I sold the 1150. The rear had been serviced twice, the front once. They also coped brilliantly with ,000's miles dirt roads and green lanes but no fast, nasty washboard which is what seems to do the damage.

For that kind of use they are brilliant, good quality, good price and the stockists, Revs Racing, will look after you very well.

 

[metropolis2k]

Got to say I fitted some Nitrons to my 1150GS last week and then had the bike shipped to Rome to ride back to London with a mate. The Nitrons were superb and have made a massive difference to the bike. I've got Ohlins on my 1100S and the improvement in the ride is certainly comparable.

 

[uncle dick]

Just my 2 cents on spring rates.

I ride a 1100GS with Ohlins at both ends. They come as stock with a 160 rear spring which I found too hard for solo riding (I'm 95kg). Two up or two up plus luggage is fine. I swapped to a 140 spring and it does everything apart from the pillion & luggage trips. The Ohlins rear spring for an 1150 is 140 as standard but I don't know if the geometry of the bike is any different.

 

[Big Lee]

I am really interested in this thread but need to know which suspension to consider for a very different reason. My problem is not handling etc. but height. I have a new GSA LC and am 5ft 9in tall. I can very nearly touch the ground flat footed on both sides but theres no real weight taken up. By this I mean that although my heels make contact with the ground they take no weight.



I would love to hear your thoughts.

If you can flat foot the bike why worry? Do you want a gap between your arse and the seat when standing straddling the bike? I`ve got loads so you could`ve had some of mine if it were possible

 

[ahutcheon]

I would love to hear your thoughts.

OK then. Spend your money on the Level 1 BMW off road skills course. You'll learn how to balance the bike properly, rather than worrying about having both feet flat on the ground. And lots more besides. Oh, and not sure that talk of LC and ESA belongs here.

I'm serious about the first bit, not the second.