Wilbers WESA & Revs Suspension

[Toshi]

Last month on a trip away in Bruges a mate noticed a small patch of oil under my bike after parking for the night. Checked it out and low and behold my rear shock was weeping a little (2008 GS with 18k). My bike has ESA. Reading through this forum it seems the BMW shocks are a weak point

I contacted BMW who told me the OEM shocks are "throw away" items and not serviceable, and quoted £1600 inc VAT to fit a replacement

I wasn't previously unhappy with the OEM suspension, but friends have Wilbers / Ohlins and tell me they're impressed with them so I contacted Revs Suspension in Halesowen and discussed changing rear and front shocks for Wilbers WESA. John explained the procedure, quoted me £1275 for both front & rear inc. fitting, and arranged to get the shocks built for my weight (full fat tosser). A week later the shocks had arrived and the bike was booked in.

I rode up their yesterday, arriving at 9.30am. John & Nick were there waiting with a cuppa, and after a quick chat Nick got started stripping the bike down while John drove me to a local motorcycle shop / cafe where I indulged in a big fryup. 4 hours later the phone rang to tell me the bike was ready and Nick was on his way to pick me up.

Riding home last night I noticed a big difference. I would previously set the ESA to single rider + luggage when it was just me, and two up when I had luggage, and still the front end was a little soft. Last night on single rider - normal - the whole setup is much stiffer, and the front feels more planted. There also seems a more pronounced difference between "sport", "comfort" and "normal".

In short, I'm very pleased. The guys at Revs were very helpful, and friendly, and went out of their way to get this sorted for me quickly. £1275 isn't a small amount of money, but I'm much happier with both shocks replaced with Wilbers than the BMW option, and although very early days I do think the bike handles slightly better now.

So if anyone is thinking about updating their suspension, or has the same problem I had, I can't recommend Revs highly enough - http://www.revsracing.co.uk/

 

[Beemerman59]

Last month on a trip away in Bruges a mate noticed a small patch of oil under my bike after parking for the night. Checked it out and low and behold my rear shock was weeping a little (2008 GS with 18k). My bike has ESA. Reading through this forum it seems the BMW shocks are a weak point

I contacted BMW who told me the OEM shocks are "throw away" items and not serviceable, and quoted £1600 inc VAT to fit a replacement

I wasn't previously unhappy with the OEM suspension, but friends have Wilbers / Ohlins and tell me they're impressed with them so I contacted Revs Suspension in Halesowen and discussed changing rear and front shocks for Wilbers WESA. John explained the procedure, quoted me £1275 for both front & rear inc. fitting, and arranged to get the shocks built for my weight (full fat tosser). A week later the shocks had arrived and the bike was booked in.

I rode up their yesterday, arriving at 9.30am. John & Nick were there waiting with a cuppa, and after a quick chat Nick got started stripping the bike down while John drove me to a local motorcycle shop / cafe where I indulged in a big fryup. 4 hours later the phone rang to tell me the bike was ready and Nick was on his way to pick me up.

Riding home last night I noticed a big difference. I would previously set the ESA to single rider + luggage when it was just me, and two up when I had luggage, and still the front end was a little soft. Last night on single rider - normal - the whole setup is much stiffer, and the front feels more planted. There also seems a more pronounced difference between "sport", "comfort" and "normal".

In short, I'm very pleased. The guys at Revs were very helpful, and friendly, and went out of their way to get this sorted for me quickly. £1275 isn't a small amount of money, but I'm much happier with both shocks replaced with Wilbers than the BMW option, and although very early days I do think the bike handles slightly better now.

So if anyone is thinking about updating their suspension, or has the same problem I had, I can't recommend Revs highly enough - http://www.revsracing.co.uk/

+1 and don't forget the WESA shocks have a 5 year guarantee and are rebuildable. I'm off for a little jaunt on mine as it happens.....

 

[kimbo]

+1 more for Revs and WESA .

Totally professional setup run by two lovely guys. I've done around 600miles on mine since having them fitted and have to say it has transformed the handling for me.

 

[Bendy toy]

My brother has just had a Wilbers shock fitted to his Mk1 Aprilia Pegaso. £350 fitted and the bike is transformed. Top service from Revs Racing.

The old shock wasn't actually leaking but the chrome shaft had visible wear.

 

[Yonkyo]

Based on what i've read on this, and other threads.

I've decided to take the plunge, and have WESA fitted by Revs this Friday.

As my well-abused 09 GSA suspension feels pretty tired at only 25k miles. So i'm hoping that it will be money well spent...

 

[Beemerman59]

Based on what i've read on this, and other threads.

I've decided to take the plunge, and have WESA fitted by Revs this Friday.

As my well-abused 09 GSA suspension feels pretty tired at only 25k miles. So i'm hoping that it will be money well spent...

By the time you've turned right and got to the bottom of the road once they've been fitted, you will know it was worthwhile. Take a laptop or something coz the bike shop they drop you off at has a nice cafe and wifi. I've put a few more miles on them now and forgotten about the cost

 

[Yonkyo]

By the time you've turned right and got to the bottom of the road once they've been fitted, you will know it was worthwhile. Take a laptop or something coz the bike shop they drop you off at has a nice cafe and wifi. I've put a few more miles on them now and forgotten about the cost

Thanks for the advice...i'll do that.

 

[Yonkyo]

Night and Day.....

Thats the difference that fitting Wilbers has made to the ride quality and handling of my GSA.....

After a cold, wet and blustery ride up the M5. We arrived at Revs shop at about 9:30am to be greeted by John and Nick, and a nice hot beverage.
Then after a quick tour of their immaculate workshop, Nick set about my GSA with his shiny tools, while John gave me and the wife a lift to the local Mall (Merry Hill),
where the wife proceeded to empty my wallet. 4:00pm and we were on our way back the shop in Johns motor to collect the bike, now resplendent in Wilbers finest WESA, set to my weight average load.

Riding away from Revs, immediately the bike felt completely different. With ESA set to 'Comfort' & two helmets, the ride was plush and perfectly damped and the steering felt sharper and easier to turn.

Then we hit the M5, and i'd swear that someone had ironed all the bumps out....wow. Even the wife noticed how smooth the ride is now.

So today i made the most of the sunshine, and went for a solo blast around my favourite test route, and again the difference was profound.

My GSA now handles and steers so much better. The rear end doesn't squat anymore when i accelerate hard, and the bike feels planted and connected to the road, like never before. I even found myself looking for pot holes to ride over...sorry..float over.

Half way around my test route, i spy a Power Ranger on an R1, wobbling around the corners ahead of me, which i promptly dispatch without even selecting 'Sport Mode'

To say i'm impressed with how the WESA has transformed my GSA, would be an understatement.

So, if your GS/GSA's suspensions feels a bit tired and soggy, head straight to Revs Racing and let John and Nick work their magic...

 

[Yonkyo]

Ohlins, shmolins. Pah....WESA is the way...

 

[Straydog]

Love mine, getting the front done in a couple of months.

 

[AdamA]

Hey Yonko, you know they do soap for bikes yeah? Probably deodorant too.

 

[Yonkyo]

Hey Yonko, you know they do soap for bikes yeah? Probably deodorant too.

Won't be long till the shiny new shocks match the rest of the bike.
So I thought I'd better get a pic, while they're tidy like.

 

[jamm13dodger]

Hey Yonko, you know they do soap for bikes yeah? Probably deodorant too.

Jeez, that's not dirty. You need to ride it more and wash it less

 

[AdamA]

Jeez, that's not dirty. You need to ride it more and wash it less

Mines way worse, 'twas only banter.

 

[jamm13dodger]

Yeah, I know.

Took mine for its MoT yesterday and the tester said it was the third one through the door. He reckons the first one had to be taken outside and washed before he could test it properly.

Not sure if that's the best approach if you're looking for a pass.

 

[AdamA]

Yeah, I know.

Took mine for its MoT yesterday and the tester said it was the third one through the door. He reckons the first one had to be taken outside and washed before he could test it properly.

Not sure if that's the best approach if you're looking for a pass.

Yeah it's about the only time I give mine a good grot out, when someone else is gonna work on it. Just good manners innit, and it doesn't leave them thinking why should they go out of their way to be helpful if I haven't even bothered giving them a clean bike to work on. Rest of the time its minging.