R1200GSA upgrade to Ohlins or Wlbers ESA

Warlord said:

Stupid Pre-Load adjuster is on a twisted bracket. God knows where it's supposed to actually go, but I've spent 40 minutes moving it around from left hand side and right hand side and back again, and again.

I can't figure it out. So it'll have to live here.

It makes sense only because the adjuster knob is at the top and you can clearly see which way to rotate it...

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Warlord said:

Thanks Shaun, unfortunately I can't fit it there as it's between the foot peg mounts. I already have a Givi Luggage mount plate there, so can't fit anything in that position.

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Smogbob said:

Ok but surely where it is at the moment on the outside, it will rub on your leg, can you not get it inside, and also without it banging on something when suspension is working, just flip it around maybe.

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Warlord said:

Hi Shaun,

I've just gone down to the garage again and had another look with your suggestion.

You are right, I've managed to sort it out. I'm getting tired now as been on it all day pretty much, but thank you for a fresh pair of eyes. It's like you're here

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Warlord said:

Well.... after completely rebuilding my bike, and fitting Hyperpro Steering Damper and Ohlins TTX Shocks and a full valve and cam alignment with shaft refit... I went on a 150 mile ride today.

GOOD NEWS

My bike didn't fall apart and the shaft didn't explode. In fact was rather proud of myself to be honest.

BAD NEWS

Ohlins are shit. Fitted out of the box supposedly set up for my weight, as detailed to the people at FTR Suspension. So I did nothing else but fit them. Bike was hard, front end skitting over bumps, back end to soft causing it to buck into corners. Like a bag of shit.

So it'll need setting up from scratch.

Hyperpro Steering Damper is shit. Even on 12 clicks in, wasn't enough to stop the front end fidgeting and weaving at times. Like a bag of shit.

So that's £2500 spunked over a worse handling bike than when I started

Time to whack it with my measuring stick !!

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Smogbob said:

beaver to the batphone, bet after a bit of beaver tweaking... it will be sorted.

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r1happy said:

I just fitted Ohlins TTX and had it set up as recommended in the manual. Felt exactly as you found, too hard and really skittish. I tried increasing it by couple of clicks both ends - still no good. Decided to soften it.

It’s now on Front 14 clicks out on compression & 18 out on rebound. Rear 13 compression & 15 rebound. Bike transformed. Now comfy but controlled. Feels like a different bike. That’s why I bought proper suspension. You decide how you want it to be. Just a few clicks makes a big difference.

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Warlord said:

Well well well...... fookin transformed. The bike is now a BEAST

Spent an hour in the garage tuning up these Ohlins and Hyperpro dampers.... and took it on a FAST 60 mile test ride this evening. Just got home.

Hyperpro CSC Steering Damper..... was on 10 clicks. New setting 17 clicks. Much much better.

Ohlins.... here's the big difference.

Rear Pre-Load was on 14 clicks. Which is way too soft. I reset this to 10 clicks and now have correct Static and Rider Sag. Front shock was on correct sag (which is great as I don't have to mess with it).

Front Shock = Decreased Compression to 14 Clicks. Rebound to 22 Clicks
Rear Shock = Decreased Compression to 14 Clicks. Rebound to 16 Clicks

I'm 95KG Rider weight, plus a constant luggage on pillion seat of 12.5KG

Bike turns in on a knife edge, very accurate and precise steering, takes up massive bumps and holds it's line, took some huge abuse, heavy braking under control.... really was ace.

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r1happy said:

I just fitted Ohlins TTX and had it set up as recommended in the manual. Felt exactly as you found, too hard and really skittish. I tried increasing it by couple of clicks both ends - still no good. Decided to soften it.

It’s now on Front 14 clicks out on compression & 18 out on rebound. Rear 13 compression & 15 rebound. Bike transformed. Now comfy but controlled. Feels like a different bike. That’s why I bought proper suspension. You decide how you want it to be. Just a few clicks makes a big difference.

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Smogbob said:

Perfect, next job get a pillion rider on the bike, and adjust for riding with pillion and luggage, for the incase scenario, write it down for later, save messing around twice, glad you are happy.....

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Warlord said:

Well, I'll do that next month as I'm on tour for a long weekend. So it'll have to be done then.

In the meantime, jump aboard for a pillion ride with Ohlins TTX, just warming the tyres up apparently (no idea who the rider was...)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AyO4x-M3pow" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Smogbob said:

Is that the brum version of Route 66 looks very straight...........

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Warlord said:

Oh... forgot to say....

Those ESA Blanking Plugs have worked a charm. No warning lights on Dashboard

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