OHLIN shocking Results

Ohlin shock fitted at last..... thought i would share my experience with you. for thoes thinking of a similar Mod. So Rear shock Ohlin and progressive front fork spring finally fitted.
Rode about one and a half hours to FTR Suspension (full travel racing Suspension) Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk with a fellow UKGSer Chad on his 1150GSA. On the way was a direct Route A12 then A14. I think Chad spotted a fellow UKGSer on the way, there was this Guy in a Range Rover (maybe he was a fellow Essex Boy) any how his driving was Atrocious Chad kind of drew level done a kind of double take then showed him what must be best described a tosser wave. Any how I do not think it sunk in with the Guy who Chad was until he turned off where he flashed his lights and sounded his Horn he was smiling a lot coz he had lots of teeth showing. (I must ask Chad who it was maybe some of you know him also?)




Anyhow arrived at FTR and wheeled in my shiny not so new Toy and left it with them! Whilst we enjoyed a breakfast at a local truckers Cafe
Off with the old!



Returned a couple of hours later to see them putting the front wheel back on and making adjustments one guy held the back up while another took a measurement from ground then again at self support and adjusted accordingly ( for measuring the bikes self sag) had a coffee with the Guys and a chat





Compared to the standard the Ohlin has the top preload adjustment and a clicker dial at the bottom for rebound.
Then it was time for the test ride!
Would the braking and acceleration be better? Would these single components that keep us in contact with the ground make a huge difference; will this lengthen my tyre life?
Wheeled my bike out of their work shop
Threw my leg over the seat and just sat there, immediately felt the difference it sat higher just a tad but enough for me to notice and to be honest perfect. The bike did not sag as much as it did say felt like half as much it felt better just sitting there doing my space hopper movements, ok better start it up I’m already enjoying the new firmer feel !
Took it for a circuit of nice tarmac empty roads with a series of roundabouts, what a difference it’s like a different bike. Combined with the progressive front springs and rear upgraded Ohlin the braking and acceleration felt more precise firmer, controlled, smoother
Forks not diving seemed slower controlled dive firmer whilst braking and then accelerating out of bends nothing lost or wasted more precise, more confident, better ride sag what sag!



They say the service for the shock obviously depends on use but mainly on road about 20.000 miles and just renewed Gas and Oil!
What was the work done and cost?
BMW F650 GS 08-09 – OHLINS – S46DR1B
OHLIN SHOCK SPRING 57/170/180
BMW F650 GS ST 08> YACUGAR PROG FF Springs
3 Hours Labour.
Total 850.20 + the dreaded VAT = 999.00 as quoted



The guys at FTR a nice bunch Kevin actually races on track and they cater for all bikes on and off road. They had some nice off road toys in the workshop quads and dirt bikes. They are having an open day very soon (poss. next Saturday) where they want to show peeps what they can do for them where all are welcome for a brew and a bite also. They said if a few that wanted work done banded together they would offer Discounts.

http://www.ftrsuspension.co.uk/about.htm

Set the sat nav to ride home avoiding Motorway and major roads the 170 mile round trip was a good ride with good company and we missed the -Rain


In summary am I pleased?
I have been thinking about this Mod for ages reading bitts and bouncing ideas off of people, Thanks to all at FTR for a good service and for the extra stickers to feed my sticker fetish
Well think I now have the best F 798cc twin GS road bike in the world. Gotta get me one of those pedestals to put my bike on in my garage.


Dean

Damn... I'd want to be super pleased if I just dropped a grand on some springs

Would love to buy the same rear shock. Not yet though looks ace Dean, fair play. (Is this a monitor attachment?)



Wow hold on here...is that a de-cat kit I see? How much you tart

Is it me, or does that chain look too tight?

v8legend said:

Is it me, or does that chain look too tight?

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the chain is just fine

chad said:

the chain is just fine

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In which case I must have my chain way too slack.

Ohlins suspension is VERY tempting though as F8GS standard kit it not the best, but at £1k it's a hell of a lot to spend on a £7-8k bike. Please do give us an update report in a few weeks once the novelty has worn off as I would be very interested to know if you still feel it was worth the investment. Gut feel is that it will still get the thumbs up. It looks the dogs blocks.

Blobby said:

In which case I must have my chain way too slack.

Ohlins suspension is VERY tempting though as F8GS standard kit it not the best, but at £1k it's a hell of a lot to spend on a £7-8k bike. Please do give us an update report in a few weeks once the novelty has worn off as I would be very interested to know if you still feel it was worth the investment. Gut feel is that it will still get the thumbs up. It looks the dogs blocks.

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Definitely worth the upgrade over standard suspension - I run Ohlins on both my 1150GS and Africa Twin and the biggest difference for me was the increased confidence it gives - the bikes seem so much more 'surefooted' (if that's the right description).

I'll admit I was surprised how much better they feel, as I am certainly no 'riding god' - just your average rider who thought I wouldn't notice that much change - but the difference really is huge.

Welcome to the Ohlins club Dean - c'mon Chad, you're lagging behind buddy

Yeah I noticed the de-cat... to be fair I prefer the finish on the Arrow headers, about the same prove too.

GunZenBomZ said:

Would love to buy the same rear shock.

Wow hold on here...is that a de-cat kit I see? How much you tart

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Rear is good, better with forks uprated

yes from N/N the Remus polished stainless, sounds a bit more rortier , cost is an arm

v8legend said:

Is it me, or does that chain look too bright?

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fixed it for you

and Its definitely you

Blobby said:

In which case I must have my chain way too slack.

Ohlins suspension is VERY tempting though as F8GS standard kit it not the best, but at £1k it's a hell of a lot to spend on a £7-8k bike. Please do give us an update report in a few weeks once the novelty has worn off as I would be very interested to know if you still feel it was worth the investment. Gut feel is that it will still get the thumbs up. It looks the dogs blocks.

Click to expand...

Ok for the first bit on the side stand with no load you should have a chain deflection of between 30 and 40mm if its to tight or to loose give yourself a slap and sort it out

the 1K yes I agree its a lot of money what ever way you look at it and I have thought about it for months every one said how it would be such a vast improvement. I think mickey said good suspension is worth 20BHP. for me personaly the standard was not good enough. But I intend to keep the bike and more importantly put a lot of miles on it as for the see if its a novelty, I do not see that, its like the seats and screens, lights I do not want standard. I will say that the biggest notice was the ride back fresh from feeling the old bike, in time I will get use to this better bike and maybe take it for granted that thats how it is, but when I go for a dealer service I ask for a loaner of the same (ordinary spec) it reminds me of how much my bike has moved on then I ride off like this

Stormforce8 said:

Definitely worth the upgrade over standard suspension - I run Ohlins on both my 1150GS and Africa Twin and the biggest difference for me was the increased confidence it gives - the bikes seem so much more 'surefooted' (if that's the right description).

I'll admit I was surprised how much better they feel, as I am certainly no 'riding god' - just your average rider who thought I wouldn't notice that much change - but the difference really is huge.

Welcome to the Ohlins club Dean - c'mon Chad, you're lagging behind buddy

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I think you hit the nail on the head increased confidence,- surefooted

It corners like its on Rails

Dont tempt Chad you can imagine him in the FTR work shop, it was like a candy store for him

ILMV said:

Yeah I noticed the de-cat... to be fair I prefer the finish on the Arrow headers, about the same prove too.

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not seen the arrow, but would say as a heads up if any one is looking at the remus, my Bash plate is being adapted as the remus slightly fowls the BMW/TT one

Dean

e've never regretted spending on suspension. Shame we're a bit broke this year or there'd be a 12 and an 8 with yellok springs in Norfolk.

Good riding.