R1100RT shock cost

[jlaban]

I'd appreciate wags on cost of replacing shocks on a 99 R1100RT by dealer and by self. I'm thinking of buying one with 63K mi and seller sez they need to be replaced. Is this unusual at that mileage?

Thanks,

John

[podsobinski]

You have done really well getting that many miles out of a stock shock. Replacement is easy and I am sure you can find it on the internet. May sure you save your old one. If you buy an aftermarket shock that can be rebuilt you may need to install the old one while you are getting the aftermarket shock rebuilt.

gpodzo

[Godfather]

I have been looking into aftermarket shocks for my 99' RT...$1200-$1500... HOLY CRAP! Good Luck!

[Andy VH]

Try beemerboneyard.com, they have lots of used stock parts.

Ebay is another source. I scored a Wilbers front shock for my R1100RS for $212!!
I had previously just missed on a SET of Fox Shocks for my bike for $625.

Personally, I wouldn't bother buying another stock shock, unless it had less than 10,000 miles on it. They ALL wear out too soon. If you invest in quality aftermarket shocks that can be rebuilt you'll get a much better ride for a lot longer. Check into Hagon shocks, nice quality and prices not in the Wilbers/Hyperpro/Ohlins/Penske range.

Oh, to me, shocks are so easy to change out I would never pay someone to do it.

[bikerfish1100]

+1 on what Andy said. My feeling is that the stock shocks are trash not long after rolling off the showroom floor, but i'm kinda picky about those things. In reality, they're pretty much toast around 40-50K, and aftermarkets should be rebuilt at about that frequency as well. Ohlins or Wilbers are the best, but there are plenty of others that are very good, and nearly all aftermarkets are superior to factory issue.

[rboettch]

call kyle racing up to get a quote on some Ohlins.

folks from the advrider site regularly set up group buys. we have probably bought hundreds of shocks from them.

makes a fine bike into a great bike.

worth the $$.

their site is not fully functional , but give them a call.

http://www.shop.kyleusa.com/main.sc

[kitze2]

One can buy cheap gas and cheap oil. But tires, brakes and suspension are the only thing between ones butt and the asphalt.
Try www.casporttouring.com/
I just bought an Ohlins for my race bike from Kim and got a really good deal.

rboettch: I called Dan first but he had no interest in talking to me about suspension or setup. Mind, I offered to pay for his time. I wasn't asking for anything free!

[alien_hitchhiker]

I mounted up a set of Hagon shocks about 18 months ago. Cost was ~ $850 (IIRC), which included a remote preload adjuster for the rear. Front preload is adjustable with a threaded spring collar. They're available from Dave Quinn Motorcycles: http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/

I'm sure they do not provide the same level of performance as Wilburs or Ohlins, but I felt for the price they might be an acceptable compromise. Rebound and compression damping are a combined function - I've been satisfied with their tune-ability - and they are a definite improvement over the OEM shocks.

Jury is still out on durability; I've put 20,000 miles on them, including some two-up fully loaded tours. The rear is maybe getting a bit spongy. I need to play with the rebound/compression damping. They are rebuildable but I think they get shipped back to the UK, so turn-around time may be looong.

If I had to do it again I'd probably spring for the Wilburs, but at the time I was lucky to convince my financial manager/pillion that this was a required expenditure.