K75 Shock

[37071]

Is the shock absorber:sick on my 87 K75 rebuildable?

[bikerfish1100]

probably, including at places like Lindeman Engineering. depending upon how demanding a rider you are, you might (will!) prefer the feel of an aftermarket- Works, Ohlins, Wilbers, etc.

[kentuvman]

I replaced mine because when I bought it it really was worn out not from being ridden a bunch but just due to age.

For my budget, I ended up buying a Progressive 420 Series - it was @ $375 and is re-buildable. I bought it from www.onestopmoto.com

It really is a nice shock - actually Paul Glaves recommended this one to me. I took my wife out for a ride and she hasn't been on a bike in many years. Between the Corbin seat and the Progressive 420 there were no complaints - and if you knew my wife, this is a very good thing!

[GregFeeler]

Is the shock absorber:sick on my 87 K75 rebuildable?

The stock K75/100 shocks are not rebuildable, and if they were you shouldn't go there. They are both over sprung and under-dampened, IMHO. :hide

The Progressive 420 is a nice upgrade, however, I would shop around at I think you can get one for about $250 +/-. For less than $400 you can get a YSS shock that's approaching the class of Wilbers and Ohlins. Not saying it's that good, but getting close. Many people like Works, although I've never been a big fan. I have two K75s and have a YSS on the "S" which I think is fantastic, and will likely be putting a Progressive on the "standard" bike as I ride it mostly in the winter, for commuting, and for two-up with my SO. The 5-position spring pre-load adjuster on the Progressive is very handy when making quick changes to accommodate a passenger.

[rdalland]

The YSS is priced close to the Progressive.

Personally I could not use the Progressive, the ride was just too hard. The YSS is great.

[atlbmw]

are these better than the bmw replacement shock?

how long do they typically last?

which ones ame i talking about? all/any of them.

cheers!

[bikerfish1100]

are these better than the bmw replacement shock?

how long do they typically last?

which ones ame i talking about? all/any of them.

cheers!

well, in over a quarter century of riding BMWs, i've yet to meet an aftermarket shock that is equal to a BMW spec'd factory shock. They have all been superior.
shocks are one of those places where a manufacturer can cut costs, so they do. they ALL do- excpet at the upper levels of price & performance, like when BMW or Ducati gives you Ollies as part of the buy-in.

i've been having my Wilbers/Ohlins rebuilt about every 3 years/35-40,000 miles. i have a local guy who does it for $100/pr.

[rkoch]

I put the progressive shock and front springs on my K75s this summer and feel a considerable difference in handling. Not sure if it was the combination of both front and rear or not, but I can tell a difference in that rear shock alone. A & S is selling the rear for $279 brand new, but you can probably find one on the flea markets for less. I recommend the front springs too, never really like the stock feel on the front end. I have read some complaints about progressive both front and rear being a bit harsh, but it doesn't seem that way to me. I didn't really need to change up, but glad I did now.

[GregFeeler]

I said in an earlier post that a person might be able to find the Progressive 420 shock for about $250 - not so. I was confusing it with it's less expensive and non-adjustable little brother, the 412. My bad.

I have a K75S that I equipped with a YSS about a year ago. It's a great shock and for about $400 I think it would be hard to beat. I also have another K75 standard that I use a lot for commuting and the occasional ride with my SO (she just likes that bike the best) so a shock with a step ring preload adjuster is an advantage. Last weekend I replaced the stock BMW K-bike shock which had about 22,000 miles on it, with a Progressive 412 that cost me about $235.00. The 412 is a significant improvement! In particular it absorbs the initial impact of a bump much better than the stock unit, but isn't mushy at all. The result is that it rides much better (less harsh) and handles better because the rear end isn't being jacked around by the abruptness of the stock shock. This is the first Progressive I've used and I had set my expectations low give the low price. It's not adjustable for rebound dampening (which is a great feature) but overall, and used in the right application, I'd say it's an excellent value in an inexpensive (for bikes) shock, and a serious upgrade over stock.

[LSkrabut]

I have purchase earlier this summer a Progressive 412 for my ’88 K100LT. It replaced the original non-adjusting shock Borg shock.

Right out of the box, it had problems. I had to send it back to Progressive to be looked at. They determined that the top shock cover was rubbing on the coil spring. I could have waited for a thinner spring (yet to be supplied from their vendor) or they could have removed the cover on a new shock. This is what I elected for, since I would not have to wait any longer then Progressive shipping it back.

With the new coverless shock on, the bike was like a new machine. Yet at times, I do feel the initial hit of the shock might be a touch too harsh, I am not complaining for the $230-ish OTD shock. Overall ride is great for so far, but time will tell. It takes the turns a whole lot better than the stocker, 20 years old with about 50k on it. It rides great at high speed interstate speeds as well as carving the turns in the mountain and canyons here in Utah. I do not ride 2 up much.

True I probably would appreciate a much more expensive shock and probably in due time will get one. For now I am very happy for the shock that I got for the money spent. So far I have place on the new shock about 6000 miles since I do tend to be a high mileage user of the bike. Daily rides about 120 per day, work is a b!tch, but at least I do get to enjoy the ride both ways.

[98lee]

The cheapest price on the Progressives is from Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse in Florida. http://mawonline.com/



Front springs: Progressive # 11-1126 $55.95
Standard height rear shock: Progressive # 412-4015B $214.95
3/4" lower rear shock: Progressive # 412-4016B $225.95

Unfortunately Progressive recently had a price increase. Last year you could get the front springs for $47 and the rear shock for $187.

I have been very satisfied with this combination.


:dance :dance :dance

[kentuvman]

Mine is new and if I have the bike long enough, the shock is rebuildable.

It is stiff at the moment because everything is frozen in MN at the moment.
Seriously speaking, it is a stiff ride and I'm sure I can adjust it for a softer ride but compared to the worn out stock shock that came with the bike, the Progressive is a market improvement. I didn't change the front fork springs but I did change the oil using a slightly heavier fork oil. The bike rides N I C E

[motoedde]

+1 on the YSS...
The rear shock on the K is a combined with a spring.

Depending on your needs, the spring that is coupled with the shock should be varied. Telling the shock provider how and what you intend to use the shock for will help him better fit one for you....not sure if you get that option with the Progressive 412...but you do get that from YSS.

Another thing to note is that most of these aftermarket shocks will require a rebuld after ~35k miles...it won't matter which brand you buy...they all will. Prices of rebuilds are $100-150 i think.

So in considering the shock you purchase for the rear...make sure you understand the total $$$s the shock will cost and don't confuse that with the initial purchase price. When I considered the mileage I put on my bike, and the initial cost of the shock...the YSS was compelling.


I might not own the nicest brand name shock...but my ass and wallet are happy;)