Shocks for GS

[tridge]

Looking for some input on shocks, who likes what and why? Ohlins,wilbers hyperpro...thanks.

[podsobinski]

It really doesn't matter what premium brand you get, they are all good and as long as they are rebuildable. If you can afford Ohlins, they might be the best but you can't go wrong with any. BMW is an option, check the internet and you can pick up a set of good used ones or switched out new ones for almost 1/2 the cost. Again, though BMW shocks are not rebuildable, the discounted price might be worth it.

gpodzo

[Wallowa]

Looking for some input on shocks, who likes what and why? Ohlins,wilbers hyperpro...thanks.

The latest issue of MCN compares the Ohlins and Hyperpro...some actually quantified data...not mentioned is failure rate...that should be researched as I have seen several reports of Ohlins blowing out...and expect to lay out about 1,500 to 2,000 dollars just for the shocks...

[leest]

My dealer talked me in to installing Hyper Pros. They made a very big improvement over the stockers both on and off road. The stock shocks were to soft and spongy to the point of being annoying.

The Hyper Pros have high and low speed rebound damping which I think provides some beifit for an on road off road bike.

I installed them my self with out incident.

I had Ohlins on the last 2 BMWs, R12S, and R11RS, and I think they would have been just as good.

I lowered my GS ~3/4" to good effect. Only issue is center stand takes a little more umph.

I wish BMW would do away with cheap and non-functional gas gages and other bells and whistels and use the saveings to give us high quality dampers instead

[Wallowa]

My dealer talked me in to installing Hyper Pros. They made a very big improvement over the stockers both on and off road. The stock shocks were to soft and spongy to the point of being annoying.
The Hyper Pros have high and low speed rebound damping which I think provides some beifit for an on road off road bike.

I installed them my self with out incident.

I had Ohlins on the last 2 BMWs, R12S, and R11RS, and I think they would have been just as good.

I lowered my GS ~3/4" to good effect. Only issue is center stand takes a little more umph.

I wish BMW would do away with cheap and non-functional gas gages and other bells and whistels and use the saveings to give us high quality dampers instead

Curious...can you be more explicit? Soft and spongy? What settings were you using and with what weight on what surfaces? Sag height[%]? Thanks!

[Polarbear]

My GSA1200 still has the very soft stock shocks. I am at 250lbs fully geared up to ride. I leave the stockers on full strength and I still find them barely adequate, but workable. At 23000 miles now and will have a need to get new ones too. Pricey indeed and probably the most expensive add on for a GS, is the aftermarket shocks. I used Ohlins on a previous GS1100 and found them exceptional without need for a rebuild, after 75000 miles+. Most shock builders will tell you their shocks should be rebuilt at around 25 to 40000 miles, depending on use. I find it to be a JOKE to have to rebuild a 1500$ pair of shocks for a 100000 miles at least!!! Big money spent. It is kind of a shame the most expensive BMW comes with weenie shocks. They are not really junk(the stockers), but meant for riders of much much "lighter" stature than most in the real world....Of course we like our stuff filling our saddlebags, etcetc...and the shocks fail to keep up. Engineers should get a grip on the real touring riders perspective of a touring bike loaded to go places. :D

[leest]

Have to agree with Poloar Bear. I ran the stock shocks through the full rang of adjustment (W/O changing sag) and could only get adequate damping for the street with close to max preload. I'm 200 lbs and ride with minimal load.

[marchyman]

My GSA1200 still has the very soft stock shocks.

Correction. Your GSA1200 still has the very soft stock springs. Assuming your dampers are still good you can probably replace just the springs for $100 - $150. At 250 lbs you likely need a stiffer spring.

// marc

[tridge]

Thanks for the input on the shock question. After working with the stock units i have the rear just about right. The front, well it just sucks, thats all i can say. think i'll start with the front for now, that was the main problem any way. what info is out there on the spring rate BMW uses on the GS? just curious.

[Wallowa]

Thanks for the input on the shock question. After working with the stock units i have the rear just about right. The front, well it just sucks, thats all i can say. think i'll start with the front for now, that was the main problem any way. what info is out there on the spring rate BMW uses on the GS? just curious.


Look, sag adjustment is a pre-load, stiffness adjustment, made on the rear spring [normal is about 25-30%]....on mine the right side knob on top of shock adjusts the preload....CW stiffens the spring, compresses it hence "pre-load"...the front spring has a preload adjusting collar and that wonderful BMW collar wrench...as I recall rotating collar to the left, CW, stiffens the front spring, more pre-load...

Dampening is the realm of the shocks...front shock [OEM] has no adjustment...rear shock has an adjustment on the left rear near the bottom of the shock... rotate the slotted adjustment 'screw' CW for more dampening ...more preload on spring requires more dampening...need to adjust them in sync..


Dampening going up is compression dampening and coming down is rebound dampening...I believe the adjuster only adjusts compression dampening but do not really know...hell it may adjust both...but I can't find that out...manual only says "dampening"...like there is only one!

If your load or riding indicates that you have run out of suspension...preload all the way firm and still too much sag..then get a new spring..

But to say it is too "soft" indicates that you may indeed not have enough spring or you do not have the preload and dampening adjusted correctly...

Just sayin'...you mileage may vary!:thumb