R1100RS Suspension Upgrade

[Kneedragon]

I've decided that the next shocks on my RS are going to be aftermarket. Any suggestions? I've looked at the Ohlins product and Progressive doesn't seem to have a set of shocks for my model. So what else is available? I'm in Canada so some parts may not be available here.:cry

Thanks,

Dragon


PS 4'C here this AM and the Widder vest works like a charm:clap

[breyfogle]

Ohlins, Wilbers and Works Performance (in that order) seem to be the shocks of choice when upgradings an RS. They all have their fans but I suspect any good quality after market shock would out perform and out last the stock shocks. It really comes down to deciding how much you are willing to spend.

[MCMXCIVRS]

I replaced the shocks on my R1100RS this year with a pair of Ohlins. I would certainly reccommend them as an excellent replacement for the stock units. Many owners have had excellent experiences with the Works shocks also. They, apparently, will build them to suit the buyer, which may be a bonus. I never priced the Works shocks, but the Ohlins are quite expensive.

I did find I had to readjust the hydraulic preload adjuster on the rear Ohlins to get the rear sag in the correct range. Out of the box, the only way I could get the sag correct was to max out the remote adjuster, and that was at minimum loading on the bike. With any extra weight, it would have been too soft. I had to dissassemble the spring from the shock and reposition the collars to do this. I should have gone a bit further (and i plan to do so this winter), as I still have to be in the middle of the adjustment range for normal loading. Aside from that, the shocks are a major improvement to the RS. My ride height is back where it should be, and the bike is much more stable in corners, not to mention it is less prone to wallowing on bumps.

[28796]

Dragon - If you'd like info on the Wilbers shocks send me an email.

[honard]

I installed Wilbers this summer on my R1100RS before leaving for a 4K trip. I am very pleased by the handling of the bike with the new shocks. I can ride at speed through twisties without any of the control problems I was experiencing with my stock shocks.

I chose Wilbers over Ohlins due to cost and multitude of adjustment options offered.
The base model comes standard with a 22 position rebound damping adjustment.
A Hydraulic spring preload is an option.
High and Low Speed Compression adjustment is also an option.
Ride height adjuster (1") is also an option.

Of course the options cost extra, so depending on your riding style you can go base (like me, with the spring preload and height adj. option) or get the kitchen sink.

I had the shocks 3 weeks after placing my order.

Wilbers USA (http://www.wilbersusa.com/)

[Kneedragon]

Thanks for the input. It's great to be able to get info from the users of the various products. If anyone thinks of anything else...please, let me know.

[kbasa]

Got Ohlins on ours. Magwa's got Ohlins on his. Guitar Mann has Ohlins on his too.

Ohlins are good. I hear Wilbers are pretty good, but I don't have first hand experience with them. John does.

[Chinaski]

I've got 26k miles on the original shocks of my 2000 R1100RS.

How do you know when the shocks are shot?

[cat0020]

Originally posted by Chinaski
I've got 26k miles on the original shocks of my 2000 R1100RS.

How do you know when the shocks are shot?

I think that's a common problem, most people don't know when to replace shocks until it's too late, like when it's leaking oil, or when it has no damping left.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Chinaski
I've got 26k miles on the original shocks of my 2000 R1100RS.

How do you know when the shocks are shot?

You sense the bike is going boingy boingy after you hit a bump. Chassis oscillations should be damped within a cycle or so. When shocks fail, they don't do that anymore.

[j-budimlya]

My bike ( GS, 22,000 miles) just started to feel like it was "lower" when I sat on it...the spring was loosing some of it's strength or length, whatever you call it.....the rebound was still OK...I went with Ohlins and it's just like a new bike; NO, it's better than a new bike...

You won't regret it.....:bliss

[Andy VH]

At 115,000 miles on my 94 R1100RS I guess I may be due for new shocks. I am really considering the Hagons from England. They are built to my specs and are fully rebuildable, and MUCH less expensive than Ohlins and even Wilbers. Anyone out there tried the Hagons yet?

[PGlaves]

I've got 26k miles on the original shocks of my 2000 R1100RS.

How do you know when the shocks are shot?

The first symptoms are a lessening of rebound damping. This is a progressive symptom. When you feel it on bumps then adjust the damping adjustment screw clockwise about 1/4 turn. A few thousand miles later do it again. Ditto. Ditto. When you run out of adjustment the shock needs to be replaced.

In her 460,000 miles on two different RS's Voni has run nothing but OEM shocks. We buy them in sets when a new RS owner pulls off the new or nearly new OEM shocks to install Ohlins or Wilbers. Then when hers ger worn out I put on another almost new pair. Been doing that since 1994 with good results. We have never had one leak - but they do lose rebound damping over miles. When I use up all the adjustment they come off and the next set goes on.

There are just certain things I buy used almost every time I find them in good condition: R1100RS shocks, K75/K100 drive shafts, K75 Bosch driving lights, etc.

YMMV

[deilenberger]

Paul - in 460,000 miles it might have been worthwhile to get Voni a set of rebuildable shocks, and just keep the stock ones for when the rebuildable ones are out being rebuilt. Even at say $100/set for good low mileage ones - that cost is gonna start to add up when she gets near 1,000,000 miles on the RS..

:) Just a thought..

[dbrick]

Anyone out there tried the Hagons yet?
I've never heard of anyone on this side of the pond who has Hagons. You'd probably find some users on the Bikers Oracle RS forum at
http://www.bikersoracle.com/rs/forum

[PGlaves]

I've never heard of anyone on this side of the pond who has Hagons. You'd probably find some users on the Bikers Oracle RS forum at
http://www.bikersoracle.com/rs/forum

Off topic, but I had a Hagon on my K75. I liked that shock.

[PGlaves]

Paul - in 460,000 miles it might have been worthwhile to get Voni a set of rebuildable shocks, and just keep the stock ones for when the rebuildable ones are out being rebuilt. Even at say $100/set for good low mileage ones - that cost is gonna start to add up when she gets near 1,000,000 miles on the RS..

:) Just a thought..

Not a bad thought, Don.

But we are talking two bikes so the initial investment is more. And once the bike goes over 300K you start to wonder how much to put into it. (She sold her second one with 172K on it - kept the original with about 320K now).

And I already have the next set of shocks on the shelf, so ......

[jdiaz]

If you're in Canada, you may wish to check out Elka Suspension in Quebec. They might be able to build something for you.

[barryg]

Got Ohlins on my 94 R1100RS, couldn't be happier. Stock shocks were basically junk.

[leest]

I put Ohlins on my '94 RS. It made a big difference. It's along story, but I recently traded my RS for a '07 R1200S. I have the Ohlins from my RS and they only have ~ 4,000 mi on them. Let me know if you are interested in buying them.