Wilbers Vs Ohlins on R100GS

[travelingtexan]

What is the opinion of this forum regarding the above products? I am interested in perceptions of performance in the GS application, Value, relative quality, service experience. I am a large rider 6'4" and 230lbs so if there and any opinions that relate to this fact they would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

[robsryder]

Recently (within the last couple of weeks) the folks at advrider.com
had a GS group buy for Wilbers shocks. My understanding is that
the Wilbers and Ohlins shocks gave a fairly comparable ride, but the
Wilbers was a bit less expensive. With the group buy discount the
price differential was much greater.

Both shocks are rebuidable. Klaus of Wilbers USA takes info on
your weight, riding style, etc. in factoring in the proper parameters
for the shock. I think that Ohlins will do likewise.

I ordered the Wilbers for my 93 GS/PD. It should be in soon.

[Boxerkuh]

If I am not mistaken the Wilber's shocks are middle of the price field and the Ohlins are top of the line. I believe both of them are custom build (for your weight, type of riding) and you will be happy with both. If I had to choose between the two I would take the Wilber's, because I have not heard anything negative about them; on the contrary, I have heard some issues with the Ohlins. I myself run Works shocks and swear by them. They offer me the best value overall for custom build, rebuildable, customer service and price. I have had Works on my Oilhead and my Airhead, had both of them rebuild before. Excellent all the way around. :D

[davidswanson]

"I ordered the Wilbers for my 93 GS/PD. It should be in soon.[/QUOTE]"

Has any one put the Wilbers Shock on their R100 GS; I have a 1991 GS-PD and i know my rear shocks could do with replacement. I am working with Phil at Aftershocks in Palo Alto had he suggested this shock over others in my application. He would dial it in so that i could have a setting for solo light riding and a second setting for fully loading two up when i am traveling camping with all the gear and Gfriend. So my question to those who have used the Wilbers shock is do you see an improvement or has it been a disappointment.

thanks

swanny

[picaresque]

Can't speak for their performance on an airhead (I may splurge for one on my newly acquired R80G/S) but when the stock rear shock blew on my 1100GS, I found a good deal on one via the the internet -- at the time the dollar was really strong against the Euro. The ride was exquisite! I was so impressed by this Ohlins on the rear that I splurged on one for the front. The ride was like a magic carpet, even on a rough dirt road.

Can't speak for Wilbers, but if they are even close to Ohlins, they may be worth a look.

Of course, YMMV.

[bikerfish1100]

different application, same shock info: I have a R11S. i ride hard enough to know and appreciate the difference between stock and aftermarket (have ALWAYS put aftermarket shocks on my beemers- 25+ years worth of doing so). I have an Ohlins on the rear, Wilbers on the front. Wilbers is every bit as good as Ohlins, and when they give you a "custom build" from the factory, Wilbers actually custom sets it to your weight and ride style. Ohlins gives you the correct weight spring, at best (and at 230#s, you will not be able to use the "standard" Ohlins spring), nothing more. have had both rebuilt/refreshed locally (nothing broken, just time to change the fluids and such after 35,000+ miles)- no big diff in the internals.
Ohlins has the name advantage, but beyond that, i can't call it a superior shock to the Wilbers. i would not say the Wilbers is "close" to the Ohlins, I would say that it is at least equal, and if the price is close, you actually get more bang for your buck from the Wilbers.

btw- my bike came with BMW Sport shocks. the difference in ride qualtiy and handling is well worth the $ of the aftermarkets, no question.

[Petrodog]

I agree with Picaresque. I recently installed Ohlins on my 99 GS. They transformed the bikes character and handling at 20,000 miles. I am a large man - 6-1", 300# w/ ATTGAT. The highway ride is great and the suspension soaks up dropoffs without bottoming. The bikes sets into a curve or turn much more quickly and confidently.

Amazingly the buffeting from trucks and side wind affect to the bike are greatly reduced also with the improved suspension. Does any one else note this effect?

Stig at Petersen Pro Susepension set up the springs and dampening perfectly.

At the end of the day Ohlins have been around and are well proven in many venues. My concern with Wilbers is that there seems to be a lot of drama between Wilbers and the US dealers based on internet chat rooms.

At the end of the day we are blessed with two very good choices - which ain't all that bad a deal. The money will be well spent.

[davidswanson]

Good news for folks interested in Wilbers Shocks as Ted Porters BeemerShop is now the official US distributer. They are a quality operation and have a great reputation here on the west coast. I have used them to rebuild my Transmission and had Ted add the lower first gear and higher 5th gear that I ordered from HPN in Germany. They did an excellent job on that unusual task. So the Supply chain of the Wilbers shocks should be good now.

http://www.beemershop.com

[Paul_F]

Good news for folks interested in Wilbers Shocks as Ted Porters BeemerShop is now the official US distributer.http://www.beemershop.com

Confusion.

I was speaking to Jim at Nicks BMW a couple of days ago and he told me that Nick's was the official US distributor. FWIW.

[Burnszilla]

They are not 'the' but 'a' official distributer. Ted's prices are hard to beat.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306642

[Solo_Lobo]

I had a works on my GS which didn't seem a significant improvement over the stocker, when I put on the Ohlins it was like a completely new bike.

What I like best about the Ohlins is the hydraulic pre-load that allows me to go from solo riding to fully loaded with a minimum of fuss.

Fron what I read, I thought that the Wilburs, if you added an external preload was the same cost as the Ohlins, anyone know for sure?

SL

[bikerfish1100]

not quite sure where prices are now, but when i bought my Wilbers i got quite a few more features for less money- and it works beautifully well (I have an Ohlins on the bike as well, can't really tell a performance difference betweent them).