Shocks for my R1100rt

[TheKirb]

Hey Everybody,

I think I need shocks for my RT. I am on original equipment, with 65,000 miles on them.

Here is my question: just how much gold is in these things!? Surely there is a more cost effective alternative than 1500 bucks. Can I re-build my own? I am a mechanic for a living but I am new to Beemers.

Thanks to all in advance.

Kirby

[stagewex]

I'm in the same boat with 71000 miles on a 16 year old bike. I think I'm running the original shocks on the bike. Didn't notice until I did a bit of commuting into NYC. And also some 2-up riding with my daughter who barely weighs 80lbs.

I do want to replace with the best I can whether oem or something better. But some of the prices are a bit much.

mw
'96 r1100rt

[Bobmws]

You can try contacting these folks: http://www.le-suspension.com/shock-services/
Saw them mentioned on another forum, not sure what models they can rebuild.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you do buy an aftermarket set, they can be rebuilt when needed for a fraction of the original cost. If you're planning to keep the bike, the investment becomes more affordable.

[Jim Rogers]

You will find many opinions on what is the right thing to do, OEM or aftermarket (including which brand). One thing to keep in mind is the total suspension and not just the shocks, themselves. Here is my story.

When putting new legs on Hilda (per the service records, she still had the OEMs installed when I got her @ ~62K), I chose Ohlins. ($1500 for new OEM v $1800 for Ohlins) Bought the Ohlins and had them installed by a BMW dealer who was not Ohlins certified. She handled and rode much better after this install but there was not the 'Wow Factor' I was expecting. I chalked it up to the OEMs not being as bad as I originally thought and I was reentering the motor world after a lengthy hiatus and had never ridden a BMW. Later, had other work done at another shop (that just happened to be Ohlins certified) and discovered the installed springs were the standard shipped with the shocks and were 'underrated' for my normal riding weight (full of fuel, me, luggage/cargo). At that time, I also learned what 'sag' was. (Yep, pretty ignorant of shock stuff, I was.) Got the right springs installed and the sag properly adjusted. 'Wow Factor' achieved.

Now that I have an R12GSA, I have often considered selling Hilda. But she is so fine (Ohlins, Power Commander, Two Brothers exhaust, Rick Mayer seat, HID headlight, heavy Throttle Meisters, tall Cee Bailey screen, and PR3s) I just cant bring myself to letter her go. YMMV

[bikerfish1100]

DO NOT waste your time and money on buying new OEM units.
Either- get top end (Ohlins, Penske, Wilbers, etc) or mid-grade (YSS, HyperPro, etc) after-markets, or search for lightly (under 20K miles) used OEM for cheap-cheap. Those are you best choices. if you can get your stockers rebuilt for low money (comparable to finding used low mileage ones), that would be a cost effective alternative as well.

btw- this issue has been addressed numreous times, and the answers have not changed since the last time. do a search for a more complete understanding.

[JDOCKERY132445]

I bought a set of Wilburs used. After running them for a year, I sent them in and had them tailored to my specific needs. Great people to work with and I am sure the same can be done with other makes of aftermarket shocks.

[DARKCLOUD]

There are some RT shocks for sale on BMWRT.com

After market shocks add to value of your bike, plus making it easier to sell. Jon

[ANDYVH]

Hagon makes a great alternative to the more pricey Ohlins and Wilbers, but are still FAR better than any stock shock could ever hope to be. I would not waste one penny on stock shocks, unless you can find a brand new set with VERY low miles on them. Like, less than 5,000 miles on them.

Stock shocks, even on BMWs, are basically worn out damping wisw by 25,000 miles. And shocks do NOT have to be weeping oil or show failed seals to be worn out.

[jconway607]

After market shocks add to value of your bike, plus making it easier to sell. Jon[/QUOTE]

Not to debate the point too much, but how much value is the question. Putting $2000 dollars worth of aftermarket shocks on any bike, much less one that is 15 or so years old, is almost a complete write off. No one is going to pay anywhere close to that extra $2000 because you tell them, "It has wonderful shocks on it!" They'll just think, "This guy is crazy to ask that much money for this bike." And they will then walk away, and buy that exact same bike without the shocks that is being sold for $2000 less. It may make it easier to sell, but you're not going to get anywhere near that $2000 back. I still think it's atrocious that BMW charges extreme prices for their new bikes but also seems to put extreme effort into cost cutting on a critical component of their bikes. And, just coincidentally I'm sure, it is a component that is difficult to see, let alone evaluate when purchasing. Yes, I know, "Japanese companies do it too.... "But they aren't claiming to be the best motorcycle maker in the universe and charging prices to match. You want the rep, produce the product.

[bikerfish1100]

[QUOTEJ
Not to debate the point too much, but how much value is the question. Putting $2000 dollars worth of aftermarket shocks on any bike, much less one that is 15 or so years old, is almost a complete write off. No one is going to pay anywhere close to that extra $2000 because you tell them, "It has wonderful shocks on it!" [/QUOTE]

if you try to sell them with the bike, you are correct, you won't get much back.
but if you instead pull them off, replace with functional stockers, and sell those (less than) $2000 shocks, you would probably be able to recoup about 60-70% of your original purchase price.
no other aftermarket farkle will net you that kind of easy resell with high %age return back.
you don't buy high end shocks as much as you just lease them for a period of time (unless you hang onto the bike for nearly forever).

[wz31857]

I have done all my own suspension setups for my dirtbikes(KTM CZ ect) but what would be the static sag and rider sag for an 04 1150 rt. Thanks

[BC1100S]

I have done all my own suspension setups for my dirtbikes(KTM CZ ect) but what would be the static sag and rider sag for an 04 1150 rt. Thanks

Loaded sag at roughly 30% of total suspension travel is a good starting point.

[Zygmund]

I have done all my own suspension setups for my dirtbikes(KTM CZ ect) but what would be the static sag and rider sag for an 04 1150 rt. Thanks

What model CZ did you run?