I have 2005 F650GS and doing round the world for 1 year and 7 months..
I had changed a broken shock in Lima,Peru..thanks to the Lonestar BMW dealer in Texas,USA,they ship a new shock to me on Warranty..

Then 5 Months later..
I´m at Ushuaia with 3rd broken shock..!!!
I don´t know exactly when it was broken,but
I feel something strange when I ride through Routa 40 to here..
It do very doing-doing now..

I´m so upset because I even get ride of my precious aluminum pannier
at Uyuni desert as I find that it will be too heavy for my shock..
So I don´t have any pannier now,but it was broken again.!!!

The mechanic here told me that
I should have get rid of the protector on my shock because
the dust will be inside then it make it to be broken..

I´m planning to go up to BMW dealer in Buenos Aires to
change my broken shock on Warrany,because I´m on Warranty..!!

But..
I´m going to Africa after that..So I strongly feel that it will be
broken again..!!

What should I do? Is it possible to get rid of the protector of F650GS shock?
WP shock is too expensive for me to buy..

Please,let me know your precious advice..!!!

thanks
Se whan..Kang
blog.empas.com/motoride

ride slower, or choose your lines more carefully.

Sorry to hear your troubles.

I've blown the seals in my shock once in 62000 miles and also the preload adjuster - both caused by the bike being overloaded. Two people on an F650 is madness, but she's cute ;-)

When the preload adjuster was fixed I put a spacer in it, this increases available preload and if the adjuster blows again its still got enough left to ride with.

I dont think taking off the protector is a good idea, that will allow more dust/mud/crap to get on the working parts and kill the seals.

How much weight are you carrying on the bike, maybe thats the problem?

__________________
Missing, presumed fed.
https://youtube.com/@ChileBob

Hello Se whan, nice to hear from you again! Sorry to hear about your troubles, i've posted the question on another forum and did some research. Aparently the only diference between the GS and the Dakar is the shock. Maybe a Dakar shock is a better option for your weight. Having said that, it's still a crappy shock and may not improve your situation in the long run. I feel your best option is an aftermarket shock, like Ohlins or WP, or maybe Wilburs.
Here's an idea: Talk to the dealer you last dealt with, they sound like they're willing to help you. Ask them to order another shock on warrenty, but then trade the new shock for an aftermarket and pay the diference. They have a new shock that they can sell, and you have the shock you need for a discounted price = Win Win?!?
Recently there has been a thread on the HUBB talking about troubles shipping parts to Argentina. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ightmare-24214
Make sure you do your homework before you commit.
I hope this helps, i'll post again when someone from Advrider replies. I've been watching for you Buddy! Take care!
Ron...

I'm wondering if he's just bottoming out the shock, beating it to pieces.

My choice for heavy duty shocks would be an Oehlins, but it's of course more expensive than the Wilbers or White Power. Though I must say that my Wilbers is doing a good job on the rough Ozzie backroads.

Hans

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

As you find whatever replacement shock you're going to use, figure out what has been destoying the others. I suspect the problem is other than the shock itself.

You can use a ratcheting strap to fully compress the suspension. Learn what in the heck is gong on before installing another.

Just a suggestion...

Thanks for all your precious advices..
I´m just a beginner rider and this is my first bike,so
I keep running about everything for RTW,like this way..
These days,I feel that cheap 250cc Honda Off road bike is the answer for RTW 4 years.
It will be very cheap to buy parts,tire and fix..As I have enough time but No money..
BMW F650GS is the biggest mistake for my travel..That was my problem as
I had never been riding over 125cc before I start the travel.
I just send the money to BMW dealer in Sydney,Australia from South Korea..
I never even see the real bike in South Korea..
I just buy it as most people recommend this bike for RTW..
But it cost huge money to make it keep rolling for the last 1 year and 7 months..
I don´t like BMW anymore..If I have a choice again,I will depinately buy the HONDA..250cc..

Now..I´m only 72 Kg with No Aluminum pannier..
(I had made that pannier from national refuge signboard in Alaska,
it took me 2 weeks for hammering and rivetting)
I just carry sleeping bag and clothes on waterproof bag(Very big),
also I have two small bag for tools and etc..
That´s all I have now..
No camping and cooking gear..
I even get rid of socks,I only have two socks now..
I also get rid of many clothes,so I´m very stinky now..
I find that many bikers I met on road so suprised that
I carry out such a small luggage for RTW..
So Now..The weight will be no problem,
I only worry about the sand and dust in Africa..As I want to cross
the desert in Africa..

So it seems that I have to buy aftermarket shock..
But it also very hard to buy it here,Argentina..or ship it from USA..
That cost too much for me..I become hate BMW as time goes by..
I will Never buy the F650GS again in my life..!!
I really like to sell it now and buy the cheap 250cc Honda for Africa..
But it also looks impossible for me..

Which aftermarket shock is the best for sand and dust? Except but Ohlines..
Then I will think about how to ship it to here,Argentina..

Stop just treating the bite.
If that makes sense.

Knowing your machine could make life easier, but you seem to be having a blast, regardless.

Ride on and be safe :thumb

hello Se whan. I understand your frustration, but apart from the regular stuff, brakes, chains and sprockets, your shock is the only major failure on your bike, right?? Try contacting this guy in BA: http://www.dakarmotos.com/index1.htm He is a regular on this board and may be able to help you. If your at the end of your rope and had enough, flip the bike and buy a 250 Honda...as long as your happy and comfortable. Just stay away from BMW dealerships!

Memories of better times...

Thats where I got my shock rebuilt - Javier from Dakar Moto's sorted it all out. New seals, regassed, a preload spacer fitted, everything and it was a good deal.

From what you describe its not the weight thats causing the problem. I'm travelling on a F650GS with my girlfriend, two people plus luggage is a *lot* more than your bike is carrying. I have the standard shock, no Ohlins for me.

Maybe its the adjustment ? If the damping is too soft and there is not enough preload then the shock will bottom out - and as someone already mentioned this could beat it to peices.

Javier will be able to check that for you - he is a *very* good mechanic.

__________________
Missing, presumed fed.
https://youtube.com/@ChileBob

Thats a really good point. Was the shock set up when you replaced it last time? The preload must be set for your weight or it'll bottom out and die.

Hi guys
Somebody call me??? Hehehe
Nice publicity you make me, but us I cancel my credit card and my bank account long time a go only a “big thank you” are for you!!!!!!

About Motoride shock troubles, he contact me on his 2nd kaput time in Peru or Bolivia (don’t remember) and as I advise him the best choice was to send me from anywhere in Argentina the shock to repair or better if he can come to BA to also check links and bearings on the full suspension
He choice to waste his money on buy a new Original shock
Now I’m nearly sure he have another problems….
Well
Now he still have the same alternative. Come to BA to see me!!!

We will be off to attend the HU Viedma Meeting between 6th –12th December and maybe also between 24th Dec – 3rd Jan to go to Ushuaia.

Se Whan: If you are coming to Viedma we can chat and see about there.

Regards
Javier…
www.DakarMotos.com

__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”

My shock has two adjustment and I always set both to Maximum Hard level..


Oh,I forgot about www.DakarMotos.com in BA..!!
You are right,RON..
I have to see him in Buenos Aires or Viedma meeting and
will ask him make my shock more strong
after I change it to New one on warranty in Buenos Aires..
Yeah..,I will change again on Warranty..
That is the only reason I bought New bike..!!

The other reason I prefer Honda 250cc is that
F650GS is too heavy for me whenever I fall over...as I{m no good at riding..
So I worry about when I stuck in the sand desert..in the middle of nowherer..
in Africa..
Also,everything is so expensive for BMW..

And I will keep searching how to sell it with my Australia Plate..


Thanks again guys..
I could not do this without yours great help..!!!