Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
Replacement Shocks Replacement Shocks
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Feb 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
Replacement Shocks
Anyone had any experiences with replacement shocks for BMW R1100R RT or GS's? I'm looking at replacing my stock shocks after 54K miles. Thanks.

Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Feb 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: London
Posts: 161
I've got Tech 2000 at both ends of my 1150 GS - but I'm not sure you'll be very interested - I went completely mad and spent over £2000 on a pair of British Superbike spec shocks in a quest for ultimate handling. The results are wonderful, if fast road riding is your thing. The bike is 100% confidence inspiring, full throttle everywhere. Rpundabouts and corners hardly seem to require a reduction in pace, and the bike actually seems underpowered.

I also spent a more sensible amount on a rear Ohlins for my 1100GS a few years back.

I've bought shocks for quite a few bikes over the years - usually sports bikes - I used to race in British Endurance and the general consensus is that all the reputable shock companies provide similar quality and value for money. A £500 - £600 rear shock on a GS can give fantastic results. (Changing the front is a lower priority - the standard one is pretty good.) But there's no point buying a new shock unless you're prepared to spend a bit more to get the bike professionally set up. I can strongly recommend Set-Up Engineering of Wandsworth. I have also heard good things about Maxton and KAIS.

Hope this helps.
__________________
If a thing is worth doing, it\'s worth doing to extremes.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Nov 2006
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Magee, MS
Posts: 25
shocks
Please read my warning on Works shocks. In all my years of riding and over 100 bikes I have never had such poor performace from a shock. Less than3000 miles and it crapped out. That's WORKS shock. also read Greg Frazier experience. pappy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Estonia
Posts: 787
I did lot of homework about this issue too, my final choice was between WP (NOT Works Performance!), Öhlins and Wilbers. There were other smaller handmade ones too, mostly in the US/Canada, but didn't bother to risk as an european myself, it could get expensive.

Wilbers was the clear winner.

Better pricing, fully setuped according to your individual needs and riding style (spring type, preload amount, rebound, dampening characteristics, etc), better maintenance schedule (every 30,000 miles or two years they make it as new again) and maintenance price, the guys at Wilbers were very helpful and informative in advice, choosing etc.

Make sure you buy the hydraulic preload adjuster! Really handy on the GS since it's awfully messy to adjust preload w/o it.

Those are my personal experiences anyway... Which doesn't mean everybody has to agree with it.

Many happy'n'reliable'n'unleaky-shock miles, Margus
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:28.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top