Just got new shocks

[xprof]

Yesterday I drove up to Scotts Valley/Santa Cruz; this morning I showed up at Ted Porter's Beemer Shop, where they installed new Wilbers shocks front and rear and tuned them to my weight and riding style. OMG, what a difference! In one block I knew I had done the right thing, and in 2 blocks I was in love! They are plush on the freeway, taut in the twisties, and great in the stutter-bumps. New high-end shocks make the OEM stuff seem like trash, kind of like a custom saddle (any custom saddle) over the original non-comfort saddle, but more so. I'm pretty confident that Ohlins or HyperPro shocks would deliver the same huge improvement, though which would be superior I have no idea. I held off on custom shocks for 35,000 miles 'cause they seemed too expensive, but now I wish I had changed 10,000 miles earlier, if not at initial purchase. My advice to those of you who have not yet changed from OEM to custom shocks is to bite the bullet and do it!

BTW, I also got to handle a Shorei lithium battery, and it was so light it felt like it was filled with hydrogen, not lithium. This will be my next battery, for sure!

[r12gecko]

What does one of those lithium babies cost, anyways?

The shocks info is interesting. A BMW motorrad tech once told me the OEM shocks are dead by 10,000 miles & ready to replace. I've heard the same kind of thing from a VW tech. The change is gradual, so you don't really notice it day to day, but when you swap them like you did, the difference becomes apparent.

[nylife]

there are 2 batteries that work for R i believe one is $159 and the other is $189
the more expensive offer more cranking power

[tmfirestone]

Just curious why you installed the Wilbers rather than Ohlins?

[gibbo111]

Couldnt agree more Mike I love my hyperpros. +1 for shorai battery's as well

[vodka]

Would love to get some new shocks but with ESA it is a little difficult without getting rid of it. Any suggestions mixing ESA with any manufacturer other than OEM????? Had the front OEM replaced at 30000 but still have rear. Trouble is I am frequently dialling in a change to ESA (lazy) and may miss it not to mention the hassles with the CPU telling me ESA ist kaput.

[mogu83]

+1 but I went with Ohins. The suckers cost more than my first new bike (69 BSA), and it took a while for me to go for the big bucks, but their worth it
As far as the battery, I think I'll stick with the Odyssey. They have a history and a great track record, the Shorei is the new kid on the block and the only advantage I see is the weight. If it was a great advantage to have my machine five or six pounds lighter their are other ways to do it. One would be for me to drop a few pounds.

[ammolab]

It seems like shock replacement may be a BIG JOB on these bikes?

Is it beyond DIY? What is the labor cost at a shop?

I fear to think what my dealer would quote as he wanted 4hr labor
for the 600mile service!

[mogu83]

It seems like shock replacement may be a BIG JOB on these bikes?

Depends on who's doing it. If you have a proper jack and some hand tools it's not a big deal. Do a search on shocks install. Their are a few good threads (with pictures) on this list.

If you can't find the posts, then -- I would suggest you have someone do it. Any motorcycle repair shop should be able to handle it.

[deilenberger]

Would love to get some new shocks but with ESA it is a little difficult without getting rid of it. Any suggestions mixing ESA with any manufacturer other than OEM????? Had the front OEM replaced at 30000 but still have rear. Trouble is I am frequently dialling in a change to ESA (lazy) and may miss it not to mention the hassles with the CPU telling me ESA ist kaput.

There are a number of aftermarket shocks that will refit the ESA stuff to the new shocks. Best of both worlds that way - better shocks with ESA. Just costs $$$. Look at Hyperpro, Wilbers and I think Works-Performance.

[xprof]

tmfirestone: You ask, why Wilbers? Mostly because I knew of the Beemer Shop, the west coast distributor for Wilbers, I didn't know of a comparable Ohlins or Hyperpro shop, and I wanted someone else to do the job and fit the shocks for me. Also it was a nice ride to the Beemer Shop. I'm sure that all 3 shocks are pretty close in performance, all 3 are re-buildable, and Wilbers just were more convenient for me. They sure feel good!

Ammolab asked if it was a difficult job, and I'd have to say no, you can do it yourself. But I have never adjusted a modern suspension and I wanted it done right (and I don't live anywhere near Don Eilenberger). The guys at Ted's took off the bodywork and loosened the tank, installed both shocks and reinstalled the bodywork and tank. Then they had me sit on the bike with my gear on while they measured with and without weight until they had the sag just right, then did a test drive. And then they took off the bodywork and the rear shock again and re-dialed it until they had me at the bottom of the preload range, put it all back on and re-tested the setup, a step that I would certainly not have known how to do. They left me in the middle of the rebound range, and instructed me how to fine-tune that for different surfaces and preloads. I figure that they earned their 2 hours of shop time, and I was glad to have it done by professionals. $1700 parts and labor.

[Lost Rider]

Congrats on the new bike! (that's what's it's like when you get good suspension)
I know exactly what you mean as I just had the front suspension upgraded and rear shock rebuilt on my GS, same feelings as you when I jumped on for the first ride.
It's such a huge difference, shame on BMW for sending these wonderful bike into the world with cheap, crappy shocks... Any brand aftermarket will be much better than OEM.
Sounds like your shop did you right with the setup.

I have purchased all of the Ohlins suspension for 3 bikes from Dan Kyle, http://www.kyleusa.com/.
He's one of the best Ohlins tuners around, a real nice guy, and at the top of his game for anyone looking for Ohlins.

As for the Shorai, I have one in my GS and am loving it. With the extra capacity I can change my camera/iPhone/laptop batteries while at the campsite without fear of having to push start my bike in the morning.
Besides the substantial weight savings, that on the GS is up high above the motor, here's some of the other benefits to using the "new kid on the block" batteries taken from their site:

No more dead batteries. Holds charge for one year without maintenance - no more battery tender!
Twice the service life of lead-acid batteries on average
Drop-in replacement for your OEM battery
Military spec Carbon Composite Case
Faster cranking for better starts
Ultra light. One fifth the weight of lead-acid batteries on average
Super-fast recharge rate
SAFE - No explosive gasses during charge, no lead, no acid
Environmentally friendly



I'll be putting one in my 12R soon enough.

[jkhomes]

This thread is not going to help my pocketbook one single bit. Ignorance was bliss...

[ka5ysy]

The darn farkle virus is on the loose again !

[PrinceBooger]

Congrat's for moving up to the aftermarket shocks! Yes they do make a difference. I had gone with Ohliins on my 02' RT and I was happy but became somewhat disappointed later. Through my Dealer, I ordered both shocks and was asked about my riding style and whether I would be doing alot of 2-up. I said yes on the 2-up and yes I was wanting the best cornering performance. I was told that they were ordering from North Carolina where the Distributor is located and the rear shock was available with valving for higher performance and a higher spring rate.

Initially, I would day-trip in Florida and I could run at 1/2 spring load with my 120 lb. wifey on board and not lose too much clearance at the expense of ride quality (for her comfort). Within 5-10K I was running 3/4 spring preload to maintain the cornering clearance I had at 1/2 preload previously. When we went up to take our Smokie Mountain pilgramages, I immediately had to crank her full up. I had been experiencing a morerate level of spring sack and my guess, a loss in spring rate too. As you can see, with my wifey riding pillion, the rear wheel, under smooth roads (the Dragon here), was compressing quite a bit under cornering loads!

Time line, 2007 now. We rode up to the Asheville, NC BMWRA Rally and I went to the Ohlins tent where they were selling shocks and having their Tech's adjust those who already owned their products. I watched and talked with the fellow who made adjustments to my bike and he added a bit of preload to my front shock. I asked him about my rear spring rate and whether I had an unusual amount of spring sack as well or maybe the standard spring. He did not think that there was anything out of order here and said that I had the correct spring on back. He did tell me that I probably should have ordered a longer (raising rear ride height) racing shock to maintain the cornering clearance I was needing. It seems as my experience is that the rear spring rate isn't near what it needs to be for a 650lb. bike, rider and passenger, and loaded side and top-cases for travel. The picture above is with rain gear and a couple of bottles of water and snacks in a soft cooler, no loaded sidecases. I know my now, 09' Roadster, will have aftermarket shocks in its' future and I will probably investigate the other options available the next time. BTW, when I traded in my RT for my current R, the Ohlins were ready for a rebuild at 35K of mileage. I did expect better from what most would acknowledge as the best in performance suspension. My experience, Marc

KEEP YOUR ORIGINAL SHOCKS! IF YOU NEED THE AFTERMARKET TAKEN OFF TO SEND THEM OUT TO REBUILD THEM, YOU CAN HAVE THE ORIGINALS REMOUNTED TO KEEP YOUR BIKE ON THE ROAD WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THEIR RETURN OR JUST TO RETURN THE BIKE TO ONE THAT CAN BE MOVED WHILE THE AFTERMARKET IS OFF.

[NakedRider]

I ordered my Wilbers through the Beemer Shop as well. I installed them myself (easier than you'd think)
and I had them tuned by Dave Moss up here in Nor. Cal. He's one of the best around.

I agree with xprof these make quite a difference.

[Shakey]

I've used Hyperpro (Honda VFR), Ohlins and Wilbers (Yamaha FJRs). Ohlins are very good indeed but speaking totally subjectively I prefer Wilbers and that is what the R will get when the time comes.
Also, being a germen company (it's actually "Vilbers") they were the first to offer compatability with ESA so they'll have had longer to iron out the bugs by then.

[angellr]

I am leaning towards the Wilbers, as I cannot get ANYONE to return my inquiries from Hyperpro (Don, I know you swear by these).

XProf, did you replace the shocks or just the back spring? Thanks.

[xprof]

Angelrr: Both front and rear shocks and springs.

[BigEasy]

It seems like shock replacement may be a BIG JOB on these bikes?

Is it beyond DIY? What is the labor cost at a shop?

I fear to think what my dealer would quote as he wanted 4hr labor
for the 600mile service!

Not a big job at all I swapped mine in <2 hours. The difference is night and day. The down side is I've spent a ton of money on Ohlins on other bikes since I did the R