Front shock shot?

[motorcycle_monkey]

I am becoming suspect of the front shock. I am coming from an R1200C and never noticed a "dive/dip" when rolling hard off the throttle. My 2002 R1150R appears to have the stock front shock and if I roll off the throttle, it dips 1.5-2 inches without applying brakes. Does this mean my front shock is shot? I adjusted the "preload" screw on the bottom of the shock to 1/2 turn from all the way in. I am curious if anyone else can confirm if this is normal for this style of bike? Or if someone can tell me what the distance from the top of the fork slider to the top of the fork is on your bike, with stock shock. Meaning, how much of the shiny part is showing when on the side stand? This is, if I dismount, and leave the front tire straight, then give the handlebars a slight tug after laying it on the side stand. Mine measures ~5.5in/14cm.

Open to discussion of where I am possibly flawed in my assessment as well.

Cheers!

[gregor]

Literally 4 3/4" of shiny stuff showing, doing it your way. Damping is set at one turn off from full hard.
From looking at a R1200C the weight distributions front/rear may be different due to the handlebar positions.
Not sure that all proves much though.

[motorcycle_monkey]

Literally 4 3/4" of shiny stuff showing, doing it your way. Damping is set at one turn off from full hard.
From looking at a R1200C the weight distributions front/rear may be different due to the handlebar positions.
Not sure that all proves much though.

Thanks Gregor! It very well could be the weight distribution is just that different. Do you notice a dip when you roll off the throttle?

Cheers!

[gregor]

Yes same as you off and on throttle. I'm ok with that.

[lcarlson]

That certainly doesn't sound normal for a Telelever-equipped bike to me. Mine exhibits virtually no dive under just roll-off, and not much even under vigorous braking. If your 40,000 miles is all on the original shock, it's undoubtedly shot.

[EasyBee]

That certainly doesn't sound normal for a Telelever-equipped bike to me. Mine exhibits virtually no dive under just roll-off, and not much even under vigorous braking. If your 40,000 miles is all on the original shock, it's undoubtedly shot.

Apart from the mileage, it's 13 years old. That certainly doesn't help either.
Do yourself a favor, buy a new one and perhaps an new rear shock as well. I replaced the springs and shocks with hyperpro streetbox sets.
It rides like a dream

[lcarlson]

That's good advice -- you almost certainly need to replace both shocks. Surprisingly, superior aftermarket shocks are less expensive than OEM. FWIW, I have Hyperpro in back, Ohlins in front. Works very nicely.

[motorcycle_monkey]

Thanks all. At this point it's a matter of cash. Putting $1000 worth of shocks on a $2400 bike is hard to do right away. I may keep my eyes open for a used set with low mileage. I think the rear may not be stock, it has an air valve on top. Is that normal?