Wilber shock questions

[bmwrubbercow]

After my inquiry yesterday concerning aftermarket shocks, I learned that the Wilbers, apparently as an option, have a ride height adjustment.

Assuming that I am relatively happy with ride height on the stock shocks, and knowing that the stiffer Wilber is going to be a little taller based on stiffness (which will be within my comfort range I believe), is there any reason I might want to include this option anyway? Would I want to consider changing the height of either one or both for different riding conditions, etc....??

My only experience with after market shocks is the Ohlins on my GS, which are somewhat taller than the stock ones, but of livable height and with tremendous ride characteristics , and with Progressives on my K75 and two airheads. Therefore, I have no real ride height adjustment experience.

If there is something worthwhile in this adjustment other than just to adjust my feet on the ground at a stop, I would really appreciate hearing about it.

And for that matter, if you have experience with both Wilbers and Ohlins, I would value your comparision. The respondents yesterday seem to favor the Wilber but I am not sure totally as to why.

Thanks, Tom

[DaveDragon]

I got them standard height and love em!

Unless you need to change the height, I'd leave it alone.

[bmwrubbercow]

Oh, and one final question on the height adjustable Wilbers:

Just how difficult are they to adjust both as to height and stiffness after fully installed and plastic back on?

Is stiffness adjustment available on the front as well as the rear or only the rear?

Tks again,

Tom

[DaveDragon]

Oh, and one final question on the height adjustable Wilbers:

Just how difficult are they to adjust both as to height and stiffness after fully installed and plastic back on?

Is stiffness adjustment available on the front as well as the rear or only the rear?

Tks again,

Tom

Several options are available, I suggest you contact the Wilbers Rep for the full story.

[Ranger6]

I think the ride height is set at the time the shock is built, if I'm not mistaken, rather than being adjustable after it is installed and is based upon the input from the customer as to his/her preference compared to stock height. Adjustability for the rider after installation extends to the Preload Adjuster based upon the weight being placed on the bike, and the low/high speed compression damping, isn't that right Dave?

[DaveDragon]

I think the ride height is set at the time the shock is built, if I'm not mistaken, rather than being adjustable after it is installed and is based upon the input from the customer as to his/her preference compared to stock height. Adjustability for the rider after installation extends to the Preload Adjuster based upon the weight being placed on the bike, and the low/high speed compression damping, isn't that right Dave?

I think you spot on Al!

[mneblett]

And for that matter, if you have experience with both Wilbers and Ohlins, I would value your comparision. FWIW (and this is completely subjective), having had both Ohlins and Wilbers on LTs, I definitely prefer the Ohlins, as I found the front Ohlins to be much more "supple", i.e., more responsive to minor road imperfections. The Wilbers seemed to transmit quite a bit more "little stuff" to the handlebars, as if there was more seal friction ("stiction") to overcome before the shock would move to accommodate small impacts. In contrst, the Ohlins felt like there were no seals at all; every bit as controlled a ride as the Wlibers, but they seemed to make all the little road bumps just disappear, giving a more "silky" ride quality. My $0.02.

[DaveDragon]

The Wilbers do give the LT a more Sporty Feel to the Suspension.

[motorhead]

I can share my first hand knowledge of wilbers ( Own them ) & researched a lot prior & after my purchase.

#1 differance between Wilbers & Ohlins .... Wilbers have damping adjustablity on FRONT shock !! , ohlins front is not adjustable.

*** About wilber front feeling stiffer than a ohlins ... Very likely if damping is set stiffer, As you back off on damping rate, the compression damping go's softer too. Thats the beauty, TOTAL adjustablity :)

Ride height options are done two ways:
1) being factory made shorter/longer & NOT user adjustable from lenth specified.
2) factory added adjustable eye at one end, this gives user adjustablity of shocks O.A.L. ... Nice !!

After @ 20K with my Wilbers, I am VERY satified with them.

Nuf said ;)
Scott

[tmgs]

After my inquiry yesterday concerning aftermarket shocks, I learned that the Wilbers, apparently as an option, have a ride height adjustment.

Assuming that I am relatively happy with ride height on the stock shocks, and knowing that the stiffer Wilber is going to be a little taller based on stiffness (which will be within my comfort range I believe), is there any reason I might want to include this option anyway? Would I want to consider changing the height of either one or both for different riding conditions, etc....??

My only experience with after market shocks is the Ohlins on my GS, which are somewhat taller than the stock ones, but of livable height and with tremendous ride characteristics , and with Progressives on my K75 and two airheads. Therefore, I have no real ride height adjustment experience.

If there is something worthwhile in this adjustment other than just to adjust my feet on the ground at a stop, I would really appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks, Tom


I have the wilber with all the goodies adj ride height is great, I was able to adjust the front and rear height just like I want it for cutting into the coners easier, I raised my bike the full height in the rear the front is just a tad lower than the full length of shock, it handles great and the extra ground clearance was a must!

Joe has rode my bike as well as other lt's ask him how they compare

[tmgs]

I think the ride height is set at the time the shock is built, if I'm not mistaken, rather than being adjustable after it is installed and is based upon the input from the customer as to his/her preference compared to stock height. Adjustability for the rider after installation extends to the Preload Adjuster based upon the weight being placed on the bike, and the low/high speed compression damping, isn't that right Dave?

there is a option for an adjustable ride hieght for 75 bucks a shock, I got it with my wilbers, you can cahnge the length of the shock about +- .5 inch.

I went the full + 1/2 on the rear (max height) and about + 3/8 on the front I do not hardly scrape anymore unless I am flat flying through the curves, and it cuts into the curves sooo much better now!

Tom

[KMC1]

It's killing me to read all these rave reviews of the new shocks! I'm saving my pennies and waiting for the riding season to end so I can put on a new set of Wilbers! Can't wait!

[mneblett]

*** About wilber front feeling stiffer than a ohlins ... Very likely if damping is set stiffer, As you back off on damping rate, the compression damping go's softer too. No, it wasn't due to the damping being set stiff. I adjusted the damping over the entire range, including full soft; the result was the Wilbers still being "stiff" over the smallest of surface irregularities as compared to the Ohlins -- i.e., damping wasn't the issue, the difference was seal friction. Indeed, based on the Wilbers response to slightly larger bumps, I suspect that by the time I was at full soft on the Wilbers, the compression damping was actually lower than the Ohlins (i.e., after the seal friction was overcome, there was less damping evident).

I'm trying to make sure it's clear that while the damping rates are in the same ballpark on both shocks, the initial response to motion is -- in my opinion, (as an owner of *both* shocks on the same bike model (as the original poster requested) -- smoother with the Ohlins due to lower seal friction. They're both fine shocks, and you can't really go wrong with either. Obviously, when it's time to replace the ones on my new LT, I'll be leaning toward the Ohlins.

[bmwrubbercow]

Great comments guys. Please keep them coming! Am forming additional questions regarding actual adjustments to dampening, but am not yet ready to ask them as I need to understand a little more first.

OK, one of the questions I asked is being overlooked. Just how difficult is it to adjust ride height once the shocks are installed. Is this something one can do easily or does it have to be done at installation?

AND, how difficult is it to adjusting compression and rebound dampening after installation.

Are these adjustments made with tools or can they be done with my hands?

My only experience, other that the stock shocks, is on the Ohlins on my GS. Compression dampening, avail. front and back is easily changed by hand with no tools and the rebound dampening on the rear is also very simple.

Comments on both Ohlins and Webers would be appreciated. :)

Tom