ohlins

[lenny]

wheres the best place to get them ? thanks

[Dick]

wheres the best place to get them ? thanks
There's some info on 'em in the 'accessory' page under 'tire/suspension etc' - click here (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=accessories_faq#faq_accessories_faq_tires) and scroll down. I'm not sure how up-todate the links are, butt worth a try. And there may be one of the list sponsors or vendors that has 'em also. And other folks prolly know places that sell and service them.

[tarheel_rider]

I've been researching this myself, reviewing all the old posts, searching HOW, etc. What I've found is Hardracing.com has the best deal so far - where I can actually place an order. I was surprised to find out my dealer will install them for only $145 so even if I pay list for them at the dealer, that isn't a bad deal either, except I like learning how to do things and my more famous namesake on the site is close by and willing to help, so going to order from hardracing and get it done.

Dealer Front 36D OHBM852 $685.95
Rear 46DRS 1310-0183 $755.95
Install: $145

www.hardracing.com Front $599, Rear $649

www.onlineparts.com Front $719.95 Rear $792.95
(but members of the forum have found calling Andy Kettle @ 866 866 2169 can get a good deal)

www.newportcycleparts.com Front $538.95 Rear $593
(but the site says it is out of order for 1 -3 weeks to move - so who knows when / if you can actually get this deal)

www.ronayers.com Only shows rear at list price.

www.ironhorsemotorcycles.com could not find info, but referenced more than once on the site

www.mitchsmotorcycles.com shows list, says to call 310 320 7040 for a better deal, never could get anyone to pick up the phone during scheduled business hours

www.kyleracing.com sells over ebay $1,229 for set

At any rate, hope this helps. If you find a better deal / place to buy, please let me know :)

[Ted Shred]

www.onlineparts.com (http://www.onlineparts.com/) Front $719.95 Rear $792.95
(but members of the forum have found calling Andy Kettle @ 866 866 2169 can get a good deal)


I have purchased two sets from Andy. You need to call and get prcing from him. Neither pair was that much. Make sure that you tell him that you heard about him from the forum or Ted from A&S BMW. He will set up the springs for your riding style and weight. I am VERY happy with both sets...

[Dick]

Wow, Joel - great job. You oughta petition one of the site Admins to polish that post up, date it for archival history, and add it to the 'Accessory' page under the 'Technical' drop down list. JMHO.

Best.


I've been researching this myself, reviewing all the old posts, searching HOW, etc. What I've found is Hardracing.com has the best deal so far - where I can actually place an order. I was surprised to find out my dealer will install them for only $145 so even if I pay list for them at the dealer, that isn't a bad deal either, except I like learning how to do things and my more famous namesake on the site is close by and willing to help, so going to order from hardracing and get it done.

Dealer Front 36D OHBM852 $685.95
Rear 46DRS 1310-0183 $755.95
Install: $145

www.hardracing.com Front $599, Rear $649

www.onlineparts.com Front $719.95 Rear $792.95
(but members of the forum have found calling Andy Kettle @ 866 866 2169 can get a good deal)

www.newportcycleparts.com Front $538.95 Rear $593
(but the site says it is out of order for 1 -3 weeks to move - so who knows when / if you can actually get this deal)

www.ronayers.com Only shows rear at list price.

www.ironhorsemotorcycles.com could not find info, but referenced more than once on the site

www. mitchsmotorcycles.com shows list, says to call 310 320 7040 for a better deal, never could get anyone to pick up the phone during scheduled business hours

www.kyleracing.com sells over ebay $1,229 for set

At any rate, hope this helps. If you find a better deal / place to buy, please let me know :)

[usmctpdog]

I agree Dick, Since shocks are such a popular question around here and we will all be asking it sooner or later!!

[tarheel_rider]

Well, it certainly needs cleaned up before posting as useable advice.

That kyleracing url is wrong, and on ebay this morning it doesn't show that option any longer - but I've seen it referred to elsewhere on the site, so maybe it's just you have to check everyonce in awhile.

Also, looks like newportcycle is back in business, although their part numbers aren't the same as everyone else, so you might want to call to make sure they know what they are doing. Since they were so much lower, I'm going to call them, and maybe save the state tax as well, but shipping from CA instead of NC for me may offset the difference.

[spinedr]

Hi, I have a question about this tires or springs?. Why are they so expensive? I just got my LT and they were recommended by a member of the forum. Now in this tread I see $700+ for one tire or spring. That is a lot of mula to change the tires or springs that you have to change so often. I need some enlightment and understanding please. :confused: :)

[Morley]

Now in this tread I see $700+ for one tire when the tires from BMW are 150? That is a lot of mula for tires that you have to change so often. I need some enlightment and understanding please. :confused: :)
This thread isn't about tires, it is about shock absorbers.

[spinedr]

Tha t make sence Sorry now the question is how often do you have to change them when they were recommended. I am new and sorry for my ignorace :rotf:

[tarheel_rider]

Now there's a question (how often to change shocks) that will start almost as much of a riot as the oil questions. It really depends on how you ride and type of riding you do (solo, for performance, superslab, etc). Some people boast they go 50K or more, others swear that anything more than 24K is too far. I'm at 32K and mine are shot, but I'm a big guy, I ride fairly aggressively, and I ride about 50% two up - so my shocks have been worked over.

As background, the reason people will spend the money for the Ohlins (or Wilbers) is that they can be rebuilt for a couple of hundred dollars. So if you plan on keeping your bike for multiple sets of say 24K, then performance aside, the aftermarket shocks are easily worth the small premium over the BMW shocks (which can't be rebuilt).

[Dick]

A coupla points here, Joel, if I may. You're right about the aftermarket shocks being rebuilt; they can. And they can be somewhat custom tailored to your riding style (weight, etc). OEM shocks don't deliver that customization --- however, I believe they can be rebuilt. I've lost the contact info, butt I believe the re-builder is in Canada. I believe Ron (kellenbenz) sent his up there and is pleased with the rebuild. If anyone has interest, you can ping Ron.

Another reason why folks go to one of the aftermarket shock kits is the ride. A marked improvement over the OEM Showas. What you said about the timing of how often to change, charge, or whichever, is a variable that is hard to put a definitive answer on. After installing Ohlins on ole Toad several years ago, I'm of the opinion, the sooner the better. Especially if one rides two-up, agressively or spiritedly, and does many miles in a season of riding. And to some degree, whether the bike is normally ridden in mountainous areas of the country, or the flatlands like a lot of KS, etc. I'm fortunate in living in the Tejas Hill Country, so at 35,000 miles change to Ohlins, I often wish I had made the change sooner.

JM2PW

Now there's a question (how often to change shocks) that will start almost as much of a riot as the oil questions. It really depends on how you ride and type of riding you do (solo, for performance, superslab, etc). Some people boast they go 50K or more, others swear that anything more than 24K is too far. I'm at 32K and mine are shot, but I'm a big guy, I ride fairly aggressively, and I ride about 50% two up - so my shocks have been worked over.

As background, the reason people will spend the money for the Ohlins (or Wilbers) is that they can be rebuilt for a couple of hundred dollars. So if you plan on keeping your bike for multiple sets of say 24K, then performance aside, the aftermarket shocks are easily worth the small premium over the BMW shocks (which can't be rebuilt).

[tarheel_rider]

That's good to know (Showas can be rebuilt), I may have mine done so I have them for a spare set when the time comes to send in the Ohlins. Always learn something here and that's great, sorry for the false assertion.

[spinedr]

I am saving your advice in my BMW folder in my computer for future reference. 35000k Ohlins. Thanks again.

[cfell]

Being one with "challenged financing", it will be a looooong time before the Showas are "goners"..

I'll probably regret posting this, but that is just the way it is...

[Dick]

Being one with "challenged financing", it will be a looooong time before the Showas are "goners"..

I'll probably regret posting this, but that is just the way it is...
Channing, when the time comes, I don't think it is all that expensive to have the Showas re-done - you might ping Kellenbenz. (Boy, I'm hope I'm right about Ron having the OEMs redone, and not an aftermarket brand!! Ron, you there?).

[Hilton]

Boy, I'm hope I'm right about Ron having the OEMs redone, and not an aftermarket brand!! Ron, you there?).
Dick you are. Right that is. The OEM Showa's are not designed for rebuilding, but a decent shop can-do with some cutting and welding. HTH

[Dick]

Boy, I'm hope I'm right about Ron having the OEMs redone, and not an aftermarket brand!! Ron, you there?).
Dick you are. Right that is. The OEM Showa's are not designed for rebuilding, but a decent shop can-do with some cutting and welding. HTH
Thanks, Hilton - whew!! All I can remember is loaning him my OEMs while he sent his shocks off to be rebuilt. After that, mine went to GA while Steve_R sent his Ohlins off to get rebuilt; butt then I think either the front shock, or the rear shock, started leaking while he wuz using it. I prolly oughta get that fixed, now that I'm sure they can be. Steve - you readin'??

Thanks again, Hilton. Best Regards.

[tomandmelanie]

Just installed a set of Ohlins on my 02 LT at 18,000 miles 4000 miles after buying the bike. I purchased the shocks from hardracing.com, this is the second time I have purchased suspension from hardracing and will do so again, they set the springs to match up your weight and riding style and get the shocks to you quickly. The improvement is dramatic, the stock shocks are ok if you ride in a straight line only or are a 90 pound jockey and there it ends. The Ohlins allow the bike handle more like a sport touring bike while giving you a reasonably plush ride with or without a passenger. The LT is simply a dog with stock suspension.

The only reason to buy an LT vs. a Goldwing is rider comfort, heated seats, heated grips, electric windscreen and better handling. Now with no thanks to BMW I've got the handling.

If you're considering a suspension change stop thinking and start doing!

[was]

Channing, when the time comes, I don't think it is all that expensive to have the Showas re-done - you might ping Kellenbenz. (Boy, I'm hope I'm right about Ron having the OEMs redone, and not an aftermarket brand!! Ron, you there?).

For those interested in the rebuild option for stock shocks, check here: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=how_maintenance#faq_how_faq_mainsusp and read the posts under #4.

If the link does not work, go to HoW, click the Maintenance link, click the Suspension and Final Drive link, and look at the posts under #4. Several of them reference a guy named Bruno in Canada (contact information is in there somewhere) who not only rebuilds the rear OEM shock, he adds an external nitrogen port and makes the shock easier to rebuild the next time. I don't know if he rebuilds the front shock.

[tomandmelanie]

If you are happy with the stock shock then a rebuild is a reasonable thing to do. However the stock shocks on most bikes are too soft for riders over 175 lbs, riders who ride a lot of canyons, mtns. or other twistie roads, riders who ride two up, riders who lean their bikes hard or load their bikes. My CBR1000RR got stiffer fork springs and an Ohlin rear shock as soon as it was broken in, I am of course guilty of every item listed on the "however" list except two up riding and loading on the RR. BMW is no exception to the rule that stock shocks are a one size fits all deal, if the shoe fits wear it but there are reasons for different shoe sizes. If your center stand is dragging on the pavement through corners, you're bottoming out the bike or the bike is simply soft and mushy it's time to go to the aftermarket. A set of shocks set up properly for your riding style and weight needs is a quantum improvement over stock. If you don't ride hard weigh 175lbs or less stock BMW shocks rebuilt may be the thing. If you buy aftermarket shocks from someone you can talk to and explain what you do with the bike you will get good results. Ohlin shocks also come with very good directions on setting your LT preload for the proper sag helping you dial the suspension in even closer to optimum. Fixing something that didn't work for you in the first place is going to result in disappointment. I'm not try to sell Ohlins, but I've had good luck, I know who to buy from, and the results have been excellent. A properly sprung bike is also a safer bike. Your LT does not have to ride like your Grandpa's Buick.