Help all Ohlins users!

[q-tip]

I'm spending the boys college fund on Ohlins shocks for my new/old '01.
I got some info back from the folks at Ohlins recommending I go with a .95 front spring and a 210 rear. I weigh ~190 w/gear, girlfriend ~140; ~30lbs gear (~360lb load if I counted fingers/toes correctly). More than 75% of the time we'll be riding two-up.

I read a long discussion on the FAQ page where a few of you guys had quite a bit of experience (Stefan??) setting up Ohlins to your liking. Based on what I read; the .95/210 springs sound (very) heavy for my "light" load.

Typically, I'd go with what the Ohlins people suggest, but in this case I would prefer to go the collective opinion from you Ohlins users

Any imput is appreciated.

[eljeffe]

Just talk to Andy at Onlineparts.com and he'll ask you a bunch of questions regarding your riding style, weight, whether you ride one-up or two-up, etc... He'll take good care of you.

[amarider]

I second talking with Andy at www.onlineparts.com - He is a long time rider, ex racer and he resprings the shocks himself.

[pjessen]

Andy did my springs per what I told him my "load" was. What I got was a very firm ride two up, and extremely stiff one up. I screw the back to its lightest setting, and I still get a ride where I get airborne over bad bridge control joints...too dang stiff. Maybe it was just me. I've only gotten a couple thousand on them to date, maybe they still will wear in. BTW, still better than the OEM's by far. I changed at 41k.

[q-tip]

Thanks guys. I'm actually not looking for a vendor; I have a good source.
I'm looking to avoid ordering springs that are too stiff. It is very easy to get springs that are too stif and, in my opinion; negate the any benefit that the better damping offers.

Any comments on spring rtates?
pjessen - do you know what springs you have?
Anyone else have any experience?

How are K-LT's in the snow?

[bob_menton]

My dealer told me that I got the softest springs for the Ohlins shocks that were recommended by Ohlins for the LT. They're too stiff.

Sorry - don't know what the spring rates are. Also don't know if softer springs would have been available had I requested them. They are better than the OEM shocks, but I would have preferred a softer ride. Maybe when they need their first rebuild ...

- Bob

[slmorley]

I just installed a set that were setup by Ohlins 90 front and 200 rear. My weight in street clothes is the same as yours; my wife weights 105 lbs.

Without any preload they are very stiff. With the wife they are about right. If the springs weaken a little with age I think I will be more pleased with them. If I had to do it over again I think I would go 90 front and 190 rear.

Unless you want a real spirited ride, I think with your load I would go no more than 90 front and 200 rear. I believe in my conversation with a tech at Ohlins, that there is 130 lbs adjustment in the preload to work with. That would give you a lot of room to stiffen it up if need be and not end up like me with it too stiff and little you could do about it short of a spring change.

[pjessen]

pjessen - do you know what springs you have?

No, I'll see if I can dig it up. May take a bit.

[murray]

Andy did my springs per what I told him my "load" was. What I got was a very firm ride two up, and extremely stiff one up. I screw the back to its lightest setting, and I still get a ride where I get airborne over bad bridge control joints...too dang stiff. Maybe it was just me. I've only gotten a couple thousand on them to date, maybe they still will wear in. BTW, still better than the OEM's by far. I changed at 41k.


The springs may not be too stiff, You may have too much rebound dampening. Picture this, you hit a bump the shock compresses and before the shock fully rebounds you hit another bump the same size. The suspension compressed is much stiffer on the second hit hence harsh. Try to go out a click at a time. If the suspension continues to feel stiff after reducing the preload and rebound you may have some issues. I bet your shock is packing down (Stink-Bugging). I guarantee you if your shock had zero dampening You could bounce up and down on the seat and bottom the suspension very easy. Think of a car with blown shocks.

Pete Murray

[q-tip]

Thanks again, this is the kind of feedback I'm looking for. The one thing I don't want is springs too stiff.
I'm really confused by the difference between the recommendation by Ohlins techs and you "real world" users.
Probably going with the 90/190-200 springs

[johnT]

The springs may not be too stiff, You may have too much rebound dampening. Picture this, you hit a bump the shock compresses and before the shock fully rebounds you hit another bump the same size. The suspension compressed is much stiffer on the second hit hence harsh. Try to go out a click at a time. If the suspension continues to feel stiff after reducing the preload and rebound you may have some issues. I bet your shock is packing down (Stink-Bugging). I guarantee you if your shock had zero dampening You could bounce up and down on the seat and bottom the suspension very easy. Think of a car with blown shocks.

Pete Murray

Good posting Pete.

Tuning your new shocks are EVERYTHING.
If you just install them 'as is' and go for a ride, expect to be dissapointed.
compression/rebound settings will be different for nearly everyone.

preload should be adjusted for sag only.

Info: http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0402_susp/

[DaFlake]

Good point! That was my case and blamed it on stiff springs. Took a while for me to get used to tuning the Ohlins. Once you get the "sweet spot" on the rebound adjustment then what you mostly need to do is adjust preload based on total weight loaded to the bike.
May I suggest that you start at the middle of the adjustment scale on BOTH preload and rebound as reference points. Go in increments of 2 clicks on the preload and increments of 4 clicks on the rebound. DOCUMENT your adjustments as you go or you might end up more confused and frustrated DAMHIK. May I also suggest that you do a specific short rouote so adjustment comparison will be clearer.

My bike is now adjusted for ME. Adding 2 clicks if with the SO or 3-4 with the SO and fully loaded. Once you've got yours dialed in to your preference .. You'll be happy as a clam!

The springs may not be too stiff, You may have too much rebound dampening. Picture this, you hit a bump the shock compresses and before the shock fully rebounds you hit another bump the same size. The suspension compressed is much stiffer on the second hit hence harsh. Try to go out a click at a time. If the suspension continues to feel stiff after reducing the preload and rebound you may have some issues. I bet your shock is packing down (Stink-Bugging). I guarantee you if your shock had zero dampening You could bounce up and down on the seat and bottom the suspension very easy. Think of a car with blown shocks.

Pete Murray

[simoncharles]

This copy of my e-mails to Ohlins may help you:

Simon,
Standard spring will be ok for your weight, the heavier spring is for 200 + kg.
Best Regards / Lars

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: Coronet [mailto:coronet@telefonica.net]
Skickat: den 29 december 2006 20:26
Till: Lars Isaksson
Ämne: Fw: BMW K1200 LT


Lars,
It has just occurred to me that I did not ask you what you meant by "a lot of weight".
I weigh around 75 kgs and my passenger around 50 kgs, and we normally only use the bike for long trips, so we (she) takes a lot of luggage with us.
Would this be a lot of weight in your opinion ?.
Thanks,
Simon




----- Original Message -----
From: Lars Isaksson
To: coronet@telefonica.net
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 12:35 PM
Subject: VB: BMW K1200 LT


Dear Simon,

The differens is the springrate only.

BM 539, spring 01099-74, springrate 180N/mm, this is standard.

BM 548, spring 01099-84, springrate 200N/mm.

This is to give customers with alot of weight on the BMW an optional shock.

Best Regards
Lars Isaksson
Öhlins Racing AB
Marketing & Sales
Office: Instrumentvägen 8-10
Mail: Box 722
S-194 27 Upplands Väsby
Sweden

Tel: +46 (0)8 5900 2500
Direct: +46 (0)8 5900 2548
Fax: +46 (0)8 5460 2699

E-mail: li@ohlins.se

www.ohlins.com



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Från: Coronet [mailto:coronet@telefonica.net]
Skickat: den 28 december 2006 12:41
Till: info
Ämne: BMW K1200 LT


Dear Sirs,

I am considering installing new Ohlins shocks on my 2005 K1200 LT, the model with the hydraulic centre stand.

I note that according to your web site, there are TWO rear shocks available for my bike,

46 DRS part BM 539
and
46 DRS part BM 548

what is the difference between the two, and if there is, which one do you reccomend I install on my bike ?.

Kind regards,

Simon Tow

[dmatson]

I just installed a set of Ohlins on my 05' and when I rolled it off the center stand I thought I had solid suspension! The front would barely compress the rear was a tad softer but still felt way to stiff. I have about four hundred hundred miles on it now and it has loosened up some but it is still very firm. When i ordered these I asked if there was a lighter than normal spring and was told yes, since I only am 160Lbs and ride without the top box and 99.9% one up. I think these came with the standard spring which is for 175-200lbs, I was told. How do you tell what springs came on the shock? I have only pre-load adjustment on the font shock and hydraulic pre-load and a damping wheel adjuster on the rear.

[johnT]

How do you tell what springs came on the shock?

There should be a number printed on the spring.
Contact Ohlins with that #