Suspension on K1200 LT

[karlp]

Hello to all - this is my first post.

I have just bought a '08 K1200 LT for touring and overall the bike is very good. However I am not really happy with the suspension. If the road is not 'billiard ball' smooth then I feel every little bump and imperfection. It sems to come through the whole bike.

Is this normal and if not what can I do - replace the shocks for Ohlins etc.

thanks for the help

karl

[MarkMPA]

I've only had my 04 LT since April but it is by far the best riding bike I've ever ridden. Where do you have the under seat adjustment set? I've found that unless riding 2-up I can ride at the lowest setting without the suspension bottoming out. Try backing off on that setting it does make a noticable difference.

[Hilton]

Replacing the OEM suspension with either Ohlins or Wilbers will result in a firmer ride. Better feel for the road and less bottoming out etc. That's why we do it. As in the above post, see that the adjustment wheel is backed right off, less pressure in the shock and smoother ride.

[jzeiler]

I found the front stock shock to be a bit harsh. Much improved when I installed Ohlins. Did not notice a problem with the rear stock shock but again an improvement (adjustible damping) with the Ohlins.

[tonyn1]

You don't want to cushy a suspension. Too cushy, and you don't have that control you need in a bike.

[yechave]

Never had the luxury of test riding a new LT. We got a 99 with 41k, after coming off a super smooth riding 99RT.

After months of trying to decide to sell the bike, get OEM shocks or go with Ohlins, we went with Ohlins, matched to our two up riding weight.

So far, the ride was brutal, one up. I also have had 8 hrs of back and neck surgery, so I would not consider myself the usual rider.

However, the ride on the RT was excellent, just did not like the bike.

Back to the Ohlins. I could not afford to pay for the work, so between a rock and a hard place, I ordered the shocks for $1350 or so, tore the bike down, and changed the shocks. The front is significantly better. The rear, I had no idea was adjustable, way down on the bottom. The factory had it set at 16 clicks of 27. I had to back that down to 4 clicks of adjustment.

Other than the really Fd' up roads here in Pa that will put your neck out of adjustment in no time, the bike rides quite well two up. The bags are loaded with emergency stuff, rain jackets, packs, water, and not much room for anything else. So, for two up, we estimated our weight with clothes and helmets at 425, with luggage. We weighed it all before calling in the order.

I would have thought, a new bike would be set up and / or adjustable, for any condition called for. We are 145/195 without the gear, so well within the range of what I consider normal, not overweight by any means.

Add all the riding gear, 2 liters of water, and the other stuff you could easily need on a ride, and it gets heavy fast.

We still get the hard, abrupt jolts with certain kinds of road conditions. I try to watch for differing surfaces and post on the foot pegs....give the passenger time to prepare, if I see it coming.

Other than that, pretty pleased with it, and much better than it was with the OEM's at 42k.

[eaglemike]

We have a new 2008, and just installed Works Performance front and rear. The preload adjustment is same manner and location as stock. Huge improvement, especially 2-up. It would have been nice if the LT came with that suspension, but not at this time.

all the best,

Mike

[karlp]

thanks for all the info.

karl

[pickerbiker]

Karl,
Just another thought. What tire pressure are you using? That could also impact the ride quality.