RECENT new shock sources and reccomendations please !

[bruce60]

Hey Gang,

After a 100 mile sunday ride my wife suggested new shocks, she said every bump felt like the bike was bottoming out. (1999 k1200lt 23,000 miles)

I tried lots of links for Ohlins and Wilbers in old posts that no longer are valid.

Any last minute reccomendations from those that have done this ?

Many Thanks,

[tonyn1]

I just put on some Ohlins and am very happy with them.

[Ted Shred]

You didn't search too hard. We have an entire forum dedicated to shocks - I just ordered another set of Ohlins. See this post -

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37509

[bruce60]

I did find your post and contacted Dan who already got back to me with pricing (1299+30shipping) on the Ohlins.

the link I found for Wilbers was not working..... most posts I found were from 2006 and things change.....

I am open to opinions on which shocks and best Recent suppliers.

[RonKMiller]

You may want to consider what Ron did - I think it is by far the best (and least) expensive way to go - the BIG issue with the LT is the way under rated springs:

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37485

[bruce60]

new springs may help out on the "bottoming" she is feeling, good idea? What company made the stock shocks on my '99 lt ? I read that Dan in Sand City can rebuild BMW Ohlins.

I just read the Hyperpro shock group buy thread... any happy customers with the model "466" shock ??

[Ted Shred]

new springs may help out on the "bottoming" she is feeling, good idea? What company made the stock shocks on my '99 lt ? I read that Dan in Sand City can rebuild BMW Ohlins

The OEM shocks are made by Showa. They are average at best. Rebuilding them and/or adding heavier springs will never give you the performance and feel of a properly set up shock like an Ohlins.

If you want a super smooth ride and awesome handling, have Dan Kyle set up a set of shocks for you.

[ArthurKnowles]

I personally am going to buy the Wilbers shocks for my LT when I buy. I'm going to buy them form Ted Porter at teh beemershop.com. I don't care for the Ohlins shocks as they do not provide the level of adjustability I want. And for the money you spend on them, they should do it all.

But shock choices are like oil threads. Pick what you want and be happy with them. Everyone else's opinions will be different anyway. :)

[Ted Shred]

But shock choices are like oil threads. Pick what you want and be happy with them. Everyone else's opinions will be different anyway. :)

Too true:D I think the Wilbers are also good and have never heard a bad thing about them. Whatever you buy it's important to be able to have them easily serviced. There are many choices for me here in California to have Ohlins rebuilt when the time comes.

As far as adjustment goes, how much do you need? I have preload, rebound and compression adjustments on mine both front and rear.

Do your Wilburs have high and low speed adjustments? I ride pretty damn hard but I'm not a racer and the LT is no race bike.

[Ted Shred]

If you want to read some good info about how good shocks work check out this site -

http://www.elkasuspension.com/products/elitecompression.html

http://www.elkasuspension.com/products/bmw.html

Elka does not make LT shocks but they do for many other BMW's. I have a few friends that have them on their GS's and they are really nice.

[ArthurKnowles]

As far as adjustment goes, how much do you need? I have preload, rebound and compression adjustments on mine both front and rear.

Do your Wilburs have high and low speed adjustments? I ride pretty damn hard but I'm not a racer and the LT is no race bike.

Yes, the Wilbers have both high & low speed adjustments. As for your's I was unaware of all the adjustments available it seems. Most Ohlins I read about or saw on the forums were limited to a hydralic adjuster for rebound, but required a shock tool to ajust the spring compression. How does yours work and is it a different model from the usual?

I'd like to know as when I spend $1300+ I want more than just a preload adjustment and have zero desire to ever use a shock compression adjustment tool ever again in my lifetime.

[Ted Shred]

Yes, the Wilbers have both high & low speed adjustments. As for your's I was unaware of all the adjustments available it seems. Most Ohlins I read about or saw on the forums were limited to a hydralic adjuster for rebound, but required a shock tool to ajust the spring compression. How does yours work and is it a different model from the usual?

Mine aren't special. The hydraulic adjuster on the rear is for preload just like any other shock. If you want to change front preload then that's done with a spanner but that is also how it's done with any other shock I've seen.

Front and rear also have a small knob and a screw adjustment for compression and rebound.

[yechave]

I would order a new set, with a lower than anticipated load than expected, due to my experience below. I have all kinds of room left to boost any need for adjustment, but can't go more the direction I need to soften the ride - due to my request for a 425lb, two up with luggage request for the new Ohlins.

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

So far, the ride was brutal, one up (at about 225-240 lbs with the bike loaded with normal use gear and myself). I also have had 8 hrs of back and neck surgery, so I would not consider myself the usual rider.

However, on a comparative ride on the RT we used for a four day trip, the suspension was excellent, we just did not like the bike for two up riding, and it was very tippy when stopped.

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 of the shock. The factory had it set at 16 clicks of 27. I had to back that down to 4 clicks of adjustment. I have maybe two turns on the pre-load, and that is two up riding.

Other than the really terrible road conditions here in Pa that will put your neck out of whack in no time, the bike rides quite well two up. The bags are loaded with emergency stuff, tools, air pump, spare gas, bike cover, rain jackets, two fanny packs, water, snacks, extra clothes, 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. We also have a small Cortec set of soft bags which fit nicely over the rear seat for clothing for any multi day trips. That worked great for our only four day venture last Oct.

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. The rubber washer on the very top of the front shock was the killer for the install, which I was not aware needed to be removed before removing the shock. Had I known that, it would have saved two hours or torture.

All in all, had I asked for a lesser rated rear shock, I think I would have been a little more pleased with the set up.

[Wolfgang]

Before you spend ANY money on shocks, take a look at the info in this threat. Best of all it cost nothing but a few drops of oil, and in my case (99 with 40k) made it feel like new. No more bottoming out.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8406&highlight=shock+adjuster

[bruce60]

thanks for the posting on the adjuster tune-up, I am still looking for feedback on the Hypershocks from Holland with the progressive springs.... they are sold by the guy who rebuilds wilbers.....

[Ted Shred]

Yes, the Wilbers have both high & low speed adjustments. As for your's I was unaware of all the adjustments available it seems. Most Ohlins I read about or saw on the forums were limited to a hydralic adjuster for rebound, but required a shock tool to ajust the spring compression. How does yours work and is it a different model from the usual?

I'd like to know as when I spend $1300+ I want more than just a preload adjustment and have zero desire to ever use a shock compression adjustment tool ever again in my lifetime.

A little update on the new Ohlins. They are great and I'm quite happy with them.

I was wrong about the adjustments on the front though. Has preload only. The rear has preload and compression/rebound. I'm OK with this and have been quite happy with my other two sets on other bikes. If you want lost of adjustment though get something else like the Wilbers or Elkas...

[Ron_Kendall]

I just read the Hyperpro shock group buy thread... any happy customers with the model "466" shock ??I installed the Hyperpro shocks first part of June...then did a 1500 mile trip to the northwest area of Arkansas where there are some great motorcycle roads:bike: ...I didn't find a bad one in the area...the Hyperpro's performed great..I'm glad I installed them...I needed to replace the original front cause it was bottoming out when I fit a bump....are the Hyperpro's the best???:think: ...compared to the originals, yes...compared to others, couldn't tell ya, I haven't installed any of them....sooo, from what I have read about other shocks, I feel you can't go wrong with any of them & your decision is based on price & service...also, I have read where some have replaced just the spring.