How or why did you replace them?? I thought I needed them once back from Alaska, but just took a 50 mile ride and the bike was smooth. So how do you know??? I rather spend the money on J pegs and a back rest.
Seems like good advice.
So I took it. I followed this thread from thread to thread and viewed the pix. I have a few questions of my own.
If it is not broke don't fix it.
Do the later models have to get this done?
Would I see a leak or experience a difference in ride?
One here even suggested he does it twice a year . . . necessary or just a care?
My warranty is all on me now('09LT) so I guess my manicure days are over. I already saved/print a copy of oil change that goes out to garage with me. Good to have it when I need it. Thanks all shocks 101
ride safe :bmw:
If it's not, then this should be in the halls of wisdom.
I had previously asked the same question and even my local dealer's service tech said my old shocks were ok. My 02 LT with 50,000 seemed to be ok until I rode my new K1600 in and out of my driveway. The difference with new shocks was like night and day. My LT would bottom out and I thought that was normal.
replacement hyperpro springs are about 30% of the cost of replacement shocks if your willing to do the work to change them. they work well mabey not a good as olins but way better than stock
If it's not, then this should be in the halls of wisdom.
I had previously asked the same question and even my local dealer's service tech said my old shocks were ok. My 02 LT with 50,000 seemed to be ok until I rode my new K1600 in and out of my driveway. The difference with new shocks was like night and day. My LT would bottom out and I thought that was normal.
I was hoping there was a calibrated way of telling.
Something more scientific or mechanical that indicates time to change/ add oil. Unfortunately my backside does not fit into that category :rotf: Plus I am at the stage where each day on my saddle increases the bonding with the bike and our winters does not give me too many of those.
I know you had an '02 but I am wondering if the '08 or '09 run into the need to add oil. I am a meager 185 pounds and wife is on the low side of 100 and she does not ride that much. On my out of town trips a backpack rides pillion. With 19K miles I think I have only adjusted a couple times mainly to see how it works and if I could really tell a difference. Now I understand the workings I hate to think my backside was lying to me for all those miles. Plus I added an Air Hawk 2 last season.
ride safe :bmw:
...My 02 LT with 50,000 seemed to be ok until I rode my new K1600 in and out of my driveway. The difference with new shocks was like night and day. My LT would bottom out and I thought that was normal.
I think it's really a little bit less than 100 pounds between the two. It FEELS like a whole lot less though!
But, I could tell a suspension difference and if I had not sold the LT, and after riding another that did not bottom out at the same place, it would have been time to swap them out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just thinking out loud, if you could get a ride on a new or low mileage 2010 or a dealer demo, over a bumpy road, you could compare that to your bike and quickly know if the shocks needed replacing.
I am so glad that this thread came back to life, last fall I noticed my 09LT wallering in the corners, I just assumed I would need new shocks I didn't know about the pre loader. I will try adding oil ASAP.
I am so glad that this thread came back to life, last fall I noticed my 09LT wallering in the corners, I just assumed I would need new shocks I didn't know about the pre loader. I will try adding oil ASAP.
Be aware that loss of oil in the preloader has absolutely NOTHING to do with the wallowing in corners, or any other aspect of the ride other than ride HEIGHT! If you are bottoming out, and the adjuster has little affect on height when adjusted down, then you need to refill it. It WILL NOT affect the damping affect of the shocks, which is the cause of bouncing over bumps and wallowing in corners. For that you need new shocks.
To check the pre adjuster function, screw the adjuster all the way out (counter clockwise), then start screwing it back down. If you have to turn it more than a couple turns before seeing an affect on the height of the rear of the bike, then re-fill it.
Be aware that loss of oil in the preloader has absolutely NOTHING to do with the wallowing in corners, or any other aspect of the ride other than ride HEIGHT! If you are bottoming out, and the adjuster has little affect on height when adjusted down, then you need to refill it. It WILL NOT affect the damping affect of the shocks, which is the cause of bouncing over bumps and wallowing in corners. For that you need new shocks.
To check the pre adjuster function, screw the adjuster all the way out (counter clockwise), then start screwing it back down. If you have to turn it more than a couple turns before seeing an affect on the height of the rear of the bike, then re-fill it.
Ok, that pretty well settles it, I'm sure I need new shocks. Not really an expense I want to start the year off with. I'll have to start researching old threads to decide what to get.
1: to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner <hogs wallowing in the mud
2: to billow forth : surge
3: to devote oneself entirely; especially : to take unrestrained pleasure : delight
4a : to become abundantly supplied : luxuriate <a family that wallows in money>
4b : to indulge oneself immoderately <wallowing in self-pity>
5 : to become or remain helpless <allowed them to wallow in their ignorance>
I do feel a few of these while I am on my LT, but none of these seem to apply specifically to corners...
1: to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner <hogs wallowing in the mud
2: to billow forth : surge
3: to devote oneself entirely; especially : to take unrestrained pleasure : delight
4a : to become abundantly supplied : luxuriate <a family that wallows in money>
4b : to indulge oneself immoderately <wallowing in self-pity>
5 : to become or remain helpless <allowed them to wallow in their ignorance>
I do feel a few of these while I am on my LT, but none of these seem to apply specifically to corners...
Ok, that pretty well settles it, I'm sure I need new shocks. Not really an expense I want to start the year off with. I'll have to start researching old threads to decide what to get.
Just curious about your miles.
I have just passed 19,000 on my '09LT regular rides mostly solo and no trailer. Have not noticed any bottoming out as yet. I plan to test on my very first ride. Maybe my behind is as hard as my head
ride safe :bmw:
Just curious about your miles.
I have just passed 19,000 on my '09LT regular rides mostly solo and no trailer. Have not noticed any bottoming out as yet. I plan to test on my very first ride. Maybe my behind is as hard as my head
ride safe :bmw:
I have just over 47,000 on mine. I have trailered it several times for long distances. I haven't felt the bottoming out but in turns it acts strange, kind of bouncing/lunging around the corners. (I won't use the word waller any more! Lol) not quite sure how to describe the behaviour
One question that was not addressed which happens to be the same questions I have about refilling the pre-loader was, "after refilling the pre-loader, should the rubber hose be bled?" I refilled my pre-loader last night and I don’t think there was one drop of oil in it. No oil leaked out when I disconnected the hose. After reinstalling it I wondered if there was air in the line and if there was how it would affect the adjustment. I was wondering if riding the bike and making adjustments over a period of time would the air work its way back into the pre loader. Then I would just refill the pre loader over and over again until the air was gone. Or do I just not worry about it?
and ty for that.....i also have a folder for such things as im a noob at this stuff
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