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Been reading up on the typical life expectancy of shocks, along with the aftermarkets available. It shouldn't come to anyone's surprise who's read my past rants about high prices that I was utterly flabbergasted at the price of a new OEM rear shock assembly (> $1000 for unaware newbies). :wack: The term "sticker shock" does no justice. 
Now, I realize In comparison Ohlins and Wilburs aren't that much more.
I'm not new to the idea of shocks/struts wearing out, and I'm a firm believer most OEMs install cheap stuff just to get the final product to the showroom floor, so obviously the parts will wear out sooner than later. What sucks is there doesn't seem to be a cheap aftermarket replacement like there is such as a Monroe or Gabriel for cagers. Of course, when it comes to BMW 2-wheelers, I'm starting to think I've bought an exotic, so even if there was a Monroe for the bike world, they'd still want a forearm for the BMW's application. :b2topic:
Putting aside the fact the available aftermarkets are so much better performing, I thought a used low mileage factory shock would be a less expensive alternative, and this brings me to my question.
How much different is the 2nd or 3rd generation OEM shocks from the first gen? Is it merely a different spring or much more to it? just looking at pics online they look very similar. I'm wondering if the newer ones would even bolt up on the earlier models. If so, how much could it possibly affect the ride in an adverse manner? Perhaps it might be an improvement, even if minimal. The main objective is to get the 1st gen bike to riding at least as good as originally designed, as economically as possible.
Any thoughts? Anyone else ever considered this and went so far as to try it?
Inquiring minds, aka cheap-o minds, want to know. :bmw:
Now, I realize In comparison Ohlins and Wilburs aren't that much more.I'm not new to the idea of shocks/struts wearing out, and I'm a firm believer most OEMs install cheap stuff just to get the final product to the showroom floor, so obviously the parts will wear out sooner than later. What sucks is there doesn't seem to be a cheap aftermarket replacement like there is such as a Monroe or Gabriel for cagers. Of course, when it comes to BMW 2-wheelers, I'm starting to think I've bought an exotic, so even if there was a Monroe for the bike world, they'd still want a forearm for the BMW's application. :b2topic:
Putting aside the fact the available aftermarkets are so much better performing, I thought a used low mileage factory shock would be a less expensive alternative, and this brings me to my question.
How much different is the 2nd or 3rd generation OEM shocks from the first gen? Is it merely a different spring or much more to it? just looking at pics online they look very similar. I'm wondering if the newer ones would even bolt up on the earlier models. If so, how much could it possibly affect the ride in an adverse manner? Perhaps it might be an improvement, even if minimal. The main objective is to get the 1st gen bike to riding at least as good as originally designed, as economically as possible.
Any thoughts? Anyone else ever considered this and went so far as to try it?
Inquiring minds, aka cheap-o minds, want to know. :bmw:
