[awmasparky]

Went on a trip this weekend and kept bottoming out. I have an 06 with only 11K or so miles. Now when riding 2 up and all our gear we are at about 450 lbs. I have always felt the LT at times was a littles squirrelly. Don't know how to explain squirrelly but just doesn't feel right, like she is flexing or twisting. I don't know if it is due to the weight or it is normal for this bike. I hear that after market shocks improve the ride, but these only have 11k on them. I did have the tensioner (if that is what it is called) all the way in.
Any ideas?
Don't mention diets, we're just big boned.

 

[pushin9s]

Same problem here too. The bike just felt like it had a hinge in the middle and never gave me a settled feeling. I had the shocks reworked (used the stock Showa shocks) at GMDCompuTrak in Jasper, GA. Kent is the guy to talk to there. He reworked and resprung the rear shock to fit my ample frame plus the wife and all her earthly belongings that she MUST take with us every time we go for a ride. Kent is close to being able to rebuild the front shocks too (or so he says). The cost of having your stock shocks rebuilt, revalved and resprung is about a third of the cost of a new set of Ohlins. Granted, the Ohlins will still be superior equipment, but to me the cost difference was worth the slight degradation in performance.

Still, after all this shock work the bike still wasn't settled like it's old self. Steering damper replacement was in order and now after having the new steering damper and the rebuilt shocks the bike is back to it's glory days.

Good luck and hope your fix is relatively simple.

 

[wa1200lt]

Try this procedure. Makes way big difference!

Loren

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8406

 

[tvguy]

Try this procedure. Makes way big difference!

Loren

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8406

I have done this procedure a few times and it works great... BUT, it is temporary.
There is no substitute for a new set of Wilbers. You will notice a HUGE difference.
Bought them from Ted Porter at beemershop.com Bought Wilber over Ohlins because the rebuild interval is 30k instead of 15k.

 

[katnapinn]

At ONLY 11,000 miles on the bike I would NOT think you need new shocks yet. I would try the preload refill first. Also have you installed new tires recently? If so do they have the proper weight rating for the LT? The front should state 58 & rear 79.

 

[cws]

I've just put a deposit on a new set of Wilbers, built to spec.
60,000km on originals shocks, and have added oil to the rear adjuster, but I think the Showa's have had their day. I'm getting a "seam" mark across the front fender where I'm guessing it has hit the light several times... we've got some big potholes!
And once it gets "squirrelly" its just gets a little less comfortable.
My supplier (Sean at SOS in Penrith, Sydney) has done shocks for a few other LT's and our local boys recommended him (thanks Phil & Hilton!).
His opinion on the front is don't bother trying rebuilding it, they are cheap (originally) and not worth it. He will rebuild the rears with stiffer springs for about AU$500.
But I'm planning a big trip, so weighing all things up, I'm investing Au$2700 in the bike to keep it good for at least another 5 years (plus whatever it takes to get them fitted).
If only the costs stopped there though...

 

[Bighopper]

I had the same problem with the flexing fell. But I did the HyperPro Spring replacement over original shocks..WOW what a difference. Here is a link to the discussion on the replacement etc.... http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37485&highlight=Hyperpro+springs

An option.

 

[awmasparky]

Thanks all for the information. I'll be looking at the links and go from there. It's about time for the 12k service so she will be on the lift soon. Need to look into the service that can be done on the rear shocks. Completely forgot about that. But this has been an issue for as long as I've had the bike, just was in a situation where it was more noticeable.

 

[PhillWard]

I've just put a deposit on a new set of Wilburs, built to spec.
60,000km on originals shocks, <snip.
My supplier (Sean at SOS in Penrith, Sydney) has done shocks for a few other LT's and our local boys recommended him (thanks Phil & Hilton!).
His opinion on the front is don't bother trying rebuilding it, they are cheap (originally) and not worth it. He will rebuild the rears with stiffer springs for about AU$500.
But I'm planning a big trip, so weighing all things up, I'm investing Au$2700 in the bike to keep it good for at least another 5 years (plus whatever it takes to get them fitted).
If only the costs stopped there though...

Hi Chris,
How long is the mortgage over for the two shocks? hehehh.
Yeah... 60k kms sounds a bit short.... Shane T in Rocky probably has over the 100k on his original front, he has had the rear rebuilt twice by the guy up in Brisbane, (only cos he wasn't happy with the rebound first time around I think).
$2700 to keep it good for at least another 5 years"....huh? you not gonna ride it or something???? surely you dont think you are gonna get off that lightly ...Ha!
Sounds like you are copping out of doing the install yerself?...more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

cheers

 

[KMC1]

You might want to check out this thread. I highly recommend dealing with Klaus and the shocks completely transformed the bike. They are expensive, but in my opinion there's no bigger bang for your buck with the LT. HTH :wave Hyperpro Feedback thread