New front Shock

[jamesgs]

Hi everyone. I have been lurking from a far for a while over in England since purchasing my r1200r last year. I have really enjoyed my visits to your forum.

Anyway i have just picked up my bike from Hagon shocks ( an English shock absorber and wheel manufacturer ) where they have had my bike for a week to manufacture a replacement front shock. I was unhappy about the brash and harsh nature of the OE shock.

To cut a long story short i am flabergasted by the improvement this has made. These are my findings.

1) Ride quality has significantly improved. The bike flows smoothly over imperfections rather than crashing into them.

2) Handling is now lighter but still stable. The bike flicks from left to right much quicker but also retains its stability. The bike also leans over much easier and runs a tighter line. The bike now feels like a giant supermoto and is superb fun.

3) Braking feel and control is improved with better connectivity with whats happening to the front wheel.

4) The spring is powdercoated red and looks great against go faster black

I was really surprised how good this upgrade has been and would implore anyone to take a look at changing the front shock. The Hagon shock is £275 but others such as Wilbers and Ohlins would be as good or if not better . I was lucky in that i had a special deal as they used my bike for an R & D project but this now means you can have it too.

I have no connection with Hagon but just wanted to pass on my thoughts on their product. With the strength of the $ against the pound this is something of a bargain.

Many thanks for your time.


Regards James

[lewellen]

Hi, James,

I'm glad the new shock is working out so well!

Did Hagon do any measurements of you on the bike, etc., before starting the manufacturing process? Was the shock and spring set up for your body weight and preferred riding style, or was this a "generic" shock and spring combo they're making for the R12R?

The price is actually very good, at least for the US; the Ohlins S36DR1L for the R1200R front end seems to be priced around US$800 these days for just the shock, while yours worked out to be around $400 - installed!

Much of what I've read indicates that indeed the stock BMW shocks on the R12R can stand with improvement; but I've also read that a session with a good suspension tuner can work wonders, too.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[jamesgs]

Hi Lewellen,

They simply asked my weight and riding style. I think the shock is generic and it was set up in the middle of its settings as i am of average weight of around 88kgs.

There is adjustment for preload and damping on the shock so i am sure it can be made to suit different rider weights, carry loads and
rider styles.

The trouble with the OE shock is there is no adjustment. It also looks pretty feeble compared with the Hagon shock.

The rear OE shock though seems fine.

Regards

James

[BigEasy]

The rear OE shock though seems fine.

Regards

James

James, I've never had a Hagon shock, heard good things about them, but I dare you to put a rear one on your bike I am positive you will rethink your above assessment. I put front and rear Ohlins on my R last year and while quite spendy it was well worth it. The transformation you experienced up front will only be magnified by binning the OE rear in favor of an upgrade. Best Regards

[LumpyCam]

Are aftermarket shocks an option for the rear if a bike has the BMW Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)?

[deilenberger]

Are aftermarket shocks an option for the rear if a bike has the BMW Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)?

Yes.. two options:

1 - Works Perfomance will move the EWS acuation to one of their shocks - and you'll continue to have EWS with a better shock.

2 - What a lot of people have done - ditch the EWS.

[deilenberger]

The rear OE shock though seems fine.
Regards
James

Based on my experience - the rear shock is the more important of the two shocks. More weight on the rear - and better control from a better shock is very noticeable. Talk to Hagon about the rear..

[LumpyCam]

Are aftermarket shocks an option for the rear if a bike has the BMW Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)?

Yes.. two options:

1 - Works Perfomance will move the EWS acuation to one of their shocks - and you'll continue to have EWS with a better shock.

2 - What a lot of people have done - ditch the EWS.

That's good news. Once the R12R is out of the 3 year warranty probation i'll look into a suspension upgrade. While i can see the EWS being a royal pain in the a$$, i love the ESA every time a lady jumps pillion and i can compensate the suspension on the fly.

[deilenberger]

That's good news. Once the R12R is out of the 3 year warranty probation i'll look into a suspension upgrade. While i can see the EWS being a royal pain in the a$$, i love the ESA every time a lady jumps pillion and i can compensate the suspension on the fly.

I think most of us here can only hope to have that problem...

[Caroanbill]

have just picked up my bike from Hagon shocks ( an English shock absorber and wheel manufacturer ) where they have had my bike for a week to manufacture a replacement front shock. I was unhappy about the brash and harsh nature of the OE shock.

To cut a long story short i am flabergasted by the improvement this has made.

Great post. I loved the R12R on my test ride - but knew the front shock had to go. As you say, it is very harsh on small bumps - for me, it made the low speed part of my test quite unpleasant. A decade ago (or with conventional forks) I'd have taken the R12R off my list: but it was pretty clear the problem was the front shock. I don't understand the design issues, but the problem seems to be the shock isn't sufficiently supple in its initial damping.

I got Wilbers (front and rear), mostly because they're easy to get in Oz (often a long wait for Ohlins) and my supplier and dealer did all the work for me. We chose the spring on the basis of my description of the OEM shock. My salesman did the PD test ride with the new shock on - he was gobsmacked by the improvement in ride quality.

The R12R is far and away the best riding bike I've owned: I'm faster, safer and ride better lines than any other bike I've owned. That is due in no small part to the quality of the front end. I wouldn't say the Wilbers (or Hagon, Hyperpro, Ohlins or WP) was the major part of that story: what I would say is that the more supple shock complements the geometry perfectly for me.