New owner, Suspension help

[Guest]

This is a great site. I'm a new owner of a 2004 R1150R. I purchased it from BMW Motorcycle of Columbia in OH. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The guys at the dealership were absolutely the best to deal with.

Anyway, I've been on a few rides and I noticed that the rear suspension gives a real bumpy ride. The bike has aftermarket Wilber front and rear shocks. Basically, if I hit bumps (or uneven segments on concrete slabs on the Interstate) at 60-70mph, the jolt on the bike is so hard; it bucks me right off the seat. One time it was so hard that I hands almost came off the bars.

The rear preload is currently set at the lowest setting. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ed

[NoRRmad]

Can you crank down the compression damping on those Wilber shocks?

[jm1515]

This is a great site. I'm a new owner of a 2004 R1150R. I purchased it from BMW Motorcycle of Columbia in OH. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The guys at the dealership were absolutely the best to deal with.

Anyway, I've been on a few rides and I noticed that the rear suspension gives a real bumpy ride. The bike has aftermarket Wilber front and rear shocks. Basically, if I hit bumps (or uneven segments on concrete slabs on the Interstate) at 60-70mph, the jolt on the bike is so hard; it bucks me right off the seat. One time it was so hard that I hands almost came off the bars.

The rear preload is currently set at the lowest setting. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed...did you mean Columbus, OH??? If so and you are close...we need to hook up some time!
Your Wilburs should have adjustments for rebound damping on them somewhere. Sounds like you need to soften them up a bit.
Find the adjustment, note where they are set now, max them out on the firm side, then back off maybe 1/4 of the total adjustment range (or up to where it is set now), whatever that may be. Adjust firmer/softer as necessary.
Your preload needs to be set up for the total load you are carrrying. For this you'll need to know the total travel available on that rear shock. Then you can set the proper 'sag' for you.
Wilburs would be able to tell you this. Until you actually set the 'sag', I would set the preload somewhere in the middle range if you were of 'average weight'....a little firmer when you carry things.

[Guest]

J,

Sorry, I did mean Columbus, OH. Actually, I'm live in VA and drove 7 hours to Columbus to pick up the R. I was going to fly up and ride the bike down but my wife wouldn't allow it. Its a good thing because it rained the entire trip.

I also stopped by Cabela's in Wheeling, WV. Cool place, I would like to take my kids up there one day. Anyway, thanks for the invite and the next time I'm up in Columbus, I'll let you know. Same goes for you, if you're ever in Northern VA, look me up.

Ed

[Guest]

J,

I forgot to say thanks for your suggestion about the suspension.

Ed