Who's running aftermarket suspension?

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:48 pm

My first 3,000 miles on the R12R have been bittersweet. So much to love, as we all know, but I have to admit it's less than confidence inspiring at times.

I'm pretty sure I have the suspension set up properly, but the front end is so soft and "dive-prone." More than a couple times I've felt it wallow in turns and it's less than confidence inspiring at those times.

So, I've looked into Ohlins (two month wait) and am now considering Wilbers as a second choice. Honestly though, this is the first bike I've owned that's had me thinking about a new suspension. I would not have guessed that I'm that much more aggressive than the average BMW rider.

Can we hear from anyone who's upgraded their R12R suspension? (Yes, I've searched the other threads and would like more direct input on our bike, not the R1150's)

THANKS!

jbuzbee · Post by **jbuzbee** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:06 pm

white power . . . oh sorry, WP?

Post by **celticus** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:18 am

I didn't know if Ohlins had shocks for us yet. I plan on getting a pair when my stock ones wear out but have never had an issue with the stock ones yet. I know of no one who is dissatisfied with ( or will admit to it after spending 1600 ) their Ohlins products. I am not the most aggressive rider and have been very happy with my suspension so far. Have you ever wondered what our bike would be like with no paralever and the forks off of a top notch repli racer ( I.E. Kaw, Yam, Suzuki , Honda ) ?
Seems like I read about someone who got a bad shock on his R1200R from the factory.
Mark

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:46 am

I had a bad front shock and got it replaced under warrenty. Most noticable was lot's of movement of the front when you aplied or let go of the throttle this made the bike feeling nervous esspecialy coming in to corners and going out. It might be a good idea to get on another R1200R for comparrison this is how I found out that it wasn't my riding style but that it was the front shock. When my front shock was replaced the front stopped moving the way it did and now feels very good under almost all circomstances.
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=10228

Post by **deilenberger** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:43 am

I've got the Hyperpro setup on order from Klaus... having had good aftermarket suspension on each of my BMWs - in every case - it has been an improvement over stock.

My complaint with the stock suspension is primarily the sharp-impact (high-speed) damping is too harsh. Since there apparently are no separate high and low speed circuits in the stock shocks - this means both are a compromise between control and comfort. Having adjustable high and low speed compression damping allows me to tune the shock for great control and good comfort. BTDT with Wilbers shocks.

I won't buy Wilbers products after the sleazy deal he pulled on Klaus.. and I have enough confidence in Klaus (a personal friend) that if he says the Hyperpro are as good or better than the Wilbers - I'm willing to give it a shot. One advantage for the Hyperpro - they do offer a front shock with a piggyback reservoir and high and low speed adjustments.. that's what I've got on order.

Dunno the price yet - expect to see them in a few weeks when Klaus gets back from the MOA rally.

http://www.wilbersusa.com/ - Klaus' site..

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:52 am

The hyperpro stuff is pretty cool. Have had Hyperpro springs in the past and they also provided a nice upgrade while using the stock shocks(Buell S1 White Lightning). Never found the need myself to upgrade my suspension on my R1100S but am thinking about it on the R1200R not that I'm not pleased with the original shocks but think it can make this bike even more fantastic.

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:40 am

As for HyperPro/KlausÃ¢â‚¬â€lots of good reviews, but I don't know if I can live with the purple spring. Do they offer an alternative?

Post by **deilenberger** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:51 am

mcavotta wrote:As for HyperPro/KlausÃ¢â‚¬â€lots of good reviews, but I don't know if I can live with the purple spring. Do they offer an alternative?

I believe you can also get black. The purple will let everyone know you have aftermarket shocks (although they aren't all that visible on the Roadster..)

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:53 am

deilenberger wrote:
mcavotta wrote:As for HyperPro/KlausÃ¢â‚¬â€lots of good reviews, but I don't know if I can live with the purple spring. Do they offer an alternative?
I believe you can also get black. The purple will let everyone know you have aftermarket shocks (although they aren't all that visible on the Roadster..)

Ohlins/Yellow I could probably live with, but purple's not my thing.

Thanks!

Mr. Average · Post by **Mr. Average** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:56 am

Just installed a set of Wilbers front and rear. The Ohlins will not be available until the end of August at the earliest. With the better suspension there is a difference of night and day. The Wilbers (formerly Technoflex) are out of Germany and they were delivered set up to my weight and riding style. I did have to back off the preload one turn front and rear, but they had the rebound set perfectly. They are a quality product, as are most of the aftermarket stuff. My price for the front with preload and rebound and the rear with rebound and a remote preload adjuster was $1,200 directly from Germany with the current exchange rate. The price I was quoted for Ohlins was $1,700, but that did give me high and low speed compression on the rear. Wilbers also offers this option. As I said in another post, in my humble opinion a good suspension is the very best accessory money one can spend on a motorcycle.

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:19 pm

Mr. Average wrote:Just installed a set of Wilbers front and rear. The Ohlins will not be available until the end of August at the earliest. With the better suspension there is a difference of night and day. The Wilbers (formerly Technoflex) are out of Germany and they were delivered set up to my weight and riding style. I did have to back off the preload one turn front and rear, but they had the rebound set perfectly. They are a quality product, as are most of the aftermarket stuff. My price for the front with preload and rebound and the rear with rebound and a remote preload adjuster was $1,200 directly from Germany with the current exchange rate. The price I was quoted for Ohlins was $1,700, but that did give me high and low speed compression on the rear. Wilbers also offers this option. As I said in another post, in my humble opinion a good suspension is the very best accessory money one can spend on a motorcycle.

Very helpful, Mr. Average. What kind of riding do you do?

Mr. Average · Post by **Mr. Average** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:45 pm

I am what I describe as an "aggressive sport touring rider". At least this is what I use when I order my shocks

On this bike, R12R, I ride with my wife two-up about 50%of the time and ordered the suspension with that in mind. I have used Ohlins, Works, Penske, and now Wilbers. For my money all the aftermarket major manufacturers are very close. The Wilbers and the Ohlins look very nice in terms of fit and finish, but the Works performs just as well as best I can tell. All offer far superior ride than the OEM.

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:48 pm

Mr. Average wrote:I am what I describe as an "aggressive sport touring rider". At least this is what I use when I order my shocks On this bike, R12R, I ride with my wife two-up about 50%of the time and ordered the suspension with that in mind. I have used Ohlins, Works, Penske, and now Wilbers. For my money all the aftermarket major manufacturers are very close. The Wilbers and the Ohlins look very nice in terms of fit and finish, but the Works performs just as well as best I can tell. All offer far superior ride than the OEM.

Sounds like the profile I would use as well. What would make the Wilbers worth a few hundred more than Works, in your opinion?

Post by **parkec** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:49 pm

Mr. Ave.

Just so happened to receive my Wilber's info over the weekend.
so...

If I am guessing right you purchased model 630 for the front, 640 for the rear, and you added the Preload Adjuster, and passed on the ride height adjuster...or something like that

Mr. Average · Post by **Mr. Average** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:02 pm

mcavotta wrote:
Mr. Average wrote:I am what I describe as an "aggressive sport touring rider". At least this is what I use when I order my shocks On this bike, R12R, I ride with my wife two-up about 50%of the time and ordered the suspension with that in mind. I have used Ohlins, Works, Penske, and now Wilbers. For my money all the aftermarket major manufacturers are very close. The Wilbers and the Ohlins look very nice in terms of fit and finish, but the Works performs just as well as best I can tell. All offer far superior ride than the OEM.
Sounds like the profile I would use as well. What would make the Wilbers worth a few hundred more than Works, in your opinion?

I'm not sure that they are. Also I'm not sure that there will be that much price difference? Works uses a little different damping system than the other major manufacturers, or so I have been told, and so Works may be the only ones that can or will rebuilt their shocks. With the other major brands, any competent suspension person can rebuild and service. I guess I picked Wilbers because I wanted to try them and also because they used to be Technoflex, at one time considered to be some of the best available. Also I think the blue spring looks good with the black R.

Mr. Average · Post by **Mr. Average** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:03 pm

parkec wrote:Mr. Ave.

Just so happened to receive my Wilber's info over the weekend.
so...

If I am guessing right you purchased model 630 for the front, 640 for the rear, and you added the Preload Adjuster, and passed on the ride height adjuster...or something like that

I don't have the info in front of me, but I believe that is correct.

Post by **mogu83** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:22 pm

Is the suspension really that bad. I must be missing something, or maybe people are putting a lot of miles on and wearing out the shocks? I'm expecting 20,000 or more miles before replacement.

Seems like a major issue is the color of the shock spring:

I believe you can also get black. The purple will let everyone know you have aftermarket shocks (although they aren't all that visible on the Roadster..)

Ohlins/Yellow I could probably live with, but purple's not my thing.

Also I think the blue spring looks good with the black R.

Maybe it would be more economical to just paint the stock shocks with a spray (rattle) can if color is an issue.

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:23 pm

mogu83 wrote:Is the suspension really that bad. I must be missing something, or maybe people are putting a lot of miles on and wearing out the shocks? I'm expecting 20,000 or more miles before replacement.

Seems like a major issue is the color of the shock spring:

I believe you can also get black. The purple will let everyone know you have aftermarket shocks (although they aren't all that visible on the Roadster..)

Ohlins/Yellow I could probably live with, but purple's not my thing.

Also I think the blue spring looks good with the black R.

Maybe it would be more economical to just paint the stock shocks with a spray (rattle) can if color is an issue.

No, for me it's a performance issue. I can't seem to dial the stock suspension in to give me a firm, yet supple ride for spirited riding. My front end dives too easy and feels mushy in corners way too often. Someone said something about bad front shocks...how would I know if mine is atypical?

Post by **celticus** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:39 pm

Ride a new one at the BMW store. Or arange to meet one of your bretheren (R1200R) somewhere and ride theirs.
Perhaps you are just a much more aggressive rider than I am. Also I don't recall the front end being a weakness mentioned about this new bike in and of the reviews I have read and I have read a few.
Mark

mcavotta · Post by **mcavotta** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:40 pm

celticus wrote:Ride a new one at the BMW store. Or arange to meet one of your bretheren (R1200R) somewhere and ride theirs.
Perhaps you are just a much more aggressive rider than I am. Also I don't recall the front end being a weakness mentioned about this new bike in and of the reviews I have read and I have read a few.
Mark

Maybe something's up. I'll take it back to the dealer and see. Anyone live in/around Cleveland?