Suspension Questions

[peckhammer]

I took the R1200R for a 270-something mile long ride the other day. The seat performed marvelously. I still haven't figured out the handling of this bike yet, though.

I was on a rough and curvy road, basically riding at twice the cautionary speed limits. I gaff-taped a video camera to the system case, to later watch myself bucked right out of the seat on a few occasions. Pretty funny. This was all on Forest Road 25, heading to Mt St. Helens. Too bad FR 99 to the top of the volcano, aka Windy Ridge, is still closed due to snow. But I digress.

The suspension on the R is a lot softer than I am used to. While the bike is always planted, it doesn't seem to be on rails like my Sprint RS was. This is probably due to the gooshy nature of the front end. So this has me thinking about an OHLINS front shock. Has any one installed one? Has anyone installed just the Öhlins front shock, leaving the rear stock? Good results?

Lastly, if any of you are interested in supermoto, I have posted a couple interviews I did last weekend. You can find 'em here: http://dogexhaust.blogspot.com/search/label/Supermoto

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Peckhammer

[deilenberger]

The suspension on the R is a lot softer than I am used to. While the bike is always planted, it doesn't seem to be on rails like my Sprint RS was. This is probably due to the gooshy nature of the front end. So this has me thinking about an OHLINS front shock. Has any one installed one? Has anyone installed just the Öhlins front shock, leaving the rear stock? Good results?
Peckhammer

I can't speak for Ohlins (several people have installed them) - I can for Hyperpro... I suspect the rear shock is the more important one. That seems counterintuitive but the rear effects the front more than the front effects the rear.. mostly 'cause most of the riders weight is transferred to the rear shock.

If I could only afford to buy one - I'd buy the rear first and start saving for the front (which will probably be less expensive.) EPM Imports - importer of the HyperPro (ex-Wilbers importer) also imports and assembles to order YSS shocks here in the US (he has a huge stock of parts - and the shocks are assembled to order.) I haven't talked to Klaus about the YSS shocks on the R12R - but I can't see why it couldn't be done. They provide the adjustability of a Wilbers or Hyperpro, at what I believe is a considerably lesser price point. Be worth talking to Klaus.. 877-786-6543

http://www.yssusa.com/home.html

http://www.yssusa.com/about_us.html

The G series in the rear look like a reasonable choice: http://www.yssusa.com/series-g.html
And the B series in the front: http://www.yssusa.com/series-366.html

[Dan-A]

I took the R1200R for a 270-something mile long ride the other day. The seat performed marvelously. I still haven't figured out the handling of this bike yet, though.

I was on a rough and curvy road, basically riding at twice the cautionary speed limits. I gaff-taped a video camera to the system case, to later watch myself bucked right out of the seat on a few occasions. Pretty funny. This was all on Forest Road 25, heading to Mt St. Helens. Too bad FR 99 to the top of the volcano, aka Windy Ridge, is still closed due to snow. But I digress.

The suspension on the R is a lot softer than I am used to. While the bike is always planted, it doesn't seem to be on rails like my Sprint RS was. This is probably due to the gooshy nature of the front end. So this has me thinking about an OHLINS front shock. Has any one installed one? Has anyone installed just the Öhlins front shock, leaving the rear stock? Good results?

The bucking bronco feeling is often too much rebound. I remember the stock rear stock having a rebound adjustment, but I don't remember if the front does. It is on the bottom. Turn it out one turn at a time and ride. Keep going till it feels better, then when you went too far, turn it back. When I had my stock shocks that settled the bike and really improved it.

I now have ohlins and they are very good. I would not buy just one, they work as a family. (and as expensive as a month of college tuition).

IMHO they are worth the money, but try the rebound adjustment first.