a question about ohlin shocks

[redwing]

What does Ohlin shocks do that the stock shocks don't? What is it the Ohlins do better?

A performance shock for a car causes the car to track flatter on a turn. Too much lean raises the center of gravity. However a motorcycle is not a car.... ..

Robert

[BigEasy]

I'm not a suspension expert by a long shot but, they are inherently smoother in both compression and rebound dampening than stock units. This comes from the valving design and superior componentry used in their construction. I bought mine from Pro-Pilot and in speaking with the owner his very biased opinion was that even the fluid in the shock was superior to any other (I don't know about that).

That's how they do it, what they do is help settle the bike in a turn, as well as improve overall rideability. The enhanced settling allows the bike to track more true to the chosen line. The smoother operation allows more manageable control of inputs coming from pavement irregularities. The BMW suspension does a great job of handling crappy pavement, high performance shocks just enhance that. Robert, I may be misspeaking here but if I recall correctly you're a fairly new rider? Either way, new rider or seasoned, a good way to get a feel for what I'm talking about as far as a settled suspension go ride a bike with 2 shocks on the swingarm instead of a mono shock set up. The old style suspension will feel like the bike has a hinge in the middle compared to the mono shock bike.

Now, one other thing to remember is Ohlin's aren't the only premium shcok others do a great job of being superior to stock as well. I will say this again, as I've said it before a bunch of times, the difference in the shocks was so HUGE that I felt it the moment I dropped the bike off the centerstand in the garage. Some of that could be from a more precisely spung spring or the shock body itself I don't know which. I do know that sticker shock aside they are a great improvement. So much so that I just bought one for my Z 1000.

[NakedRider]

Now, one other thing to remember is Ohlin's aren't the only premium shcok others do a great job of being superior to stock as well. I will say this again, as I've said it before a bunch of times, the difference in the shocks was so HUGE that I felt it the moment I dropped the bike off the centerstand in the garage. Some of that could be from a more precisely spung spring or the shock body itself I don't know which. I do know that sticker shock aside they are a great improvement. So much so that I just bought one for my Z 1000.

+1. Just added a set of Wilbers to mine. HUGE difference over a bad road. The job of the suspension is to keep the tire on the ground. Aftermarket units do this much better than the stock ones and you can really feel the improvement in the quality of the ride.

[deilenberger]

Indeed - it's mostly quality of the ride. Control, and comfort. Two things that are difficult to achieve with a box-stock shock, just because you can't adjust all the factors that go into getting both (spring preload, compression and rebound damping, high-and-low-speed-impact damping, etc.)

I'm a fan of Hyperpro, but Ohlins, Wilbers are both also very good. I like Hyperpro because I like the support I get from the US vendor (Klaus of EPM Performance).. and the price is generally a bit less.

They really DO make a difference.

[Tarmac]

The ohlins shock is adjustable for pre-load, compression, and damping. It also has a ride height adjuster.

The stock shock is only adjustable for pre-load.

Also, the ohlins is gold colored... that makes it faster

[NakedRider]

The stock shock is only adjustable for pre-load.

Very slight correction - the rear does have a rebound adjustment as well.

[Lost Rider]

Ohlins' are GOLD and the stock one's are gray.... which would you have?

[GT Guy]

I waffled on getting new shocks for years because of the ridiculous price. But after I bought my GS I decided to bite the bullet and see what everyone was talking about. It really does make a world of difference having decent shocks on the bike. And unlike a car, where usually the "performance" shocks give you a stiffer ride as a trade-off for the improved handling, in the case of the Ohlins the opposite was true.

And in my case, my the shock color matches the bike perfectly! What more could you ask for?

Michael