BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I ride a 2004 R1150R with 26K on the odometer. All but 5400 of them I put on in the last 3 years. My wife and I live in Costa Rica for the last three months and Maxine took the ocean voyage down to meet us here. I found a puddle of hydralic like fluid down the alternator cover and on the ground yesterday and have diagnoised a blown shock adjustor seal. This brings a few questions to mind and would like to get some opinions.
1. Are there any viable options other than OEM for replacement. I am finding it difficult to find some things in Costa Rica and importing shock absorbers seems to be, not impossible, but, complicated. I have found Ohlins replacements at a very high cost. Any other options I can look at?
2. Despite the input I have gotten that these are parts that often need replaced, neither the dealer in San Jose, CR nor the one in Escondido, CA (an expat is going there for the holiday) carry these in stock. San Jose gave me a price of about $200 and Escondido a price of $640. Has anyone seen this large price difference between dealers in different countries? Do you think the San Jose dealer may have made a mistake or is the Escondido dealer just making up for holiday travel?
3. Will riding Maxine with the leaking shock damage anything else on the bike? I know to take it easy and the handling will be odd. But, we have only one car here and occassionally my wife and I need to be in different places and Maxine is transportation for me when that happens.
4. Anyone know if a boot is available for these shocks that keep out dust and water so I am not doing this again in a year or two?
Thanks in advance and Pura Vida!

I don’t have any answers to your questions but I would suggest contacting another BMW dealer in the states to compare the cost of the part from Escondido. I have had very good service from Sierra BMW in Reno, Nevada. The on line parts manager took the time to answer some questions and has delivered batteries, turn signal assemblies and recently, a BMW factory flyscreen to me at competitive pricing. I’m sure he can let you know if he has the part in stock and at a fair market price.

Thanks Hyja1.. I checked the website for Sierra. No luck finding the OEM part and the Ohlins they have for it are significantly higher than what I have been seeing at other websites. Didn't see a chat option so may have to call them later and ask for parts.
My wife, who sold medical equipment/tools internationally said that they always charged the US higher prices than the Latin American countries for the same equipment. It seems to be "what the traffic will bear" price model. That hasn't been our experience here so far, but, who knows. Hoping to get more replys on the other questions too.

You could try Ted's ,and also look for rebuild shops

http://www.beemershop.com/Merchant5/mer ... =R1150RYSS

You could try Ted's ,and also look for rebuild shops

http://www.beemershop.com/Merchant5/mer ... =R1150RYSS