Replace used shocks with used shock?

[eddd]

I've been e-mailing a guy on another web site who owns a 2002 R1150RT with just over 55K miles. We were talking about shocks and the high price of replacements. His are the originals, and he said he really doesn't have any issues with them. He feels the bike handles well. He's owned the bike for about 2 years and got it when it had just over 30K miles.

 

He has access to a set of factory shocks that were taken off another R1150RT when that owner upgraded to after-market shocks. The bike they came off had about 25k miles "easy" miles.

 

I told him that many posters here feel that factory shocks are worn out by 25k miles. I've really not seen any posts about those who've kept using their stock shocks. (Maybe they don't want to be flamed.)

 

Anyway, the question is...Would it be worth it to change his higher mileage shocks for the lower mileage ones? He will have to pay the other guy something for the shocks.

 

Buying new shocks does not seem like it is in his budget , so that isn't an option.

 

Thanks

[tom collins]

if he doesn't have to pay over $200 for the new old ones and he can put them on himself, probably a good deal. they will be better than 55,000 mile shocks unless the previous owner rode 2 up or constantly loaded with luggage. i have also heard a rumor that the standard showas can be rebuilt so you might do a search on this board to see if so and how much. best of luck.

 

tom collins

[E30TECH]

I personally would not replace with used. You never know what you are getting, and unless you know the person, the mileage may not be accurate.

 

If you really need shocks, but can't afford them, it might be worth a shot.

 

I would check here on bmwst.com to see if someone has a newer set if used is your only option.

[JerryMather]

[quote i have also heard a rumor that the standard showas can be rebuilt so you might do a search on this board to see if so and how much. best of luck.

tom collins

Call Lindeman Engineering, 520 McGlincy #3, Campbell, CA, 408-371-6151 and see if they still rebuild them.

[eddd]

If rebuilding the rear is possible, would you want to do that if you weren't going to replace the front? Would it make things "unbalanced" from a shock stand point?

[JerryMather]

Rebuild or replace both at the same time if possible.

[outpost22]

My RT has 48,000 miles on it and I just replaced the stockers with "used" stock shocks that had 1200 miles on them. I have had zero issues with the stock shocks and they seem to perform just fine for my uses. The replacements have been flawless so far. For me, it was a good choice. I don't want to drop over $1000 into aftermarket. If I did go aftermarket it would be on the F650 where a lot of off-road stuff would be helped by good aftermarket equipment.

[Paul Mihalka]

On my R1150R at around 40K miles, still with original shocks that worked as well as they can, I had a chance to get a set from a close to new R1150R Rockster, which uses a bit sportier setup than the plain R. I installed them and they are still doing well at 70K on the bike. I have it in my mind to replace them with a set of Wilbers some time.

[eddd]

I just got a message from the guy who wants has the chance to swap out the shocks. He'll only have to give $100 for the pair. At that price, it seems to me that he might as well make the swap, or if nothing else, purchase the used ones and keep them as a backup. I passed along the advice received so far. It seems that his only access to a computer is at work, and sites such as this are blocked.

[Eckhard Grohe]

Bruno's rebuild the stock rear shock.