bobbybob Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 OEM shocks (not ESA) starting to wallow and pogo some--9k miles--not real bad but why delay the inevitable? What are my options? Ohlins are very strongly recommended; Wilbers--what is Hyperpro--seems to have replaced them?? Where to get price quotes on them? Are there different models with more or less damping control-ability? Anyone done the replacement themselves--any "gotchas" in the job I should know about? I apreciate any and all advice on the subject! Link to comment
John in VA Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I installed Ohlins on my 06 RT myself. I bought them from http://www.hardracing.com. The only real trick is jacking up the bike enough and extending the forks to fit the front shock in -- the Ohlins is a lot fatter than the stock shock. I used a car jack and some heavy wood blocks. It was a pretty easy install in one afternoon. Here's a good How-To by Limecreek/Gregory Clark: http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/709286/ http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=hex&Number=709591 After the Ohlins install, you won't recognize it as the same bike! I understand that Wilbers has replacement shocks that maintain the ESA function, but you have to send in your old shocks for them to transplant the mounting eyes, so you'd be bikeless for awhile. Link to comment
smiller Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I understand that Wilbers has replacement shocks that maintain the ESA function, but you have to send in your old shocks for them to transplant the mounting eyes, so you'd be bikeless for awhile.I think that is Works Performance, not Wilbers, unless Wilbers is now doing it as well. Link to comment
bobbybob Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 When I try to go to the Wilbers website, I get Hyper-Pro shocks. What gives? Wilbers no longer avail. in the US? Link to comment
John in VA Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I think that is Works Performance, not Wilbers, unless Wilbers is now doing it as well. Right, it's Works, not Wilbers. Link to comment
DirkatWilbers Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Hello Bobbybob, Wilbers of course is available for our American customers however no longer over Mr. Klaus Huenecke, I'm afraid. In addition we cannot yet offer a shock that replaces the ESA shock of your BMW in its complete function but we offer our Wilbers shocks whose preload can be manually adjusted over a manual hand wheel… You’ll have pinch off the ESA line and it cannot be used to adjust our shocks! There are a couple of reasons why we are not convinced of the ESA shock technology yet and do not offer our ESA shock version (although we are developing a ESA suspension system for cars)… First, with a car, it makes sense to adjust your suspension with a push of a button while with motorcycles there is not reason why you should not do it manually (as the tuning knob is always reachable)… Second, the ESA shocks are much heavier that normal. This extra weight in such a critical area changes riding behaviour and handling! Third, new electrical, technical gimmicks and gizmos are just new possible sources of errors! So, should you be interested in Wilbers shocks for your BMW you can order them without any problems at one of our partners (find their addresses here: www.motorcycle-suspension.com) or even directly here in Germany! You should nonetheless keep your OEM shock even if you switch to Wilbers as those BMW guys will need to have to plug the ESA-line into their service computers during servicing… So: Do not dump the OEM shocks (self evidently it is wise to also keep them just in case you want to sell your motorcycle with the original shocks on it)! In case of any questions, please contact me by email (kontaktusa@wilbers.de) because I won’t be around that often to check PMs or forum answers… I hope to have been of any help, Cheers, Dirk Link to comment
marcopolo Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 These are Wilbers' "partners" in the US according to the site Dirk mentioned in his post above: "Those service-points are responsible for maintenance, servicing and guarantee works for our products as well as they can sell our products in their own shops. Thus the customer will always know where to turn to in questions of troubleshooting". MAX BMW Motorcycles www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com 866 MAX BMW1 MAX BMW Motorcycles 209 Lafayette Rd North Hampton NH 03862 MAX BMW Motorcycles 845 Hoosick RD Brunswick NY 12180 MAX BMW Motorcycles Opening this Winter Northern New Jersey Beemershop 34 Janis Way, Suite E Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA Contact: Ted Porter Email: service@beemershop.com Phone: +001-831-438-1100 Website: www.beemershop.com Nick´s BMW Motorcycles 2246 Mid Valley Drive Depere WI 54115 USA Contact: James Eng Email: service@nicksbmw.com Phone: +001-920-347-9144 Website: www.nicksbmw.com Link to comment
Blast54 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 When I try to go to the Wilbers website, I get Hyper-Pro shocks. What gives? Wilbers no longer avail. in the US? Some dealers have picked up Wilbers after Klaus switched to Hyper-Pro. I can't speak for Hyper-Pro shocks but they are well known for their steering dampers and I CAN speak for Klaus. He is knowledgeable and very fair to do business with. I would look into Hyper-Pro just for those reasons. Link to comment
Rob Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 After two sets of Wilbers (a pair for my'97 RT and a pair for the wifes'97 R11RS) I called Klaus to get a pair for the wife's '07 RT. After discussing my options, I bought a pair of Hyper-Pro's. After 10k, she is happy with them. Which makes me happy. On one of the K-bike sites, there is a group buy being formed for the Hyper-Pros. I don't know if they are offering non-K bikes in on the deal. A little googling should help. Best, Link to comment
bobbybob Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 After two sets of Wilbers (a pair for my'97 RT and a pair for the wifes'97 R11RS) I called Klaus to get a pair for the wife's '07 RT. After discussing my options, I bought a pair of Hyper-Pro's. After 10k, she is happy with them. Which makes me happy. On one of the K-bike sites, there is a group buy being formed for the Hyper-Pros. I don't know if they are offering non-K bikes in on the deal. A little googling should help. Best, Rob, does your wifes "Hyper-pro" bike handle as well as your "Wilber" bike? What do the Hyper-pros run $$ for a R1200RT? Link to comment
Rob Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Rob, does your wifes "Hyper-pro" bike handle as well as your "Wilber" bike? What do the Hyper-pros run $$ for a R1200RT? Sorta hard to compare a '96 R11RS and a '07 R12RT but from what I have ridden, the two makes are similar. I would put them in the same catagory as the Wilbers/Ohlins. As for cost, we got them shortened without the remotes for $1100ish. Hth, Link to comment
GordonB Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 If you don't want to spend money, Your '07 RT shocks are under warranty. Can't quite remember, but the warranty is good for around 20+k, check with your dealer, you shoud get free replacement. If your are set on high performance shocks, get the OEM's replaced firts so you will have a fresh set as backup or to sell. Link to comment
Fran Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 If you don't want to spend money, Your '07 RT shocks are under warranty. Can't quite remember, but the warranty is good for around 20+k, check with your dealer, you shoud get free replacement. If your are set on high performance shocks, get the OEM's replaced firts so you will have a fresh set as backup or to sell. +1 on that thought. Fran Link to comment
Rob Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 If you don't want to spend money, Your '07 RT shocks are under warranty. Can't quite remember, but the warranty is good for around 20+k, check with your dealer, you shoud get free replacement. If your are set on high performance shocks, get the OEM's replaced firts so you will have a fresh set as backup or to sell. I've always understood that shocks are considered a wear item and unless they are puking fluid, you're otta luck. Has NA thinking changed? Best, Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.