Wilber shocks for my 1200RT?

[Smoky]

A few years ago I put Wilbers on my 1100RT, and was delighted with the results.

 

I now have 50,000 km on my '05 1200RT, and it needs shocks.

 

I'm thinking of WP because they can rebuild my ESA components on their shocks, and it would be nice to retain my ESA.

 

But I know Wilbers build nice shocks, and I want to give them a chance to convince me they are the way to go.

 

Who's the go-to guys in the Wilber business today, I know they've changed a few years ago.

 

Thanks.

[10ovr]

Ted Porter www.beemershop.com Knows his shocks,,

[CoarsegoldKid]

If I had it to do now, I would consider shock options that retain my ESA. I think Race Tech was working on a setup for the RT. Works? Ted Porter did well by Heck with his GS on the Wilburs. But then again Heck took the bike to Ted.

[mbelectric]

Smoky , ride your bike to the UN in July. Get there early.

 

Ted's shop is just a few hours away from the UN location.

 

OR/ for Ohlins, there's Phil at Aftershocks Tri Valley Moto Livermore..

 

Then REALLY enjoy the Sierra's.

 

MB>

[malcolmblalock]

Hyperpro can do ESAs now.

[CoarsegoldKid]

There is always these guys.

Hyperpro can do ESAs now.

That would be a great shock.

 

[Matts_12GS]

I just put Wilbers on my 12GS from Wings an Wheels in Edgewater, FL. PM me if you wish and I'll give you the guy's number. He did a great set up and got me all ready to go. The shocks arrived in 3 weeks almost perfectly set up for me.

 

Apparently he can do ESA as well but I have no knowledge of that.

[Rob L]

There is always these guys.

Hyperpro can do ESAs now.

That would be a great shock.

 

I have a set of Hyperpro ESA shocks on order. They should be in any day now. I plan to post the results and my opinion of them after installation. My previous RT had Ohlins. They were fantastic once I got them set up properly. Hopefully I'll post about Hyperpro next week.

[moshe_levy]

FYI Wilbers and Hyperpro both can put the ESA hardware on their shocks. As to who to go to, I am partial to Klaus Huenecke - see http://www.wilbersusa.com/ The biggest lesson I've learned after testing suspension for MCN is that WHO sets up your suspension is much more important that WHICH BRAND you buy. In this regard Klaus is tops.

 

-MKL

[Rob L]

Klaus is building my shocks. I wish that he would hurry up...the temps. have reached 60° several times this week! Course they are predicting snow again for Saturday

[Tim Wilson]

My new shocks by Klaus just arrived yesterday. I would have liked to keep the ESA but since I commute on my bike, I can't afford to be without it for several weeks. I went with the 360 for the front and the 469 with remote hydraulic preload for the rear. Will be installing them this weekend, which should be interesting as it will also be the first time for me to take off the plastics myself.

[jaytee]

Well, I went Wilbers for my ST but if I had it to do over again I Think I would go Ohlins.

 

I'm with those who would like to keep the ESA though. It's a darn handy feature and I would be ponying up the extra ducats to keep that functionality regardless.

 

In case you missed my review on the Wilbers:

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=528107

 

JT

[tallman]

Matt,

Thanks for the lead.

50,000 miles on my Wilbers and I was thinking of either hitting Ted Porter's shop around the UN or tripping on up to Klaus for the rebuild.

Edgewater is closer.

Herman sez Wilbers is changing some parts and it'll be a few weeks before those become available.

[Yuro]

Ted's doing my rebuild now. I have the remote preload and remote 2 way compression damping on the rear shock. No ESA.

 

I have about 45K on these Wilbers and the front was getting soft. I'd adjusted the rebound setting up several clicks and it was still feeling soft, so it's time.

 

The rear shock is pretty self-explanatory. For the front, I went to the BMW CD and read the procedure. You have to remove the cover for the drive belt, which made no sense to me looking at the bike, but it's true. Also need to remove the right side panel and the tank rail. The center tank cover can be removed by pushing forward on it. Left side covers can stay in place. To get the center tank panel off, you have to remove the fuel filler then put something in the hole to keep gas fumes from getting too bad. You can replace the filler as soon as the tank cover is removed. Just screw down with two screws to seal the tank. After that, it's just a matter of using the right wrenches to get the shock off and working it out of the space it's in. It won't come out without removing that alternator drive belt cover.

 

When you replace the rear shock, the lower bolt needs to be torqued carefully. Don't overtighten it. You can stress the casting in a way it shouldn't be stressed. Ask me how I know. Put a drop of removable lock-tight on the bolts when you replace the shocks.

 

In order to store the bike while the shocks are out for rebuild, I put the stock shocks on and didn't tighten anything up. Also left all the plastic off. It really takes a lot of doing to get at the front shock, so I don't want to put it all back, then have to re-do again in two weeks. I may break down and do it, but so far, I'm happy just waiting.

 

Hope Ted has his operation flowing smoothly and I can get these back soon.

 

 

[Matts_12GS]

Herman did well by me, I was pleased with the setup he got me from the information he took.

 

I was all set to go to either Ted or putting Works Performance shocks on the bike till I found a local guy doing Wilbers. The folks at Works were so hard to deal with that I just couldn't get past it. YMMV, but that's how my experience was.

[Limecreek]

Late to this one.

 

I've used a set of Works on an 1150RT, a set of Ohlins on a K12GT1, a set of Ohlins on a R12RT and Wilbers on my current bike, a K12GT2.

 

I do like the Wilbers, but the Ohlins ride quality for heavy tour bikes, for me is the best choice.

[Heck]

Also late to this one, but as Coarsegold Kid sez, I went with the Wilbers- set up by Ted Porter in Scotts Valley.

I went with a 2" lowered shock and because Ima little portly, that limits the travel more than normal. I ordered the shocks from Ted- when they came in I took the bike up to his shop in Scotts Valley where they installed and Ted set up the shocks for me.

As the shocks were delivered, they were sprung a little lightly for my weight (no I didnt gain...) but after the fact we found out that the normal builder in Germany was out during the time my shocks were built.

Long story short, they weren't quite perfect, so Ted ordered the correct spring after consulting with Wilbers in Germany. When it got here he called me in and changed out the shock springs, reset the shock for me all at no extra charge....

There is a spring load adjustment on the shock that is set for correct travel and sag. It is not normally adjusted after initial setup. This is in addition to the preload and valving adjustments that are normally adjusted for ride.

The initial spring as sent by Wilbers Factory required quite a bit of tweaking of this load adjustment to get the correct sag/travel combination. It felt fine to me, but Ted wasn't happy with it. The change in spring made the shock fit me with correct sag and travel without using the load adjustment at all.

To me, that kind of service, (as it was all Ted's idea) is rare and worth crowing about.

The Wilbers are now built with ESA as an option. Suggest you give Ted a call at The Beemershop and speak with him before you finalize your decision-

Its only a Saddlesore 1000 (or so..) away from ya!!!

 

No affiliation, but damn satisfied customer....!

[tallman]

Herman did well by me, I was pleased with the setup he got me from the information he took.

 

I was all set to go to either Ted or putting Works Performance shocks on the bike till I found a local guy doing Wilbers. The folks at Works were so hard to deal with that I just couldn't get past it. YMMV, but that's how my experience was.

 

I have all my original specs from the factory and the individualized settings so it should go well.

[RoSPA_man]

The Wilbers are now built with ESA as an option.

 

You sure? I received this from Wilbers 4th March:

 

"...the shocks of the R 1200 RT are completely other shocks than the R 1200 GS.

We have to test the WESA on R 1200 RT but cannot say how long it will take. The development at R 1200 GS took approx. 1 - 2 years, but this was the first time when we work with ESA system.

We will save your datas and will be back as soon as we have news. "

 

[Smoky]

I too heard from Ted Porter, and he advised that Wilber shocks with ESA are only available for GS's. They are hoping to have RT compatability by summer.

 

I'm thinking of going ESA with Works Shocks.

 

[RideOregon]

What sort of cost difference are we talking about here? Going with a traditional Ohlins setup vs. a new setup with ESA? Also how does this compare to just doing an OEM ESA replacement?

[Rob L]

BMW stock replacement shocks cost more than the aftermarket shocks. I priced Ohlins for the 1200RT......about $1800! The Hyperpro with ESA are $1444 including shipping and the ESA changover through Klaus. The time necessary to get a set of these shocks is advertised at 3-4 weeks plus a few days to return ship. I have been waiting 6 weeks and still no shocks! Apparently Klaus ran into a glitch and had to reorder parts. Then he went to Europe on a buisiness trip and I am left shockless until he returns April 7th. Needless to say, I am very disappointed in the service from him. I hope that the shocks are worth the time and cost. I purchased 2 used shocks on Ebay and should have them installed by Monday night so that I can ride my bike while waiting on Klaus. The rear shock is from a 1200GS....I sure hope it fits!

[Smoky]

I ordered shocks from Works Performance.

 

I have to wait 4 weeks to get to the top of the list, and then send my shocks to Canoga Park CA. They need a couple of days to remove the ESA components from my shocks, built the new ones with the ESA, and send 'em back.

 

Front and rear, with ESA, was $1304 less 10%.

 

I should have done this 6 weeks ago.

 

 

 

[Rob L]

You're right.I should have made this decision in January. I waited till mid-February. Still lots of snow on the ground then. I've lost the last 2 weeks of good riding. Like I said, I hope these shocks are worth the wait...and the money!

[Smoky]

My Wilbers on my 1100 were such an improvement, that even my wife noticed from the back seat.

 

My 1100 with Wilbers handled better than my 1200 with stock suspenders.

 

I can hardly wait.