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Re: Ohlins, Wilbers and Works, Oh my!



Bob and Bruno,
Thanks for your replies.
If I am still riding in 2006 I will give it a try.
Bob Silas
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bruno Valeri 
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 8:22 PM
  Subject: Re: Ohlins, Wilbers and Works, Oh my!


  ---- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Robert Silas" <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  To: <oilheads@xxxxxxxxx>
  Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 8:00 AM
  Subject: Re: Ohlins, Wilbers and Works, Oh my!


  > It's not that I doubt others opinions, I just would like to know,
  technically, mechanically, what goes wrong with shocks.  I assume the RS'
  shocks are oil shocks, so if they don't leak, the preload and the dampening
  adjustment still work, what went wrong???

  Robert,

  In shocks, there are always different levels of performance available. The
  quality of the valving etc will affect how it performs and this also has a
  dramatic effect on how a bike (car) feels with a different shock on). It's
  probably the single component that can most change the way your bike feels.

  To me, that's not a problem. Just a  fact. A better shock will perform
  better and thus feel better.

  What is a problem is when an OEM shock is purported to have an unusually
  short life. Across many lists, it seems that riders accept this as a given.
  I don't. There is no reason for it. If it does occur, it is the result of
  unusually poor specs.

  > Can it happen that shocks are OK for 3-4 hours of riding but after that
  they are not acceptable?? (as one of the response stated)

  Yes. This is heat-induced fade. When the shock cools back down, performance
  returns. This just means that you are working the shock slighly outside its
  performance enveloppe. If this happens frequently, then the fix is a higher
  performance shock. In off-road situations, where the shock goes through
  sustained high frequency and high amplitude cycles, heat will cause them to
  fade. Better ones are more effective in resisting this.

  > Or, am I just lucky with my Beta-bike???  In the beginning BMW may have
  provided better shocks. I am 165 lbs, no passenger but the boxes are heavy,
  the Corbin Rambler seat is also heavy.

  This may have something to do with it. I weigh approx 160lbs. So my shock
  doesn't work as hard as a rider that weighs 230lbs, for example.

  But one thing is for sure. Putting on better quality shocks will make a bike
  feel way better.


  Bruno
  Montreal, Canada
  CBR 929
  http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides

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