RE: Shocks and Springs

["Clive Liddell" <cliddell@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Gregory,
You will get a lot of advice as to how c..p the OEM shocks are and that you
should fit this make or that within a week of buying your new bike and so
on.

I have never looked at my dampers, after setting the R at 3 preload IIRC in
1996 and setting the RT on the "Normal" setting IIRC in 2001.   At first the
ride was a bit "harsh" but they have now settled down to a very comfortable
ride (R@81000km and RT@65000km).

I use my bikes every day as utility vehicles with the hard bags loaded so
that I can hardly lift them (Often the R almost lifts it's front wheel off
the ground when using the sidestand).  I also use the bikes for recreational
riding most weekends and also during the week.  I have to have springs that
are functional for me ie. stiff enough for full load and also good for fun
in the twisties.  I have found the OEM setup to suit me perfectly and I can
only wonder when I hear of people having to have leaking dampers repaired
etc. as I have had no problems at all.  IMO the shocks are like the engine -
they have to "wear in" a while.

But then, I suppose here in the third world we have roads that are perfectly
smooth compared to US :)

Just my 2c
Regards
Clive Liddell
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
'96 R850R ~81k.km
'01 R1100RT ~65k.km

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of Gregory Appling
> Sent: 08 February, 2006 19:08
> To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Shocks and Springs
>
>
> My bike is a 2002 R1150R with 31K on it.
>
> I've heard and read in different places that the factor shocks and
> springs wear out around 30K. What would be the signs that your shocks
> and springs are starting to go bad and need to be replaced?
>
> gregory
>
>
>
>
> 2002 R1150r
> BMWMOA # 117910
> San Francisco, CA

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