Re: Shocks and Springs

[Robert Silas <robert.silas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Clive,
I am in about the same situation as you are.  Montreal is world Capitol of potholes. If you managed to avoid one there is the next you hit. Must keep tire pressure high.

I have not experimented with fine tuning of my shocks, on the other hand, I don't know if my rear-end is fine-tuned enough to notice the difference. 

We have rough surfaces in the mountain twisties too and I did hit with my centerstand, with my cylinder guard, scrapped the pegs and the boots too.  I try not get into these unpleasant turns, but if I do I compensate for it.  I came to the conclusion that to enjoy riding I don't have to be at my absolute limit.
  
We often ride in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine which is a real treat for us.  
If Ohlins and other fine shocks provide rides like the highways of the USA do, it might be worth to go for it. Just to satisfy my curiosity I may get a pair if next year's budget permits.

Bob Silas
'94 R1100RS (170K)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Clive Liddell 
  To: oilheads@xxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 11:13 PM
  Subject: RE: Shocks and Springs


  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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End of oilheads-digest V3 #22
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