Replacement Shocks - Horizons Unlimited

**Kurt** · #1 16 Feb 2002

Anyone had any experiences with replacement shocks for BMW R1100R RT or GS's? I'm looking at replacing my stock shocks after 54K miles. Thanks.

Kurt

**nick_horley** · #2 17 Feb 2002

I've got Tech 2000 at both ends of my 1150 GS - but I'm not sure you'll be very interested - I went completely mad and spent over £2000 on a pair of British Superbike spec shocks in a quest for ultimate handling. The results are wonderful, if fast road riding is your thing. The bike is 100% confidence inspiring, full throttle everywhere. Rpundabouts and corners hardly seem to require a reduction in pace, and the bike actually seems underpowered.

I also spent a more sensible amount on a rear Ohlins for my 1100GS a few years back.

I've bought shocks for quite a few bikes over the years - usually sports bikes - I used to race in British Endurance and the general consensus is that all the reputable shock companies provide similar quality and value for money. A £500 - £600 rear shock on a GS can give fantastic results. (Changing the front is a lower priority - the standard one is pretty good.) But there's no point buying a new shock unless you're prepared to spend a bit more to get the bike professionally set up. I can strongly recommend Set-Up Engineering of Wandsworth. I have also heard good things about Maxton and KAIS.

Hope this helps.

**pappy** · #3 2 Nov 2006

Please read my warning on Works shocks. In all my years of riding and over 100 bikes I have never had such poor performace from a shock. Less than3000 miles and it crapped out. That's WORKS shock. also read Greg Frazier experience.

pappy

**Margus** · #4 3 Nov 2006

I did lot of homework about this issue too, my final choice was between WP (NOT Works Performance!), Öhlins and Wilbers. There were other smaller handmade ones too, mostly in the US/Canada, but didn't bother to risk as an european myself, it could get expensive.

Wilbers was the clear winner.

Better pricing, fully setuped according to your individual needs and riding style (spring type, preload amount, rebound, dampening characteristics, etc), better maintenance schedule (every 30,000 miles or two years they make it as new again) and maintenance price, the guys at Wilbers were very helpful and informative in advice, choosing etc.

Make sure you buy the hydraulic preload adjuster! Really handy on the GS since it's awfully messy to adjust preload w/o it.

Those are my personal experiences anyway... Which doesn't mean everybody has to agree with it.

Many happy'n'reliable'n'unleaky-shock miles, Margus