I have just tried to get hold of a Works performance shock. Unfortunatly they could not provide a shock suitable. They could not supply one with a spring and apparantly seals which they say would melt, if used with a combined rider and equipment weight of more than 250ilbs over certain rough terrain.
So I think my best option is maybe a Wilbers shock. As they seem to cover all the options.

I would be much interested to hear from any personal experiences with Wilbers shocks.

Interesting thread.
I'd like to share my small experiences, during a month long 5000 mile trip to Greece, over some poor roads through Albania, riding 2 up with quite a bit of gear (approx 240kgs all in), I upgraded the rear spring to cope with the weight (from 13kg/mm to 15kg/mm). This worked fine.

Bike was a 650 Transalp and the shock was original with 50,000miles and no probs with the damping or handling.

I'd do the same or greater trip with the same setup without hesitation.

I guess bike shocks vary in quality & longevity but they aren't always as poor as what people make them out to be!

Phil

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650 Transalp

... just a new spring it will be. My Honda TA, model 1991, 50.000km, 400ccm Japanese market engine runs great, but with 2 up plus all the equipment ... well, I am not that much of an expert, but I guess the original spring could be replaced. Any recommendations for a "good one"?? Shouldn't be overwhelmingly expensive either.

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I throught I would add a bit mre life to this thread. I have a 2001 africa twin. replaced rear shock with basic white power unit before I left. Now in Lahore Pakistan waiting for a new one (can only get orignal honda quickly) as the white power unit broke in 2 a couple days ago. leaving me a 700km ride with a jammed rear shock. The Bottom of the piston/body was ripped out threads and all. The insides wer then pulverized by the shaft smashing about inside the piston area.
I was giving it a bit on a dirt road came off a 1ft slope (bike did not leave the ground) and came down a little hard and bang! The shock had done 8000miles. It did not bottom out, I have never bottomed it out as it is correctly set up. So I am not very happy as it is going to cost me a arm and a leg to get this new one out here not to mention the hell it is going to be getting it out of customs!
I fitted the same, basic white power shock on to my TTR600 (not exactly same shock, but same model) and crossed africa 36'000km of very bad roads with the same load as I have now (+/- 50kg) I gave it hell and loved it never let medown, thats why I changed the africa twin to white power. This one however had nothing of the same treatment and is now compleatly knackered. I am going to email WP to try to find out what went wrong with it.
George Guille
I will just have to hope that the standard lasts longer and proforms ok.

I know this won't be easy, but is it possible that some one can set-up some type of RELIABILITY league table for all rear shocks used by the guys and gals out there.

I am also stuck as to which one is most reliable and suitable for all terains.

I have an R1200GSA and have been waiting for the original rear shocker to die ....nearly 50,000 most on rough Alpine roads 2 up with luggage and I am big. Bit surprising after the reports I had heard about the original not lasting long, my thought was to kill it and replace with an Ohlins but now I am not so sure, Getting ready to go to PNG on the begining of my RTW trip

Whoops it heard me I am now in Port Douglas FNQ waiting on the arrival of a new rear shock..... I could think of worse places to be stuck. And it is very wet at the moment

If no money problem, Buy the shocks. If it is, Change the springs only . For 20 - 30 extra, That should do. Once upon a time I made an trip on Caspian sea area on my 78 CB 750. With my buddy and lots of equipments ( Tent, Oil lamp, tools, Etc ) On the back, Stock suspensions . Many bumps on the road and cruising some places at 140 Km . Total trip of 1000 Km trip ended fine . Wish the best.

I have finally received the shock I ordered ....delayed by a smoking volcano somewhere in the world. It is fantastic a much lighter,stronger than the Showa (original) and works exceptionaly well . Even fully loaded it makes the GSA feel like a sports bike. It is a Wilber.

Alot of very good and interresting info here. I ride an 09' 1200GSA, I have 70,000kms on it, from Canada to Ushuaia and now on my way back. I started with the original shock and an overloaded bike, the handleling was terrible, after approx 10,000kms, in Seattle, at Touratec I went for an Ohlins, I calculated my max weight and min weight (including me), with regards to luggage and passengers. I then told them to set the preload and install the correct spring to half of the difference, approx 750lbs. This gave me the flexibility that ineeded. The preload seal blew twice, but with the way it was set up, I only had to adjust the rebound to bring the ride back to normal. For the 1200GSA, I would strongly recommend the "Mudsling" to keep unwanted dirt from covering the shock, just Google, mudsling.
To this day I am still truly amazed at what that shock has been through. The right spring and factory preload will take you to Hell, through Hell and back. If you want to see where I have been, wwwnoboundaries.blogspot.com and I dont like riding slowly.
Ride safe

[QUOTE=chris;39858] A long time after this was posted but I hope my reply will explain.

The reason the standard shock wears quickly is because the top and bottom mounts on the R100GS are not in line and the shock has to move in a rather strange way. The stiff rubber bush in the lower mounting on the stock shock acts to restrict this movement and pushes the rod sideways into the bush and seal causing them to wear out earlier than they should.
The solution is a spherical bearing in the lower mounting which allows the rod to align itself with the shock body throughout the full suspension movement. Most top rated shocks like Ohlins and WP plus some others have a spherical bearing fitted. Don't be tempted to buy anything with a rubber bush in the lower mount.

Stock shock definitely improved with professional revalve and full rebuild.

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