Urgent.Rear Shock F650GS 09 twin
 

I'm about 300 klms south of Bangkok and it looks like my rear shock has packed it in. 6300 klms on the clock and the bloody thing has never been off the bitumen. Whats the chance of getting it repaired/replaced in Bangkok.Are there any dealers for BMW in Bangkok or do I have to get a new one shipped in from Oz or the States. I'm seriously thinking of cutting my losses and shipping the bike home.I havn't been enjoying the trip, I guess at 64 I'm just reliving my youth, travelled a lot back then. Any and all advice welcome.Regards John

Dealer in BK
 

Hi John,
I'm currently in BK on rtw trip and been to the BMW dealers today, here's their address:
Barcelona Motor Co., Ltd

99/2 Thiamrummit Rd.

Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10320

Contact Person: Khun Noppan Vichitranon

Tel: 0-2247 5555, Mobile: 0-1422 6079

Hope this helps!

If you want to keep going, I can ship you a shock from the US. You'd only be out the shipping costs, My friend is giving the shock away free.

I'm new to the HUBB and I guess I can't send/recieve PMs until I post some more. If you want the shock, you can email me at zimfusion at hotmail dot com.

Here are some sites I've been around on for a while longer, in case you were worried I was going to ask you to wire money to Nigeria. ;)

CouchSurfing - Becky Simmons
ADVrider - The Sorry Profile Of: Becktastic

Ack --- never mind.

I was mis-informed. The shock I have wont fit.

Sorry.

Highly recommended by many expats:
Barcelona BMW in BKK
299 Moo 14
Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road
Jomphol, Chatuchak

Contact: Jaturong Sitti.
08-1930-6950
This is BMW Barc's new address- I think. Ham46 has different info. The card in my wallet may have the old address. I'd call to be sure.

Also note:
Welcome to Dirt Shop Thailand

A great shop that does some shock rebuilds and has stacks of bike gear. They rebuilt my tired Ohlins shock for less than $100usd!

Hi,
Hooks, address is right, I've just checked on my Invoice, got the other one from Internet, as a friend took me there.

hook, how's your shock doing only I need mine servicing and this might be a good place, Dirt shop?

F650 twin shock.
 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm a bit of a twit, I forgot to mention that the bike is the FACTORY LOWERED MODEL.
Tried Barcelona Motors today,they can bring in a new shock from Germany for 42,500 Baht $US 1200.and I don't think that includes freight.
Becktastic thanks for the offer, could you check with your friend that it will fit the Factory Lowered Suspension model. F650GS 2009 Twin. If it will fit I'd be forever gratefull and sing your praises to heaven and nominate you for a Nobel Peace Prize. Please get back to me.
Hook thanks for the info on The Dirt Shop. I'm thinking of leaving the bike here in Prachuap Khiri Khan for a week so I can check things out in Bangkok.
Kind Regards to all John.

Hi Ham46, Dirt Shop did a great job. My shock had over 100,000kms on it when I took it to them. When I went to the shop to pick it up I walked by a gleaming Ohlins shock on the counter only to be told it was mine! Heckuva a job at a great price. Even BMW asked if it was a new shock. With regards to the old Barc BMW address: I had the old addy programmed into my GPS. Riding down from Chiang Mai in one day (and partying in prime-time BKK traffic!) I was smashed by the time I arrived to find the shop had just been moved! Off to the hotel for a cold brew. I followed a taxi to the new Barc BMW the next day.

Thanks everyone heading off to Bangkok tomorrow. Hope to get a rebuild or new one there, or head home.
I might seem to be a bit of a ditherer and all round twit but it's been quite an emotional time for me. I have just returned my wifes ashes to her family here in Thailand. We were together for 32 years and it was her wish that she go back to her hometown temple.It's a great relief to finally put her to rest. Sorry for going all sentimental.
Regards John.

Hi mate, reading your original post I wondered if there was something else that was bothering you in the background. Now I understand. It must have been a tremendously emotional occasion and I really feel for you.

But what to do with your trip, and indeed the rest of your life... I think the thing to do is to get your shock rebuilt, hang loose for a few days and take the decision when you're a bit more settled.

Anyway... 64 isn't old, it's the new 44! I'm only 6 years behind you and I'm certainly hoping to carry on being an ornery old biker for a long while yet, and I'm a winging Pom.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Tim

Hi every one,
Just been out to Barcellona BMW, not sure yet how things went. It would take a month for them to get a shock in from Germany, thats not the best news as I have to export the bike out of Thailand by the 4 of January.Barcellona said they would try and find someone capable of rebuilding the shock for me.I'll try that option first before I mention Fedex.Well I nearly fell over when looking around their showroom, there's a 2010 Orange F650 gs same specs as mine.I asked if they would swap it out, but he seems understandably reluctant but did say he would ask the boss. I'll try and get my Aussie dealer to contact BMW Oz and ask for assistance.
Thought I'd seen crazy traffic but this place is in a league of it's own.It's like a rugby scrum on wheels.
Regards John

Hi all,
Not just good news, fantastic news.
Tried Barcelona Motors, they were no help whatsoever, I received a text message saying "don't know who can fix your shock and I'm planning my wedding party and am too busy". I took that to mean bugger off.BMW Australia, no help there, BMW Germany no reply. I then tried The Dirt Shop, nice guys and the local Ohlins agent but they could not help. They told me to try YSS, who have a factory here in Bangkok. Patrick a guy I met at The Dirt Shop loaded the bike onto his pick up and off we went 3 hours across Bangkok.Patrick has lived here for 8 years and speaks fluent Thai, many thanks mate I could not have done it without you. We finally arrived at about 11.30 and explained the situation. They pulled the bike off the truck and removed the old shock. To say they wern't impressed with the BM shock would be an understatement. They then told me they would modify their top of the line shock ( it's made for the Triumph Scrambler). The original shock was then measured,spring rates tested and everything was set up taking into account my weight, luggage and 215 kg for the bike.The shock was reinstalled and the suspension was set up by Harri Essens who is their technical expert, he used to own Technoflex in Europe. I took the bike for a test and It's great, much better than before.Now they made a custom built shock in 6 hours, imagine how long that would take at home!!!.They did it with great humor and grace.I can not praise them highly enough.From the 3 young mechanics to the CEO of the company, they all showed ingenuity and a skill with my suspension that would not be out of place in any of the top suspension factories. Now having been quoted $1200 for a replacement from BMW, I was absolutely bowled over when the bill arrived, 11,000 Baht ($375) which is just the cost of the shock. When I asked about the low price I was told that it was good practice for his team as they will be opening a service centre along with a new factory in about 6 months time. So if you are Bangkok and need repairs these are the guys to see. Three days later and I still can not believe their generosity towards me.
The trip is back on and I'm as happy as a dog with two tails.Thanks to all for your help.
Regards John

How great to hear! It's true: you can't keep a good man down! Glad you're feeling more "up" and ready to get out of BKK soon. After BKK I always want quiet- and a swimming pool to get rid of the tension and pollution. After Vietnam I'll be looping around to BKK to ship to India. I hope to see you along the way. Ride safe, H.

That's absolutely brilliant news, well done to the guys at YSS and the help you got elsewhere.

I don't know what it is with BMW, I get really peed off with their wimpish non-efforts. They sell us 'unstoppable' enduro bikes that they imply are suitable for RTW trips then can't be bothered to support riders who encounter breakdowns under warranty. I mean... just how difficult would it have been to fedex a shock from Germany or somewhere nearer? I would love to sort them out to be a customer facing organisation.

After soooo many problems with my 2008 F650GS twin I've decided the replacement 2009 model is now going to have to be downgraded for use as my 'city' bike and I'll be using my XT660Z Tenere for adventure trips--what a shame.

Anyway, John. Really glad you're all sorted and ready for the road again. Let us know how you get on, both here and on UKGSer.

Regards
Tim