92' PD, Help me stiffen the front end. Options or ideas?
 

Hoping there's someone else out there who's big and finds the GS front shocks soft or "mushy". I'm riding a 92' PD and still love it! I'm set w/ tires and can go with an Ohlin rear shock, but I'm stuck on what to do with the front shocks? I'm 6'3", 225 lbs and wanting as much suspension as possible.. P.S. I'm not made of money either.

What say you all?

I am not familiar with the suspension on your 92 PD but I just finished upgrading the front suspension on my 2004 F650GS Dakar using emulators from Race Tech Race Tech Inc. and custom springs from Traxxion Motorcycle Suspension by Traxxion Dynamics . I also went with an Ohlin rear shock.

My wife and I ride our F650 Dakar 2-up fully loaded on a lot of gravel roads and two-tracks. We put 55,000 km on the the original BMW rear shock and Touratech progressive springs. This new set-up is much, much better.

The emulators add adjustable dampening to damper rod style forks. There is a good explanation on Race Tech's web site.

The Ohlin rear shock was built to our weight and riding style specs which ended up being a very stiff spring. Dan at Traxxion helped me match fork springs to our weight and riding style specs as well.

The emulators were around $200.00 USD and the springs about $150.00 including freight to Canada.

Factual information
 

Not enough factual information to give actual advice.

How much supspension travel is used up when you and your gear is on the ebike? 30%? If more than 30% then you need to look at the preload and/or spring.



Do the shocks pack down over washboard, or ride up ?


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What do you mean by "soft"?
What do you mean by "as much suspension as possible"?

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You can fill the forks with oil and have a really stiff front end - no travel at all .. but I think that would be unsafe.

If your front end is working as it is supposed to be (right sag, no friction, fresh oil etc) and you are still not happy then you can try this: RealOEM.COM * BMW K12 R80GS/96 SPORT SUSPENSION

It’s quite expensive but it’s a good setup which works well with Øhlins rear shock. With a PD-tank I would also add #14.

If you choose this setup it might be a good idea to renew the bearing in the outer legs. #3 here: RealOEM.COM * BMW K12 R80GS/96 FORK SLIDER

RaceTech valves are expensive.

Get some progressive springs from number of suppliers... Wilbers is one... look on Ebay. Usually about €60. Cheap mod for the front. Even if you do go for RaceTech, the progressives will be good.

Change to fork oil for a heavier viscosity. I use 15w. If you cant find fork oil of that weight, use ATF fluid, (automatic gearbox fluid), just check the viscosity... it cheaper as well:thumbup1:

225lbs ain't that heavy unless you're five foot f all! About 102kgs.
Get the rear ride hight right (sag). Makes a load of difference.

John

bikerbytes.com/txp

R100 GS forks
 

I would recommend starting with progressive springs as in the above post. The stock springs are pretty flaccid even with my paltry 160 pounds! Progressives make a noticeable difference when combined with the right oil. Most I know with the R100GS have done this, and it has worked.

I would call it stage #1, with stage #2 being cartridge emulators and stage #3 replacing the forks with something 'better' like a KTM fork. take the time to replace the seals while you are at it. 225 pounds shouldn't be a problem - many have ridden these RTW two up with gear. Not doing many jumps mind you, so YRMV.

good luck!

Fork Insert HPN
 

HPN in Germany have available a complete replacement of the inner parts of the forks.
This comes complete with new springs and is adjustable on the top for rebound and dampening.
You can install this yourself with basic knowledge of front suspensions and with basic tools.
The cost is less than the price of the Olhins rear shock and HPN claims it will bring the standard Marzocchi fork to the same specs as the Marzocchi Magnum. (The Magnums were mostly used by off-road racers on motocross and enduro bikes.)
The part no at HPN is 31.1004.1 and picture no.4 illustrate the units on this page:
- http://www.hpn.de/pdf/hpn13.pdf - (it does have a different, older part no. The best is to check with mr Pepperl when you place your order.)
HPN's web pages are at HPN-Motorradtechnik GmbH - Germany

I have just been on the phone with mr Pepperl at HPN and he gave me the price for the damper inserts at 497.42 Euro including German VAT.
He also told me that although he have some units left the production of these items have been stopped.

How did it go?
Did you install progressive springs ?
I use Omega 699 automatic gear oil; it is the only 5W/20 non-foaming oil that you can find. Damping is unaltered between cold and warm forks.

Have you contacted Öhlins Plant in Upplands-Väsby, Sweden?

When I had Öhlins arrange a guided tour for the Stockholm Section of the Swedish BMW Club back in 1997 I asked about the same problem. Though in my case it was/is on the R80/7 1984 modell. Thomas Petterson, who was/is the/a technical director dissappeared for about 15min. As he came back he handed me a set of K75 springs and two spacers on 11cm - "pay at the cashier" was all he said. Took me close to 2 years to get around to install the kit. The next BMW I bought had a kit installed at once, but with 10cm spacers (less painful to my palm to install). Now... I need to find springs to replace the spacers with... swedish roads are turning into off-road quaillity... I sure could use a GS/PD today...

So - ask Öhlins what they can offer that can be installed; do not ask for a reday kit since there are none; ask for a solution to a problem -:)

The difference on the /7 street-bike was... what about cornering at speeds that nippon racers do... and then pull hard on the front brake... and the grip and cornering line is unaltered -;)