Ohlins V standard shocks

R1200SRIDER · Post by **R1200SRIDER** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:25 pm

My last 1200s was fitted with ohlins suspension.My new one has standard shocks.Can anybody out there tell me is there a great deal of difference?I wont know yet as i havent got my new bike until next month.

winger · Post by **winger** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:08 pm

There's a difference between the BM Ohlins and the one you buy over the counter,so i'd say their something between the two.

paulR · Post by **paulR** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:34 am

Before I bought my R1200S I had a test ride on one with standard shocks and one with Ohlins. The Ohlins one definitely felt better. And the Ohlins do look nice

Definitely worth opting for in my opinion.

Dog Tyred · Post by **Dog Tyred** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:02 am

Don't know about the 1200S standard shocks but I have just fitted a new rear Ohlins to my BCR

. It's still early days (bloody weather

) but I have certainly noticed the ride seems to be much better (with the shock on factory settings). Its difficult to describe the difference but the rear of the bike just feels far more controlled over the bumps. Can't say that the standard shock ever felt bad but the new one feels very reassuring. And your right, they do look the dogs doodahs

I just need to save up now and get a front shock

. Anybody getting rid of one in the future??

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:03 am

My R11S has standard shocks whereas my R12S has Ohlins. Although other differences in the bikes may have an influence, I would say that there is a big advantage in terms of ride quality with the Ohlins.

sandbar · Post by **sandbar** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:41 pm

Stevie wrote: I would say that there is a big advantage in terms of ride quality with the Ohlins.

What he said.

sandbar

winger · Post by **winger** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:05 pm

E'rm!!! there is a difference there are Ohlins and Ohlins sure either are better than stock but the Ohlins fitted stock on the BM and Ducatis Aprilia etc sure hell ain't as good as the suff you buy over the counter.

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:08 pm

winger wrote:E'rm!!! there is a difference there are Ohlins and Ohlins sure either are better than stock but the Ohlins fitted stock on the BM and Ducatis Aprilia etc sure hell ain't as good as the suff you buy over the counter.

I'm perfectly prepared to believe that, but the original question referred to BMW fitted Ohlins vs. BMW stock.

sandbar · Post by **sandbar** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:04 pm

winger wrote:there is a difference there are Ohlins and Ohlins sure either are better than stock but the Ohlins fitted stock on the BM and Ducatis Aprilia etc sure hell ain't as good as the suff you buy over the counter.

Are you sure about that?

I thought that the difference between the BMW supplied ones and the after-market ones were that the BMW ones had less things to adjust.

Certainly the parts that are sold by BMW that are produced by others as aftermarket stuff, such as most of the things in the HP parts range (carbon fibre, wheels and rearsets), are in no way inferior to the parts that are sold through the after market industry. Indeed the only difference as far as I know is that the quality control is much more rigorous for BMW.

But then - Hey! - what do I know?

sandbar

winger · Post by **winger** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:18 pm

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:14 pm

I seem to recall that it was Yamaha that invested in Ohlins in the 90's?? and that the Ohlins fitted to their bikes (belgarda) were inferior to otc shocks/forks. As to whether this has continued, I have no idea

Steve

PBBoxer · Post by **PBBoxer** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:30 pm

Mate who runs a suspesnion specialist up here showed us some standard fit Aprilia shocks (ohlins) and aftermarket ones (ohlins), when I had the Tuono Racing. I was going to buy a second hand one for a mate of mine from a stock bike and Andy put me right off, as he says the Aftermarket stuff is superior. There is a difference.

As for the original question, I think there's a difference between the standrd 12s and Olins fitted too, but I still find teh Ohlins a little on the soft side

boxerscott · Post by **boxerscott** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:28 am

If I may be permitted to add my twopenneth I would say that the Ohlins, wether factory fitted or bought aftermarket would be more durable and serviceable than the bmw standard ones. The standard ones on my 04 bcr (19k) are pretty much non adjustable now. The front shock tension adjuster in particular, (been made of knob cheese) now just rotates freely on the spindle (again made of knob cheese) and as for the rear pre load adjustment, well its plastic so what do you expect?? I would be interested to hear of any more experiences (Ohlins, WP, Penske etc) from anyone who has gone the whole hog and done front and rear as i am planning to do in this winters restoration and improvement plan.

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 6:45 am

PBBoxer wrote:but I still find teh Ohlins a little on the soft side

Mine's as hard as I dare have it and still has plenty to go.

Whats nice with the Ohlins is that you can adjust the ride height at the rear which I don't think you can with the standard shocks.

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:22 am

Scott, please be advised that this site has certain standards appropriate to the BMW marque.

Therefore, may I request that you please be more careful with your choice of adjectives when posting, in order that offence is not taken by any member (no pun intended).

I would humbly suggest that your suspension adjustment is made of Smegma Bacillus.