factory sport shock question.....

[peagan]

i have a 99 r1100s with stock shocks front and rear...(black springs) i picked up a rear bmw sport shock (yellow spring) with very low miles on it. Will installing only the rear sport shock cause any problem...thanks.....

[Sman]

I had just the front sport shock on mine for awhile until I got the rear. The sport shocks just have stiffer springing and damping. The rear is a little shorter than the standard shock so I would go with the cup or GS's shorter paralever torque link to gain some rear ride highth when using the sport shock

[bikerfish1100]

a word of caution: some sport shocks are longer than stock (my '01 SAL had a 300mm in back. the short arm with that shock would accentuate the nose down 'tude, thereby slowing down handling/ease of turn-in

[Bob in Tucson]

I *thought* the sport shocks were longer than standard issue. Anyone know for sure?

[Bob Hancock]

Seems to me it depends on the year. First ones were longer, then when BMW started putting the shorter paralever arm on the bike they put a slightly shorter rear shock to even things out although I think the Prep is still just a bit higher in back than the standard. So....in summary, it depends on if you put just a longer one out back....or longer with shorter paralever torque arm, or go with sport front.
It depends.
Or something like that.

[peagan]

I checked part numbers:
The "sport shock" i have sitting here has the following part number on the shock: 7 660 624 bo142 . looking at bmw part numbers they offer 2 numbers:
33 53 2 335 774 sport shock up to 8/00
33 53 7 660 624 sport shock after 9/00

looks like i have a later ( 9/00 on) sport shock...which is likely a boxer cup prep shock, meaning a shorter shock....
the earlier part number looks like the longer shock...

so i guess 33 53 7 660 624 is to be used with the shorter torque arm, and 33 53 2 335 774 is to be used with the stock "s" torque arm???
does that sound right???
later

patrick

[bikerfish1100]

yah, sounds right. the lengths are 310mm- late sport, 314- std, 318- early sport. the 330 i posted earlier is the early sport's front length (thanx john).

[peagan]

so, anyway....
if a want to use factory sport shocks on a 99'
and i already have the later rear shock
(# 33 53 7 660 624) sitting here. i should get the shorter factory torque arm. and perhaps get the front sport shock which seems to not have had any changes over the years?
sound right?
patrick

[Bob in Tucson]

Peagan, I think there is enough flexibility in the driveline that you can use all the usual shocks and torque arms in any combination without a problem.

I have a 2002 with sport suspension and put on a slightly longer TA to lower the ride height because I am inseam challenged. No problems.

Anyone ever have a problem that suggests otherwise?

[DavidSoine]

I had the taller rear/normal front setup for a while on my bike. Then I replaced with aftermarket - tall front and rear. I feel that the tall front & rear is a better setup...the bike to me felt much more "comfortable" & balanced.

BTW I cannot recommend spending real money on the BMW units - unless you live in an area with perfectly smooth roads. Way too harsh.

best,

Dave

99 R11S