Another Ohlins Question

BigEasy · 02-07-2008, 07:01 AM

Well the time has come, I have rat holed enough money to put Ohlins on the R12R. I called the dealer to ask about price and delivery time and he was inline with what others have posted regarding price, +/- $1,600.00 installed. I asked about lead time due to getting proper springs on the units-I'm about 220lbs in gear. His response was he could get them in a week but if I wanted different springs (he indicated that the spring rate would be good as delivered?) he'd have to send them to Ohlin to be resprung.

My question is this; I have heard there are "factory" BMW Ohlins that are not the same as "aftermarket" Ohlins, and possibly inferior. Is this an internet haze, or is it for real and I should investigate further?

To answer the first question that will probably be asked of my shopping inquiry's to this point-no I forgot to ask him the Ohlin's part number. I didn't think of this until after the phone call with the dealer.

Thanks

Steve Carlton · 02-07-2008, 07:25 AM

Ohlins are Ohlins. It's just a matter of if they're "full spec" or not. The optional Ohlins for the R1200S were not full spec- the front was an emulsion-type shock, where the oil mixes with the nitrogen. A better version would have been with the oil and gas separated. However, there are no Ohlins available for the R1200S except through the dealer, at least so far. Then there's other upgrades, like compression damping (high and low speed), rebound damping, preloaders, etc. I don't think there was a factory option for the R1200R, so I believe you'll just get the Ohlins supplied directly by them. There might be different versions offered, and you might be able to get some upgrades done to them.

Pro Pilot Racing sells new Ohlins at as good a discount as I've seen. They show the R1200R front shock as a 36DRL at $624.95 and the rear as a 46PRCLS at $926.95. Go to:
http://www.propilotracing.com/
Click on the "New Suspension" tab on the left, then click on "Ohlins BMW Shocks." You'll see the upgrades they give you for free. Jim there can tell you what features are included with the shocks, perhaps more than is on the shocks the dealer is offering you. I'm pretty sure you'll need the rear or both springs to be stiffer, too.

lee1980 · 02-07-2008, 08:49 AM

Interesting i did wonder before i picked up my R1200s what sort of ohlins the front would have, the rear is good fully adjustable rebound/compression, not high speed/low speed etc but all the rest only other thing i wish it had was remote hydraulic preload that i think the stock bike has!! The ohlins in rear does look really cool though always wanted one lol!!!

After looking at front it has no external reservoir but im sure is rebound adjustable as well as preload? how do you get to adjust the preload loooks tight!!!

The ride to me of the shocks seems very good and i havent adjusted anything yet, along with the telever etc it seems to track the road so well and absorb bumps very well, just getting used to hardly no dive on front at the mo

roger albert · 02-07-2008, 11:17 AM

The dealer is full of crap and/or lazy. My guess is both. No way the stock springs are good for a guy of 220.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

the spring rates are GOOD as delivered.
as long as you weigh about 185 pounds completely suited up.

after that...umm....nah, they're probably gonna be a little soft.

and no, the ohlins that bmw sells aren't as good as the aftermarket units. not nearly as versatile, not the same quality, not as good.

i understand that the deal between the two was that the ohlins on the bmw weren't going to be available as a bolt-on replacement through anybody but bmw. that seemed to suit the ohlins dealers just fine, since the suspension isn't a threat to their aftermarket biz.

reminds me of the showa shocks that came on my boxer cup. i called the yamaha guys looking for some better valving and was informed that the particular model Showas i had were "below the standards" of the big Y, and they didn't have any parts for 'em.

scary thought when you consider some of the suspenders that come on the tuning-fork bikes.

lee1980 · 02-08-2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradzdotcom

the spring rates are GOOD as delivered.
as long as you weigh about 185 pounds completely suited up.

after that...umm....nah, they're probably gonna be a little soft.

and no, the ohlins that bmw sells aren't as good as the aftermarket units. not nearly as versatile, not the same quality, not as good.

i understand that the deal between the two was that the ohlins on the bmw weren't going to be available as a bolt-on replacement through anybody but bmw. that seemed to suit the ohlins dealers just fine, since the suspension isn't a threat to their aftermarket biz.

reminds me of the showa shocks that came on my boxer cup. i called the yamaha guys looking for some better valving and was informed that the particular model Showas i had were "below the standards" of the big Y, and they didn't have any parts for 'em.

scary thought when you consider some of the suspenders that come on the tuning-fork bikes.

So the ohlins on my R1200s are not as good quality as you buy direct from ohlins or as an after market upgrade???

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

i've never met a factory installed upgrade that was as good a value as an aftermarket upgrade.
what you pay for a "trick" stereo in your car is more than you would pay for an even better stereo if you went out and got it yourself.

will the dealer offer you free ohlins re-valving for life, or a spring swap? (actually you CAN do a spring swap with some dealers, but only if the spring is still brand new, and never been "boing-ed").

it's called the "aftermarket" because you buy stuff for your bike "after" the original sale. in most cases, aftermarket components trounce factory-installed upgrades. and in some cases, the stock suspension that comes on a bike is only there to hold up the bike and keep the tires from hitting the inside of the fenders. a wooden stick would also do the job.

not saying that the factory ohlins are sticks at all, but there are better options out there.
at the very least, you can start with the factory-offered ohlins, and then bring them up to a more compatible, higher standard. steve carlton did this with great success.

lee1980 · 02-08-2008, 07:25 AM

Yeah i see what your saying, its obvious costs have been cut by using a cheaper one up front but the rear looks like any other ohlins i have seen unless its not been so well made ?? If i bought after market only thing i would want extra be remote reload front and rear

For price of ohlins option on the R1200s (if you get wide rear wheel and shocks its very good value), i think you get a lot for your money, certainly a lot cheaper than aftermarket shocks here in UK!!!!

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

the keeper of the calculator (that would be steve carlton) has posted the dollar& dime rundown to take the ohlins 1200 optional shocks and bump them to a higher level. he's even got pictures of what he had done.

Steve Carlton · 02-08-2008, 07:34 AM

Here's the whole sordid story...
Upgrading the R1200S Ohlins

MaineRoads · 02-08-2008, 07:53 AM

Seeing that BMW doesn't sell the bike in the US (for 08 anyway), how about making the Ohlins available to the aftermarket. Please.

roger albert · 02-08-2008, 07:54 AM

I haven't found _any_ shortcuts in the rear shock from OEM.

In general, I agree with Brad's comments, but find them a bit overgeneralized.

There are some Ducatis, and have been many Aprilias, where you couldn't have bettered what they had with the aftermarket offerings (barring exotic ÖTT-X stuff) and couldn't have touched it for the price. i.e. about $3k for top notch Öhlins forks, shock, steering damper, magnesium covers, and forged OZ wheels. Would cost better than double that to replicate aftermarket.

Have to take these on a sound, well reasoned, case-by-case basis.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

true roger, there are a few exceptions. on the uber-high ticket bikes, you can't do any better than what comes on them. i hear it's the same if you buy an exotic car too.
(then again, i had a ferrari 308gtb. came stock "complete" with: no power steering, no power brakes, no air, no radio...no need to ask about a coffee cup holder).

but...then again, even the ducati race team doesn't use the same suspension that we're offered.
and today's pro supercross racers have front forks that, externally, are almost identical to what we can buy. the $40,00 internal workings....aren't even for sale (which often makes me wonder how they know they're worth 40k, if you can't even buy the stuff).

so true, one on one basis, but it's just a shame that the "ones" that are up to snuff are far, few and many dollars apart.

wish i had a dollar for everytime i've heard: "man, this bike comes with everything. there's NOTHING that i need to buy for it!"

Steve Carlton · 02-08-2008, 08:21 AM

I'll take a quarter for every time I've heard "Can't wait to do some mods on this..."

lee1980 · 02-08-2008, 09:08 AM

cool what Steve has had done for me i think be over the top for how i ride lol I havent felt neeed to adjust mine yet either so more adjustsmnets be wasted lol Steve's set up sure looks cool though and no doubt works much better espically the front shock!

would like remote preload one day on both shocks wonder how much that would be!!

BigEasy · 02-08-2008, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the information guys, I'll be giving Jim a call today or Monday to get things sorted out. And to Rogers point, I'm thinking you're pretty close to right on both counts. They are good on customer service-I ordered replacement header gaskets on Wednesday and they were sitting on my front porch when I got home yesterday, but I fear the guy I talked with isn't a suspension expert. When I first started toying with the Ohlin's idea I talked with the former general manager and he indicated that they only have one other customer that has spec'd Ohlin's. They had put 3 sets on for him, but it seemed as though it was uncharted water. I'll post my findings, FWIW