Ohlins on 1200R

[Fisherman]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a 1200R and was thinking about rolling Ohlins into the deal. Anyone using them? Is there a serious difference in perfomance on this bike?

[TAG-Caver]

Here's a thread on this board with discussions on Ohlins. There's probably others if you search the forum.

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... ns#p126344

[Lost Rider]

The search button is your friend...

[Dan-A]

I am the Dan at the bottom of the referenced post. Sad to say the shocks are still in the box. I have not had a chance to install them yet. I am going camping on my KLR this weekend so I will have to put it off till next week. I promise a ride report as soon as I get then installed, and properly set up.

[BigEasy]

I love mine, it's gonna cost me though because I'll never be satisfied with stock suspension on a bike ever again. For me though rolling them into the purchase doesn't make sense. I do not have the $$$$ to buy one outright so I generally finance a bike of the cost/financial impact of the R on my budget (there was a time when I was younger I financed $2,500.00 bikes) then pay cash for accessories. I got into that habit messing about in bass boats. Alot of times you will finance a farkle and it'll get old/boring/outdated before the note is paid off. Then you pay cash for the updated version and you're still paying for something sitting on a shelf every month.

However, take that advice FWIW knowing that I am not a financial genius. If it wasn't for my wife I'd probably be dead broke but I'd have a barn full of the coolest toys.

[Fisherman]

Thanks for the replies. As I am not hearing that the Ohlins totally transform the bike my thinking is to wait until the factory ones wear out.

[BigEasy]

You're not digging deep enough-they really help the bike IMHO, very much worth the $$ and time to install

[ProductUser]

I would just ride with the stock suspension until it's time to replace them. Then, hopefully, you have saved some coins to buy the Ohlins outright. Well, that's what I did.

ProductUser

[icecave]

Aftermarket stuff is great after the basic warranty has expired. Allows me to give the bike an update and possibly fix problems with the stock parts. I suppose the decision point is around whether I'll have the bike before the warranty runs out. All signs point to yes on that one.

[Dan-A]

FINALLY got to ride the bike today after waiting all week after the install. Went about 175 miles from Sacramento to Calistoga and back riding numerous roads around Lake Berryessa. It is a good place to test the shocks as there are lots of sharp turns, some with pretty good bumps to unsettle the bike.

There is still some more tweaking required to get fully "dialed in", but got some good adjustments done today. Everything was set too hard starting out. I did the rear first, starting with rebound. Then after some riding, reduced the preload almost all the way down. With that feeling pretty good, I did the same for the front.

I was amazed at how much MORE confidence the bike inspires. It just feels like there is no limit to how far it will lean over and go exactly where you want it. Bumps do not upset the line, and mid turn corrections are easy as it always feels like there is more. The feeling of control and confidence is enhanced quite a bit. I love to ride this bike.

Next I think I need a RIck Mayer seat. My butt can only handle the stock seat out to about 200 miles, and now I want to ride farther than that.

[Lost Rider]

FINALLY got to ride the bike today after waiting all week after the install. Went about 175 miles from Sacramento to Calistoga and back riding numerous roads around Lake Berryessa. It is a good place to test the shocks as there are lots of sharp turns, some with pretty good bumps to unsettle the bike.
\
Next I think I need a RIck Mayer seat. My butt can only handle the stock seat out to about 200 miles, and now I want to ride farther than that.

Good to hear another positive review of the Ohlins', there might be a set in my near future...

As for the seat, you could try an AirHawk pad before making the jump to a custom. I don't leave home without mine for 100+ mile rides, even with a Mayer seat.
There's plenty of praise around here for the AirHawk, it really does work well making long rides comfortable, and pain free.
Just a thought...

[ziobato]

Yesterday I had the first ride after Ohlind fitting.

I have to say that I completely agree with Dan-A: amazing is the right word to explain how much handling has been gererally improved by the yellow boys in particular on bumps.

After having felt that, I want to tell my admiration to ChiTown for his extreme riding and lean angles on original Showa shock absorber.

His Deal's Gap slideshow is a myth with us and kept more than one "ValentinoRossilike" user of our forum awake in the night, wondering how is that possible...

[celticus]

"Next I think I need a RIck Mayer seat. My butt can only handle the stock seat out to about 200 miles, and now I want to ride farther than that."

Go for it. I've had mine on for almost a year and can't imagine going back to stock.
Mark