[beaujarle]

Hi all,
I've only clocked about 1500km on my R12R. However, not very happy on the Sport mode when riding hard at the twisties. I've tried Sport 1-up & Sport 1-up + luggage but still the bike wobbles at long corners (>160 km/h). Haven't tried Sport 2-up + luggage though.

Any ideas how to improve the suspension setting? Switching to Ohlins, etc will improve but I don't see spending that much yet until my current ESA needs replacement.

I'm approx. 5ft 6in & 182 lbs. Thanks.

 

[beaujarle]

Ermmmm...bump??

 

[Clem]

wobble

Tire Pressure ??? Mine was smooth&steady yesterday @170 on normal 1.

 

[beaujarle]

Tire Pressure ??? Mine was smooth&steady yesterday @170 on normal 1.

Don't think so..I'm on f36 & r42.

 

[Clem]

Try ESA Normal setting. See if it's better or worse. Comfort may be too soft. I'm about 5' 10" / 185#.

 

[beaujarle]

Wouldn't Normal be a bit soft? I've tried Sport 1-up + luggage but doesn't seem to work. Haven't tried Sport 2-up + luggage though.

 

[Clem]

Wouldn't Normal be a bit soft?
No. Not for a 5'6" 182# person like yourself.
The suspension has to be stiff enough to carry the weight, but soft enough to absorb bumps and cushion the ride. The R1200R was designed for a 180 pound rider. You & I aren't much over 180#s. When I ride solo, I use Normal +1 setting. When my petit 112# wife rides with me, the suspension actually responds better than when solo. This tells me that it's set up just right for harder solo riding. 160kph is only 100mph. Not fast enough for centrifugal forces to overload and fully compress the suspension. IMO You may experience wobble due to other causes besides the suspension setup. Tire wear patterns, the road surface, body position if you're hanging off, or wind.

 

[beaujarle]

Thanks Clem...will try this weekend. I suppose it wobbles to due to my body position while hanging off.

 

[sup909]

Does the ESA allow for any manual tweaking via the screw at the bottom of the spring for damping?

 

[Clem]

Being ESA, it's electronic suspension adjustment, so there is NO screw.

 

[Hoshiko]

And there is no exhaust, what happened with the exhaust Clem?
Are you working on a secret device you want to tell us about??

 

[Clem]

No, nothing like that. I don't have ingenious industrial skills like Classic and I am not an enthusiastic engineer like you, Hoshiko. Just had the exhaust off to change tires. Remember I told you in August. Although I did bolt on a chrome exhaust to see if the Classic is anywhere near as fast as the matte grey metallic machine, which of course everyone knows, is the KING of all Roadsters. Now this chrome exhaust, by the way, came from a custom exhaust builder, so it may be "tweaked." It looks stock OEM on the outside, but................it's a secret.

 

[Classic11]

No, nothing like that. I don't have ingenious industrial skills like Classic and I am not an enthusiastic engineer like you, Hoshiko. Just had the exhaust off to change tires. Remember I told you in August. Although I did bolt on a chrome exhaust to see if the Classic is anywhere near as fast as the matte grey metallic machine, which of course everyone knows, is the KING of all Roadsters. Now this chrome exhaust, by the way, came from a custom exhaust builder, so it may be "tweaked." It looks stock OEM on the outside, but................it's a secret.

I did cut it in half longways to open it up to see how they did it but I'm sure those band aids will need replaced soon... :donatello: Just tell the truth Clem, you were out squidding around sans muffler, riding wheelies, and getting all them Japanese hotties that follow you around everywhere to dance with no shirt on. The truth shall set you free!!

back to the subject.. Ohins- Yes
this is from an e-mail I got from a guy at Ohlins USA
Eventually I assume they will offer their version of the ESA that they already offer for the GS.

Rear shock: BM 708: $1227.86, in stock
Rear shock (‘Lite’ shock): BM 056: $617.00, out of stock
Front shock: BM 709: $822.68, in stock

 

[Hoshiko]

Just tell the truth Clem, you were out squidding around sans muffler, riding wheelies, and getting all them Japanese hotties that follow you around everywhere to dance with no shirt on.

Pictures PLEASE

back to the subject.. Ohins- Yes
this is from an e-mail I got from a guy at Ohlins USA
Eventually I assume they will offer their version of the ESA that they already offer for the GS.

Rear shock: BM 708: $1227.86, in stock
Rear shock (‘Lite’ shock): BM 056: $617.00, out of stock
Front shock: BM 709: $822.68, in stock

Pardon the ignorance, I have never upgraded the suspension of my motorcycles, I heard that ohins are the best out there.

When I purchased the R, (first Beemer) I though that the suspension was perfect, after riding many other makes motorcycles, and almost 2 years latter, I still think it is.
How much more improvement would that Ohlins set give you? Is it worth the +- $2k??

 

[Classic11]

I need to raise the rear of my bike (give the muffler some breathing room). I don't like the feel of my bike in the corners because of the squatting out it does but I'm quite certain it's more about my weight than any other factor.. Now OP I wouldn't think would have my issues. No matter what the ones in stock I listed you can adjust almost every necessary aspect of it's function. I've only really changed the suspension on my old 240sx, now that was a monumental difference. It really eventually comes down to how hard you ride.. Have you ever gotten the bike far over enough to drag a toe or anything?? I'm not saying the suspension is complete rubbish. It could be a lot better though, especially compared to bikes I've ridden/owned. It just isn't as confident a bike to drop into a corner.

 

[gracehall1980]

Classic11--

I just came back to riding this fall with the purchase of a 2007 R1200R (after a short break of 25 or so years). I'm was having a lot of fun (and finding many ways to spend money) on the bike until it got too cold and snow started to fly here in MN. I'm curious about your comments above. Do you think after-market shocks would make a big difference in the way the R1200R rides and handles? Do you think Ohlins and/or one of their competitors will actually make an ESA-compatible rig available for the R1200R and, if so, is it likely to be available for all models or only the most recent generation of bikes?

Thanks. J.A.C.

 

[Classic11]

Classic11--

I just came back to riding this fall with the purchase of a 2007 R1200R (after a short break of 25 or so years). I'm was having a lot of fun (and finding many ways to spend money) on the bike until it got too cold and snow started to fly here in MN. I'm curious about your comments above. Do you think after-market shocks would make a big difference in the way the R1200R rides and handles? Do you think Ohlins and/or one of their competitors will actually make an ESA-compatible rig available for the R1200R and, if so, is it likely to be available for all models or only the most recent generation of bikes?

Thanks. J.A.C.

I expressed my desire for Ohlins to make an ESA compatible shock for our bikes but I'm sure it depends on what they perceive the desire to be. As stated above they do offer for the GS, but of course that market is exponentially larger. I found several other brands in my search, but after exhaustive research, you can't beat Ohlins.. My understanding is that if you ever have an issue Ohlins stands behind their product like no other. I'd speculate that they would make it available across the years that ESA has been available.. I don't think much has changed..

So e-mail them and tell them we want it!!

[email protected]

 

[gracehall1980]

I expressed my desire for Ohlins to make an ESA compatible shock for our bikes but I'm sure it depends on what they perceive the desire to be. As stated above they do offer for the GS, but of course that market is exponentially larger. I found several other brands in my search, but after exhaustive research, you can't beat Ohlins.. My understanding is that if you ever have an issue Ohlins stands behind their product like no other. I'd speculate that they would make it available across the years that ESA has been available.. I don't think much has changed..

So e-mail them and tell them we want it!!

[email protected]

Classic11--

That's done. Thanks for the suggestion. I really hope Ohlins or Wilber (or another quality manufacturer) steps up and makes an ESA-compatible shock for the R1200R. In terms of bigger-dollar upgrades (as opposed to those $50-150 farkles that are really starting to add up), this just seems to make so much more sense for me than chasing a few more horses with an after-market exhaust.

Happy holidays.

Thanks. J.A.C.

 

[Hoshiko]

So e-mail them and tell them we want it!!

[email protected]

I did, just for support.

I would love to be able to ride an R1200R with that kind of suspension to be able to compare.

 

[gracehall1980]

I received a prompt response from Ohlins USA. Confirmed there is no ESA option at present for the R12R. Referred me to the non-ESA options. Personally I'd prefer not to give up ESA.

As a result, I've also been corresponding with Ted Porter at the BeemerShop. He tells me that Wilber has an ESA option for our motorcycle for $1,349, which includes the labor of transferring the BMW electrics to the Wilber shocks. Also says the Wilber shocks are built for the specs,is the particular rider and his or her riding.

Anyone have experience with Wilber shocks that they like to share, both pro and con and compared to other aftermarket suppliers like Ohlins, Hyperpro?

Tanks. JAC