They're real. They're for sale. They look to possibly be the best. Only they're $1800!! http://twalcomusa.com/ohlins-ttx-cartrige-kit-f800gs-p-807.html http://www.twalcom.com/frame.php?key=L2NvbW1vbi9tZW51X3RvcF9ncmV5LnBocCMvbWVudS9tZW51X3Nob3BfZ3JleS5waHAjL3Nob3AvcHJvZHVjdC5waHA/SUQ9MTI4OA== They're completely serviceable and rebuild-able, which is a plus especially for $1800. However, the kit requires an "alteration" to the bottom of the forks. Is this an alteration I can get done anywhere? And will the "alteration" cost another $300?
Yikes, that's a lot of cashish!! I was hoping they'd be 2 fork legs swaps. You swap the stock fork legs for the Ohlins. The alteration of the bottom of the fork legs doesn't look like something I'd want to do at home, is there any info on their site as to who's supposed to do the machining of the fork leg?
That has got to be one of the sexiest things I have seen for sale for this bike... Guess I have something new to save for!
With the incredible transformation that the Ohlins' rear shock and front springs did to my bike, I can only imagine how much these would help in addition. There's other suspension companies out there, but only one with the experience, resume, and reputation of the gold Ohlins'... Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, and while most of us wont front the cash for these, it's nice to know I have the choice if I deemed it a priority.
I'm willing to save up for these only if the "alteration" is doable for cheap locally. I'm assuming the "alteration" is to drill and tap the bottom of the fork legs to accept the end of the damping rod. (Pic 2 above)
Öhlins has a good name in racing, but definitely not for holding up in long distance traveling. From reading lots of reports on the HUBB most bikes equipped with them on long trips seem to blow their shocks, break off the clevises, etc at some point (or more than once). Maybe things have improved recently, how many miles do you have on yours? I have also heard good things about the TTX cartridges from a few KTM racers, but of course that doesn't say anything about the F800 specific setup. For the money they better work well, I have less than that into my WP front end upgrade with hicker and stiffer 48mm tubes, 30mm axle, custom valving for my riding, etc.
Just received instructions for the modifications. Posted here: http://twalcomusa.com/articles/Ohlins F800GS Cartridge Modifications.pdf ** WARNING! WARNING! 2MB PDF File Link! **
I don't know about the longevity of the GS Ohlins', only 13,000 brutal miles on my rear shock, but my two Ohlins' shocks on my R have about 40,000 hard miles on them, never had a problem, though I can feel it's time for a rebuild. I don't over load my bike though. I'm quite certain there's many high milage Beemers riding around with Ohlins'.
anyone got these yet on an f800gs??? or the people who've invested in bitubo or wp, think those are more cost efficient than ohlins? ohlins does look nice and shiny, but id rather get something that holds up in the long run for long trips carrying lots of stuff mostly on road, and would greatly appreciate any advice. joe
Race Tech has a fully adjustable set of cartriges as well... if you want the Bitubo units I have less than 1000 miles on a set if you decide to go that way. I'd pull them in a heartbeat to buy an adjustable set of Ohlins or Race Tech. The bitubo are ok but...
Meh. It's not that unreasonable. Yeah, there's a couple hundred bucks in there for the name, but otherwise it's pretty comparable to RT and Traxxion. The bitubo price would be unrealistically low...if it wasn't for their questionable reliability.
Not to nitpick, but there are nearly 40 Bitubo kits in the US and Canada alone with 2 failures, both with 10,000+ 'harsh' miles. Just sayin.
...and there's plenty more RT, traxxion, and Ohlins insets out there in the world on various machines...with much lower failure rates. For what you give/get with the bitubos, they're an okay deal. If you want to keep the initial cost low but don't any to waste your time with springs, they're a good option.