$400 Works rebuild, Ohlins, or WP?

[batoutoflahonda]

Just make sure the piggyback reservoir will fit on your bike. I guess it's an issue with some of the shocks for the G/S. If it's for your R100GS it may be a non issue.

100-200 for Ohlins? Sheeet, I'm there!

[LoJack]

wow, those are some sexy looking shocks! I think the color would match your bike pretty well, too.

[naginalf]

Originally Posted by LoJack

wow, those are some sexy looking shocks! I think the color would match your bike pretty well, too.

Here's the response I got from US distributor, Ted Porter:

"The E-RS is an internal dividing piston model with rebound damping and manual preload and sells for $619.00.

The F-RS model is a remote reservoir model with 3 way damping and is designed for more off road riding and sells for $959.00.

The S-MX model is not available for your GS, ()

I think you would find that the Fusion model would do everything you would want the bike to do with it's high and low speed compression circuits. These shocks are built in Holland to your weight and riding style. They have a five year warranty and are fully rebuildable."

Now, I don't buy this "not available" stuff. For one, because on their application chart there are NO applications for said shock. Also, how hard is it to ask the company to put the right size bushing in the top, and the correct style of flat receiver on the bottom, the same parts they use on all the other models and look completely interchangeable. I just know that they aren't making special tooling different for each model. Take the bushing and receiver from the E/F-RS and I'm betting it bolts right up to the S-MX. But I digress...

[bmweuro]

If your Works shock needs a rebuild I would guess you have put a lot of miles on it. I would rebuild it. Your also supporting a US manufacturer.

[Wirespokes]

It is possible to get rebuild parts for shocks. I don't recall where, but know they're available. I agree with bmweuro - rebuild them yourself - getting them open is the most difficult part of the job.

AW - I think you're confusing the two different shocks known as WP. I believe the BMWs came with White Power shocks, not Works Performance.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by Wirespokes

AW - I think you're confusing the two different shocks known as WP. I believe the BMWs came with White Power shocks, not Works Performance.

Read back a bit. The OP is considering rebuilding his WP (Works Performance) or replacing it with an ohlins or WP (white power).

[naginalf]

Originally Posted by bmweuro

If your Works shock needs a rebuild I would guess you have put a lot of miles on it. I would rebuild it. Your also supporting a US manufacturer.

I would love to support a US manufacturer, but for the money, I want something more than just holes in a piston, and it sounds like that's all they have. If someone knows otherwise concerning their construction, I'll probably just keep it, it does seem like a good, reliable unit. I'm not ruling it out.

However, new stuff does bring stars to my eyes and I get scope creep easily. That being said, there may be a group buy possible with the Yacugar stuff, all we need is 5 interested parties for what looks like a rather good discount on either the emulsion shock or the fully adjustable F-RS with a remote reservoir and hydraulic preload, perhaps around 7-800 for the latter (don't quote me yet, just looking for interest).

But I was particularly interested in the S-MX model. I know a lot of us are transforming our G/S or GS into some very rugged dirtbike oriented machines, but I've also heard that Ohlins and Wilbers are a tad delicate under harsh conditions or hard riding, plus they are more road oriented since no one thinks of airheads as dirtbikes. But this company is considering making this shock for our application, designed specifically for off road use, something no one has really done before. Oh sure, a shock is a shock, and you can valve it any way you want, but is it designed for the rigors of serious off roading? I'm not sure if this one is, but I'd rather have a shock that was designed to take the abuse of MX and valve it for more road orientation than the other way around.

So, that being said, any interest in either case?

[Biebs]

http://www.onestopmoto.com/Progressi...s-465-1131.htm


You know you have a Rebuilable shock so why not rebuild?? $400

Or you could go with a Progressive 465 I am told this shock is 95% of what a Ohlins is 1/2 the price.

Progressive 465 $397 online not rebuildable but if it cost $400 to rebuild a rebuildable shock come to the light this is a disposable world - Get with the program - you can use 2 progressive shocks and still not equal the cost for an Ohlins. Oh what will it cost to rebuild that Ohlins or whatever?? 3 years from now when your progressive is Done what will be available?? something better??

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by Biebs

Or you could go with a Progressive 465 I am told this shock is 95% of what a Ohlins is 1/2 the price.

That's a cheapo emulsion shock. Though I've never used that particular brand, I can guarantee with 95% certainty that one of those is definitely not 95% as good as an ohlins or other fully adjustable shock. The yacugar ones are intriguing as ohlins and WP are definitely overpriced for what they are. (not to say that they aren't really good though)

[SOLO LOBO]

Originally Posted by Biebs

Or you could go with a Progressive 465 I am told this shock is 95% of what a Ohlins is 1/2 the price.

Don't believe what you read in the internet... this included

Progressive is not 95% of what Ohlins is.. granted a poorly sprung and incorrectly Ohlins may not work as well as a properly sprung Prog, but the Ohlins once adjusted is much better than the Prog.

There is a reason why Ohlins costs more, part in being reputation but part based in capability.

[ignatz72]

I'd be interested to hear what the Yacugars would cost in a group situation. Specifically the F-RS.

Do I understand your posts in that Ted's Beemer Shop is a Yacugar dealer?

**Edit**. Yep, saw it for myself. It has been a while since I visited the Beemershop page, but they are a part of the online shop.

[Biebs]

Originally Posted by SOLO LOBO

Don't believe what you read in the internet... this included

Progressive is not 95% of what Ohlins is.. granted a poorly sprung and incorrectly Ohlins may not work as well as a properly sprung Prog, but the Ohlins once adjusted is much better than the Prog.

There is a reason why Ohlins costs more, part in being reputation but part based in capability.

Just to keep things friendly I got this information straight from my BMW specialist NOT the internet!!! So There - don't believe everthing you hear on the internet do your research!!!

Here is a link to my EBAY shock replacement:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822453

[SOLO LOBO]

Originally Posted by Biebs

Just to keep things friendly I got this information straight from my BMW specialist NOT the internet!!! So There - don't believe everthing you hear on the internet do your research!!!

Well, I worked at a BMW dealer in the parts department for a few years, LOL.

Just go and hold both in your hands at the same time.

Any just so you know, even BMW Specialist can have opinions just as worthless as the rest of us....

[Biebs]

Originally Posted by SOLO LOBO

Well, I worked at a BMW dealer in the parts department for a few years, LOL.

Just go and hold both in your hands at the same time.

Any just so you know, even BMW Specialist can have opinions just as worthless as the rest of us....

How long ago was it you worked at the BMW dealer ???? Time is a factor - Progressive shocks have come a long way. The 465 series is a new design - do your research. My research is to see what time frame your experience comes from this is relative.

[naginalf]

Thanks for the suggestion Biebs. I do like Progressive and have used them in the past, good company, good service in my experience. However, they can offer things so cheap because they don't do custom work. The biggest reason for this rebuild/replacement in my case is the need for a bigger spring. Progressive offers only one spring for their shock (unless I'm mistaken), although for additional cost, I'm sure you could get it custom sprung. With Ohlins, Wilbers, or Yacuga, I can get an emulsion shock (or even better in the ohlins I think) for only $50-100 more than that, and have it both custom sprung and valved.

But I'd definitely recommend Progressive as a good, inexpensive replacement for the more average sized rider. And, in addition to Works, they are also a US based supplier!

As for the group buy, yes I would like to go through Ted Porter when he gets back to me on the subject. Although, I've already gotten a rather nice group offer from the UK company that AW mentioned, FTR Suspension, for 20% off for 5 orders. Even with the exchange rate at stock prices, they are $30 cheaper (made up by expense of shipping tho), but at 20% off that makes the F-RS cost only... let's see, stock price in USD is $925, 20% off makes it $740, shipping was quoted at $104, however that was shipped to individual doors. I can probably do a lot better than that having it shipped to a freight dock here at work and individually shipping them when they get here for much less.

Anyway, nothing official to offer at this point, when I get official information, I may start a group buy thread, or Ted Porter may start one of his own as a vendor, he certainly doesn't need my help to do so. Despite possibly cheaper prices from FTR, I'd rather go through the US distributor of course, I'm sure he gets the same price break as the UK guys, but if you're in Europe, you should definitely look up FTR, they are very prompt, courteous, and helpful, and have awesome prices! A UK based group buy would only cost £460 each for 5 people or more to get a kick ass, full featured shock, custom built to their specs.