TL1000S shock upgrade/replacement

**ric007** · 10th October 2008, 17:10

Ok i've got the cash,now i'm wondering if i should bother i've replaced the spring with a factory replacement, and i know the shock is stuffed, how much difference would a wp or a ohlins actually make? HUGE? or not so.is there anybody bout cantabury who has a upgraded suspension that would let me have a "feel"? if you know what i mean.

**Robert Taylor** · 10th October 2008, 18:21

Originally Posted by ric007

Ok i've got the cash,now i'm wondering if i should bother i've replaced the spring with a factory replacement, and i know the shock is stuffed, how much difference would a wp or a ohlins actually make? HUGE? or not so.is there anybody bout cantabury who has a upgraded suspension that would let me have a "feel"? if you know what i mean.

Ohlins currently ex stock, have sold dozens of these and the difference is way better than you expect. More grip, better ride height control, MUCH more ride comfort and nearly double the tyre life. Also these are NOT emulsion shocks.

**98tls** · 10th October 2008, 18:39

I am down the track a bit,i dont have an Ohlins (would have if i could have afforded it at the time) but have a Hagon damper unit which is without doubt way better than the dumper that was on there.If as you say you have the cash then grab an Ohlins.The other alternative would have been a Bitubo which is a Damper/spring unit combined but seems pointless after you have bought a new spring unit.

**Morcs** · 11th October 2008, 10:13

stock suspension setup works quite well.

get some heat tape on the rear header to reduce the heat on the rotary dampener.

I would suggest giving the forks to someone like mr Taylor for new springs though, as they are rather soft - and get worse over time.

**Robert Taylor** · 11th October 2008, 11:32

Originally Posted by Morcs

stock suspension setup works quite well.

get some heat tape on the rear header to reduce the heat on the rotary dampener.

I would suggest giving the forks to someone like mr Taylor for new springs though, as they are rather soft - and get worse over time.

Given what you have just said in the first paragraph I have to question whether you have ridden a TL1000S with that high friction rotary damper removed and replaced with a high quality aftermarket damper that actually responds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In deference to the very ill informed tag at the bottom of the thread one would have to say that the stock rotary damper is in fact a rip off, in fact best ripped off. Facts, rather than emotive and stirring rubbish.

**Morcs** · 11th October 2008, 12:04

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Given what you have just said in the first paragraph I have to question whether you have ridden a TL1000S with that high friction rotary damper removed and replaced with a high quality aftermarket damper that actually responds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In deference to the very ill informed tag at the bottom of the thread one would have to say that the stock rotary damper is in fact a rip off, in fact best ripped off. Facts, rather than emotive and stirring rubbish.

For the record, the tag wasnt me...

I used to hate the rear shock, but once is setup nice and hard, its not too much of a problem. The front end under braking became my main concern.

btw, can you pm me a sharp price for an ohlins dampener for a 03 cbr600rr

**hospitalfood** · 11th October 2008, 13:07

this thread reminds me of my last bike, started spending money on it, got through a few grand and thought that it still needed this and that, and the other in duplicate.

i up-graded to get what i wanted in the end, and lost the money i had spent on the previous one when i sold it. buy that time i had realized that i would not ever really love the previous bike, regardless of how much i threw at it.

dont spend on the bike you have unless you really love it IMO.

**Robert Taylor** · 11th October 2008, 13:13

Originally Posted by hospitalfood

this thread reminds me of my last bike, started spending money on it, got through a few grand and thought that it still needed this and that, and the other in duplicate.

i up-graded to get what i wanted in the end, and lost the money i had spent on the previous one when i sold it. buy that time i had realized that i would not ever really love the previous bike, regardless of how much i threw at it.

dont spend on the bike you have unless you really love it IMO.

If you were keeping a bike such as the TL1000S / R ,VTR1000 etc that have terrible rear suspension youd recover the cost of a quality replacement rear shock very quickly by saving on too frequent tyre replacement. Plus your spine wouldnt trouble you so much later in life!

**Robert Taylor** · 11th October 2008, 13:22

Originally Posted by Morcs

For the record, the tag wasnt me...

I used to hate the rear shock, but once is setup nice and hard, its not too much of a problem. The front end under braking became my main concern.

btw, can you pm me a sharp price for an ohlins dampener for a 03 cbr600rr

Cheers for that. Whoever it was is gutless, lurking in the shadows, not telling the world who he / she is and not substaniating with sound reasoning. I am happy to provide sound reasons to someone who in turn can provide reasonable questions, as opposed to an unsubstantiated accusation.

Part ( but not all ) of the reason for front end dive on the TL is imbalance, overdamped rear end, soft fork springing, soft midvalve.

Will do re that damper.

**98tls** · 11th October 2008, 13:27

Originally Posted by Morcs

For the record, the tag wasnt me...

Nor me fwiw.Though happy with what i have i certainly wouldnt object to receiving an Ohlins come xmas day

(if any of my family are reading this)

**98tls** · 11th October 2008, 13:48

Fwiw pics of an Ohlins,Wilbers and a hagon.

**Morcs** · 11th October 2008, 16:31

Its quite funny though, Suzuki split the spring and the dampener to retain a short(ish) wheelbase with a long engine, yet the aftermarket guys seem to have no trouble making 'conventional' shocks fit...

**98tls** · 11th October 2008, 18:20

The spring on the Wilbers is only a helper spring (so i am told) and you still retain the spring on a stick.The Bitubo unit by all accounts is very good and for the life of me ive never understood why Suzuki couldnt have done one.

**Pussy** · 11th October 2008, 18:53

Originally Posted by 98tls

for the life of me ive never understood why Suzuki couldnt have done one.

Ain't that the truth! Even from new, the bushings in the spring guide seemed like they were buggered! And no two of those rotary dampers perform the same.

**98tls** · 11th October 2008, 19:08

Originally Posted by Pussy

Ain't that the truth! Even from new, the bushings in the spring guide seemed like they were buggered! And no two of those rotary dampers perform the same.

Mine performs well as a doorstop.