BMW R1150GS /GSA Adventure

1)

 

Responsible for more smiles per mile than almost any other machine! 

 

Bmw R 1150GS / GSA (Adventure).

 

 

 

2)

BAM! (Oh-momma!)

 

We sell more of these Ohlins shocks than any other brand because the set is priced very well for the features, quality, and high resale value even when used many years (See below..)

 

Above Ohlins S46ER1 and S46DRS for R1150GS , has rear remote hydraulic spring preloader.

 

On Average Good shocks can start at just 525.00 Each and go Up depending on features,etc-

FREE SHIPPING and NO TAX o/s lower 48 USA sprung and done for your weight and conditions

 

Both are very big bodies (46mm with 16mm shafts) unlike some brands that have a smaller series front like 30mm or 36mm bodies and skinny 12mm or 14mm shafts.

 

The Ohlins shocks are much more heavy duty and fully rebiuldable for years to come almost anywhere on the planet, they have been updated over the 40 years so they are Not your Grand-ma’s Shocks!

 

We sell many brands of shocks for these, lots of people bought Ohlins and they hold their value most, we also have seen every shock brand over 25+ years doing suspension only every day.

 

We don’t sell pizza slices, helmets, etc., Just Shocks!

 

 

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(Ohlins BMW R1150 GSA Shown with preloader Above)

 

THESE ARE NOT YOUR GRANDMA’s Ohlin’s from 40 years ago!,

 

They are not the most expensive or the least, but value priced for what you get and have over 90% market share in the USA over the past 40 years selling shocks.

 

To make the most out of any shock you should adjust the springs preload and damping settings from a solo rider setting with no cases or added weight in them to load changes like a passenger or cases with stuff in them to fully make the most of what they can do by reading the manufacturers manual and making those adjustments.

 

4)

 

Some Shock brands claim they start with a “Scratch built” 100% custom shock just for you like a “clean piece of paper” (they are dreaming).

 

Most all of the parts in a shock are 95% similar numbers except the small percent of good stuff that makes it do its thing.

 

Many other brands that sell a small percent in the USA may have to say anything almost to get you to buy them.

 

Some claim they can go an a wild guess of near 30k between services, some give you a coupon for a free first service, or any gimmick, etc.

 

Most performance issues are that the customer is completely inaccurate on weight and loading or exceeding the manufacturers max payload for each machine and the big one is never changing anything from solo empty to max loaded and expecting good results.

 

Like a 175 rider using a 289 lb riders bike or vise versa.

 

5)

 

For years the popular Bmw R 1150GS and GSA has brought people to many new places.

 

It’s very popular to change out the stock OEM shocks real soon on these.

 

Especially when you may not be a lighter rider (200lbs or less) mostly solo (90%+) mostly street (99%) with low demand applications including very little added luggage or cases (cases and racks add 57lbs weight empty) if you leave them on even when nothings in them,

 

It’s about the same as DUCK TAPING A 80lb SACK-OF-POTATO’s to YOUR CHEST!

 

So it is important to try and capture a range within reason that can handle one extreme to the other best, although you can not be overloaded by the manufacturers recommendations and any  add on accessories to the standard stripped machine take away from the max capacity.

 

 

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Some load the beast and travel to the great unknowns.

 

See below for what the stock O.E.M. Bmw throw away shocks look like after just 9k- 12k miles!

 

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Shown above….what the freak is this! after just  12k miles.

 

They call this a shock? above the O.E.M. Bmw shock is very basic to say the most.

(PS: Bmw wants like $494.00 for this stock thing that is a non rebuildable throw away! and has no rebound adjustment with a skinny little body)

 

If a decent stock replacement is your thing for a affordable price with modest or light demands like a 165lbs -180lb solo rider on the cheap ask us about our Progressive sets.

 

8)

Say whhhattttt????????????  again what the heck is this? 12k miles maybe.

Above the OEM Stock BMW throw away shock.

(PS: Bmw wants $996.00 GS and $1045.00 GSA for these things!)

 

If a decent stock replacement is your thing for a affordable price with modest or light demands like a 165lbs -180lb solo rider on the cheap ask us about our Progressive sets.

 

 

 

9)

Above these are the Ohlins R 1150GS shocks (the popular front Bm 425 and Bm 940 Rear).

 

Unlike other brands Ohlins has BOTH SHOCKS with a larger more heavy duty 46mm body 16mm shaft with 57mm I.D. springs. Some brands give you a skinny front shock and spring to match their rear shock.

 

Optional shock covers that can be put on and off easily with rear velcro band and stretchy top and bottoms while on the bike in minutes.

 

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The rear shock with a hydraulic spring preloader has about 23 turns or so, arrows above show spring moves when you dial in this black knob,  adding some spring preload is mostly done when adding loading or a passenger to you standard baseline solo setting.

 

When a shocks body is fully threaded like the Ohlins you can potentially move the entire preload gizmo to get a new range of what the preloader itself offers.

 

11)

 

Above is the BMW R 1150GSA (ADVENTURE) shocks (Bm 215 and BM216).

 

They are slightly longer than the  “GS”  shocks and have slightly different spring rates and valving.

 

12)

 

Above is the Ohlins Bm 542 made for the Bmw R 1150GS.

 

The added reservoir that is shown with arrows to adjust compression damping  mostly for when doing fully loaded off road stuff you may add compression damping by turning the black knob as desired.

13)

Many adventure riders are buying two sets of springs when loading is extreme variations.

 

An example would be when doing one huge summer month journey per year heavily max loaded for a couple weeks and then returning home where most of your riding is more nominal ranges the rest of the eleven months of the year.

 

This is an excellent idea and also checking your shocks prior to a long ride is the thing to do.

 

14)

 

Many riders extend their riding season into the elements and leave road mung to dry on the shocks shafts and bikes metal parts, that can reduce any parts life including your shocks and good maintenance is always best.

 

 

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Above Ohlins BM425 Bm 940 with rear preloader

 

16)

Above these are the Touratech shocks for the Bmw R 1150GS / GSA

 

They are well built and have the fully loaded most often adventure touring in mind. They have hard aluminum bodies and dividing fluid from nitrogen design for fade free performance.

 

The above shocks offer rebound adjust on both with hydraulic preloader with a nice range of more movement and optional spring choices.

 

A 220 lb rider with passenger (130lbs)  and modest luggage is a target example of the standard build.

 

14)

Above these are the Progressive Shocks, the front does not adjust the rebound, the rear has 5 position rebound only and remote spring preloader.

 

They are a sold off the shelf without spring options or choices.

 

 

15)

Above and below these are Wilbers shocks, they offer Blue or black springs.

 

They have steel bodies that generate a lot of heat fade like from the old Soviet Union in 1979?

They have clunky adjusters that seiz from road dirt and grime but years ago they were cheap.

Until they got in a fued with the USA importer and stopped selling them for a number of years in the USA, then they made some new dealers with less experience and some began showing up in small numbers.

They have small USA market share and seals, parts service anywhere anytime is a problem.

 

 

 

 

They are emulsion design on both so the fluid and the nitrogen are not divided within the shock. The bodies are steel with no option for aluminum that would reduce friction and heat that is usually not an issue with on road or casual riding.

 

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The fronts are the smaller 36mm body with 22 clicks and the rear is a 46mm body

 

 

16)

 

Works Performance is NO Longer in Business as of 2017!, The husband and founder past away and no plans are yet for any future for them, the wife of the owner is just enjoying life as well as she can and all the best to them for now.

 

Above these are Works Performance Shocks, emulsion non divided both front and rear.

 

They have something other than true shim style valving and port style pistons like most shocks.

 

They use this aluminum piston blank with 4 “index drill sizes holes” and “check balls” and “small pressure springs” to control the compression damping.

 

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