Just joined.....

[Dr. Klawn]

Hello All!

Just joined this post as it has the best wealth of info for the RS. I recently purchased mine a couple of months ago (1996 with 37k) and have been spending some time riding to better understand it's characteristics. I've previously owned an early VFR ('87) and plus spent time on dirt bikes as a kid. At this point I'm pretty certain that the existing stock shocks are fairly gone. I'm splitting my time on the bike equally solo & two-up. What's the best way to go about choosing shocks to give me the "best of both worlds" so to speak?

Thanks!

[MikeH]

Welcome to the club Matt!

You won't go far wrong if you replace the shocks with Ohlins. Definitely the best single upgrade that you can do on the RS. Alternatively, Wilbers are also of the same quality - it just depends on what kind of deal you can get.

You've got the fastest color BTW - Marrakesh Red Hot!! :D

[DougM]

Agree w/Mike, Ohlins and Wilbers are the most popular. Other quality brands like Fox, Works Performance and Hagon (British) seem to work well for others too. Best price and service for Ohlins in the US has recently been through Kyle Racing (http://www.kyleusa.com). Dan Kyle will set up the shocks according to your weight and riding style, incl. changing out the spring(s) as necessary. And he sells them for a very good price. I recently bought a set from Kyle and am happy. Wilbers are procured in the US from Klaus at Wilbers USA (http://66.40.253.237/wilbers/). The Wilbers were a bit cheaper than the Ohlins, comparably configured, but the Euro exchange rate is now such that the Ohlins are a bit less here in the US. Neither is cheap, but well worth the investment, IMO.

[Dr. Klawn]

Thanks for the info! I've been following this site plus the BMW Sport Touring site for some time to better understand some of the quirks, etc. in the models. What I'm after is any knowledge on what shocks offer the easiest (if their is such a thing) adjustment between the weight of riding solo vs. two-up. If I order a set sprung for solo riding is that going to give me a bad compromise when the wife and I decide to do some traveling? I feel like this falls into the catagory if you try to have something do too much, then it ends up doing nothing all that well. Kinda like "all season radials" on your car....

[honard]

Ditto Doug and Mike, however Fox has discontinued its line of street shocks so your out of luck there. I just installed Wilbers shocks this week. The primary reason for the Wilbers purchase is the 1" height adjustment option.

[honard]

Thanks for the info! I've been following this site plus the BMW Sport Touring site for some time to better understand some of the quirks, etc. in the models. What I'm after is any knowledge on what shocks offer the easiest (if their is such a thing) adjustment between the weight of riding solo vs. two-up. If I order a set sprung for solo riding is that going to give me a bad compromise when the wife and I decide to do some traveling? I feel like this falls into the catagory if you try to have something do too much, then it ends up doing nothing all that well. Kinda like "all season radials" on your car....Good Dr.
Order a shock with a hydraulic preload adjuster. The R1100RS didn't have them stock, so we have to use the spanner wrench. With the hydraulic preload adjuster it is very easy to adjust for the added weight of gear and passengers by turning a dial.
See attached photo, the left shock is your stock shock, the left is the Wilbers and the red gadget on the end of the hose is the preload adjuster.