Shocks for Rockster with Compression Adjustment?

[Ves]

So, I'm thinking of getting some aftermarket shocks. Much to my surprise I find out the Ohlins for the Rockster don't have a compression adjustment. Far as I can tell, none of the Ohlins for BMW fronts have compression adjustments.

Elka doesn't make shocks for the Rockster, and I don't see the Rockster listed on Hyperpro site either.

However, Elka does list the R1100S through '04. And those are fully adjustable front and rear. I also see that the Ohlins R1100S rear shock does show a compression adjustment. Does anyone know if the R1100S shocks will fit the Rock? The front is the same as the R1100S anyway, right? And the rear of the 1100S is the same except for some additional length, right?

Does anyone know if the R1150R Hyperpro shocks will fit the Rock? Looks like they all have compression adjustments. Particularly, would the front end be a problem?

[Ves]

Hmmmmm... the Works Performance site has a shock length chart, I'm just not sure what the OAL (overall length) is. Mount point to mount point?

Rock Front: 12.88
Rock Rear: 14.63
R1150R Front: 12.88 (we have a winner!) Hey, I thought these were suppose to be different?
R1150R Rear: 14.38
R1100S Front: 12.50
R1100S Rear: 12.38 (Totally different mount point?)
R1150GS Front: 13.13
R1150GS Rear: 15.00 (Hmmm.... could be a winner. That .37" difference would translate to about 1.3" at the tire. If I take off my short paralever arm I'm looking at about .5 inches higher in the rear than it is now.)

R1150R/RS/RT all show the same rear length but different fronts...
R1150RT Front: 13.13 (Hmmm... same as the GS?)

[riceburner]

R1100S compression adjustment is on a knob that is mounted on the top end of the shock, and is accessible through a cutout in the R1100S bodywork.

Fit one to a Rockster and the knob won't be accessible - in fact I'm not sure you'd get the tank back on at all!

[Ves]

R1100S compression adjustment is on a knob that is mounted on the top end of the shock, and is accessible through a cutout in the R1100S bodywork.

Fit one to a Rockster and the knob won't be accessible - in fact I'm not sure you'd get the tank back on at all!

Thanks.

Hey, don't you have Ohlins on yours? Is lack of compression adjustment an issue? You do track days don't you?

[riceburner]

R1100S compression adjustment is on a knob that is mounted on the top end of the shock, and is accessible through a cutout in the R1100S bodywork.

Fit one to a Rockster and the knob won't be accessible - in fact I'm not sure you'd get the tank back on at all!

Thanks.

Hey, don't you have Ohlins on yours? Is lack of compression adjustment an issue? You do track days don't you?

Nope, I can't afford Ohlins (or trackdays either at present).

Not that you need fancy shocks to ride on tracks.

I do so much milage that I feel fancy suspension wouldn't be worthwhile, I'd be having to get it serviced more than once a year (going by service schedules I've had shown to me). So I have just stuck with the standard stuff.

[Ves]

I sent an email to Hyperpro and got a response... They will make shocks for the Rockster... If you want the compression then you have to get the piggyback with high and low speed compression... about $1900 for the pair... COUGH! COUGH!

[OU812]

Ves, you sold the CBR, so pay up!

[Ves]

Ves, you sold the CBR, so pay up!

I don't know... I can do a lot of track days and trips for $1900... Think I'll take it on the track and see how it does before I plunk down that kind of cash...

[sweatmark]

Sent a query this week to Klaus at EPM (http://www.wilbers.com) regarding Hyperpro shock fitment for the Rockster. Klaus' reply:

"The new Hyperpro... the 3D series shocks has not been developed yet for the Rockster unfortunately."

Klaus indicated that he can build a set of YSS shocks (Thailand) for the Rockster. If Klaus thinks thinks the Thai shocks are worthy, then his credentials/reputation are good enough for me. Awaiting the price for a set now.

For reference, we've got Ohlins on Mrs. Sweatmark's Roadster, and I've got a custom Penske on my Buell XB. Would consider other aftermarket options like Bitubo, WP, Wilbers...

1. Anybody with Bitubo connection? Perhaps too rare.
2. WP seems to be like KTM (apple doesn't fall far from the tree) insofar as the availability of product and decent dealers.
3. I'm put off by the Wilbers folks dissing and dismissing Klaus, in spite of the Wilbers shocks good technical reputation. (FWIW - I also have an early Hyperpro rear shock that's essentially a Wilbers unit built as private label, and it's a very nice shock).

If Klaus can come up with a good deal on the unproven YSS and build a set that lean towards bullet-proof sport touring, then I might bite in support of his business and longtime friend-of-BMW status.

Otherwise, I'll "spring" for an Ohlins set via a local racebike suspension specialist who's a full-on Ohlins dealer.

Somebody have a set of R1150R.net links to the various suspension threads? I'm too lazy to look right now!

Mark
Oregon

[jfslater98]

Klaus indicated that he can build a set of YSS shocks (Thailand) for the Rockster. If Klaus thinks thinks the Thai shocks are worthy, then his credentials/reputation are good enough for me. Awaiting the price for a set now.

Any word from Klaus? A 200 miler yesterday may have revealed the original shocks are starting to go.

[domekrome]

Bump on this. Any reply from Klaus?

[jfslater98]

Yes. Klaus replied to me on the Hyperpros, saying yes, he would build a set for me. I am probably going to pull the trigger on this, but am waiting to build up funds. I didn't ask about the YSS, though, not sure if you were thinking of those. Here is part of what he said about the Hyperpros (let me know if you want the rest of the message.

Front shock: Model 360 = $ 569.00
with adjustable rebound damping

Front shock: Model 367 = $ 969.00
with adjustable rebound damping, with piggy back and high and low speed
compression damping

Rear shock: Model 460 = $ 589.00
with adjustable rebound damping

Rear shock: Model 461 = $ 899.00
with adjustable rebound damping, with hose mounted reservoir and high and
low speed compression damping.

Optional:

LA = length adjustment for +/- 1/2 seat height changes = $ 89.00
HPA = Hydraulic Pre-Load adjuster (remote) = $ 269.00

Edit: Ves wound up biting the bullet, and from his report, it was a very tasty meal. Read here

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14003

[sweatmark]

FWIW - never heard back from Klaus. Sorry I missed the prior bumps.

I'm going with Ohlins set for my Rockster.