To Ohlins, or not to Ohlins?

[lloydjames]

I've been sitting at work bored looking at Ohlins suspension and I noticed quite a few members are sporting some of Swedens finest. Having owned high end suspension on race orientated bikes before I absolutely agree that they make a huge difference at speed.

My question is are they worth it on the 14? Let's face it, it's a heavy bike which was never developed to break track records. I have Hagon shocks on mine and it handles OK. Is the £1300 price tag worth the absolute bollocking I will someone would get from the wife when I they get home?

Asking for a friend 

[gsxbarmy]

I'd say yes. I had WP Stereo Spins on mine (Seth has them now) and for me they made a big difference over standard / Hagon Nitro suspension and also made the bike more comfortable (as you could adjust the spring rate on bound and rebound.

Having said that, I never had my suspension set up properly (by a specialist) before I got them - but did when I got them. To me this could have made a big difference in how they performed.

So what am I saying. If you can afford them go for them, however (personally) I'd get your suspension set up by a specialist first - will cost about £80 - and see how much your handling improves (and it will) and therefore whether you need to go for the Ohlins as I suspect once that's done, there will not be a lot of difference between standard/Nitro's and Ohlins in the way they perform.

If in any doubt about the Ohlins, give FTR Suspension a call - they are excellent, fitted my WP's and give expert advice. They are also the Ohlins importers (as well as other makes). Very trustworthy

http://ftrsuspension.co.uk/

[Andre]

I decided for the not option. Had my originals completely rebuild and set up for me by a suspension specialist (BTW Ohlins authorized dealer and repair shop). Very happy but I only have the comparison of before and after rebuild. I don't think I would notice the difference between them and Ohlins (or other high end shocks).

[seth]

I'd say yes. I had WP Stereo Spins on mine (Seth has them now) and for me they made a big difference over standard / Hagon Nitro suspension and also made the bike more comfortable (as you could adjust the spring rate on bound and rebound.

Having said that, I never had my suspension set up properly (by a specialist) before I got them - but did when I got them. To me this could have made a big difference in how they performed.

So what am I saying. If you can afford them go for them, however (personally) I'd get your suspension set up by a specialist first - will cost about £80 - and see how much your handling improves (and it will) and therefore whether you need to go for the Ohlins as I suspect once that's done, there will not be a lot of difference between standard/Nitro's and Ohlins in the way they perform.

If in any doubt about the Ohlins, give FTR Suspension a call - they are excellent, fitted my WP's and give expert advice. They are also the Ohlins importers (as well as other makes). Very trustworthy

http://ftrsuspension.co.uk/

The WP shocks are on the spare bike for now and make a big difference still need to do the fork springs to match tho .

[Basil Brush]

I put a pair on - I originally had the OEM units. I made the error of adjusting them - oil everywhere.

Went for Hagon Nitro's. Happy with those. But, they did bottom out two up. About a couple fo years ago I did a lot of overtime at work. So, I thought I'd treat myself to a pair of Ohlins. Top quality.

I'll never forget the missus face. I showed a picture of them - she said they are nice looking things. And the price. How much? £572 at the time - she said - and I need two was my reply...

Go for it - you are only here once.

[Mick_J]

I would say that if you intend keeping the bike and you can afford it, go for it, this is not a rehearsal.

[Kiwifruit]

If the Boss Lady finds the tin is 1300 biscuits short........it might have been a rehearsal.......

Maybe you could paint the originals gold and yellow whack an Ohlins sticker on em..........then when the coast is clear have them errr.....re-anodized !!!!


I have them on another bike, wish l had them on the 14.

[ARH]

Honestly..... for the average biker (ie me) I think having that level of performance in suspension units is probably not worth the expense.  I am happy to have the oem units but set up properly... 120euro well spent for sure!

But if you want to spend the cash?  Whatever floats your boat 

[lloydjames]

Honestly..... for the average biker (ie me) I think having that level of performance in suspension units is probably not worth the expense.  I am happy to have the oem units but set up properly... 120euro well spent for sure!

But if you want to spend the cash? Whatever floats your boat 

It's not that I want to spend the cash, i'm an impulse buyer so will probably get them anyway.

I'm actually quite handy at setting basic suspension up myself so any difference a pro will make will probably not be worth £120 as gains will be marginal on basic rebound and compression units like the Hagons I have fitted.

I just feel the bike could be better all round with regard to handling and was wondering if Ohlins were £1300 better or am I better spending my money on servicing what I have. I find the bike can quite often struggle to hold a line and wants to wallow if the corner isn't smoothe. It's nothing unsettling or uncontrollable, just an area for improvement.

[ARH]

James...  I would love to have ohlin, wp's or other high end suspension unit....just can't justify it.  I'm your typical dry weather Sunday rider now so it would be a waste 

And impulse buy?  My better half would kill me 

[lloydjames]

James...  I would love to have online, wp's or other high end suspension unit....just can't justify it.  I'm your typical dry weather Sunday rider now so it would be a waste 

And impulse buy?  My better half would kill me 

The secret is to just buy it anyway. There's 2 courses of action here.

1: tell her you're getting them and how much they cost. This results in words leaving her mouth that have only left previously during child birth. Followed by an infinite time of her bringing it up whenever she wants to spend £60 on a haircut.

2: buy them and enjoy handling excellence. Yeah sure she will still bring it up every opportunity but no worse than option 1.

[KiwiCol]

Ya forgot safety!   Say it's a safety thing, 'you want me to be safe don't you?'     New Shocks on the way . . .

[Kiwifruit]

After a ride on our other bike, which is a W650 the bride suggested some new shocks would not go amiss.
Maybe next time we are out on the 14 if we hit a pothole l could suggest it
Though $2600 sounds a lot more than £1300.

She may have a slightly different view on your safety Col.

[KiwiCol]

Yeah, wouldn't work for me, she'd say just ride it like it is or don't ride it at all.   

[grog]

if you can afford, i cant, yeah we only live once. mine works fine with originals rebuilt at saving of $2300.