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R18 suspension upgrade

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tbonesixtynine

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Joined
Aug 4, 2025
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Belgium
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R1200R R1300GS R18 KTM-EXCF-250
Hi,

Does anyone have some experience on upgrading the rear shock on the R18 (I have the regular R18, I guess) I have been looking at touratech's black-t stage 4 perhaps along with the progressive front springs they offer? Anyone have experience with these or similar products ? I find the rear shock to be very unfriendly for my back on less than perfect roads.

thanks
Jean
 
If you search the following brands, you'll find additional threads of folks who have swapped out their R18 OEM shock; I own a Model B, which has an adaptive rear shock - which limits my choices of upgrading.

However, I will most likely replace my front fork shocks with either OHLINS or WILBERS in the next year or so.

I replaced my OEM shock on my 2008 GS Adventure with a TOURATECH shock; the installation was super simple and the performance was head & shoulders above the stock shock.

Try searching

OHLINS
WILBERS
FCR
 
I have the standard length Wilbers on my bobber and the difference is night and day.
 
Dpolo1 said:
How did that go, improvement !!
Click to expand...
Really good, I also added wilbers fork springs and YSS emulators.... with 7w fork oil. Getting the fork caps off was the worst part (thread locker goo). I think the standard length Wilbers shock gives about 1/2 inch more travel as well (I have an email from them on that somewhere).
 
Noelpolar said:
Really good, I also added wilbers fork springs and YSS emulators.... with 7w fork oil. Getting the fork caps off was the worst part (thread locker goo). I think the standard length Wilbers shock gives about 1/2 inch more travel as well (I have an email from them on that somewhere).
Click to expand...
I never see cartridges or shock options offered for the R18 Model B or TC; I'm curious to know, if the Bagger front fork shocks are the same as the standard R18 models?
 
I stand corrected... Looks like some Model B and TC shock progress has taken place..

It looks like the rear shock kit includes an ESA Eliminator box; which I guess, satisfies the removal of the stock Adaptive Rear Suspension..

When I get a chance this weekend, I'm going to take a closer look at the rear suspension; I want to review the fluid reservoir more closely in the ROCTANE spacer video I posted.

I can't remember if there was a hydraulic line from a pump, that assisted the Adaptive Rear Suspension... I know there is a sensor that measures the sag that any weight that is added to bike, influences the sensor angle - to what the sensor adjust is still unknown..

More to follow..

Screenshot_20250815-071222.png
 
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Noelpolar said:
Really good, I also added wilbers fork springs and YSS emulators.... with 7w fork oil. Getting the fork caps off was the worst part (thread locker goo). I think the standard length Wilbers shock gives about 1/2 inch more travel as well (I have an email from them on that somewhere).
Click to expand...
So did the fork springs have lots tension on them coming out? Like did they fly out of your tubes? Chicken to release the springs !
 
I can't see how it could be better we're talking about 3 1/2 inch travel, that's not much to work with. I used ohlins on a road glide once ,not much improvement.
 
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