• Welcome to the BMW R18 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Updated rear shock

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1783958770#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Dpolo1
  • Start date Start date
Oldel said:
Coming from a 1250 GSA, I must admit that I can't stand the suspension despite loving my 18c otherwise. I have ordered the Wilbers Nivomat (front and rear set) and will report back once they are mounted.
Click to expand...
I have no doubt you will report back that it is night and day.... though an expensive night out.
 
AdventureBoy said:
I test rode that exact bike at my local dealer, still scraped the footboards all over the place.
I found a raising link online that I'm considering for mine, I also put shorter touch down pins in.View attachment 21136
Click to expand...
The 20mm or so lift my wilbers shock gave removed 90% of "oops scrapes".
 
HUNTS said:
The rear suspension prior to my model must be crap, based on this forum and that I have zero complaints. In fact, prior to reading about how bad the 20-24 models were, I wouldn’t have thought about it.
I hope that the WN solves the problem for you.
Click to expand...
Fwiw... my take on it is that is it was sprung on the heavy side and worst still I felt the rear shock had too much compression dampening in relation to the rebound..... so unless you weighed 150kg plus it was impossible to get it "dialed" for non perfect roads for us little people.
 
Since shock travel is limited. I can't understand how a different high priced shock can make much difference, travel seems to me a much needed spec.
 
The shock thing is pretty easy to work out. Most are here to learn/share from other owners experience. Search on Ohlins and Wilbers.... it's easy to find how many have experience with them (on R18s) and what they think. Whilst I haven't read anything about Ohlins.... quite a few have tried wilbers (stock length and +20).

Fwiw.... it's all much the same over on the r9t forum.... but spread across Ohlins, Nitron, Wilbers etc as there are lots more of them (r9ts).... all make a significant difference (as per owmers reports). I found the stock r9t rear shock even worse then the r18 one. I run a Nitron on my r9t... but chose wilbers for the r18... both same quality.
 
Last edited:
After 500 miles with the Wilbers Nivomat installed, I can report that there is a noticeable improvement but there is only so much one can do with 4" rear suspension travel. Damping is much better especially on regular/worn road surface, but typical US highway pavement transition or pot holes can still rattle the bike. Long rides are less tiring, but $2K plus install is stiff! The US Wilbers agent actually did the install and they are great to work with.
 
If one is not changing the load on the rear of the bike regulary, I'd always go the +20mm for the extra 1" of travel it gives. Where I Iive tree roots lift the roads surface on some faster roads and no cruiser suspension will sort that... just softens the hit a bit.
 
Noelpolar said:
If one is not changing the load on the rear of the bike regulary, I'd always go the +20mm for the extra 1" of travel it gives. Where I Iive tree roots lift the roads surface on some faster roads and no cruiser suspension will sort that... just softens the hit a bit.
Click to expand...
I agreee. Did exactly that and still happy with my Wilbers +20mm since 2022. Never adjusted anything. Riding for me almost feels like on a GS. 2cm extra travel is not much but enough, at least for me. My requested configuration was as comfortable as possible.
 
Tokyo R18 said:
I agreee. Did exactly that and still happy with my Wilbers +20mm since 2022. Never adjusted anything. Riding for me almost feels like on a GS. 2cm extra travel is not much but enough, at least for me. My requested configuration was as comfortable as possible.
Click to expand...
I can understand that..... even when one starts to talk 200mm ish suspension travel on "cross over" type bikes a reasonable proportion of that can be miss adjusted, wrong spring weight or has to cope with "off road riding extremes (ie landings from jumps etc)".

Both my R9t and this R18 had too stiff springs (for my weight requirements) and poor dampening.... so 115mm of correctly sprung and damped quality shock can easily become a twice as good experience.... even if "good" just means ride enjoyment. I think the 115mm on the +20 is a good compromise.... I suspect their Nivomat compromises a bit for convienence.

Off course, I can't form "an experience based " view based upon "200kg of bike load" on a R18 cruising down an American interstate with a big plush seat as that is not my application of the bike.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top