Ohlins shock for the WASPmobile - Ohh yeh!!

[20valves]

The OE suspension on this bike is DAMN GOOD right out of the box.. Joe Average will be able to get on this bike and with a few tweaks and adjustments have a plush, responsive, and very well controlled ride for day to day riding on highways, byways, and gentle off road.

That's all I'm saying. The stock stuff is worth wearing out. But then again, I've loved every suspension upgrade I've ever done. Stock stuff is inferior to Ohlins et al., but far from useless. I even had my so called "ready to race" KTM 300 suspenders optimized to my weight and riding style and definitely considered it money well spent. And for a big heavy bike off road, you want the wheels to follow the terrain!

Anyway, thanks for the install pics and reporting Greg. Lots of good info there.

 

[3putt]

Well, don't know if we are getting the same spring rates in our bikes, but mine is very firm. I have backed off the preload on forks to the max (8 rings) and also way soft on the dampening both compression and rebound. Rear is pretty good, tho I have backed off the preload to 1 line under top (soft). I am 81kg, so should be in the target zone I would think.

Anyone else fine the forks too firm? I wish I knew what spring rate is in there without pulling the forks. I have some .96 and .85s on hand. Greg, you wouldn't happen to know the spring rate for the forks? I gonna guess 1 or heavier.

 

[roy]

Well, don't know if we are getting the same spring rates in our bikes, but mine is very firm. I have backed off the preload on forks to the max (8 rings) and also way soft on the dampening both compression and rebound. Rear is pretty good, tho I have backed off the preload to 1 line under top (soft). I am 81kg, so should be in the target zone I would think.

Anyone else fine the forks too firm? I wish I knew what spring rate is in there without pulling the forks. I have some .96 and .85s on hand. Greg, you wouldn't happen to know the spring rate for the forks? I gonna guess 1 or heavier.

Yes front is very firm and harsh. Up to this point I have backed off compression adjusters 2 clicks each leg much better. Rest of the bike is stock and feels fine but that front was way too harsh for my 155 lbs..

 

[elizilla]

I put aftermarket Wilbers suspensions in my V-Strom and my TDM. They were built for my weight and riding style and they were fabulous. Definitely worth the trouble. But then I lost 75 lbs, and those suspensions became awful. Like riding a hard tail! I sold the V-Strom with its fancy suspension, to someone heavier than myself who no doubt loved it. I put the stock rear shock back into the TDM and it was an improvement. I've stayed at the new lower weight for four years now, so hopefully I am stable and any expensive new suspensions I buy, will work for me long term. But since my current weight plus gear is probably perfect for the design spec of a stock suspension, I'll run with it for a season or two, use up the best part if its lifespan before I change it.

I still have that aftermarket TDM shock in a box under my workbench. It's only got about 5000 miles on it. I wonder if it would fit in an S10? And whether it would be an improvement over stock? I'm probably not the person to figure this out; I should probably just sell it on advrider, or include it when I sell the TDM.

 

[3putt]

The Super Tenere being so new, someone is going to have to tear one down so we can find out what is stock. With 7.5" travel, I suspect it is a slightly longer spring than most bikes. .85kg/mm was perfect for me on the Tiger 1050, but it only had 5.9" of travel.

 

[johnpitts01]

Re: Ohlins shock for the WASPmobile - Raising links?

Wasp:

Do you run the bike with your raising links?

Do you have the raising links in now with the Ohlins?

Maybe you've done it already, is so point me to the thread / post; how do the raising links change the bike's handling, both on and off road?

I'd like to add some ground clearance, but not at the expense of upsetting the bike's good handling.

Anyone else out there added the raising links and can share their riding impressions?

John
In China with my new S10 waiting for me at the dealer in NJ :'(

 

[Combo]

Yes front is very firm and harsh. Up to this point I have backed off compression adjusters 2 clicks each leg much better. Rest of the bike is stock and feels fine but that front was way too harsh for my 155 lbs..

I understand Roy about the harsh front but not bad for me at 190 and when riding 2 up it seems just right and without front end dive.

 

[Waspworks]

Re: Ohlins shock for the WASPmobile - Raising links?

Wasp:

Do you run the bike with your raising links?

Do you have the raising links in now with the Ohlins?

Maybe you've done it already, is so point me to the thread / post; how do the raising links change the bike's handling, both on and off road?

I'd like to add some ground clearance, but not at the expense of upsetting the bike's good handling.

Anyone else out there added the raising links and can share their riding impressions?

John
In China with my new S10 waiting for me at the dealer in NJ :'(

Sure do.. The links haven't come off since the day they were installed and are still on now (and will stay there) with the Ohlins = Wouldn't be without them.

I cant find my report/post about them, but in short:
They increase the steering angle by a couple of degrees as the S10 is a relatively slow steer'r on road , but more noticeably in the dirt.
They allow the front wheel/tire to bite and steer rather than the standard setup "pushing" or "barging" the front wheel.
The links have no effect on the high speed stability on road or dirt and at no times have I ever felt the need for a steering stabiliser before or after the install of the links.
They increase ground clearance by around 3/4" to 1" and that can only be a good thing.
I am 5'11" tall and ride with my seat in the high position if that is of any help.

The raising kit is standard with laser cut and pressed weld on centre stand extensions and a CNC machined weld on side stand extension.
http://www.motorradgarage.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=106_247&products_id=1160

Greg.

 

[johnpitts01]

Re: Ohlins shock for the WASPmobile - Raising links?

Thanks Greg. They are the answers I was hoping for. I'm about 1/2" shorter than you.

John

Sure do.. The links haven't come off since the day they were installed and are still on now (and will stay there) with the Ohlins = Wouldn't be without them.

I cant find my report/post about them, but in short:
They increase the steering angle by a couple of degrees as the S10 is a relatively slow steer'r on road , but more noticeably in the dirt.
They allow the front wheel/tire to bite and steer rather than the standard setup "pushing" or "barging" the front wheel.
The links have no effect on the high speed stability on road or dirt and at no times have I ever felt the need for a steering stabiliser before or after the install of the links.
They increase ground clearance by around 3/4" to 1" and that can only be a good thing.
I am 5'11" tall and ride with my seat in the high position if that is of any help.

The raising kit is standard with laser cut and pressed weld on centre stand extensions and a CNC machined weld on side stand extension.
http://www.motorradgarage.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=106_247&products_id=1160

Greg.

 

[Waspworks]

Re: Ohlins shock for the WASPmobile - Raising links?

Thanks Greg. They are the answers I was hoping for. I'm about 1/2" shorter than you.

John

I should add that I manufacture (up till about two months ago) the worlds only "top mount steering damper kit" (TMSD) for the Ducati Sport Classic range.

If the Yamaha Super Tenere ever showed signs of needing a steering damper, I would be onto it like a rat up a drain pipe!!!.... BUT THEY DONT....
Even with the MotorradWorks suspension raising links hard riding on highway, gravel, sand, mud, whatever - THEY STILL DONT - And dont believe anyone who would tell you different.

Greg.

 

[norcal rider]

Where to buy in the US? :question: :question:

 

[Bill310]

I ordered mine from Kyle Racing. I am sure that Dan Kyle would give a group buy discount if somenevwanted to organize it.

 

[Tremor38]

Excellent discussion here. Roger on the suspension being "DAMN GOOD" straight from the box, but I also acknowledge that there are some big boys who own this bike...and some who habitually ride hard in some pretty rugged terrain. Suspension is a big selling point, so I didn't want someone who's on the fence thinking "golly, if the suspension on the V-strom and on the s10 are both 'shite,' why don't' I just save myself 4 grand"...when by all accounts the OEM supsension on this bike is far superior to that of the wee and DL1000.

So, as it applies to mere mortals with average means, It's all about getting the most for you money and building the ranks We're still a fledgling group 8)

 

[norcal rider]

And the 2012 is the same as prior year models, shock wise :question:? :question:

 

[tomatocity]

Where to buy in the US? :question: :question:

Buy what?

 

[tomatocity]

Greg have you remounted the preload adjuster and compression reservoir? I am about to install the Ohlins and was looking for these changes.

 

[Waspworks]

Greg have you remounted the preload adjuster and compression reservoir? I am about to install the Ohlins and was looking for these changes.

Sorry Tim - Just saw your question.

I am sure I have covered this somewhere on these pages, but yes, I have completed the reservoir relocation.
The hydraulic spring pre-loader stayed on the R/H side of the bike.

The pics tell the story.
I just bandsawed the craddle out of some ~1.5" ply and bandclamped it to the frame cross tube.
This required a very slight crack of the hyd fitting on the res so that it could be turned to the right orientation.

Greg.

 

[HHH]

Waking up a sedated thread to inquire if others are being able to see the pictures posted by Greg here, if not, can somebody please point me to either his Wasp website or anywhere I could see those pictures?

Thank you!!