K11 Owners Group

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: When do you replace your shock.

Oh most learned ones who know more than I:
Is there a sure fire way to know when the rear shock is needing replaced.
I still have the original Showa with 36K+ and I'm not real impressed with the ride anymore.
I did change my front fork oil this spring with the standard BMW fork oil.(which I think is 7.5 wt.)
I'm considering the Fox unit that Dave is selling. In J.O.'s works I'm a "skinny F---er" around 160 so I'm not sure if it(180-230) would be too stiff for my "shinny a--".

TIA
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck

Jim · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject: rear shock

Scott - if you don't want to spring for an aftermarket shock just yet, you should be able to get some mileage out of one of these (if they're still available):

K1100 shocks
2 K1100 stock shocks for sale. First off '95 K1100RS, about 6k miles, black spring, $50 OBO plus shipping. Second off '97 K1100LT, about 25k miles, silver spring, $40 OBO plus shipping. Both in good shape, no rust or leaks.
Price: $50 OBO / $40 OBO
Location: Wausau, WI
Contact Mike Shuda at <bmwcrzy@wildblue.net>
Telephone 715-359-9326
Posted Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 00:52:13 (EDT)

That said, I believe the stock shocks are good for about 40,000 miles - mine was definitely shot when I replaced it.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

CheapJapCopy · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

They leak eventually. Mine did at 45k, bought a new (OE Showa) one. The thing is, it isn't that much different from the OE one pre leakage. Logic says if it starts pissing oil, change it. If you aren't happy with the damping, go for an aftermarket shock.
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold.

wera32 · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

The stock shock on a K1100 is shot when it leaves the factory if you ask me. Grossly underdamped. Therefore, get a new shock now with at least adjustable rebound damping. Adjustable compression damping is nice if you can afford it. Set your sag and start in about the middle of the damping adjustment range and you'll see what I mean on the first ride.
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Paul - '93 K11/12RS (sold), 2002 R1100S BCP and '03 RC51 KOG 29

jarnbak · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

After 180000 km i can still adjust the rebound damping on the oe showa,until it is to hard.No leak so it is going to stay on the bike a few km more.A new progresive spring will be nice,but then again, it is still working(the oe spring).
Regards Palle.

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject:

A functioning, decently active rear shock is something you take for granted until you have one you can actually feel.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
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Ralph C · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Chalfont, PA

Replaced my rear shock with a progressive 420 at around 40K miles. Huge difference! Then replaced fork springs with Race Tech springs. they're not progressively wound like the stock, but much stiffer and handle way better. The stiffer fork springs eliminated the slight weave I always had when decelerating around 50mph. I'm now at 73K and thinking about having the progressive rebuilt.
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'95 K1100RSA