K11 Owners Group

drikko

So I went for a ride with the BM club today. Those of you in SE-QLD will probably raise your eyebrows at this as it hasn't stopped raining for a few days and it didn't stop today either. First problem to fix is my jacket isn't waterproof any more but that's another topic.

I really have decided I don't like my Ikon shock, It seem too hard and yet it will still bottom out, have tried all rebound adjustments and pre-loads but I just can't get it comfortable. Now the worst thing about it is that to adjust the pre-load you have to remove the right pannier bracket. A right pain in the butt. I see the Ohlins has a remote pre-load adjuster which would solve the problem and you can get them for around $1100 delivered to OZ

What about the RAM? Can you adjust it without removing the pannier bracket? If so, how, as it looks pretty much the same setup as the Ikon.

Even if it wasn't in the way it's still a pain to adjuct with the C-spanner, would prefer the 4 step preload adjuster like the original to be honest.

The other day I had my 80kg son on the back and it was bottoming out constantly, but it was too hard to bother adjusting it!
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject:

The RAM shock can be adjusted without removing anything but the side pannier.

The pre-load is done with a spanner wrench and the pannier rack is a little bit in the way, but it can be adjusted without removing it.

The other adjustment I believe is the rebound(?) and it has a little clicker wheel on the bottom rear of the shock and can be reached even with the pannier on. I find when riding two up, I just click the wheel up four clicks and it's rides great, then I click it back down four when riding solo.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Beachcomber · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve,

yes - and when we were specifying the adjuster control [ knurled knob ] I wanted something that was instantly adjustable - even with gloved hands!

None of this - find a small screwdriver and hope you don't mess the head up.

Some inconvenience with panniers for sure - but a small price to pay for superior suspension ?

[img]

[/img]
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject: Get a RAM, don't get rammed

Great product at a very fair price. Yes, it costs less than everything out there, IMHO.
It performs like a product costing more than double.

I think some of the offerings out there are over kill. I needed a shock that handled the bike & my load. Was easy to use, yes, I subscribe to the KISS system whenever possible, and was resonably priced.
This product exceeds all of that.
I don't do track days, and I am quite certain there are performace edges i will never wring out of my bike. I'm OK with that, but if I was not & still needed a top of the line product, I'd just have to try this shock anyway.

You will NOT be dissapointed with this product.

I really like it. Mine's basic black.

_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject:

I'm no racer either, in fact I am looking for something that irons out the road and doesn't wallow or bottom out. Both of those photos show the adjuster nut for preload right between the pannier frame and the brake caliper. I can't see this is any different to the Ikon. Yes I can turn the nut a tiny bit with the c-spanner but no more than 1/8th of a turn which is a pain as quite a few turns are needed to adjust properly for different loads. Upping the rebound for a pillion may well work for a short trip but hardly good for a long trip.

Perhaps if you could take a photo from the rear it might help me?
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject:

Ask, and ye shall receive, brother!

Rear view with bag on; note rear facing clicker knob at bottom of shock.

Rear view, sans bag:

Note slight scuff marks on inner edge of pannier rack from spanner wrench hitting it while adjusting the pre-load.

I'd say you get about a 1/3 turn before hitting the pannier rack. So, a slight hassle, but since I never re-adjust the pre-load, not a major issue for me. And even while adjusting it with the racks on, only a mild annoyance.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

drikko · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject:

Awesome thanks for that. Seeing as I am a lardarse my pre-load is a fair bit higher than that. Pity an upside down shock couldn't be done! Would make adjusting it easier Smile

Thanks again for your effort folks. I will contemplate it for a while.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Beachcomber · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:48 am Post subject:

Steve - the ref: to screwdriver etc. is in context of some of the other shox out there [ NOT the RAM ] - they have a small slot head adjuster flush with the shocker body. hence when we were develoing the RAM that was one of the points I wanted to address. In the feedback [ thanx one and all ] when we under development - many folk pointed this out as an inconvenience with their current shocker.

I think you'll agree the knurled knob is instantaneous and simple to use. Laughing

Re: the bummer with bags fitted - unfortunately it was BMW'a design choice where to put brackets etc. !!! We're having to work around that. Rolling Eyes

Scuffs - a piece of thin rubber tube or similar around the handle will protect the paintwork / plastic.

re: the 1/3rd turn with C Spanner - again customer feedback is telling us that if we crank the handle to about 30 degrees that will alleviate some of the aggro. Next batch of C Spanners will be so - after we've tried one obviously !

Drikko - the Ikon is a good piece, can't imagine that it won't dial in?
At the risk of the Granny sucking eggs syndrome - have you gone back to basics with the set up? IE adjust the sag with dampening at zero [ min. ] THEN screw in some dampening? The Ikon fitting / set up instructions are thorough, but I found them a little ambiguous at first read.

Actually - the WHOLE issue surrounding suspension is not known as a Black Art for nothing!

I will be revamping the RAM instructions for next year with photos / diagrams to ensure clarity. Wink

In the meantime if anyone is having difficulty setting up [ no matter what make of shocker ] give me a PM and I'll try to help. Cool

_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

RJTrucker

YSS and HyperPro offer an optional preload adjuster which can change the preload with just the turn of a dial. If you change from solo to 2 up riding or somtimes carry alot of weight it is a nice option to have. I know I am a fan of YSS but for those that want to be able to adjust the preload on the bike it is the way to go. It is too much to have to turn the lock rings while the shock is on the bike and if you dont get it right you have to keep trying till you get it right. With the knob you can change it at will till you find the right setting and not have to remove anything from the bike or need to carry any special tools. I know I am starting to sound like a comercial for them but they make a great product. If you want to get more info you can check out their website or call them.
http://www.epmperf.com
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

Beachcomber · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:06 am Post subject:

Hi Ron,

We've been asked by the Oilhead boys to look at shox for them and the remote pre-load is pretty well essential as the shocker is buried.

What's the additional cost for that with YSS and Hyperpro? Hagon charge £125 [ I think ] extra for that facility.
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

RJTrucker · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:14 am Post subject:

I do not know all of their prices but the web page can give specific prices for almost every bike and if a bike is not listed you can e-mail them or call for a quote.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

RJTrucker · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject: remote preload

I asked about the prices on the adjustable preloads. They arer priced between $200 and $240. That is in addition to the price of the shock. On someof the oilheads you can use a preload adjuster which is attached directly to the shock on others it will be conectede to the shock by a hose and the adjuster located somwhere on the bike that makes it easy to reach and adjust. I will be getting one put on my K1100LT next week and I will post some pics of it for you all to see. I am not sure if mine will take a remote one or one that is directly attached to the shock. It will depend on the clearence with the ABS pumps. I have ABS I so the pumps and right in front of the shock. On ABSII there is more room for one to be directly attached to the shock.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6