Wilburs Advice

comberjohn

comberjohn

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Downpatrick, N Ireland
I've come to the conclusion that after 40k miles my suspension might be past it.
It's a 2010 TC with ESA and while the units look ok with no leaks, the ride has become very harsh over manhole covers and small changes in the road's surface.
Strangely enough, the damping itself is ok.
The plan is to change the rear shock now and the front later in the year.
It's all very confusing.
Most suppliers have a three week wait, although there's a German supplier who says a week.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400170-Wilbers-Strut-Type-640-BMW-R-1200-GS-r-12-04-incl-ABE-/391748913883?hash=item5b360e0adb:g:XuAAAOSwMtxXutFf
I'm trying to decide if I can live without the ESA.
No plans to do Mongolia and I quite like the convenience of the ESA.
The same German supplier can do the non ESA for about £400 and another £160 to add the ESA. The original would have to be sent over to have it transferred.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/457555-Wilbers-Strut-640-BMW-R-1200-GS-with-WP-with-ESA-suspension-11-incl-ABE-/352021855953?hash=item51f6233ed1:g:wMoAAOSwawpXv0kA
Now, there's a French supplier that's offering (i think) an ESA version for £375!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amortisseur-Wilbers-Stage-1-BMW-R-1200-GS-avec-susp-WP-ESA-ArriA-re-/400783834445?hash=item5d5093fd4d:g:jvsAAOSwDN1UMJHh
Wish I'd paid more attention in French class!
Opinions please, especially from the more linguistically advantaged.
Could it be that I transfer the ESA unit on to the Wilburs myself?
I know many will say forget the ESA, but it's a bit like the flappy valve on the exhaust. If it's there, I'd like to be able to use it.
 
I took my F650Twin to Revs racing in Halesowen last week. They fitted a Wilbers 640 like your first ebay link but with the additional hydraulic preloader. The shock was specifically made for my weight pillion luggage etc and took 2 weeks from Germany.

Whilst I was talking to John Gaskell of Revs he said they are doing 3GSA's a week now, swapping out the rear ESA units.

Might be worth a phone call, both John and Nick are very knowledgable on sussies.
 
I had both front and rear Wilburs WESA shocks fitted a few years ago now - got them done at Rev's Racing. I find them firm, not what I would call "plush" but the handling on the bike is excellent. I'm glad I let Rev's fit them as I'm sure I would have buggered something up.
 
I had the shock and forks done at the same time, so the bike feels very different. The jittery feeling on the rough roads around here has gone. They also lowered the bike so lots of change.

Are these guys more local to you http://vmtek.ie

Steve
 
If you like the ESA, and it sounds like you do, why not have it rebuilt at a fraction of the cost. Put up with the potholes this summer and have them re-furbished over the winter?
 
Very tempted to just get them rebuilt now. We've snow forecast for later!
Don't fancy spending all year on them. Seriously annoying and uncomfortable.
MCT seem to be the most popular.
 
comberjohn said:
I've come to the conclusion that after 40k miles my suspension might be past it.
It's a 2010 TC with ESA and while the units look ok with no leaks, the ride has become very harsh over manhole covers and small changes in the road's surface.
Strangely enough, the damping itself is ok.
The plan is to change the rear shock now and the front later in the year.
It's all very confusing.
Most suppliers have a three week wait, although there's a German supplier who says a week.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400170-Wilbers-Strut-Type-640-BMW-R-1200-GS-r-12-04-incl-ABE-/391748913883?hash=item5b360e0adb:g:XuAAAOSwMtxXutFf
I'm trying to decide if I can live without the ESA.
No plans to do Mongolia and I quite like the convenience of the ESA.
The same German supplier can do the non ESA for about £400 and another £160 to add the ESA. The original would have to be sent over to have it transferred.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/457555-Wilbers-Strut-640-BMW-R-1200-GS-with-WP-with-ESA-suspension-11-incl-ABE-/352021855953?hash=item51f6233ed1:g:wMoAAOSwawpXv0kA
Now, there's a French supplier that's offering (i think) an ESA version for £375!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amortisseur-Wilbers-Stage-1-BMW-R-1200-GS-avec-susp-WP-ESA-ArriA-re-/400783834445?hash=item5d5093fd4d:g:jvsAAOSwDN1UMJHh
Wish I'd paid more attention in French class!
Opinions please, especially from the more linguistically advantaged.
Could it be that I transfer the ESA unit on to the Wilburs myself?
I know many will say forget the ESA, but it's a bit like the flappy valve on the exhaust. If it's there, I'd like to be able to use it.
Click to expand...

http://vmtek.ie/

John, this lad is the Wilburs agent down in our neck of the woods.......give him a call, it might be an excuse for a lovely jaunt down to West Cork.
 
Wilburs

Fitted Wilbur's to my TC (non ESA), supplied by Revs.
John is a very knowledgable guy and very friendly to boot.
Sent express from Germany to me in Portugal took two days!!
Rear was easy to do while the front took a little longer but overall not too bad.
The bike was transformed and in my opinion was money well spent.
 
Whilst it is very easy to remove and fit the ESA units on a stock shock on the Wilburs you have to remove the bottom eye to get the ESA unit off.
The bottom eye contains the rebound damping motor and if you attempt to remove it without de - gassing the shock the needle is easily bent.
It will then need re - gassing so swapping the EAS on wilburs is a job for a shock specialist such as Firefox or MCT etc.
I run Wilburs ESA and very pleased with them.
On my last bike MCT rebuilt the ESA shocks and increased the compression damping for me. again very happy with the results and service.
Only went for Wilburs as they were at the right price being previously enjoyed from a member of this parish.:):)
 
Mistacat said:
Whilst it is very easy to remove and fit the ESA units on a stock shock on the Wilburs you have to remove the bottom eye to get the ESA unit off.
The bottom eye contains the rebound damping motor and if you attempt to remove it without de - gassing the shock the needle is easily bent.
It will then need re - gassing so swapping the EAS on wilburs is a job for a shock specialist such as Firefox or MCT etc.
I run Wilburs ESA and very pleased with them.
On my last bike MCT rebuilt the ESA shocks and increased the compression damping for me. again very happy with the results and service.
Only went for Wilburs as they were at the right price being previously enjoyed from a member of this parish.:):)
Click to expand...


Good info ref the ESA but you're not helping with my decision making process!
Starting to lean towards a non ESA Wilburs rear, with the intention of changing the front later.
I only ride one up, so if I can set it up for myself, it should be fine.
Another thread suggested keeping the original shocks, getting them rebuilt sometime and then I'll have them when it's time for the big scooter.
If only something would appear on eBay. Although I suppose they could need a re build, too.
 
I got a YSS from Firefox Racing last year and I can't fault it.
Built to my specs and requirements with a remote preload adjuster........ landed in Ireland for €400

Sent from a OnePlusX.
 
Ive currently got BMW Showa GS shocks on the bike. My Showa ESA shocks had become very uncomfortable and kicking back on bumps tough would still pass MOT.

I didn't expect to miss the ESA but I do and having ridden a bike with a Wlbers rear shock that really is the way to go.

A pair of non ESA Wilbers are less money than WilbersESA but not very much. When finance allows, I'll be having my ESA units done and then fit them myself.
 
I got Wilbered last year, with ESA. As said the non-esa versions are not much cheaper. I find them firmer than the originals though they do take a few miles to loosen up and the ride gets better if you crack on a bit, which is just when the originals started to get all wobbly. Considering any decent suspension unit (non-ESA) is £400 -£500 I think Wilbers are fair value.
 
Comberjohn,why don't you go over to Pro-Link and have a chat with the best suspension man in NI?

9 Cardy Rd, Greyabbey, 028 4278 8854. Cedrick does Ohlins, Wilbers etc.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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