RE: Suspension modification options - 2

Zitat von darrell im Beitrag #15

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Same as Chris216 and Ray B, I had Ted Porter at the Beemer Shop in California help me determine what I needed suspension wise to take a good riding motorcycle to one that is much better. I have 23,000 miles on the Tractive suspension setup and find the tires have a more consistent contact to the road creating a smoother ride. As both of them have found the softer sidewall on the Dunlop Roadsmart IV tires also help with the ride. Since 2016 when the bike was new I have run tire pressures of 38 psi front and 42 psi rear.

For many owners unless they can use the more powerful engine of the 1250 cc, want a different color or just like new it might be a more responsible economic decision to have the suspension reworked if they are finding that as the weak point of their motorcycle ride. Or as Chris216 found even the new ride was just too harsh to allow him to fully enjoy the ride.

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #16

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So, if you don't mind, can you describe what was done ? I have read the Tractive site and understand it is a modular system where each or all of the spring, control unit and rod can be changed. I'm interested in whether changing the electronic valve will improve ride quality ?

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #14

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This has reinvigorated my interest in getting this done to my 1200RS. Already a really good bike which I've had from new I'd rather put some money into it than pay for a new 1250

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Zitat von Ray B im Beitrag #17

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Zitat von andygriff im Beitrag #16

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So, if you don't mind, can you describe what was done ? I have read the Tractive site and understand it is a modular system where each or all of the spring, control unit and rod can be changed. I'm interested in whether changing the electronic valve will improve ride quality ?

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Chris or Darrell (or Jeff Flaherty or Ted Porter at the Beemer shop - if you have a few minutes and international calling to the States - +1 (831) 438-1100) can comment better than I. I try to take the approach that I am just along for the ride. (Note - don't talk to Ted if you have limited time. The whole shop is big on communication. In the course of the work, I ended up taking calls and emails not only from Ted and Jeff, but also the parts guy who handles the orders. If you have questions, their expertise will provide the most efficient answers)

That said, I had a brief conversation with the technician and talented rider who did the local installation and rode the test loop. He's worked with Tractive and aftermarket suspensions, but he seemed especially excited about the change in ride on the RS. We talked a little about the oil in the left tube (300 ml) and a few old tricks to further fine tune travel, etc.

Not a race bike, but sporty enough that it responds well to fine-tuning suspension, tires, and perhaps flash tuning of the ECU - as noted in multiple threads throughout the forum.

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Zitat von darrell im Beitrag #15

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Same as Chris216 and Ray B, I had Ted Porter at the Beemer Shop in California help me determine what I needed suspension wise to take a good riding motorcycle to one that is much better. I have 23,000 miles on the Tractive suspension setup and find the tires have a more consistent contact to the road creating a smoother ride. As both of them have found the softer sidewall on the Dunlop Roadsmart IV tires also help with the ride. Since 2016 when the bike was new I have run tire pressures of 38 psi front and 42 psi rear.

For many owners unless they can use the more powerful engine of the 1250 cc, want a different color or just like new it might be a more responsible economic decision to have the suspension reworked if they are finding that as the weak point of their motorcycle ride. Or as Chris216 found even the new ride was just too harsh to allow him to fully enjoy the ride.

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Ted gave me 24 hr turn around on setting up the rear shock. The rest depends on shipping to your location, which unfortunately is unpredictable these days...
Chris

Darrell,
What was the "down time" for the Tractive upgrade? It requires sending the complete rear unit to Ted for rebuild, correct? The front unit is just a direct replacement?

Ted did a great job upgrading the suspension on my Oilhead RS. Made it a "new bike" for several years. [/quote]
I had the dealer do my removal, mailing and installation. As Chris indicated once agreed with the Beemer Shop on what is needed and paid for Ted does a 24 hour turn around at his shop. And yes the bike is down for this period of time. Good time in northern US to do this is over the winter months. Yes front is a direct replacement and rear unit is sent in so they can move the ESA unit over to the new setup.

My 2016 had 117,000 miles on it when I did the upgrade so I really noticed the difference immediately. I rode a 2021 R1250 RS recently and found my updated suspension even with 23,000 miles on it suited me better then the new stock suspension on the 2021.

Ted at the Beemer Shop also set up the Tractive suspension I have on my current 131,000 mile 2002 R1150 GSA. He also supplied suspension upgrades to my previous K75S, K1200RS, F650GS, R1200HP2 Enduro and a 2nd R1150GSA I had. From my experience there are others who can do suspension upgrades but probably no one can do the magic he can.

Its a shame they only equipped these bikes with 2 (I think) settings, with the wide range of electronic adjustment available BMW could have done a lot better on a bike which is totally different in feel to a car (where the adaptive suspension was developed). Saying that, I think you may benefit from a change in spring rate if you mostly ride solo.

Zitat von Scribe im Beitrag #8

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As to whether my bike's suspension works better hauling more weight, I'm not sure I can answer meaningfully. The few times I've put luggage on it, I was more conscious of the extra weight's impact on handling and low-speed balance than how the suspension was doing, and those rides happened to be on rather featureless pavement, anyway. I haven't yet carried a passenger on this bike. I doubt much of my riding will be done with more weight, so if that's what's required, I guess I'll be getting the suspension modified.

I looked at the Tractive website suggested by Andy Griffiths and their products seem quite impressive - and less expensive than I was expecting (I've spent more on considerably simpler suspension in the past). Has anyone here actually made this swap? What about EPM Wilbers? They've done the most advertising directed at BMW owners, as far as I can tell. Any other shops to consider?

Thanks again for all the input.

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