R1100 RS Front shock question

[flydad]

Newbie here with a dumb question. Recently bought pristine 96 RSL and love her, but she’s different from my previous Japanese bikes - takes some learning! So, how can you tell if you need to replace the front shock? What about the rear? I have no idea if these were replaced in the past and really have no issues with handling etc. But I’ve read on this site that OEM shocks are substandard and I need to buy aftermarket units. Is there a way to test?
Thanks!

 

[PGlaves]

Newbie here with a dumb question. Recently bought pristine 96 RSL and love her, but she’s different from my previous Japanese bikes - takes some learning! So, how can you tell if you need to replace the front shock? What about the rear? I have no idea if these were replaced in the past and really have no issues with handling etc. But I’ve read on this site that OEM shocks are substandard and I need to buy aftermarket units. Is there a way to test?
Thanks!

Believe about half what you hear from rodney the racers who fancy themselves so good as to be better riders than BMW engineers and test riders. If you find that the suspension is performing poorly, back end wallowing or front or rear bouncing with insufficient damping then consider improvements. Until then ride and enjoy the motorcycle.

 

[dieselyoda]

Just in case you didn't know, the front forks aren't really forks at all but tubes and sliders.

I noticed my front shock showed its age when I hit the brakes real hard and I got a "shudder" that I can only describe as not quite being a bounce. That was my first clue and then I noticed some sweating from it.

 

[6322]

Also note that both are adjustable for dampening and the rear for preload. Unless you have a problem identified, they may be fine. How many miles on your new ride?

 

[barryg]

Probably the two best upgrades to an older oilhead is replacing worn out front and rear shocks.

 

[flydad]

Thanks!

Front is adjustable? I’ll have to grab a flashlight and go check.
When I bought her, rear was set to absolute minimums.

 

[m_stock10506]

Front is adjustable? I’ll have to grab a flashlight and go check.
When I bought her, rear was set to absolute minimums.

Check the preload adjuster on the rear shock. They lose the oil in the reservoir and have no meaningful adjustment left. There’s a video online that shows how to refill the adjuster so that you get full range of adjustment. If you can’t find it, shout out and I’ll look it up.

 

[6322]

The small screws at the base of the shocks are your dampening adjustments.