Ohlins Lite

[Greg]

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/01/31/ohlins-lite-shock-affordable-high-performance/

Looks like some us might be able to afford Ohlins after all.

[JEFF_H]

I've got a Penske light (without remote etc) on the M750
works great

[Raux]

?? "Öhlins Lite Shock provides exclusive Öhlins performance for just $617.00 MSRP"

That's maybe a 100 dollars savings on the 696 Ohlins?

[booger]

This is a nice development not just due to price but also fitment. It will fit the S2R bikes without having to find a place to hang the big remote reservoir dongle or hack up the frame to accommodate a piggyback. Although I'm certain of its superiority to the stock Sachs without even trying it, I would be curious to know more about why it's so much cheaper.

[DucatiTorrey]

?? "Öhlins Lite Shock provides exclusive Öhlins performance for just $617.00 MSRP"

That's maybe a 100 dollars savings on the 696 Ohlins?

wow, exactly what i was thinking.

[Moronic]

Although I'm certain of its superiority to the stock Sachs without even trying it, I would be curious to know more about why it's so much cheaper.

No piggyback reservoir means no auxiliary compression valving or compression adjuster on the reservoir as well. Saves lots of parts and build time.

Plus, the price diff to std Ohlins will be greater on some of the other models, such as the BMW GS which Ohlins usually supplies with a remote preload adjuster also.

IIRC the 696 Ohlins shock is fairly basic in any case, so not a lot of saving available.

There may be other differences, too. Can't remember whether the no-reservoir Ohlins are emulsion types (gas and oil mixed together) rather than de Carbon (gas and oil separated by a floating piston). The former should still work well until they overheat.

[DucatiTorrey]

No piggyback reservoir means no auxiliary compression valving or compression adjuster on the reservoir as well. Saves lots of parts and build time.

so wait, this new one has a remote reservior? 
or did i read that wrong

[xplodee]

This is the same shock that's in my 1100s. Rebound adjustment but nothing else, not too cool IMO. For the money you'd be better off getting a showa rebuilt by a place like linderman.

[koko64]

I tend to agree. My crappy Sachs shock on my M900 was completely rebuilt with remote compression adjustment, rechromed shaft and Eibach spring. Kayaba type valves were used and the Kayaba compression gas cannister with Ohlins type knob was fitted (remarkably similar). It was a $500-00 job, but Ohlins were $1500-00 retail down here. I think an early Showa is a better rebuild proposition than an early Sachs/Boge. The later Sachs shock appear better.

However, while I can set it up to handle on rails or for comfort, riding a mates S model showed how it's Ohlins gave compliance and handling at the same time. It felt beautiful.

If those lite shocks were available I could have got one from the States with shipping for a reasonable price. They could cost a grand down here instead of 1500-00. And people wonder why we buy online.

A comparison between the Ohlins lite and regular Ohlins would be interesting. I'm confident they would be good enough for street riding and anything would be an improvement over some of the early shocks. I had two replaced under warranty on a new 1995 Monster within six months way back in 1996. The dealer replaced it without question due to an endemic problem of seal failure and gas loss.

[mendoje]

Check out the picture at the link posted above, notice one of the preload locknuts is black?  On the BMW R1200S, which came with optional Ohlins, that black locknut is PLASTIC  , some complaints about those plastic threads stripping out because of the spring pressure when adjusting preload.  You have to unlock the two nuts slightly, line up two notches and spin both nuts at the same time, so that the plastic nut doesnt take all the spring pressure.  PITA, you might have to stack two spanners, or use one spanner, and take only half a bite on each notch, more PITA if you slip and bugger up the notches.  Of course, you only have to do this once, right? (unless you ride double sometimes)  If I were to order this shock, I'd have the plastic nut swapped for a metal one while they're respringing it for you.  The R1200S Ohlins were also emulsion type (gas and oil mixed), no remote reservoir, and rebound damping only, may not be an issue for some, so pretty sure these are too.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/01/31/ohlins-lite-shock-affordable-high-performance/

[booger]

Looking at the image I'm curious what that thing on the upper portion of the shock body is. The kneeslider article mentioned it being fully adjustable, which I take to mean three-way. Since there is no reservoir, could this be a compression adjustment?

[mendoje]

Here's another link, basically the same as the first link, but it is an Ohlins press release dated Feb 2, 2011:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/434/9121/Motorcycle-Article/Öhlins-Suspensions-New-Line-of-Lite-Shocks.aspx

From the Ohlins Press Release, and the Kneeslider article (right in front of our faces, including me):

"...each Öhlins Lite Shock comes with a handy rebound adjustment wheel at the shock's bottom, and the classic two-wrench preload adjusting system. "

That about sums it up, so no more mystery.  Note, in the Ohlins press release, it doesnt say anything about "fully adjustable", that qualifyer was added by Kneeslider in their article.

If I were to get this shock, I'd get it from Dan Kyle, last year he still offered 24% off MSRP over at ADV Rider, that would be $148 off, free respring to your weight, and have him replace the plastic locknut with a metal one.  Then, on it's first rebuild (if I still had the bike), I would add a remote reservoir (separate gas from oil) with compression damping, a very common upgrade by any good shock rebuilder.

Almost forgot, that "thing on the upper portion of the shock body" is probably just the valve to pressurize the shock with nitrogen.

[hbliam]

Check out the picture at the link posted above, notice one of the preload locknuts is black?  On the BMW R1200S, which came with optional Ohlins, that black locknut is PLASTIC  ,

Same plastic POS comes on the Hyper S. From what I have heard, if you pregnant dog to Ohlins they'll send you a metal replacement gratis. If not, fairly cheap to swap out during a re-spring.

[Moronic]

so wait, this new one has a remote reservior?  
or did i read that wrong

The shock you have pictured has a remote reservoir, at the end of the braided hose.

The shock pictured at the Motorcycle USA Ohlins release link does not.




From the release:

"Slim and trim, without a piggyback or remote reservoir as required for high-end or racetrack applications, the Öhlins Lite Shock provides exclusive Öhlins performance for just $617.00 MSRP. As a cost savings, the Lite shocks are [also] without Öhlins trendsetting, knob-style, hydraulic preload adjuster.

Hope that helps  

And yes, having experienced the black nylon preload ring on my stock S4Rs shock, I would highly recommend replacing it with a metal ring before fitting the shock, for the reasons stated above.

[Nomad]

I replaced the stock rear shock on my 96 M900 this winter with a used Ohlins DU-440.  Got it for a pretty decent price, not a terribly difficult job to do yourself, and I actually kind of like the external reservoir, adds a little 'bling.'