View Full Version : Are ohlins worth it?????
doogalman
27-Apr-2006, 18:38
Well after no end of grief with my Ohlins rear, i today put the original Showa back on. And what a great feeling, my bike now has compression and preload adjustment. So i can now start to learn the bikes limits again (as well as mine).
The ohlins has deteorated cosmetically to the point that it needed a new body, (Yes, i know it is in a vulnerable position). For the money they cost, the quality of finish after some years is very poor. I had tried several times in the past to get the importer to service it and replace the body, but they didn't like answering queries. Even less so at their stand at the Ally pally, when i was taken aside so punters did not hear a complaint of their product.
So after i tried elsewhere to get an upto date quote of £120 to service it , then another £40 - £80 for for supply of a new body. I have thrown in the towel.
I had thought that the Ohlins experiance would have been better than standard, but i have found it to be the opposite.
Am i alone or have others had grief.
Owned by the Japs what else would you expect.
I've had nothing but excellent experience with Ohlins. IMO they are well worth it because the performance of the shock is so superior to standard kit. Of course, there are plenty of equally excellent alternatives out there such as WP, Technoflex, Maxton etc so, Ohlins is no longer in a class of 1. It's a shame you've had bad experience and I guess you refer to Harris. My own experience of them is pretty poor tbh so, I won't ever buy direct from them again...I know I am not the only one in that respect.
I will buy Ohlins again though.
Originally posted by chass
Owned by the Japs what else would you expect.
...and fitted on top end wop tractors ;)
doogalman
27-Apr-2006, 18:52
I never really found any differance handling wise.. even after having it set up.for me. I try and look after my bike. albeit on a fairly tight budget (as i'm not too flush). In my case i, wasted my money.
GsxrAge
27-Apr-2006, 18:55
I have Ohlins rear on mine and I have to say it's fantastic. it's in a different league to the Showa unit.
either yours needs to have a service or in need of setting up.
Age
doogalman
27-Apr-2006, 19:06
So????? exactly how different can it be????
well i have just foked out £525 for an Ohlins rear shock for my ST4 and I very much hope its better than the standard Sachs jobby
Twinfan
27-Apr-2006, 19:29
It's Ohlins forks I'll never bother with - the go through fork seals like no tomorrow.
My 749S on full Showa stuff handles well enough for me - don't think I'll bother with an Ohlins bike in the future either.
chris.p
27-Apr-2006, 19:31
£120 for a service:o
Give K-tech a ring, my bill was £80, that was full service, seals etc & a new rebound adjuster as mine was siezed solid. Top job. speak to Chris, may even have a second hand body.
http://www.k-tech.uk.com/
Chris.:burn:
Originally posted by doogalman
So????? exactly how different can it be????
Well your mileage might vary but, I find the following:
Smoother action - less harsh
Consistent performance throughout a race
Smoother range of adjustment
Greater range of adjustment i.e adjustments to the settings have very noticeable effects
Wide range of springs available
Quality (altho' your experiences show otherwise)
Rebuildable - serviceable
Service centre availability
It's a bit hard to describe but, with a decent shock like the Ohlins I can feel what the suspension and tyres are doing, with lesser kit it's not so easy.
I don't think Ohlins is the best any more and there's a wide choice out there now but, it's still good stuff. Whether you think it's worth it for your type of riding and the roads you ride on depends upon you. For me it's worth it and I'd always spend money on suspension over anything else except tyres.
aka.eric
27-Apr-2006, 21:30
Ohlins reputation came from racing,a completely different world to road use,with different values.Stiction is more important than seal longevity,time between rebuilds irrelevant etc.Success in racing sells,some people buy what they perceive to be good wether or not its fits theyre needs.Ohlins,Termignoni,Akrapovic etc.Just my view of course.
bradders
27-Apr-2006, 23:44
for me, ohlins rear means 1 click makes a heck of a difference!! on my old showa, 4 or 5 and it still felt the same.....not tried forks tho
Ifr you have it rebuilt, go for the grey alloy body..........its a bit tricker and no great extra cost..................fwiw.
Lighter as well. I'm not sure if you can specify them from new though - I've never seen the option.
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 09:06
Originally posted by andyb
Ifr you have it rebuilt, go for the grey alloy body..........its a bit tricker and no great extra cost..................fwiw.
Tricker in what context ?
better material, lighter..............
I had a 996 that handled like a pig on it's standard showa's until I had the suspension setup. Once it was setup I could do whatever I wanted with it really.
Then I bought the 998R which obviously has ohlins all round. I was looking forward to getting it on a track to see how good it was and it was rubbish! It felt like a barge. A call to Neil Spalding from Sigma later and we put on a bunch of base settings he's used previously and bingo - a very neutral and sweet handling bike.
Any bit of suspension is going to be shite unless it's in decent condition and well setup. Now that I've ridden them both setup well I can say the ohlins are far smoother across the same piece of road than the showa's were - even thoughboth got me round there. I guess it means you'd be more confident on the ohlins because there's good feedback etc.
Just my 20p worth :D
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 09:15
Originally posted by andyb
better material, lighter..............
LOL lighter ? the whole shock weighs less than 5kg... if it makes it 4.5kg... really ? is there a point ?
Originally posted by weeksy2
Originally posted by andyb
better material, lighter..............
LOL lighter ? the whole shock weighs less than 5kg... if it makes it 4.5kg... really ? is there a point ?
What ever!.......you asked "in what context?"
Ive given you a context! If you want further context........because i/we can afford it!!
If anyone on here could tell the remotest difference across all the stuff available with suspension..............they would probably be spending their time better else where!
Why didnt you ask your question to the original post......its just as relevent, and so is the context. Why do people have Ducatis with Ohlins on........because they can afford it!
It doesnt make you a bad person having an older showa shod 916!
[Edited on 28-4-2006 by andyb]
Those gold nitrided forks do make the look of the bike even sexier though...................even showa have done it as well now, although you cant beat the real thing can you? :D;)
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 09:38
LOL funnily enough i bought the GN firks for mine... Showa cheapo ones of course, not the bling Ohlins ones... Mostly because i wanted the P34 calipers, just for show value of course too....
personally i think an Ohlins shock is worth the upgrade. Although Crust has fitted his Ohlins rear and it's made the bike 100% worse than the Showa set up by Baines. We're hoping when he gets over to see Louigi it will be better..
I've just bought one myself that arrives in a few days...
however not because it's 300g lighter than the Showa one.
Originally posted by weeksy2
LOL funnily enough i bought the GN firks for mine... Showa cheapo ones of course, not the bling Ohlins ones... Mostly because i wanted the P34 calipers, just for show value of course too....
personally i think an Ohlins shock is worth the upgrade. Although Crust has fitted his Ohlins rear and it's made the bike 100% worse than the Showa set up by Baines. We're hoping when he gets over to see Louigi it will be better..
I've just bought one myself that arrives in a few days...
however not because it's 300g lighter than the Showa one.
So how are these forks tricker, and in what context? :D;)
Originally posted by weeksy2
Originally posted by andyb
better material, lighter..............
LOL lighter ? the whole shock weighs less than 5kg... if it makes it 4.5kg... really ? is there a point ?
It's unsprung weight Steve. If you can save 20% then that's significant. If there's one place where weight should be shed then it's from the suspension, wheels and brakes. Increaseing the ratio between sprung & unsprung improves ride and handling. It's why racers spend a fortune on lightweight wheels.
If you have a bike that comes with Ohlins as standard I would say that it's worth it. Lots of people have commented on their greater adjustability (where a click either way makes a difference), and their rebuildability etc...
However, if your bike didn't have Ohlins as standard and came with Showa or Boge units (like both of mine) I would probably spend my money in a different way rather than upgrade to Ohlins.
Personally, my preference for my T8 (and my ST) would certainly to go for an Ohlins (or similar WP, Maxton etc) rear shock for those very reasons, but I'm less convinced about the forks. Rather than combing eBay or buying new Ohlins (not so easy on a T8) forks I would rather spend my money with K-Tech or somebody who could rebuild and revalve my existing Showas and get them set up exactly how I wanted them (that would also remove the annoying tendency of 888 Ohlins fork seals to pop)
As TP says, it's the condition and setup that's more important than the manufacturer, so if I had £500 to spend on suspension it would be winging K-techs way rather than into an Ohlins dealer.
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 12:27
Originally posted by andyb
Originally posted by weeksy2
LOL funnily enough i bought the GN firks for mine... Showa cheapo ones of course, not the bling Ohlins ones... Mostly because i wanted the P34 calipers, just for show value of course too....
personally i think an Ohlins shock is worth the upgrade. Although Crust has fitted his Ohlins rear and it's made the bike 100% worse than the Showa set up by Baines. We're hoping when he gets over to see Louigi it will be better..
I've just bought one myself that arrives in a few days...
however not because it's 300g lighter than the Showa one.
So how are these forks tricker, and in what context? :D;)
they are gold coloured :)
[Edited on 28-4-2006 by weeksy2]
I'll have two pairs then! :lol:
doogalman
28-Apr-2006, 12:48
Is there anywhere in the surrey sussex kent sort of area that could service my shock??
Not going near steve jordan as they are quoting £120 plus. Ideally i would like to take it somewhere rather than post.
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 12:49
Ring Colin Leender. 07715490888
Ohlins suspension expert.
Tell him i sent you
Originally posted by doogalman
Is there anywhere in the surrey sussex kent sort of area that could service my shock??
Not going near steve jordan as they are quoting £120 plus. Ideally i would like to take it somewhere rather than post.
K -Tech , is worth posting to , they done my forks in three days !! and thats to N Ireland
And as to Ohlins is better or not , a badly set up bike is a badly set up bike no matter whats on it , but the difference in my 998 forks is really noticable since the re-valve ,not Ohlins !
Get what ever you have set up FOR YOU and dont worry about Ohlins :D
doogalman
28-Apr-2006, 13:20
So do i or don't i get the rear shock sorted? Should i just throw it to the back of the garage and forget it? Or get it rebuilt? Should i get the bike set up as is ? and who could do that? I've allways tended to ride around problems (courier background). Not allways the ideal thing as the limit may not be where you think it should. But at times i feel i can push my '94 trident thru corners a lot more than the duke.
Weeksy! whats your guys forte (servicing, setup) ??
At brands on the 15th May. would like to have this sorted by then.
rockhopper
28-Apr-2006, 13:26
Originally posted by twpd
Originally posted by weeksy2
Originally posted by andyb
better material, lighter..............
LOL lighter ? the whole shock weighs less than 5kg... if it makes it 4.5kg... really ? is there a point ?
It's unsprung weight Steve. If you can save 20% then that's significant. If there's one place where weight should be shed then it's from the suspension, wheels and brakes. Increaseing the ratio between sprung & unsprung improves ride and handling. It's why racers spend a fortune on lightweight wheels.
The body of the shock isn't unsprung weight, only the bottom spring platform and the damper rod are unsprung. the body is bolted to the bike and the bottom bit is bolted to the swing arm so the bit that has to react to suspension movement is not the shock body!
Same with the forks, the wheel, disks, calipers, fork bottoms and tubes are unsprung mass.
weeksy2
28-Apr-2006, 13:59
Originally posted by doogalman
So do i or don't i get the rear shock sorted? Should i just throw it to the back of the garage and forget it? Or get it rebuilt? Should i get the bike set up as is ? and who could do that? I've allways tended to ride around problems (courier background). Not allways the ideal thing as the limit may not be where you think it should. But at times i feel i can push my '94 trident thru corners a lot more than the duke.
Weeksy! whats your guys forte (servicing, setup) ??
At brands on the 15th May. would like to have this sorted by then.
Colin is simply a Ohlins expert in every way shape and form
He's the Derby Phoenix support person and BSB support techinician.
he does everything you can imagine, and will do it while you wait/watch
lives a mile from Snett.
Originally posted by doogalman
Is there anywhere in the surrey sussex kent sort of area that could service my shock??
Not going near steve jordan as they are quoting £120 plus. Ideally i would like to take it somewhere rather than post.
I've seen Steve Jordan's work and raced with him. He and his wife Sarah are very genuine and are very good. His work will be spot on and the setup will be good.
I'd have no problems recommending them to anyone.
Ditto re. Steve Jordan. Good bloke and Sarah is nice - known her for years.
doogalman
28-Apr-2006, 15:38
May be good people , i'm not saying they arn't , But everyone this side of London wants to charge over double , even Harris only quote £55 plus parts. Which is the same ballpark as most others oop north i've called. So for the extra dosh what is different?
doogalman
28-Apr-2006, 15:56
I'm doing it now.
Apparently the others don't strip it and do a full service.
I shall make more calls.
Steve has just done sets of Showas for my 800ss racers. I would not hesitate to use him again because he gives great race support and my fellow racers swear by his work.
doogalman
11-Nov-2006, 20:47
As a follow up to my ohlins Problems ,i decided to pop it into Steve Jordan to get it serviced and a new body fitted.:D
Well after a slow start due to the fact that the damper rod had a pit in it, it transpired thet ohlins changed the internal spec at some point.:eek: So loads of other parts were required. :mad:
The end result was a bill of £303.23.:eek:
So if you have an Ohlins model DU3420. be warned that it COULD end up costing a fair bit more than expected. I'm sure Steve has done a great job and i'm not digging at him.
Will put it on the bike during the week.:D
Gaz 748
11-Nov-2006, 20:58
:eek: :eek: :eek: Almost cheaper to buy a new shock.
doogalman
11-Nov-2006, 21:23
:eek: :eek: :eek: Almost cheaper to buy a new shock.
I know. but once it's apart and they are working on it you're in it. Even Steve didn't know that parts had been superceded and discontinued.
Still it's back now, so get it on and have a play.
I know. but once it's apart and they are working on it you're in it. Even Steve didn't know that parts had been superceded and discontinued.
Still it's back now, so get it on and have a play.
It pretty much sounds like you've bought a new one anyway! With the amount of parts you've bought .. Steve's a good guy, I'd be happy with his word.
What a bugger, but there you go ... should be good once you get it on though :)
weeveetwin
11-Nov-2006, 22:44
Hi guys
As a matter of interest, here's a copy of an e-mail I've just received from Maxton after having them quote me for a suspension rebuild on my 888SP. It's got Ohlins front and rear. All-in, it's going to cost me around £500.
DUCATI 888 SP4
FRONT:
"The forks are Ohlins , and they give a very hard ride. The damping and springing are too hard and need to be modified. We do a fork conversion that revalves the compression damping and rebound damping (we reduce the compression damping and increase the rebound damping) We also use a different fork spring, the final choice is made when we know what the bike is used for (road or race) and the riders weight. Cost £250 plus VAT, and carriage. The seals generally are very prone to leaking, and because we can only use original Ohlins seals (there is no cheap replacement ) the cost of a new pair of seals is £46 plus VAT".
REAR:
"The rear is an Ohlins. It is very similar to the front in that the springing and compression damping is too hard. Just changing the spring hardly makes a difference, particularly at speed. We revalve the compression inside the unit and use a softer spring, the final choice of spring is dependent on the use of the bike and the riders weight. The cost of revalving the unit and changing the spring is £130 plus VAT and carriage.
We make a replacement shock a Maxton high pressure gas shock costing £405 plus VAT or £490 plus VAT with a remote".
absolutely yes definately not and everything inbetween, as usual.
rcgbob44
12-Nov-2006, 04:23
Someone once told me that the only real difference you could tell between Ohlins and a well set up showa suspension system was when you were on the limit on a track!
yorkshire pud
19-Nov-2006, 13:04
well thanks guys .i was bidding for a shock off fleabay. ohlins. after reading posts i wont buy a used one now.ill get mine rebuilt. or buy new.
The rear Ohlins on my bike (R model) had piston rod damage, I thought about buying one off e-bay but got mine repaired/serviced, a bit less money than one off fleabay as it turned out and now I know I have a rear shock that is in tip top nick, not one of unknown origin, age, condition off Fleabay.
Ohlins worth it, IMHO on the road the ride is so much plusher, less stiction compared to the non nitrided showas, on the front of a 996 BIP and showa rear. But Compared to nitirded showa forks I couldn't tell the difference on the road. Didn't get the chance to fiddle with the 998s set up ( nitrided showas) as it wasn't my bike.
I can feel the difference with small changes on the ohlins set as well, unlike on the 996 BIP.
Ray.
S'funny that, owned my T8SP4S since 1997 and neither front fork (FG9050)has leaked, ever. Only stripped, checked and seals replaced after Oct 05 front end smash when the front wheel was pushed against the rad'. Forks not bent, frame was. Hard ride on the front due to track springing, but a lot can be dialed out.
The rear shock is spot on, only change was a 10% reduction in spring rate and softening up the comp and rebound.
I can't knock 'em. I do make a point of carefully removing the crapola that
gets under the dust seals though, as that balls up and causes inner seal failure.
Ains.
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