Updated rear shock

[Dpolo1]

Ive heard BMW, changed the rear shock on the late model R18. Supposedly to a smoother ride. Any info? Is this true?

 

[HUNTS]

Ive heard BMW, changed the rear shock on the late model R18. Supposedly to a smoother ride. Any info? Is this true?

Yes, they upgraded the settings on it. I have a ‘25 and no complaints at all.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Yes, they upgraded the settings on it. I have a ‘25 and no complaints at all.
View attachment 20760

is it a different part number?

 

[HUNTS]

is it a different part number?

Have no idea. I think that they just adjusted the settings on the original.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

Not really an improvement...

 

[HUNTS]

Not really an improvement...

I have no complaints about it. All of the bad reports about from previous years seems to have been sorted.

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

I use the instructions in the manual as a starting point and adjust to suit me.

 

[Dpolo1]

So actually its the same shock. I believe its over sprung, my settings are set at 0.

 

[HUNTS]

 

[Dpolo1]

Thanks thats good info. Wonder if I can just replace for a lighter spring

 

[emgarciax]

Mine is at 18 turns right now (recently riding 2 up with wife).
This is yet another thing that seems to have smoothed out over the course of the 12K miles I currently have.
Not a GS by any stretch of the imagination, but 600 mile weekends are no issue.

 

[Star-Lord]

I've already decided in my head that when my active suspension strut needs to be replaced on my Model B, I will most likely replaced with a fixed Wilbur or OHLINS strut preset for my weight and riding cargo weight, which hopefully, will include a plug in module that suppresses any error codes from the active adjustment sensor...

 

[AdventureBoy]

Yes, they upgraded the settings on it. I have a ‘25 and no complaints at all.
View attachment 20760

Any idea what year they made the change?

 

[HUNTS]

Any idea what year they made the change?

When they did the upgrades for the ‘25 model.

 

[Oldel]

Coming from a 1250 GSA, I must admit that I can't stand the suspension despite loving my 18c otherwise. I have ordered the Wilbers Nivomat (front and rear set) and will report back once they are mounted.

 

[LBV]

Have you checked the tire pressures? Lowering them 2-3 psi from spec (36 fr 42 rear) will help.

 

[emgarciax]

Coming from a 1250 GSA, I must admit that I can't stand the suspension despite loving my 18c otherwise. I have ordered the Wilbers Nivomat (front and rear set) and will report back once they are mounted.

That's a treat.

 

[HUNTS]

Coming from a 1250 GSA, I must admit that I can't stand the suspension despite loving my 18c otherwise. I have ordered the Wilbers Nivomat (front and rear set) and will report back once they are mounted.

The rear suspension prior to my model must be crap, based on this forum and that I have zero complaints. In fact, prior to reading about how bad the 20-24 models were, I wouldn’t have thought about it.
I hope that the WN solves the problem for you.

 

[emgarciax]

My last three bikes were R 1200 GS. A 2013 base model no active suspension, a 2015 low with active suspension and a 2018 low with active.
My 2022 R 18 Classic is not plush, however if you do your math right you can find a decent setting.
Of course it will never be even close to an R 1xxx GS, which I consider the ultimate bike.
I believe the Wilbers Nivomat is the absolute best thing you can get for the R 18. Good call @Oldel

 

[Oldel]

Totally agree as far as the GS being the top in terms of comfort. I knew what I was getting into with the r18 and really enjoy both the look and the low end torque. I have played with the pre-load several times but can't seem to find the right setting. I am hoping that the self leveling feature from the Nivomat will improve comfort a bit. Pot holes are unusually nasty this year following the crazy winter we had.