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Now Ohlins for your Stelvio
- Thread starter GTM®
- Start date
WitchCityBallabio
Cruisin' Guzzisti
Hmmm.. I desperately need a new rear shock. So many choices. The Ohlins option interests me....
danketchpel
Tuned and Synch'ed
Here's my installation and initial ride impression.
First off, I was impressed at the build quality of this shock but that is pretty much expected with an Ohlins. I was really happy that Todd was able to get the shock length adjusted by Ohlins to be +5mm/-5mm instead of their standard +10mm/-0mm which makes no sense on this bike as you can't really drop the swingarm any without it hitting the lower bracketry. Being able to adjust the shock length is a real bonus on this bike. I installed it in the length it came adjusted to and it's about perfect. I "think" it might have been just a tiny bit shorter as I have "slightly" better footing than with the stock shock with both set to roughly equal preloads. I would have measured it by my long calipers are at work and I didn't want to wait.
Here are some photos of the shock itself before installation.
I found it IS possible to remove the stock shock (intact, no knob removal) and install the Ohlins without pulling the swingarm or removing the airbox. The trick is to remove the small heat shield on the muffler (if you have an aftermarket pipe then you're already ahead here) and the plastic underside protection piece that covers the airbox and gap behind it. Then lower the swingam all the way against the lower brackets and it's possible to work the stock shock out from the top left without removing the preload knob. You have to loosen and side the Ohlins preload knob assembly off the gold cylinder and it will slide back down in from the top left. After it's in position you can slip the preload knob assembly bracket back over the gold cylinder and then adjust it to the position that seems best. You can slide it left and right and rotate it some, then tighten the pinch bolt.
Here are some photos of the shock installed.
I tried to be as accurate with rider(s)/weight/riding type/style info as I could which included weighing dang near everything (camping gear included) then breaking it down by percentage of time I ride with each setup. I think my effort may have helped as the spring rate seems spot on and even the adjusters were very close. I ended up adjusting them a few clicks but it wasn't much. There is noticeable difference between clicks, it's sensitive.
So far I've only tried it on some fairly rough broken/mixed surface road, kinda bumpy paved mountain road, and limited freeway riding solo. It will take some time to cover more of the riding conditions but given the adjustability and how good it feels now I see no reason to not be able to adjust it to suit the riding conditions and load.
It's nice to be able to do all the adjustments with your hands only, no tools needed. It's REALLY nice to finally have compression dampening adjustment and be able to adjust the rebound with your hand.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it works riding 2 up and then 2 up loaded with luggage, which is where the stock shock really fell down.
I will post back after I've had a chance to get some miles on it and different riding conditions.
As of now I'm one happy camper, thanks Todd.
First off, I was impressed at the build quality of this shock but that is pretty much expected with an Ohlins. I was really happy that Todd was able to get the shock length adjusted by Ohlins to be +5mm/-5mm instead of their standard +10mm/-0mm which makes no sense on this bike as you can't really drop the swingarm any without it hitting the lower bracketry. Being able to adjust the shock length is a real bonus on this bike. I installed it in the length it came adjusted to and it's about perfect. I "think" it might have been just a tiny bit shorter as I have "slightly" better footing than with the stock shock with both set to roughly equal preloads. I would have measured it by my long calipers are at work and I didn't want to wait.
Here are some photos of the shock itself before installation.
I found it IS possible to remove the stock shock (intact, no knob removal) and install the Ohlins without pulling the swingarm or removing the airbox. The trick is to remove the small heat shield on the muffler (if you have an aftermarket pipe then you're already ahead here) and the plastic underside protection piece that covers the airbox and gap behind it. Then lower the swingam all the way against the lower brackets and it's possible to work the stock shock out from the top left without removing the preload knob. You have to loosen and side the Ohlins preload knob assembly off the gold cylinder and it will slide back down in from the top left. After it's in position you can slip the preload knob assembly bracket back over the gold cylinder and then adjust it to the position that seems best. You can slide it left and right and rotate it some, then tighten the pinch bolt.
Here are some photos of the shock installed.
I tried to be as accurate with rider(s)/weight/riding type/style info as I could which included weighing dang near everything (camping gear included) then breaking it down by percentage of time I ride with each setup. I think my effort may have helped as the spring rate seems spot on and even the adjusters were very close. I ended up adjusting them a few clicks but it wasn't much. There is noticeable difference between clicks, it's sensitive.
So far I've only tried it on some fairly rough broken/mixed surface road, kinda bumpy paved mountain road, and limited freeway riding solo. It will take some time to cover more of the riding conditions but given the adjustability and how good it feels now I see no reason to not be able to adjust it to suit the riding conditions and load.
It's nice to be able to do all the adjustments with your hands only, no tools needed. It's REALLY nice to finally have compression dampening adjustment and be able to adjust the rebound with your hand.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it works riding 2 up and then 2 up loaded with luggage, which is where the stock shock really fell down.
I will post back after I've had a chance to get some miles on it and different riding conditions.
As of now I'm one happy camper, thanks Todd.
danketchpel
Tuned and Synch'ed
I have not had a chance to do a lot of riding on the Stelvio since installing the Ohlins but finally got in a decent 2 up ride to add to the solo commuting and little bit of local hills I've done. I have not had a chance to ride the bike 2 up fully loaded with luggage yet.
My basic impression is the shock is much more "fluid" than the OEM shock. It seems smoother in action and more responsive to conditions. It's nice to finally be able to dial in what I want in terms of dampening.
The only thing I don't like about it so far is the preload "clicker" is very faint in feel and it's very hard to count the turns. I do wish it was much more distinct in feel, the OEM shock is better in this respect. But I really like that all adjustments can be made easily with only your hands, no screwdrivers etc. required, that's a huge improvement.
So far I'm still super happy with it and don't see any reason why I can't get it adjusted to work excellent for pretty much any riding condition. The main thing I really need to test is how the spring rate is when 2 up and fully loaded, hopefully it won't be near maxed out like the stocker was.
My basic impression is the shock is much more "fluid" than the OEM shock. It seems smoother in action and more responsive to conditions. It's nice to finally be able to dial in what I want in terms of dampening.
The only thing I don't like about it so far is the preload "clicker" is very faint in feel and it's very hard to count the turns. I do wish it was much more distinct in feel, the OEM shock is better in this respect. But I really like that all adjustments can be made easily with only your hands, no screwdrivers etc. required, that's a huge improvement.
So far I'm still super happy with it and don't see any reason why I can't get it adjusted to work excellent for pretty much any riding condition. The main thing I really need to test is how the spring rate is when 2 up and fully loaded, hopefully it won't be near maxed out like the stocker was.