Semi Active Suspension

[Blade]

I really fancy having this on my next bike so dropped a reputable suspension specialist an email to ask if it was serviceable.

The answer I got back was they dont work on the BMW suspension as Sachs will not supply or sell any spare parts. I would imagine this is Sachs policy and therefore nobody can service it.

Thought I would share the information as although I really fancy semi active suspension on my next bike I find the fact it cannot be serviced / maintained a big negative that could possibly put me off investing in this technology. If you buy a high end bike with semi active suspension you obviously rate handling highly and the inability to maintain it means as it wears and degrades its going to need replacing which is going to be massively expensive.

Good buisness for Sachs but not for end users who has bought a state of the art handling bike that will need big money throwing at it within a couple of years.

The specialist i contacted also said they didnt work on the Ohlins mechantronic suspension either but didn't go as far as to say spares were not available. I'm going to email an Ohlins approved agent and see if the mechatronics kit can be serviced by official Ohlins dealers.

Thought this could be useful info to share with others who maybe tempted by the latest semi active suspension sportsbikes.

[Kwacky]

I thought you could retrofit the ohlins system on to some of their existing shocks?

[Deegee]

Interesting that suspension companies won't deal with the electronic suspension units, I've got my eye on Multistrada's for just this reason, dealing with electronics that are exposed has taught me that simple is cheaper in the long run, even worse if you've got to pay oem prices if it goes wrong.

[Blade]

Exactly my concerns Deegee

[D6]

I would think servicing them at the OE dealer will still be an option. Then once they are more popular/common aftermarket suspension companies will pick up the work. I bet there's going to be no profit in it for them at the moment due to low demand for parts etc for them.

[Blade]

I m not sure D6. Most current main dealers can't service suspension and either send you else where or sub contract it out.

[Blade]

I have now found out that the Ohlins mechatronic ttx36 shock which is available as an after market shock for the zx10r is serviceable with identical service costs as to a normal ttx36 shock at circa £100.

So maybe upgrading a zx10 is the best long term option.

[D6]

I m not sure D6. Most current main dealers can't service suspension and either send you else where or sub contract it out.

I couldn't tell you about other makes, I just know my Triumph suspension is done by the Triumph trained dealers.

[Kwacky]

Welcome back to the Kwak club

[Frankie]

I have the trick suspension on my S1000R, I can not rate it high enough it's amazing.
As for servicing I take it back to BMW for any work, so I am not bothered if nobody else can work on it at the moment. I would say in a few years time, things will change, more companies be doing it, it will become more common place and more people will have the ability to service and work on it.

Nothing different to any new technology to be fair.

[Blade]

I think you will find a main dealer service of suspension is nothing more than check for external leaks and wear, grease linkage bearings and check damping.

A speicalist will actually strip the damper, check for worn components and replace as nessecary, change the oil and refill and pressurise with nitrogen so its effectively new again.

Sachs don't sell spare parts for there suspension much like Brembo won't supply spares to rebuild there radial master cylinder. So unless BMW have an exclsuisve deal with Sachs to supply spares I don't think a dealer will service or repair a shock. Commercially its not in Sachs or BMW's interest. The chief technician for BMW motorad williams dealership lives round the corner from me so I will ask him next time I see him. Its like the car industry parts are changed these days rather than serviced or repaired in most cases.

I think if a Main dealer finds a problem with suspension they won't repair it or service it they will quote you for replacement

[C00kiemonster]

I cannot believe for one minute there won't be an Indy that will do this at somepoint, it may well be they are designed to be replaced rather than serviced if parts cannot be obtained at present, however the parts availability and need for servicing will be more likely to happen once significant numbers of bikes are out of warranty.

Any ideas on cost of replacement of one of these units compared to servicing? Sometimes it may be cheaper to replace (sadly). Then there isn't a market.

[Blade]

Bmw s1000rr suspension has unquie shim and piston dimensions. Most manufacturers use 6 or 8mm shims but BMW use 7mm. The pistons in most forks are 20 or 25mm but BMW use 30mm. So the volume numbers are always going to be small as BMW s1000rr and s1000r have unique dimensions and the number of these models with the semi active suspension installed will be even smaller.

No figures for BMW but an Ohlins mechantronic ttx36 shock is £100 to service and £1250 to replace.

[Kwacky]

I'm going to get Perkles to make me a rear shock in his man shed.

[C00kiemonster]

I'm going to get Perkles to make me a rear shock in his man shed.

Some washing up liquid in a bottle with some clothes hanger wire. Sorted

[C00kiemonster]

Bmw s1000rr suspension has unquie shim and piston dimensions. Most manufacturers use 6 or 8mm shims but BMW use 7mm. The pistons in most forks are 20 or 25mm but BMW use 30mm. So the volume numbers are always going to be small as BMW s1000rr and s1000r have unique dimensions and the number of these models with the semi active suspension installed will be even smaller.

No figures for BMW but an Ohlins mechantronic ttx36 shock is £100 to service and £1250 to replace.

Even if you halve the cost for an OEM shock (which might be too much if a reduction) rather than the ohlins it's a big pile of money.

Hmm. Like modern cars I suppose. Far too complex and far too complex to fix yourself

A deliberate ploy by BMW using different sizes no doubt too

[Blade]

Recommended retail price of oem CBR1000RR shock which is pants is with in £50 of the price of an Ohlins shock. However when discount is applied the Ohlins will workout cheaper. I bought a custom set up (specific to me) Wilbers 3 way adjustable race shock for half the price of the OEM Honda 2 way adjustable rubbish shock.

[Blade]

Semi active suspension is great but as far as I can make out the BMW / Sachs equipmemt is not serviceable and this IS really putting me of investing big money in one of there bikes with the system installed. Which is a shame as its a great system on a great machine.

I hope the above is factual incorrect but at the moment all my research says not.

I'm going to ask the chief BMW technician who lives round the corner from me for clarification and will post his comments when known.

[C00kiemonster]

It will be very interesting what he says. If your logic is sound(which it sounds like it is) then it's more than a bit naughty IMO.

[Kwacky]

I thought OEM shocks were only worth £25?