Rear shock service intervals...... When did you last get it serviced.

[Tramp]

Okay as the title implies how many miles or years do riders leave before getting their rear shock serviced? Or is it never as bikes are changed frequently..

When you upgrade to a new shock as the old one is crap...

I'm at 11 years and 53,000 miles.... Opps..

And does a service really make a difference with a new spring for your weight included..

[bikenav]

never serviced one, have always run OE's to destruction, but recently had my rear ohlins rebuilt the oil had fallen out. when I bought it had a relatively heavy 150 spring fitted, swapped to a 140 probably should have gone 130 definitely worth trying to get the right spring, 150 Ohlins spring is for sale dont remember the length off hand but it is mint.

[Tramp]

Well that surprises me with only 1 reply, oil by nature breaks down with repeated heat and cool cycles.... So most are riding bikes with bugger all dampening just their bike springs... I do know folks that ride off road have suspension serviced more regularly..

The average price for a service is aroind £110....so not expensive in motorbike terms....

I have learnt that many who have had shocks feel it was worth while but then they also had new correct springs for their weight fitted at same time.... Also most comment that when new shocks upgraded how better the bike feels and rides..

So basically most are in denial lol.. And like a ruff ride.

[redbikejohn]

Enduro riders its once a year. Street bikes (in all their guises) tend to just be left until it goes wrong. Plenty of the cheaper oe shocks aren't very serviceable. I think the fact that most shops will have to send it off to a specialist means that most owners dont bother until it leaks oil or begins to bounce too much - although I suspect a huge amount of riders probably wouldn't notice lol.

[DanielS]

Rebuilt my 2006, 60,000 miles 1200GS rear damper 2 months before a long bike holiday as I didn't want any hassles on the trip. Ironically it failed a week into the holiday and I had to replace it. Not my greatest experience with a rebuilt shock but I won't name the company, as maybe I specced it with too weak a spring and it was just a bit of bad luck. Would I rebuild an OEM damper again ... probably not.

[Flipflop]

I ran an 1100gs for 40k miles then bought a rear Ohlins for it. I had that serviced after a further 70K - Firefox said it was is good working order but I wanted a heavier duty spring as I was starting to do some European off road stuff. I did 50K miles on that shock and sold the bike - the rear shock was still in good working order with a total mileage of 120k miles and 1 referb.
The OE rear shock on my wife’s 1200 LC failed at 30K miles - both mechanically and electronically. She had it rebuilt/repaired for a very good price by a chap who is building up his home business whilst still working for a company, his service was second to none. If anyone wants his info I’ll dig it out.
Obviously her refurbished shock made the world of difference - no more kangaroo impressions
My 1200 TC has over 40K on the clock - shock still seams fine but, if I decide to keep the bike I will have it refurbished by the same chap with a heavier duty spring put in.
Cheers

[Tramp]

Enduro riders its once a year. Street bikes (in all their guises) tend to just be left until it goes wrong. Plenty of the cheaper oe shocks aren't very serviceable. I think the fact that most shops will have to send it off to a specialist means that most owners dont bother until it leaks oil or begins to bounce too much - although I suspect a huge amount of riders probably wouldn't notice lol.

John ..have you ever had your rear xt660z shock serviced? as its well over 100k now...or just replace with a aftermarket one?....

cheers

[Tonibe63]

OE shocks are built down to a price that allows them to last the warranty period during 'normal' use ....... which is probably not the use the glitzy adverts reel us in with.
My 60k mile/13 year old OE rear shock doesn't leak and is still fine for solo use with light luggage but when 2up with camping gear plus 2 weeks luggage it wallows like a pig when scraping yer boots but the same cheap shock/spring can't be expected to cope with an extra 180kg. If it was a worry then I would upgrade rather than rebuild the OE shock but seeing as SWMBO rides her own bike now I can't see the need.
Enduro bikes have always been 2 or 3 year old with OE shock which normally has preload wound up to the max to achieve 'compromised' static and rider sag but to be honest I only ever did green lanes and uk rallies and was not at a level where my ability justified the spend. The only problem I had was my CCM644 bottom mounting cracked open which I just replaced with a used OE shock before replacing the bike.

[bikenav]

Do you really get value for money as a Joe Average rider from a Damper front(fork) or rear oil change which is all we are talking about really before it starts to leak interesting question. For me there is damping then the oil starts to fall out and the damping reduces, I wish I had more feel for it than that, but in reality as I have never really ridden round in circles much to fiddle with adjustments with reduced other variables never really had the opportunity to learn the nuances of suspension. Perhaps I should though but I went from a blown OE rear damper and servicable front (already changed previuosly) to A basic Ohlins pair and in all honesty I went from Black to Yellow I did NOT though go from Night to day like some quote. These are my thoughts anyway.

[byewayrider]

Please don't confuse a service with a new rear spring.... I would go as far as to say 60% of motorbikes have the wrong springs both front and rear for the riders weight...

Also very few understand suspension set up the forums are full of wrong info... There is a vast difference imho between a badly sprung bike with oe shock and one with correct spring for weight on a oe shock... That is one of the biggest changes going for a aftermarket shock has going for it... And I always service road bike shocks every 20,000 mls.. Works for me..

Don't forget a badly maintained or failed shock is dangerous and can cause serious accident.. The UK mot test is a shambles for testing shocks..