definitive thread on Ohlins/Bitube/Sachs

[kismetcapitan]

ok, at this point people have gotten some mileage on aftermarket suspension, and I thought we could collect all thoughts and impressions.

While I've done nearly everything else to my bike, I hadn't touched the suspension other than dial it in. It's a bit stiff, but it feels the way I want it to.

But then I've just done some riding on a couple Ducatis - 1198S, and Multistrada 1200S - both with Ohlins. They are remarkable in their handling, aren't bone-jarring, and really has me wondering - is it the Ducati chassis, or is it the Ohlins? The word "telepathic" keeps coming to mind, and the MTS1200 and 1198 are very different bikes overall.

I've ridden the Sachs-equipped Ducati 848 and 1198 and was left very unimpressed.

In the fork, if one's going to upgrade to Ohlins, what really practical difference is there between doing the full fork, versus cartridges?

And how about the Bitubo stuff? Anyone try that out?

[S1000RR ROB]

upgrade your suspention in any way u will not be left wondering why....

i personally will probably go for the bitubo eventually purely because i think its looks smart and is just as good as the ohlins cartridge.....

ill be doing cartridges because im not a racer i want the suspention just a slight more refined and at the same time as giving that level of confidence on the track we all want.........

if ur a racer(full on) go the hole hog but otherwise the cartridges will be good enough..........unless uv got lodsa money

also a large difference is friction coefficient (how easly fork struts slide up and down in the fork leg and thru there seal) and much better quality valves enall the other stuff not worth going into.........

[chopt]

if ur a racer(full on) go the hole hog but otherwise the cartridges will be good enough..........unless uv got lodsa money

Very well put.

The stock susp has been fine for me 160-165lbs(street only). If I were to do anything, I'd install cartridges up front and the proper springs front and rear for my weight.

I don't know about the others but, Ohlins has great support.

[tubsy 250]

took my bike out the last couple days for the first time since fitting my ohlins and bst's.awesome the bike has become a part of me i think its the best way i can explain it.its sheers soooo nice and less weight transfer and not so harsh even with heavier springs

[V8M3]

Originally Posted by S1000RR ROB

i personally will probably go for the bitubo eventually purely because i think its looks smart and is just as good as the ohlins cartridge.....

ill be doing cartridges because im not a racer i want the suspention just a slight more refined and at the same time as giving that level of confidence on the track we all want.......

I am with you. I have BSTs and 520 conversion on the way. My very last mod will be Bitubo cartridge and xx-36 rear.

[burnham]

Originally Posted by kismetcapitan

ok, at this point people have gotten some mileage on aftermarket suspension, and I thought we could collect all thoughts and impressions.

While I've done nearly everything else to my bike, I hadn't touched the suspension other than dial it in. It's a bit stiff, but it feels the way I want it to.

But then I've just done some riding on a couple Ducatis - 1198S, and Multistrada 1200S - both with Ohlins. They are remarkable in their handling, aren't bone-jarring, and really has me wondering - is it the Ducati chassis, or is it the Ohlins? The word "telepathic" keeps coming to mind, and the MTS1200 and 1198 are very different bikes overall.

I've ridden the Sachs-equipped Ducati 848 and 1198 and was left very unimpressed.

In the fork, if one's going to upgrade to Ohlins, what really practical difference is there between doing the full fork, versus cartridges?

And how about the Bitubo stuff? Anyone try that out?

It's the Ohlins. I have two aprilia's with Ohlins, it's much nicer out of the box. When the time comes, I'll have R+T forks and an Ohlins shock on my bike. That an a power commander will be my first mods.