ESA Rear Shock leaking

[jono]

Only 15500km on the 09 GSA and the ESA rear shock is weeping oil!
From what I have read and heard it sounds common for the pre 2011 bikes to fail around 30K, guess mines just early

[bully1]

too much sitting around nd not getting ridden........ comes from having too many bikes and not enough days of the week

[spacey1]

MAYBE that extra heat from the aftermarket non-double-skinned exhaust is heating up the back-end more than normal ?

The standard exhaust and pipes are double skinned for noise reduction (drive-by testing) and to maintain exhaust temperatures inside the exhaust catalyst (emissions requirements), therefore keeping the heat internal to the system.

My 2008 GSA has 75,000 km with no leaks. But I'm very seriously considering replacing the shocks (as I genuinely don't think they are all that good) with Wilburs ESA, as they have a 10% promo at the moment, which narrows the gap between here and direct to Germany.

Again, sadly I'll have to take my shocks off and send them to Victoria reducing my riding life. Hmm, wonder if I can afford shocks and ECU re-mapping

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

Gday Jono, I had my rear shock seals fixed by a crowd called Biketech in NSW, cost was about $250 including freight.

Bowe

[jono]

Thanks Bowe, how many km ago was that and how long?? I had heard they could not be repaired.

Spacey1... Akrapovic is the only BMW approved aftermarket exhaust for the R1200GS

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

I also was told a repair couldn't be done, it obviously can, the job was done 12 months ago, 55,000k's, from memory an Italian guy who specialises in BMW suspension components, I think it was a couple of weeks turnaround maybe a bit more.
Naturally cost depends on the damage, I think mine was a straight forward seal job, a chat with him beforehand would narrow that down.
Bowe

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

2,000k's ago
Bowe

[Digger]

Well i suppose i should not complain....90,000 km travelled but the rear shock has spewed all the oil out. Jono, did you get yours repaired by Biketech and what was the outcome / cost etc.
I have pulled the shock off the bike and it would appear as no more than the seal gone. I guess the two options would be to recondition or replace. Because i intend to keep the bike for a while yet (still have some unfinished business) i would consider a reconditioned unit if the seal repair could not be garenteed to fix the problem. Any hints / tips / advice???
Regards

[bowewilson@gmail.com]

You have nothing to loose by giving Biketech a call, mine was still OK when I sold it.

[Swampy]

Do you want to buy my bike Steve?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ridden by a light weight, shockie untested

Cheers and Good Luck with your seal.

Swampy

[jono]

Hi Steve

I had already committed to a new Wilbers ESA shock set, so I did not try Biketech.
The Wilbers cost 1800 so trying Biketech would probably be you're best bet.

I can vouch for swampy's GS, lightly loaded use, almost no off road (well intentional off road anyway)

Cheers
JonO

[Digger]

I guess the two options would be to recondition or replace.

Have been able to get Biketek in NSW to repair the shockie (around $300)...I guess the proof will be in the pudding as to whether I will be able to get my monies worth.
The guy (Frank Pons) has a bit of a following in NSW...might be worth looking into if others have a similar failure (unless you like replacing rather than repair ($$$$$$))