? about Ohlins electronic shock

[wolfie]

I just went to install my heavier spring on my Apex GT. It has 1100 miles on it. I noticed what seems to be an oily film on the shock shaft. I can compress the shock with alot of manual effort, and it rebounds slowly, so it doesn't seem to be blown. I've never noticed that on a shock shaft before. Is this normal?

 

[dyama]

Yes! Ithink that as long as the shock is hard to compress and slowly rebounds it is OK.I have also replaced my Ohlins coil with the second option.Will be trying it on the weekend.It is now mutch better on the rebound (to return to original position).It was way to soft compare to the RTX standard rebound.

 

[Alatalo]

A very small amount of oil or red grease on the piston shaft is nothing to worry about. This is just left-overs from the lubrication that is used when the shock absorber is assembled.

When you are compressing a shock absorber slowly you are only working against the spring force that is created by the nitrogen pressure trying to push the piston shaft out of the shock absorber. If there is resistance, and if the piston shaft comes back out when you stop compressing it, this indicates that there is still nitrogen pressure inside your shock absorber.

 

[Starry Knight]

Nice post, Alatalo. Thank you.

 

[dyama]

Thank you Alatalo for you reply!
Could you tell me why did Yamaha changed so drasticly the coil spring rating and damping on the Ohlin shock in Europe?Is it because of average drivers weight or type of riding conditions?Because I would say that once your dressed up and there is slush under the tunnel,the North Americans are at least 200lbs plus.

 

[Alatalo]

Thank you Alatalo for you reply!
Could you tell me why did Yamaha changed so drasticly the coil spring rating and damping on the Ohlin shock in Europe?Is it because of average drivers weight or type of riding conditions?Because I would say that once your dressed up and there is slush under the tunnel,the North Americans are at least 200lbs plus.

I have got no idea why there is such a big difference between the american and the european suspension setup.

I guess part of the explanation is how different models are marketed. In america it is only the RTX that is actually marketed as a "rough trail sled". The ER and the GT are marketed as "groomed trail sleds". Maybe Yamahas idea is that the american GT does not need a rough trail capable suspension setup since that type of customers will buy the RTX ?

I guess another part of the explanation is what type of trails the sleds are likely to see. Many areas in Sweden and Finland have no existing grooming service so most trails are considered to be rough trails. Because of this there is no need for sleds marketed as "groomed trail sleds" and then all sleds, no matter if it is the RTX or the GT, are setup as "rough trail sleds".

 

[BADSLED]

Thank you Alatalo for you reply!
Could you tell me why did Yamaha changed so drasticly the coil spring rating and damping on the Ohlin shock in Europe?Is it because of average drivers weight or type of riding conditions?Because I would say that once your dressed up and there is slush under the tunnel,the North Americans are at least 200lbs plus.

I have got no idea why there is such a big difference between the american and the european suspension setup.

I guess part of the explanation is how different models are marketed. In america it is only the RTX that is actually marketed as a "rough trail sled". The ER and the GT are marketed as "groomed trail sleds". Maybe Yamahas idea is that the american GT does not need a rough trail capable suspension setup since that type of customers will buy the RTX ?

I guess another part of the explanation is what type of trails the sleds are likely to see. Many areas in Sweden and Finland have no existing grooming service so most trails are considered to be rough trails. Because of this there is no need for sleds marketed as "groomed trail sleds" and then all sleds, no matter if it is the RTX or the GT, are setup as "rough trail sleds".

Have you ridden the "European " GT and how do you feel about the performance of the rear shock (fast speed dampening characteristics)??? I'm considering going to those valving specs with stiff spring.

 

[Alatalo]

Have you ridden the "European " GT and how do you feel about the performance of the rear shock (fast speed dampening characteristics)??? I'm considering going to those valving specs with stiff spring.

I have not yet ridden a 2006 european GT.

Though, the shock absorber setup that I used in my 2005 RX-1 was very similar to the 2006 european GT (almost identical damping but slightly stiffer spring, 75 N/mm instead of the GTs 70 N/mm). This setup was perfect for a 100 kg aggressive rider on very bumpy trails. I can not say that the suspension comfort suffered, no matter if we are talking about slow cruising across a lake or fast riding down a bumpy trail.

This season I am riding RX Warrior (Attak) equipped with the electronically controlled Ohlins with european setup. I have done only 800 kilometers (most on very soft trails), but my comments are no different to my comments about the 2005 RX-1.

I will get back to you as soon as I get a chance to test a "proper" 2006 european GT.