Bitubo for TLS - Looking for feedback

[chiecken]

BurnCycle did an awesome job of putting together a list of shocks available for the TLS. So Thank you very much sir for the valuable information!!

Now, I am seriously considering getting a Bitubo for my TLS, but I couldn't find any information on the board that could answer my questions below. So I would like to request feedback from those who has it installed on their bike. TLS of course.

-How's the shock's performance given that it's mounted next to the engine?

-Any problems with the heat from the engine?

-Is the shocks perfomance consistent when the engine is cold/hot?

-Any issues with the mounting point on the frame now that it supports all the weight (versus the stock set up seperating the shock and spring)?

Thanks in advance!!

[SWEET-TL1000R]

How about I answer all your questions in about three sentences? Okay, maybe more.

The shock's performance is good as the ohlins if not better in my opinion. It doesn't have any problems from the engine. Like all shocks, it does perform well once the oil is warmed up which takes about 5-10 min. Lastly, the mounting points, the Bitubo removes the whole rotory damper so with that gone, it rides the TLS of the infamous crack in the mounting brackets.

Herman @ Herdan corp will hook you up with a good price. Good luck

[horkn]

i know i still am gonna get one this winter

[BurnCycle]

I still have my reservations about the shock but it maybe due to lack of understanding…

The original design of the TL’s (both R and S) is actually very ingenious, a progressive spring linkage while offering a linear compression and damping rate. It’s the delivery where things went wrong.

Since the Bitubo is an all in one unit you loose that advantage of the linear compression and damping. But is it a lose at all? How progressive is the linkage? From what Sweet as stated it mustn’t be an issue, but for some reason I remain unconvinced… Maybe I just need to see for myself.

[SWEET-TL1000R]

Burn, I can guarntee you won't be let down!

[Davcruz]

Originally posted by BurnCycle
I still have my reservations about the shock but it maybe due to lack of understanding…

Maybe I just need to see for myself.

I tell you what, I am putting one on my 2001 this winter, once I do, you come down and rail it a little and see for yourself. Sound good?

[BurnCycle]

Originally posted by Davcruz
I tell you what, I am putting one on my 2001 this winter, once I do, you come down and rail it a little and see for yourself. Sound good?

Sounds like a plan to me

[rufer]

Originally posted by SWEET-TL1000R
The shock's performance is good as the ohlins if not better in my opinion.

That's a bit high rated if you ask me.
A respectable German TLS driver described it on his site ( http://116.taunus-biker.de ) somewhat like this: The Bitubo is perfect for street usage, but the damping begins to wear on track, at least when the driver is heavy.
Quite some people with the Bitubo report they have to close the damping fully on track. That means the Bitubo hasn't much reserves on track.
--> If you plan to drive on track, get an Ohlins, Wilbers, WP, ...
--> Ohlins and Wilbers definitely have more reserves than the Bitubo.

One quite annoying thing of the Bitubo is that you almost can't reach one of the two damping adjustment screws (German: Druckstufe).
Another thing that many pople complained is the bad workmanship of the Bitubo. Screws wear fast.

But... the Bitubo is still a good value for it's money. And sure the cheapest solution to get rid of the rotation damper.

Greetings
Rufer

PS: pictures of my Wilbers shock conversion: http://www.mrufer.ch/foto/2003/wilbers_/index.html

[Vee-twn]

Hey Rufer!! How much cash are we talking about for the Wilbers unit? Euro or dollars...

It looks at bit tight at the end of the batterybox, have you had any problems with that?
The unit looks awsome!!

[horkn]

yeah, how much cashola is that wilbers unit? wait, did i say that?

[rufer]

The Wilbers is about 1100 SFr or 700+ Euro. Imported from Germany because this model was not available in Switzerland. Btw, there is a cheaper one (about 550 Euro??) without the compensating reservoir (and without high/low speed damping adjustment).

It's all very tight for mounting there. I had to move one relay, that's all. The cables just fit, but it is - as remarked - quite tight.

The Wilbers improved the rear end very very very much. Not compareable with the rotation damper!!!!!! By far the best money I spent in my TLS.

PS: Forgot it keeps the back end a little bit higher.

Greetings
Rufer

[Vee-twn]

Hmmm... Do you have a german web page so I can check it out my self?

BTW it looks really nice!!

[rufer]

Webpage with preview: (not much detail): http://www.bikers-warehouse.de/
Choose "Suzuki" and "TL 1000 S", then look for "Federbeine Wilbers" and choose below "Alles". The two models are displayed.
I got the technical Information out of a Motorbike catalogue. The type I use is Wilbers 641-426-00.

Bought it here: http://www.bikeroffice.de/ It's not on his homepage, but feel free to ask him via e-mail. PS: The owner of this shop drives a TLS, too

The Wilbers will be manufactured and setup for your weight.

Greetings
Rufer

PS: To not entirely hijack the thread, I'll add a photo of a Bitubo mounted (this is obviously not my TL, credit to the owner):

[tl1000lasse]

Buy a Bitubo one go here
http://www.tlplanet.com/forums/showt...0&pagenumber=3

[SWEET-TL1000R]

Originally posted by rufer
Webpage with preview: (not much detail):

PS: To not entirely hijack the thread, I'll add a photo of a Bitubo mounted (this is obviously not my TL, credit to the owner):

Just so you know, that's not the correct way to mount the res. The res mounts between the two heads and fits like a glove!!! This way you won't have to worry about trashing your res if you ever go down.

I'm really why this guy mounted it like that!