BMW R1200/1250 GS/GSA Front Shock Replacement

[@sirk0073]

Did this a month ago on my 1200GSA, crazy amount of work to get to one damn bolt. Been dealing with a leaky shock weeks out of warranty. Finally did the shock in on a big ride in August. Was a fair chunk of change to purchase the trac-tive shock dealing with exchange rates and taxes. First ride the bike felt like a whole new animal. Well worth the cost of the part and time I spent wrenching the bike. Great video.

[@tobygabriel5674]

I'm still under warranty and mine needs replacing. Is it a warranty thing? cheers

[@sirk0073]

@@tobygabriel5674should be good if still under warranty. I was 500 km and 1 month past warranty when I was able to make to the dealer. In 2018 it was approximately $3,000 USD and 9 weeks to have part delivered from Germany.

[@Next_Adv]

I put the tractive front shock on my gsa also so worth it. And there is enough flex in the airbox that you don’t need to remove it to get to the top bolt

[@bjwilliams6115]

Does it help with the “numb” feeling offroad of the telelever?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Yes, it gives it that more traditional feel. I have no connections with Tractive and am sold on their suspension

[@rallye81]

After having the Tractive Shock on your GSA, do you recommend it for the price? I know anything that fits on a BMW is pricy (except for the flip up fog light covers), but do you think it’s worth the significant upgrade over any other shock?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Tractive is who makes the suspension for Touratech, so doesn’t waist your money there on the black and yellow version. That being said yes, it makes a big difference off road with the high and low speed adjustment. I’m yet to bottom out the shock even on full send jumps. It eats up rocks, bumps and potholes and I also believe it is one of the only plug and play ones out there that work with the ESA system. Ted Porters Beamer shop. Has excellent customer service to make sure that they get the shock built right for you based off your weight, payload and riding style. For me it’s worth it.

[@CageSimons]

The adjustments on the front and back shock are what make it so nice. Yes your rider suspension modes help, but when you add 45-55lbs of luggage you can fine tune the suspension set up easily with a couple clicks. Same goes for the steering stabilizer. That was a huge confidence booster to tighten it up when you’re going to spend a trip going thru lots mud and sand. Highly recommend. Sold edit as well Kyle 🇺🇸

[@hogwildmotorcycleadventures]

If you are doing off-road to any level, the Tractive is the best solution for a replacement. The question you have to ask, how much longer am I going to keep this bike and am I going to get my money’s worth before I sell or trade the bike? The Tractive shock adds almost zero trade in value.

[@BKM5931]

Thanks brother, I’m installing mine the next couple nights. 😃🤙🏾

[@backcountryadvmoto]

It’s not too bad. Just the removal of all the shit to get to the upper bolt is the hardest part

[@adammfharris]

Is there absolutely no other way to get to a single bolt at the top? No tool?

[@kevincollins9466]

Hello everyone. Blew my front shock on the road and saw this video and was a bit concerned about the seemingly tedious task, seeing that it is NOT a roadside repair, according to the videos I saw. HOWEVER......... For the Hexhead owners ---------- On my 2007 R1200GSA, this job required me to remove 20 bolts total! I didn't even have to take off my gas tank. The 3 gas tank panels can be removed with a few bolts (maybe 6?) and comes out as a unit. I had also remove my horn. I'm commenting here because there are no videos that I could find on this job for a Hexhead 1200. For all you that are concerned about it, it's a 30 min job, front to back. That's from rolling the bike in to putting the last tool away and washing hands. Your first time may take an hour. You will need a wobble socket (ideally) for the top shock bolt. I use a wobble socket IMPACT ADAPTER which is much bulkier than a dedicated socket and still was able to get to it, although barely. To removed it & snug it down, I used my Dewalt impact driver (not impact gun, just the quick release, construction site style). I was so thrilled about the ease of the installation, I was really bummed that I didn't film it. However, it is so fast and easy, I'm considering just doing it again so I can post it on YT. Absolutely no offense to any other person or bike whatsoever, but just another reason I really love the simplicity of my Hexhead. Everything I've had to do so far has been relatively simple and precise. These bikes are so nice to work on. It's incredible how the hardware goes in exactly as it should and it is such nice hardware. For those of you scratching your head, I'm accustomed to working on dirt bikes and a 2001 HD Sportster. The BMW is a dream in every way I've found so far. I truly hope this is helpful to some Hexhead owners.. It's comments like these why I always read the comments of the vids I'm watching.

[@hogwildmotorcycleadventures]

Not all R1200GS models go in upside down. Those units before the 2017.5 model with the auto-leveling preload feature do not have enough room to get the front shock far enough through the upper mount to get the lower mount point on the shock to clear the A-arm.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

That is correct. And thanks for pointing that out. This is for ESA models

[@hogwildmotorcycleadventures]

My 2015 has ESA. 😊 In fact, 2013 through 2017 had ESA as an option. When BMW changed the ESA preload from manual to auto on his those 2017.5 and later models did the upper mount point on the frame for the front shock get changed and become larger.

[@thecorporategypsy]

Great help thanks!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Glad it helped!

[@jorana51]

Ебать он тараторит, как мой амморт по грунтовке.блблблблблбл

[@adammfharris]

What a terrible job for access to one bolt.