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We (father gave me a hand) installed the Bitubo rear shock this morning. I finally got rid of the rotary damper that has plagued the TLR's performance. The install was pretty easy. Install time was just over two hours from start to finish. We had to jack it up on jack stands using rebar through the swingarm pivot and suspend it from a ceiling anchor. I only had to remove the seat, heal guards, the resevoir, and raise the tank. It went in really nice but we broke three (yes, 3) socket extensions trying to get stock rotary damper bolt off one of the brackets. The damm thing was lock tighted and a bit rusted within. It wouldn't budge and three extensions cracked from the amount of pressue being applied. Finally busted out the impact wrench and that busted it loose....barely. The shock went in nice and it was great to lose the 10+ pounds by removing the rotary damper and OEM shock.
After completing the install and cleaning up I set out for the first ride and went out to the twisties. I can say that I am so extremely pleased with the performance of this shock. Like other TLR owners have said, the difference is like night and day. This shock is smooth as hell and rides like a Cadillac. The shock responds instantly and stays planted and stable in the corners and across bumpy surfaces. It's such an improvement that it'll actually take some getting used to. I found myself more trusting and comfortable railing with the Bitubo more then with the rotary damper. I'm very please with Bitubo and would recommend them to anyone considering suspension upgrades. It performs great and costs half of what Ohlins and Penske charge for their products.
Here's a few pics of it installed. I installed the remote slightly angled to make ease of reach.
After completing the install and cleaning up I set out for the first ride and went out to the twisties. I can say that I am so extremely pleased with the performance of this shock. Like other TLR owners have said, the difference is like night and day. This shock is smooth as hell and rides like a Cadillac. The shock responds instantly and stays planted and stable in the corners and across bumpy surfaces. It's such an improvement that it'll actually take some getting used to. I found myself more trusting and comfortable railing with the Bitubo more then with the rotary damper. I'm very please with Bitubo and would recommend them to anyone considering suspension upgrades. It performs great and costs half of what Ohlins and Penske charge for their products.
Here's a few pics of it installed. I installed the remote slightly angled to make ease of reach.
