Friend with ES problem rebuilding shock

[n2osx]

I hope that your friend get things worked out ok.

What's the cost of a non-ES shock? $485 or so? Installation? Easy-peasy. This is an example of why I remain leery of "state-of-the-art" technology and engineering. $3,300 for a shock replacement is simply outrageous (unless its BMW). Why has a '14 shock started leaking? Why isn't Yamaha stepping up to fix this? Even if it's out of warranty by a few days or weeks, a $3,300 failure ought to be remedied.

This was my thought too. Unfortunately, I was born and raised poor, lived most of my life poor, started doing pretty well for once about 8 years ago and then got in an accident on my '05 a little over 5 years ago and have been poor ever sense. So with that, before I buy things, I always look at Quality, Longevity, Time, Money, and ability to be able to fix things myself. (One reason for buying the FJR before I even test rode one). I really like the option of playing with the electronic suspension, but what price do you pay extra for parts and ability to rebuild on your own? Then lets say one grows tired of all the electronic suspension stuff during rebuilds and says "Screw it, I'm having GP build my forks and buying an Ohlins!" Are you now left with blinking lights on your dash from unplugged electronic suspension parts? Will it cause other problems? I have no clue...

I am not saying that it's not possible (I haven't looked into the ES) or that I couldn't figure it out. These are just things that I think about with this kind of stuff.

Carl

 

[wheatonFJR]

Electronics are horrible...my VCR still blinks 12:00...

Okay, just kidding. Hope OP's friend gets a successful resolution before heading back downhill to BMdouble-ya.

 

[Big Sky]

I am currious to know how much it would cost to change a blown shock on a BMW or Ducatti. Might be about the same would be my guess. So if I bought a low mile K1600 and blew the shock out my guess is I would be out the same amount of change maybe more.
So what's the issue here, just get it fixed and keep riding.

Dave

It seems to me, with BMW or Ducati we would expect outrageous; not so with Yamaha, which explains why I've been gun-shy of BMWs and Ducatis. $3,300 to fix a bad shock amounts to 20-25 percent of the purchase price of the bike, equivalent perhaps to having an engine failure in your 2014 F-250 - "get it fixed and keep driving."

What surprises me here is that it wasn't the suspension computer that failed or the stepper motor - the new high-tech bits. No, it was apparently the tried and true old-school mechanical components of the unit - a seal. IMHO, Yamaha stands to lose a lot of face and good will if it allows this owner to take that hit. If it were me, yes, I'd probably have to bite the bullet, but I would unload the bike ASAP, never another Yamaha purchase, and I'd revert to something where a mere suspension component doesn't cost 25 percent of the price of the bike. What happens if this becomes a common failure with 2014-15 ESs? A YES warranty has never been necessary; is it now?

 

[xcsp]

Found this over on FJROwners.com:

https://www.fjrowners.com/forums/9-fjr-technical/58370-2014-rear-shock-leakage.html

 

[SkooterG]

Found this over on FJROwners.com:
https://www.fjrowners.com/forums/9-fjr-technical/58370-2014-rear-shock-leakage.html

Good find.

Seems like a non-issue for the 'friend' as it is covered under warranty. So what's the big deal here? Jerry? WTF?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Found this over on FJROwners.com:

https://www.fjrowners.com/forums/9-fjr-technical/58370-2014-rear-shock-leakage.html

Good find.

Seems like a non-issue for the 'friend' as it is covered under warranty. So what's the big deal here? Jerry? WTF?

Yeah, WTF!?! Yamaha is fixing it under warranty...so all is good.

Why put only the bad part out there and not indicate that Mama Yamaha is fixing it? Dikhead.

 

[Big Sky]

Glad to see, in hindsight, there is warranty coverage. Still...a $3,300 shock.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Seems to always happen when a friend speaks for a friend. At least the OP was trying to help his bud.

3300 bananas tho? Must be a Mercedes Benz Shock.

 

[rPGoatBoy]

How much is the top of the line Ohlins or other aftermarket cat's *** rear shock?

$1500?

 

[Allen_C]

Seems to always happen when a friend speaks for a friend. At least the OP was trying to help his bud.
3300 bananas tho? Must be a Mercedes Benz Shock.

BMW.

The cost of the rear shock setup was discussed in late '13/early '14 and cited by many as the reason why they would NOT but the ES. Some of us said screw it and bought the YES with our ES. Hopefully we find out the cost to just rebuild the shock instead of replacing it.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Seems to always happen when a friend speaks for a friend. At least the OP was trying to help his bud.

3300 bananas tho? Must be a Mercedes Benz Shock.

BMW.

The cost of the rear shock setup was discussed in late '13/early '14 and cited by many as the reason why they would NOT but the ES. Some of us said screw it and bought the YES with our ES. Hopefully we find out the cost to just rebuild the shock instead of replacing it.

Nope, Mercedes. The BMW one was only 3200!

 

[08FJR4ME]

Sounds to me like someone is stirring the pot. Parts fail whether its Yamaha or BMW or Ducatti. Dealer is taking care of it under warranty.

Non issue,

SheeeeeeeZZZ.

 

[exskibum]

So we may not get an answer for a while about aftermarket alternatives. If I were to replace my Gen.I, until that piece of what has been so good about FJRs is in place, I'd prefer an inverted fork option without the electronic adjustability.

 

[Fred W]

Shock is not $3300 unless you plan on paying list price. More like $2700. And that is for the whole enchilada. Why would you replace it?

From the linked to discussion on the other forum, it appears the reservoir was leaking, not the shock seal. I kind of doubt that kind of leak would require replacing the entire shock, unless it was under warranty and they did not have the facilities to work on the shock at all.

Not even sure why dealership would tell a warranty customer how expensive the part was unless he was trying to make a point. Maybe trying to sell him some YES coverage?

Just sent my check to Renaa at D&H this afternoon.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Seems to always happen when a friend speaks for a friend. At least the OP was trying to help his bud.
3300 bananas tho? Must be a Mercedes Benz Shock.

My knowledge about K1600 shocks is limited to what I read on the K1600 owners forum but I've read that the cost of replacing both electronic shocks is $3800, not including labor which is about a 6-8 hour job. Both Wilburs and Ohlins offer electronic replacements for around $3000 and they are rebuildable and well as being superior shocks (usually disputed by the BMW faithful who have never tried aftermarket suspension). BMW says their shocks are not rebuildable but a Puget Sound BMW dealer assured me that they have a local suspension guru that can rebuild the shocks.

The Yamaha shock seems pretty pricy at $3300 even though it is available from the local parts dealers for around $2500.....and it certainly seems like it should be able to be rebuilt even if a fitting has to be installed to re-pressure the shock after rebuild. Traxxion used to do that to the GL1800 shocks (as well as revalving) and was very cost effective.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Sounds to me like someone is stirring the pot. Parts fail whether its Yamaha or BMW or Ducatti. Dealer is taking care of it under warranty.
Non issue,

SheeeeeeeZZZ.

You took this wayyyy heavier than Allen and myself did, it was all very light humor. No stirring the Colorado Pot with either one of us wanna be Kanadians.

Glad the shock was covered.

 

[ionbeam]

Glad to see, in hindsight, there is warranty coverage. Still...a $3,300 shock.

Putting the shock in the $hock!

 

[wheatonFJR]

If they're that expensive...getting them on the new bike was a steal!

 

[Allen_C]

If they're that expensive...getting them on the new bike was a steal!

Yes, this is the right answer!

 

[08FJR4ME]

I have a friend (contrary to what some you ******** may think) who's ridden BMW's and Ducati's all his days.

Really KJ, are you sure about that!