2018 CB1000R Ohlins suspension

[Aware]

2018 CB1000R Ohlins shock

Many thanks to Rob at Evolution!

If you have been following along, I bought a 2018 CB1000R a couple of weeks ago. Until recently I has a 2014 CB1000R, which I had installed Ohlins HO808 shock, which is the more expensive of two Ohlins options for the old CB. After I ordered the new CB, I whipped the Ohlins off with the goal of either installing it on the new bike, or selling the shock.

I dropped the bike and the shock with Rob at Evolution on Thursday, and went back to pick up the bike this morning.

Rob had to make only a couple of tweaks to get it to fit. His comments, from memory (feel free to correct if you see errors in this, Rob):

• Physical size, spring rate all seem fine for a straight swap - no need to rebuild anything in the shock.
• Top mount on the shock is 8mm, and 10mm on the bike, so he made spacers.
• The remote adjusters come with brackets to fit on the passenger footrest hangers of the pre-2018 CB1000R. Those old footrests are are mounted to the side of the subframe. The 2018 footrests are slung from underneath the subframe.
• So Rob drilled and tapped a couple of holes so that the adjusters could be slung from right underneath, close to the footrests. Pictures below. I think it looks great.

I'll get better pictures later, but just had to share these ASAP. Anyone who wants Ohlins on a CB1000R (and you will if you ride at all quickly) shouldn't need to wait for Ohlins to develop something specific for the bike.

 

[295566]

Looks sweet man. The community will be suffering a great loss in 2019 if/when they close their doors.

 

[afm199]

It fits. Whether it will work is something else entirely. If the geometry and linkage is identical, good chance it will. If the linkage is different, you have a new set of headaches.

 

[Aware]

It fits. Whether it will work is something else entirely. If the geometry and linkage is identical, good chance it will. If the linkage is different, you have a new set of headaches.

Yes Rob checked it out. I'm pretty sure he knows what he is doing.

 

[Blankpage]

I have Ohlins on my bike. Can't say that it stands out as a noticeable improvement compared to the suspension of other bikes I've owned.

 

[Hooli]

I have Ohlins on my bike. Can't say that it stands out as a noticeable improvement compared to the suspension of other bikes I've owned.

Oem Ohlins or aftermarket Ohlins? There is a difference here. :eboy

 

[firstbuell]

I have Ohlins on my bike. Can't say that it stands out as a noticeable improvement compared to the suspension of other bikes I've owned.

but.....

that's a $$ & performance heartbreak, fo sho


biggest error I made when upgrading the Buell was adding v nice Gold Valves up front,
& then cheaping out on fixing the rear shock

I took a too-softly sprung, yet nicely flat-handling bike
& ended up with a stiff front & an unmatched rear -
once you jump in the pool, ya gotta swim the whole way

 

[strictlyJDM]

I like the styling of the new CB1000R, im sure with ohlins now it cant be beat

 

[kuksul08]

Looks like a clean install.

Curious how it feels compared to stock. A lot of times Ohlins is pretty aggressive for the street.

 

[FreeRyde]

Looks like a clean install.

Curious how it feels compared to stock. A lot of times Ohlins is pretty aggressive for the street.

Yes, I agree.

Often, Ohlins shocks that are purchased for street bikes are without a bypass valve, which can create a pretty harsh ride for regular street traveling motorcycles.

More often than not, OEM shocks that come on modern motorcycles (higher spec bikes) are actually a better performing shocks as far as street riding goes. Don't give into the hype of the Gold U-Leenz!

 

[Aware]

Per my comments here and elsewhere, for my weight the OEM shock was too soft and was kind of harsh and bouncy.

I had this exact same shock on my previous CB1000R, and the difference with the Ohlins is significant. It is at once more compliant and yet stiffer and better damped. I get better feedback from the road and have more confidence to ride the bumpy twisties.


One very mundane example of compliance: On 101 and other freeways, there are those white bumps that come come in threes between lanes. With the standard shock, i feel those and they unsettle the bike just a little. With the Ohlins, I barely know they are there.

On twisties, the rear doesn't squat or bottom out at all with the Ohlins.

Ohlins has two different shocks in the catalog for the previous CB1000R model. One is about $600, the other is closer to $1300... this is the $1300 model. From other rider reports, the cheaper one also rides significantly better, but it has no compression adjustment.

 

[Blankpage]

Oem Ohlins or aftermarket Ohlins? There is a difference here. :eboy

Ducati stock OEM outsourced Ohlins

 

[Aware]

It fits. Whether it will work is something else entirely. If the geometry and linkage is identical, good chance it will. If the linkage is different, you have a new set of headaches.

FYI there is no linkage on this bike, so your point is moot.