Ohlins shock mk1 B12

[PaintItBlack]

Bought a used Ohlins shock for my mk1 B12, the one with remote preload adjuster, before I fitted it I sent it off for a service, and had the spring powder coated at the same time ,

now it’s fitted I find it’s a harsh ride, with preload backed all the way off can only get 35mm of sag, 45mm would be closer to ideal,

with the Mrs on the back and zero preload it feels thereabouts, but solo it’s a bit of an unforgiving ride, and with a knackered back, arthritic hips, dodgy knees etc comfort is quite important,

with the spring powder coated all code numbers are now gone, so don’t know if it’s the stock spring, or whether a previous owner had fitted a heavier spring,

is that just what these Ohlins shocks are like, built more for a racetrack than Birminghams crappy potholed roads ?

feels like I need a softer spring, at 13 1/2 stone I can’t imagine I’m too light for the stock spring, but that’s how it feels, assuming it is the stock spring, 

Any thoughts ?

[Upshotknothole]

Ohlins shocks usually only come with a standard spring, so it's really common for people to swap out the springs depending on their use case. Replacement springs aren't too spendy, do you have a local suspension shop that could measure the spring rate of what's currently installed? A softer spring should give you the ride quality you're looking for. 

[PaintItBlack]

Yeah think you’re right, need to find a shop that can measure the rate of what is currently fitted and advise on a more suitable weight,

don’t know of anyone locally that can do that, sent it away for the service,

looks like I’ll have to refit the old shock for a while 

[Ted M]

I’m pretty sure the spring rate on an ohlins bandit mk1 is 90N mm. I have it written down somewhere I also have the spring code written down in the same place I’ll dig it out to confirm. This place here https://mrpmotorsports.com/blog/how-to-read-the-numbers-on-an-ohlins-spring/

tells you how to read the code should you want to change the spring

[PaintItBlack]

Thank you, that could come in handy,

would be more handy if I hadn’t had the spring powder coated and obliterated the numbers that would have been on there 

[Jaydee]

25 minutes ago, PaintItBlack said:

handy if I hadn’t had the spring powder coated and obliterated the numbers that would have been on there

All you have to do is ask! I have the same Ohlins unit with the remote preloaded adjuster fitted to my bandit. Zero problems riding solo, full working range of settings. 

Bandit 12 mk.1 Ohlins spring code is

1091-29/90 L211

[PaintItBlack]

Thank you 

I’m thinking a previous owner must have fitted a heavier spring, stock spring will no doubt work fine,

Really need to get the one currently fitted tested, before ordering a replacement though 

[dupersunc]

35mm is plenty of sag on the rear, 25mm is more usual.

Daft question. Have you tried adjusting the damping. The hve a big range if adjustment usually. 

[PaintItBlack]

2 minutes ago, dupersunc said:

35mm is plenty of sag on the rear, 25mm is more usual.

Daft question. Have you tried adjusting the damping. The hve a big range if adjustment usually. 

It’s not enough for my crippled old body 

I have to set my bikes up for comfort with sag set at around 33% of travel, with 135mm of travel that equals 45mm,

yes have got the best damping setup possible for as plush a ride as can be achieved 

[Jonny]

The spring rate is dictated by the weight of the bike plus the rider. Different bikes will have different geometry and weight so it’s not a universal calculation. You should be able to find out from Ohlins what the spring rate should be for your body weight on a Bandit. Bear in mind if you have (for example) put a lightweight 4-into-1 on, that might need to be considered. As a comparison, I have an 1100 slingy with an Ohlins on it with a spring rate of 90nm. I weight 14st and that feel about right. It had a 75nm spring when I got it which may be the ‘standard’ spring rate. I’ve seen quite a few with that spring on for sale.

Edited July 15, 2025 by Jonny

[PaintItBlack]

1 hour ago, Jonny said:

The spring rate is dictated by the weight of the bike plus the rider. Different bikes will have different geometry and weight so it’s not a universal calculation. You should be able to find out from Ohlins what the spring rate should be for your body weight on a Bandit. Bear in mind if you have (for example) put a lightweight 4-into-1 on, that might need to be considered. As a comparison, I have an 1100 slingy with an Ohlins on it with a spring rate of 90nm. I weight 14st and that feel about right. It had a 75nm spring when I got it which may be the ‘standard’ spring rate. I’ve seen quite a few with that spring on for sale.

My bike has had some of the fat trimmed, which may be part of the issue 

have now fitted my other shock, it’s a more basic yss shock, but I can set the sag I want with it and it gives a more comfortable ride, 

what I really wanted the ohlins for is the remotely adjustable preload, I do a lot of my riding with the Mrs on the back, the yss shock is a real pain to adjust the preload, can only turn the adjuster ring about 30 degrees at a time, and it takes an extra five full turns of preload to switch to two up setting, not much fun with my creeky old knees and prolapsed discs ,

i’ll give brook suspension a call tomorrow, they did the service on the ohlins, and see what they have to say 

[SiBag]

Are you sure its not bottoming out?

[PaintItBlack]

7 minutes ago, SiBag said:

Are you sure its not bottoming out?

Yes 100% sure 

[PaintItBlack]

Spoke to Brook suspension today, explained how I couldn’t get any more than 35mm sag, and how harsh the ride is, he confirmed 45mm sag was correct for road use on a bandit 12, 

he says it’s clearly over sprung, which is what I thought,

have sent the shock off to them today, they’ll test the weight of the spring that’s currently fitted and fit the correct weight spring for me,

let you know how that goes when I get the shock back