Ohlins suspension owners......opinions?

jeffro503
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St Helens, OR, USA
Edited Date/Time 9/5/2022 12:05am
For you guys that went an purchased an Ohlin's forks and rear shock.........after some testing and so forth....what's your overall opinion on the purchase? Was it worth the $2800.00 - $3000.00 ?

How does it compare to something like a heavily modded set of OEM stuff....like a RG3 diamond kit ( about $2300.00? ) Or maybe an A-kit? I know the A-kit costs about 2 - 3 times more......but for what you paid in the Ohlins kit........are you still happy with your purchase? And would you buy the set again for a newer model bike?

Seems like to me price wise....it's some where between a modded set of OEM stuff and an A-kit......which is kind of a sweet spot for someone who wants to plop down the money for it.
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KTMShane699
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2/4/2015 3:30pm
Had it on my 2014 KTM 250 SX and loved it. It was so much better than the WP stuff. Plush with incredible bottoming resistance. I only sold it because it won't bolt up to my 450 FE that's coming and since I'm going to be splitting time between bikes I wanted to free up some money to play with my FE. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to run it again. The stuff is awesome.

Keep in mind that when I sold my stuff, I lost less than the cost of a decent revolve job. Money well spent to me.

Shane
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jeffro503
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2/4/2015 3:46pm
Shane.....you and Digger 29 were two guys I really hoped would chime in here. I'm not thinking of getting Ohlins for anything I own right now......thinking ahead on a future bike.

And BTW.....I have visited the Ohlins site a few times and it's kind of got me confused on a bunch of things. When you go a make an order on what exactly you want......what's the best way to go about it? Are there cheaper and more expensive sets to get? what are the TTX line? And if I was to say " I'm a 40 something vet A//B rider that does nothing but moto ".......would they have a good idea of what I should get?
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HenryA
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Stockholm, SE
2/4/2015 4:09pm
I had the suspension on both my 125 and the 450 revalved before I went the Öhlins route and, honestly, there is no going back once you made the switch. The TTX suspension works great and they respond very well to adjustments. I haven't tried the latest RXF forks though since I went for the TTX inserts. But the TTX fork inserts combined with the TTX shock was a night and day difference compared to stock (rebuilt) suspension. And just like KTMShane699 said before, the resale is great.

Pull the trigger. Wink
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KTMShane699
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2/4/2015 4:39pm
Call Dean Burke at Burke Motorsports 502-387-0906. Tell him what you want and he will get you dialed in at a good price. Forks come with springs (.49's), shock doesn't come with them. So you'll just need whatever springs you require.

The Ohlins stuff is SUPER adjustable. One click at a time is very noticeable.

Shane
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The Shop

Jeremy200
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NZ
2/4/2015 5:11pm
I've only got the rear shock.

On a KTM (250sx) its night and day over stock or mildly revalved shock. A "must do" in my opinion.

It has definitely kept me off the ground on more than one occasion and gives me a lot more confidence on a KTM
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wildbill
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Christmas Valley, OR, USA
2/4/2015 5:16pm

Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff.

I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still rail like a mofo. Ohlins sounds like the thing too do. Smile
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2/4/2015 5:39pm
The stuff is werth its weight in gold if u ride a ktm. I wouldnt buy it if I had any jap bike.
paul walker
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Ottawa Lake, MI, USA
2/4/2015 5:43pm
Anybody try the fork inserts in a 2013, 14, or 15 CRF 450?
jeffro503
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2/4/2015 6:35pm
wildbill wrote:
Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff. I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still...

Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff.

I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still rail like a mofo. Ohlins sounds like the thing too do. Smile
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky guy when it comes to my suspension. If it doesn't seem right , I tend to back it way down. I'll put all that money into suspension........only to run the stock graphics and worn tires if need be.

Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated.
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Suns_PSD
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Austin, TX, USA
2/4/2015 7:00pm
It's awesome and worth the money.
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bvm111
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2/4/2015 7:07pm
I would love to get Ohlins for the 06 KX250 just because they look bad ass....but it looks like they discontinued the48mx forks for my bike... that sucks!!!!
jhansen510
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GREENFIELD, MN, USA
2/4/2015 9:40pm
wildbill wrote:
Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff. I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still...

Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff.

I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still rail like a mofo. Ohlins sounds like the thing too do. Smile
jeffro503 wrote:
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky...
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky guy when it comes to my suspension. If it doesn't seem right , I tend to back it way down. I'll put all that money into suspension........only to run the stock graphics and worn tires if need be.

Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated.
Jeffry I could not find that PM in regards to the rotors. How does a guy get to them? Would you mind just texting me at 913-940-3893? Thanks moto bro!
ratonmacias
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Guadalajara, MX
2/4/2015 10:01pm
saw that noleen is doing ohlins. https://www.j6shocks.com/ never owned any ohlins suff. i really thought about a gas gasec 250 with ohlins fok and shock 10 years ago
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jeffro503
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St Helens, OR, USA
2/4/2015 10:26pm
wildbill wrote:
Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff. I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still...

Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff.

I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still rail like a mofo. Ohlins sounds like the thing too do. Smile
jeffro503 wrote:
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky...
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky guy when it comes to my suspension. If it doesn't seem right , I tend to back it way down. I'll put all that money into suspension........only to run the stock graphics and worn tires if need be.

Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated.
jhansen510 wrote:
Jeffry I could not find that PM in regards to the rotors. How does a guy get to them? Would you mind just texting me at...
Jeffry I could not find that PM in regards to the rotors. How does a guy get to them? Would you mind just texting me at 913-940-3893? Thanks moto bro!
Text sent buddy!
casper
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San Diego, CA, USA
2/4/2015 11:43pm
I bought KTMShane's forks for my 2014 KTM 450 sx-f and have 2 rides on them. I still have the stock shock on my bike. I only have the stock forks to compare them to. I set my sag and didn't even touch the clickers but here's a list of what I noticed.

1. First thing I noticed was how well they soak up small bumps. From little bumps in the parking lot of the track, to acceleration and braking bumps on the track, the forks smoothed them out. If you have ever ridden a bike where you went from stock fork seals, to SKF seals, and noticed how much better the SKF seals are, it was about the same level of change from stock to Ohlins with the small stuff(even though stock KTM comes with SKF seals).

2. The front end tracked in corners much better. It wasn't night and day different, but the front end "behaved" much better. It didn't want to tuck under or pop out of a rut as much and I found I could push it further into corners before it did have a problem. I'm sure this will get even better when I start playing with the sag and clickers

3. The bike improved with tracking straight in the rough stuff. I found myself taking lines on the outside edges of the track and the front end would track straight through it without deflecting. This was most noticeable when I was on the brakes coming into a corner.

4. Bottoming resistance! This is where it was night and day different, the Ohlins are a 10 here. As mentioned on this other post about buying A-kits, and a being able to ride faster because of the first 3 things I mentioned, i found myself over jumping almost all the big jumps. Completely over jumped onto the flat part of the landing and the bike soaked it up very well. If i was on my stock forks, it would have been one of those where your head wraps over your handlebars and your head smacks the front number plate.

5. My arm pump was greatly reduced. I think because the front end isn't all over the place that I could relax my grip and not pump up. My first ride out I was able to ride more laps non stop then ever before, although some of that might have been from the excitement of my first ride with the forks.

So lastly, is it worth the $? For me it was. I told myself the next bike I got I was not going to hold back with what I wanted suspension wise. I'm parting out my 2009 KX450 and all of that money went to help pay for the forks. I'll be able to sell my stock forks and shock to cover the Ohlins shock. I figure I can always sell my Ohlins setup and recover a good chuck of what I put in where as if I spent allot of money on an expensive re-valve, that money is pretty much gone when I sell the bike.
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racerhansen
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Aarhus, DK
2/5/2015 1:25am
I ran an Öhlins shock in my old SX 250, it was way better than the stock shock. recently I was ably to get a complete Setup for my Honda at a good price, and it's amazing. Worth the money
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Gallardo
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CA
2/5/2015 3:39am
We removed the air forks junk off our KX450F and put te full Ohlins package on.. Night and day difference!!
Highly recommended them..... Not cheap, but worth it. There's nothing you can do to make stock suspension work line this, and most definitely not air forks.
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ktm212
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Lafayette, NJ, USA
2/5/2015 7:10am
Had it on my 2014 KTM 250 SX and loved it. It was so much better than the WP stuff. Plush with incredible bottoming resistance. I...
Had it on my 2014 KTM 250 SX and loved it. It was so much better than the WP stuff. Plush with incredible bottoming resistance. I only sold it because it won't bolt up to my 450 FE that's coming and since I'm going to be splitting time between bikes I wanted to free up some money to play with my FE. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to run it again. The stuff is awesome.

Keep in mind that when I sold my stuff, I lost less than the cost of a decent revolve job. Money well spent to me.

Shane
It would have fit, you'd just need to change the front wheel spacers and axle.
KTMShane699
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2/5/2015 7:36am
ktm212 wrote:
It would have fit, you'd just need to change the front wheel spacers and axle.
You are correct. The 2014 forks have a slightly different offset in the lugs though. If I'm spending the money on a Factory Edition, I don't want to go backwards in the offset/handling.

And the shock is completely different and won't fit at all. I put my Factory Connection stuff back on my 250 and the stuff on the FE is supposed to be a better way to start than previous WP attempts. I'm leaning towards trying some Race Tech stuff on the FE to see how that is. And moving my Ohlins freed up some money to play with for the new bike when it comes in and keep peace with the wife. She's pretty awesome to let me keep my 250 and get a new 450...

Shane
mmcmx
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2/5/2015 7:39am Edited Date/Time 2/5/2015 7:40am
From my experience is not good enough for the pros but is perfect for the average rider.

In fact I've been told that A kit stuff would perfom worse for an average rider like me, too stiff and rigid for my speed.
rbm33
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Fantasy
2/5/2015 8:18am
Pretty much every thing Ohlins puts out is top notch.

My best advice on the TTX shock is to read this manual extensively and really understand how to get it dialed in correctly.
From my experience the guys that do this and are good at dialing it in love it like no other, but the guys who don't really understand how to dial it in aren't really a big fan.

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wfo4ever
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2/5/2015 8:25am
Stock suspension is so good now and if set up properly it is fine for most people. Quite a few pro riders have tried Ohlins and did not like them. Mike Alessi "Team Hot Tub" rider is the only one using them. I would save your money and use a reputable suspension company to set up your stock suspension like Pro Circuit, Factory Connection, Enzo, or Race Tech. Also when Ohlins or one of their dealers ask you questions about your weight, riding ability, and type of riding for set up. All they do is change the spring per your weight, nothing else, and it still might not be the right spring for you. They word it in a way that you think they are building your shock for you, that is total bull shit. All Ohlins products are sent to their distributors wilt the same set up from the factory, all Ohlins USA does is change or sell you a spring as needed, then a shipping clerk changes the spring before it is shipped. If you are going to buy Ohlins, call Ohlins USA as they are the distributor for the states and owned by Ohlins. They will beat any dealers price, just give them a call. They hook up guys in my area on pricing all the time but it is still very expensive and they still race and finish where they usually do. Be ready to spend a small fortune when you call. Your body fitness is by far the cheapest modification you can make to improve your riding.
wfo4ever
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2/5/2015 8:31am
As RBM33 said before with so many adjustments you can get lost very easily. You might like it at track A but it could totally suck at track B.
Kevin_Reed
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2/5/2015 9:38am
I put the Ohlins shock on in May and had to wait for the last run of forks to come from overseas in June. I had Dean Burke overnight them to the LL regional I was racing at. I was able to put them on for two of my three motos. The shock is great, all breaking and accelerating bumps are almost an afterthought. I have the compression set full soft on the forks most times and mark my fork to see how much travel I actually use at each track. I also put huck valves in and the bottom feels like pillows. The whole package shines the harder you push it. If you are just a C rider I think more ride time on stock stuff and better fitness is what you need first. At my age I do not want to look back and think if I just had better this or that I could have done better. It is all me now as I know I have the best. Here is my district hardware I picked up this week.



jeffro503
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St Helens, OR, USA
2/5/2015 10:17am
Guys....did I have the dollar amounts correct with saying a full set was around $3000.00 ? I'm not sure exactly what I looked at last night at the Burke motosports site , but just the set of forks was $3150.00. Would a brand new full set be something like $4500.00 or something?
OW38B
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2/5/2015 10:37am
Well......I had a pair of remote reservoir Ohlins on my 79 Honda CR250 Elsinore...............maybe you do not need input from those. Laughing
paul walker
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Ottawa Lake, MI, USA
2/5/2015 10:41am
Coppersmith in Ohio lists the forks at $3505.
Shock is $1250
Total of $4755. It does say there is a racer discount available.
2/5/2015 10:51am
wildbill wrote:
Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff. I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still...

Jeffro, I thought you could kick most vets ass on revalved stock stuff.

I get it, you are getting old and feeling it, but can still rail like a mofo. Ohlins sounds like the thing too do. Smile
jeffro503 wrote:
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky...
The only ass that has been getting kicked since I came back to riding......is most definitely mine haha. I've always been known as a super picky guy when it comes to my suspension. If it doesn't seem right , I tend to back it way down. I'll put all that money into suspension........only to run the stock graphics and worn tires if need be.

Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated.
jhansen510 wrote:
Jeffry I could not find that PM in regards to the rotors. How does a guy get to them? Would you mind just texting me at...
Jeffry I could not find that PM in regards to the rotors. How does a guy get to them? Would you mind just texting me at 913-940-3893? Thanks moto bro!
There isn't an actual PM feature in Vital, they just go to the email address you used to register with.
Frodaddy
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Reno, NV, USA
2/5/2015 10:54am
I had a set, on my 13 and 14 450, it is awesome compared to the stock stuff.
I just put it on my 2 stroke and it is working great! I have had a few sets of Showa A kit stuff, and the Ohlins stuff has more flex and almost works just as good!
I recommend purchasing and having Ohlins stuff serviced by Ohlins USA in North Carolina. Stacy Berger is the man to talk to.
Ohlins Forks and Shock retail for about 5K. Not cheep but it is very good!







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Markee
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Suffolk, VA, USA
2/5/2015 11:00am
Coppersmith in Ohio lists the forks at $3505.
Shock is $1250
Total of $4755. It does say there is a racer discount available.
Good grief. Almost 5k. My entire 250sx new was 5900. I don't know, seems like the pricing is a little out of wack.

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