Hi Dualsport Chic and AdvHunter - hopefully I'll be able to answer that for you...I trust you've already seen the FAQs on the first page of this thread, and similarly, there is post #24 on page 2, which also summarises the key elements of suspension and set-up.
Unlike our LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 suspension for the Honda CB500X (where LEVEL 2 included a number of additional component changes to allow the longer travel and fundamentally a 19" front wheel to fit), the GS already has a 19" front wheel as standard, so the primary difference between the two 'LEVELs' for the GS is simply the length of travel/ride/seat height - and to a lesser extent how much damping adjustability you have.
In a nutshell, the key difference is that LEVEL 2 (as fitted to the Australian bikes in the video) is 20mm higher than the OEM bike and our LEVEL 1 set-up - giving a little more travel and a corresponding increase in ground-clerance - which is already good on this bike of course, hence the reason we only felt a modest increase was required to create what we consider is the 'optimum' set-up [for off-road use] on a bike this size and wheel-base.
However, we appreciate that much of the appeal of this smaller BMW is going to be for shorter/smaller riders too, or those of us who are tired of tippy-toeing our [typically taller enduro/dual-sport] bikes when we are just wanting to take it easy for fun exploring off-road... hence ensuring that the LEVEL 1 set-up also offers a significant improvement in performance, while retaining the original seat-height.
In addition, the LEVEL 1 LOW version is the same specification as the standard travel LEVEL 1 shock, just a little shorter - again, not compromising the overall performance* for those with a shorter inseam. note. as per the FAQs the only limitation with the shorter shock body is that the optional remote preload adjuster cannot be fitted, instead you set your sag using the supplied ring-tool from TracTive in the usual way - fortunately on the G310GS, the preload ring is very easy to access.
*Other than the ultimate length of travel of course.
Differences in more detail:
The LEVEL 1 shock has the same size body (ie main oil capacity) and diameter spring as the LEVEL 2 shock, so broadly speaking the 'performance' will be the same.
However, the LEVEL 2 shock is both physically longer/has a longer stroke (to give the extra travel), plus it has a PDS damping circuit to help slow the action towards the extreme of travel to minimise the effect of bottoming out the suspension during a particularly larger hit or heavy landing*.
*for info. it's worth noting that our Honda CB500X LEVEL 2 shock does not have PDS valving, and is still very controlled when you do reach the ultimate limit of travel - it's just the PDS circuit makes this transition even more progressive, and also consistent during a series of repeated big hits such as riding whoops at speed for example (which admittedly might be pushing the boundaries of what most people would consider a prudent 'Adventure' ride anyway of course!) - but the larger shock body on the GS allows this PDS circuitry to be included in the specification, and certainly ought to appeal to those choosing this bike primarily as a weekend dual-sport machine in comparison.
The LEVEL 2 shock also includes individual adjusters for the high and low speed compression, and rebound damping - allowing you to 'dial-in' the individual settings more comprehensively to suit particular conditions, rather than have the overall ratio between compression and rebound damping fixed like it is on the LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 1 LOW shock.
hint. simply put - if you are familiar with high-end suspension adjustments, then you'll appreciate the extra functionality of the LEVEL 2 shock, if it all sounds like voodoo, then I'm confident you'll be more than satisfied with the adjustment and control on the LEVEL 1 ;o)
Finally, the LEVEL 2 shock also has a slight increase in oil capacity (afforded by the reservoir that also houses the compression damping controls). Again, for a shock used in more extreme off-road environments, the extra oil capacity means the damping characteristics are less like to 'fade' during more aggressive and prolonged riding conditions; but as with the benefits of the PDS circuitry, this is really only likely to be fully appreciated once you start pushing the bike in less of a typical 'adventure' and more of a 'dual-sport'/trail-bike role.Ultimately we see this baby BMW as an 'all-terrain' adventure bike that more closely bridges the gap between multi-perpose and a genuine [enduro based] dual-sport bike, so the LEVEL 2 specification reflects the more extreme off-road performance owners are likely to be looking for.
With regard to the difference in the two corresponding fork kits, both the LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 set-up feature the same components - including the billet adjustable preload cap and new linear main spring (in a choice of 2 weights) - the LEVEL 2 just increases the ride height by +25mm to balance out the bike with the longer travel LEVEL 2 shock.
But back to LEVEL 1 (and LEVEL 1 LOW) - and something both Dualsport Chic and AdvHunter ought to be particularly interested in - it is actually my intention to fit the LEVEL 1 shock and fork kit to my own bike in the USA next month (rather than the longer-travel LEVEL 2), as I have every confidence that in an 'adventure' role, it will be more than capable - not least as the standard travel on the GS is basically the same as I have on my LEVEL 2 CB500X already - a bike that also has the same size wheels, and a similar wheel-base and ground clearance - and you may recall I rode the Rubicon Trail on that bike ;o)
So if you're looking for a real-world 12,000+ mile test of the LEVEL 1 set-up, you're going to be in luck - stay tuned here, and also in the ride-reports section starting mid-April - although I'd suggest you don't wait until I've finished to actually buy one yourself of course, or else you'll miss a whole summer of great riding!
Hope to see you out there!
Jenny x
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