Best described as a durability tester, I’m very talented at finding product limitations (code for “I break things”). With 26k on my F800GS, living a life of hard and fast, heavily loaded ADV riding, I had already worn out the OEM shock and experienced two catastrophic shock failures (three in total). Both catastrophic failures left the bottom of my GS coated in shock oil. It was evident that I needed the most extreme shock I could find to help the wallowing GS!

After researching all the options, I decided the most extreme shock was indeed the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock. At $1,795 the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock also carries an extremely walletdenting price. I had already spent more than that on the two other aftermarket shocks, so the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock might be a bargain if it could hold up. Familiar with my reputation, Paul Guillien (General Manager of Touratech USA) told me, “Bret, anything can be broken… but, if anything can handle you the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock is it.” In the end, he was right about the second part; I have yet to break this shock! Looks like we have a winner!

For testing, I took the shock to Colorado (3,500 miles total) to ride along the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route (COBDR) after my failed attempt four months earlier when one of the other custom-built shocks blew its seals at the end of Leg Two.

Pulling the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock out of the box, I was immediately struck with the fact that it was far more stout than any other I had seen… a five-way adjustable shock that looks truly built for extreme ADV riding. Someone did their homework!

Many ADV riders may find the Touratech Extreme Rear Shock overkill, but for the truly extreme riders that live to push the limits of their equipment this purchase will be a bargain. It’s my fourth rear shock on the GS, and the only one that I haven’t been able to break.

Installation was a breeze, and with the ride height maxed out I had more skid plate clearance than a stock KTM 990! Like most rides I started on the street and felt a noticeable improvement in performance right out of the box without any adjustments. The improvement was consistent when the road turned to dirt.

Once I began tweaking, I found the damping adjustments enough to be able to tune the bike for off-road use and still get optimal adjustment for the street, a real feat for any shock manufacturer! This shock not only absorbs bumps and obstacles on the trail with composure, but turned the fully loaded GS into a serious contender when carving corners on the road. Built with spring and valving for a loaded GS, this is one serious shock. My only regret is that this shock wasn’t available when I needed my first replacement; if it had been I believe it would have been my first and only shock purchase. Touratech-USA.com

MSRP: $1,795