So how do you keep the tank brimmed or do you stop at every petrol station on the motorway
110 plus head shake
- Thread starter JayGee
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So how do you keep the tank brimmed or do you stop at every petrol station on the motorway
The weave did lessen later in the day when I lowered the screen and leant over the tank and had the damping on hard, but it was still there just not quite so bad and enabled me to get up to 125 mph on the satnav. I am quite tall, especially in the body, and wondered whether the wind buffeting was causing unintended steering inputs by me, a sort of shake the top of my body and the arms tend to shake and hence the bars. So, I just used thumb and finger on the bars but then the shake got worse and self preservation made me roll off, this suggests to me that it was NOT caused by unintended stearing input on those huge bars but something on the bike. It's difficult to try different things now as those speeds aren't practical in the UK (to say nothing of legal!) but will definitely try different tyres when these are done for, in the mean time I will check tyres, forks, bearings etc even though the bike is less than a month old!
Thanks for the help and details of your experiences. It's a great bike (otherwise) and I never had this problem with my previous hex head GS, although it would run out of steam at those spreads.
Having had the issues myself I'm now more aware to back off the gas on emptier tanks & run it more towards full to empty than half full to empty..
I don't start a ride with half full tank anymore if I can help it..
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It should be on the options list, why the hell didn't BMW think of that!
P.S. brilliant bit of Photoshopping there
I had the same last year at 120mph on the autobahn, it wasn't bad but disconcerting that the front was a bit loose for want of a better word .
I think it was the rear box ,now moved it forward to rear seat position and hopefully that will be it sorted,I was on Tourance tyres, newely fitted for the trip.
Moving the screen and softening ride helped.
I think it was the rear box ,now moved it forward to rear seat position and hopefully that will be it sorted,I was on Tourance tyres, newely fitted for the trip.
Moving the screen and softening ride helped.
You ought to try an 800GS with panniers at over 70mph. They get a real wobble on! Had mine up to 120 with 2 panniers on minimum width, top box, 1 up and was amazed at how stable it was compared to my old 800GS
If cars didn't keep getting in the way, I would have seen over 150mph.
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i think the conti wobble mentioned only affected the hexhead 1200's .
it happens @30mph,and dissapears at higher speeds
it happens @30mph,and dissapears at higher speeds
Have given the front and rear a thorough check, forks, wheel bearings, suspension etc. and can't find anything loose, no play, just as you'd expect of a nearly new bike. Have examined the tyres in close detail, they are fine so I'm at a bit if a loss as to where to go from here. I appreciate what some have said about the Conti wobble but most people seem to think this is a slow speed effect that disappears at speed. Off on a big trip soon, fully laden with pillion and luggage inc topbox, will see what happens then.
Did consider putting on a few stone to weigh the front down
but the cost of new trousers put me off!
To be honest it's not a big problem as the opportunity to do such high speeds for more than a few seconds is pretty rare, but still a bit non-plussed about this instability
Will refer it to the dealer but I can't think what they can do except check out the wheels, forks, tyres and suspension.
Did consider putting on a few stone to weigh the front down
but the cost of new trousers put me off!To be honest it's not a big problem as the opportunity to do such high speeds for more than a few seconds is pretty rare, but still a bit non-plussed about this instability
Will refer it to the dealer but I can't think what they can do except check out the wheels, forks, tyres and suspension.Have given the front and rear a thorough check, forks, wheel bearings, suspension etc. and can't find anything loose, no play, just as you'd expect of a nearly new bike. Have examined the tyres in close detail, they are fine so I'm at a bit if a loss as to where to go from here. I appreciate what some have said about the Conti wobble but most people seem to think this is a slow speed effect that disappears at speed. Off on a big trip soon, fully laden with pillion and luggage inc topbox, will see what happens then.
Did consider putting on a few stone to weigh the front down
To be honest it's not a big problem as the opportunity to do such high speeds for more than a few seconds is pretty rare, but still a bit non-plussed about this instability
Mines similar to yours I think.. Not a biggie & have been on a few other bikes recently in some windy conditions, also had a few trips out with other bikes & whilst they have been slowing down for the conditions I've just breezed on regardless with my GS WC..
I run a top box mostly half full of 'things' & the weight is behind the rear wheel, so I'm a little more careful with the weight distribution..
Hence the fuller fuel tank than I would normally run..
I had a Tc GSA previously & a full tank on it made the slow speed steering heavy.. Can't win really..
All in all I'm really liking the GS WC though.. Fantastic bike..
Enjoy the ride guys..
Please can you clarify if your bike has the damper fitted on not?
Yes there is a steering damper, it's a 2014 GS and I think all the bikes made in 2014 have them. I wouldn't d
Let it deter anyone considering buying one as I'm hoping to get it sorted and I haven't heard anyone else complaining about it, could just be my bike/tyres/rider
r 1100,1150,1200 gs/gsa none were fitted with steering dampers and did not appear to need them .if the basic design of a bike is right and the frame geometry is correct a steering damper should not be needed.
Fitment on the 2014 models seems like an admission by bmw that there is an underlying problem whether it be related to the frame geometry or another part of the design.
I have ridden my 1200 gsa tc at speed on the autobahns two up with the panniers, top box etc loaded well over bmw's recommended weights with no problems
Fitment on the 2014 models seems like an admission by bmw that there is an underlying problem whether it be related to the frame geometry or another part of the design.
I have ridden my 1200 gsa tc at speed on the autobahns two up with the panniers, top box etc loaded well over bmw's recommended weights with no problems
That would be a fair point were it not for the fact that many bikes are fitted with them, usually because they have steeper fork angles to provide sharper steering. So, maybe the underlying problem is the basic physics of steering geometry. Also, remember, it's only me experiencing this problem, various others have said they too ride fully laden on the GSLC, at speed with no stability issues.
BMW added the damper because GSA's steering head angle was pulled in to 24.5 degrees, one degree more than the regular GS. Then they just included it on both bikes in the interest of streamlining manufacturing (at least so they said). So comparing 2014's, both with steering dampers, GS's should be more stable at speed than GSA's. With this in mind I tested my GSA while riding down in Texas a few weeks back. The big aluminum panniers were on and filled, and there was a small tail bag behind my seat. I figured it might start feeling light in the front and even a little weave but it was completely steady and still pulling hard when I let off at 120 mpg (GPS). Like everyone else here I have to think something was amiss with JayGee's bike for it to head-shake like that. Maybe irregularily worn or cupped tires?
I recall thinking when I did my run how it demonstrated the added power these Wethead engines make over a Hexhead because I did the same run on my 2009 GS. At WFO it seemed to take forever to get to 120 and there was nothing left. That bike was lighter, had less frontal area, and the Vario bags collapsed in were much slimmer than the Adventure boxes.
I recall thinking when I did my run how it demonstrated the added power these Wethead engines make over a Hexhead because I did the same run on my 2009 GS. At WFO it seemed to take forever to get to 120 and there was nothing left. That bike was lighter, had less frontal area, and the Vario bags collapsed in were much slimmer than the Adventure boxes.
WindyChuffer
Registered user
Stick a new pair of tyres on it and have another shot at 120mph.
Keep the old tyres and use them agaim when it suits.
Dont worry about the cost as tyres are relatively cheap consumables thay you will use in short order.
Keep the old tyres and use them agaim when it suits.
Dont worry about the cost as tyres are relatively cheap consumables thay you will use in short order.
Must admit I'm thinking of that, tbh I'm not too impressed by the ContinTrail Attacks, they seem a bit twitchy in the wet, so would quite like to change them. Just seems wrong to change tyres until they are worn out. I've got a big trip planned, it won't be at very high speed so might wait till I've done that.
