1200 GSA speed limit with Continental TKC 80 tires

[Fanum]

High speed wobbles when riding on TKC's, particularly when heavily loaded, is completely normal and should be expected.

It also varies according to the wear on the tyre.....particularly the front.....with a new TKC there, I find the wobble kicks in at around 85 when loaded up, but once it's half-worn, the wobble is less.

I also find the wobble ceases once I put on another 10-15mph, and after that it sits there quite smoothly.



BTW.....Gentlemen, the squabble above is pathetic and shouldn't be here....grow up FFS.
Bill

 

[Timolgra]

Wiz, you really know how to endear yourself to some, don't ya mate

But Wiz 'is' an expert on TKCs

 

[22Yellow]

Are you sure it needs a steering damper, don't sound right to me, normally a fiddle with the rear shock preload and damping will IMO cure most ills with 1200 GSA handling, but a steering damper It won't handle as well as a GS due to weight and its taller but it sure aint a bad handling bike

Perhaps the tyres were NFG

Shep

Wasn't my bike so didn't mess around with the preload or damping, the suspension wasn't set right for me and it was noticeable. A friend once said they're hinged in the middle and found that much more noticeable on the GSA, that said for the final third on the ride I got off the GSA onto a K1200GT which we won't go into but give me a flighty front end anytime.

The increased weight and height of the bike while noticeable did little to affect the handling and I felt the GSA extremely capable, granted the 150 rear means it just falls into corners but it was able to stay there, and with well set suspension it would be a different bike again, I'd fit a damper (if actually available) likewise I'd do something about the fuelling, but that's just me

Given me a real dilema though, the wind protection on the GSA was incredible, bit like a car with the windows up. I traded my GS for a K1200R (i'm just back here hanging around the for sale section) and are looking for another GS had always planned to get a GSA, now toying with the idea of a 1150 for the winter, now going to end up with all 3

Tyres had about 1k miles on them.

 

[Mouse]

GS in "doesn't handle like R1" shocker.

In other news, bears caught defecating in local forest. Pope admits religious leanings.

 

[Greg Masters]

this is because of the high wind and the heavy load I had (going to Poland for 10 day with your girlfriend require more stuff).

That's your problem - this isn't really a tyre issue at all.

Greg

 

[BiG DoM]

I have changed my TK's for Anakees having tried to dial in a suitable setup. Considerably more rear preload (25 clicks+) helps but does not sort the problem completely. The handling on the Anakees is awesome. I had TK's on my 1150 and never had any wobbles or lightness as on the 1200ADV and they handled surprisingly well on tar as well... different story with the TK's on the 1200 though My dealer has sent the TK's back as a possible warranty claim as he had heard there may be a bad batch out there ... awaiting prognosis but fear that the 1200ADV simply does not like TK's at speed. There is no doubt though that the suspension setup on the 1200 ADV is far more critical than an 1150.

 

[talbengal]

The bike is in BMW garage and they can not find anything wrong with the tyres !!
Any idea what to do now?

 

[runeo]

The bike is in BMW garage and they can not find anything wrong with the tyres !!
Any idea what to do now?

Hi

I have done 8500 km on r1200gsadv with boxes and TKC80. 3000 km in Norway fully loaded with tankbag 3 square aluboxes, wife and extra luggage on top of side boxes.
The side boxes promote wobble.
To low preload in the front promote wobble. Especially togather with very high preload in the back.

TKC80 gets to hot, fully loaded and at high speed,

If you have a high preload in the back and lowest preload in the fron AND the cases, top box and girlfriend on your bike. Be careful up in high speed. If you get wobble, try to lean backwards, unload the steering rod and just breake with the back wheel.
I have been frightened shitless on an MTB in 67 km/hr when it started wobbeling after I developed the speed and bent over the steering rod to lower wind resistance. During the wobble it was impossible to countersteer and get the bike to leen over.

SO, dont forget the fron preload when you put weight on your bike. thats why I ordered ESA for the R1200R.
best wishes
/Rune, not in native langue