I am experiecing vibration starting over 4000 revs on my new gs1200 LC. Mileage is now 3500 miles so after giving the bike time settle in and no change I am taking it back to the dealer. Has any other person had the same problem?
Weatherald
Registered user
Mines got a fair bit around 4500 revs, 12500 miles. Never taken it further but will be very interested in your outcome with the dealer.
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JimVonBaden
Registered user
Pretty much every opposed twin has a vibration from around 4200RPM and up to 5000 RPM. This is a function of the design of the motor. Some are more sensitive to it than others. Occasionally the bike has an issue causing excessive vibration. Take it in and have it checked, and take out a loaner and see if it too has this issue.
Jim
Jim
As Jim says, it's fairly normal and varies from bike to bike. I suspect that much of it is due to the fuel mapping at the revs at which emmisions testing is carried out. A remap would probably go a long way to smoothing things out.
Not in my experience. My 93 R100 has some vibes but it is smoothest at 3,900-5,000 rpm, and my GSAW is smooth everywhere especially between 3,000 - 6,500.
It's so difficult to assess vibration as it is sooooooooo subjective, ones man's smooth is another's jackhammer - my 2015 LC vibrates a bit around 4,000-5,000 but hard to judge whether or not it is worse than my 2013 LC or any of my previous 1200s.
dogmaboy
Registered user
My two bobs worth
my 2013 lc seemed to have more vibration than my 2015 lc.
my 2013 lc seemed to have more vibration than my 2015 lc.
I get vibes between 4000/4500 RPM. I just put this down as being normal for a flat twin.
I'll be interested to hear what the dealer has to say about it, GS1946
B
I'll be interested to hear what the dealer has to say about it, GS1946
B
Madmills
Registered user
I swapped my first LC due to vibration at 4750 motorway cruising speed as the vibration went through the pegs, seat and hands, my newer one does the same but not as bad. 
Probably because the 2015 bikes are fitted with the same heavier flywheel as the GS Adventure.
Myke Rocks
Registered user
Almost correct.Pretty much every opposed twin has a vibration from around 4200RPM and up to 5000 RPM. This is a function of the design of the motor. Some are more sensitive to it than others. Occasionally the bike has an issue causing excessive vibration. Take it in and have it checked, and take out a loaner and see if it too has this issue.
Jim
It is a function of the poor design of the balancing, with only one balance shaft below the crankshaft, where, to provide proper balancing another is needed above the crankshaft.
The BMW balance shaft quarters the amplitude of the vibration, and multiplies it's frequency by a factor of 4. It does not cancel it out.
Myke
GS_or_bust
Registered user
It needn't be subjective. Hire one of these and measure the level on your bike at a constant rpm and then try a demo bike and measure the same place at the same revs. Then you have the figures to show to the dealer and subsequently assess whether they have fixed.
Alternatively a cheaper but less accurate tool would be an app.
Mine vibrates >4000 rpm as well. I have 7000 km on my 2015 LC and have noticed that vibration seems a lot worse when I start paying attention to it 
Also worse with new allroad tires (because of the fresh profile?) and again with the non-approved by BMW Dunlop Trailsmarts. Which btw are heaven on this bike as they provide some feedback when cornering. The Cont Trailmax did not. But they also made the bike vibrate less.
Also worse with new allroad tires (because of the fresh profile?) and again with the non-approved by BMW Dunlop Trailsmarts. Which btw are heaven on this bike as they provide some feedback when cornering. The Cont Trailmax did not. But they also made the bike vibrate less.JimVonBaden
Registered user
How is what I wrote wrong? They al do that, balancer or not from the dawn of the airhead!
Jim
Myke Rocks
Registered user
All opposed twins have perfect primary and secondary balance. Because the cylinders are not in line with one another, they do, however, have a rocking couple. If you wish to see a rocking couple in action, take a bicycle, turn it upside down, take the chain off and spin the crank as hard as you can. Bike will rock violently from side to side, even though there is perfect balance.How is what I wrote wrong? They al do that, balancer or not from the dawn of the airhead!
Jim
BMW fitted a single balance shaft to most 1200s concentric with the cam drive shaft. This, as previously stated, quarters the amplitude of the vibration, but multiplies the frequency by 4. If they had fitted 2 balance shafts equidistant above and below the crankshaft centreline, they could have cancelled out the rocking couple completely. Thus the ship was spoiled for the half penny worth of of tar.
Myke
My GSA has pretty strong vibration on the foot pegs at any revs but then they're metal only. It's a shame that you cannot get rubber inserts any more and have to spring over £100 for either Pivot Pegz or BMW's Gillies.
JimVonBaden
Registered user
Still, how is what I said wrong? None of the R1200 bikes have perfect balance, because it is not possible through the rev range. Talk all the silliness and off topic crap you like, but this is a fact!
Jim
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