1250 GS - Feels Squirrely

[Jon101k]

Hi all,

Looking for some help. After 10 years away from bikes, I picked up a Ducati Scrambler last year to get back into things. This week I upgraded to a 2019 R1250 GS with just under 7000 miles on it.

Unfortunately I'm considering returning the bike, and would be really grateful if someone could let me know if what I'm experiencing is "normal" for the GS. Firstly the back end seems to slip around a lot and doesn't fill me with as much confidence and the Scrambler did. I'm taking it much slower than I would as it feels like the bike could slip at any moment. There is also a loud noise coming up from the front end. It could just be tyre noise that I'm just not used to but the scrambler had 80/20 tyres on and never heard anything from them. BMW has Michelin Anakee tyres on currently.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, I love the bike just concerned as expected it to be more stable from what I had read. Don't want to write off the GS if this isn't normal - if its not might consider returning and buying a new one.

Thanks in advance!

 

[seahorse]

I don't have the same bike but I have found the Anakees to be quite noisy. I am probably stating the obvious but have you checked your tyre pressures? 36/42 is probably about right.

 

[Deleted account 230524001]

I don't have the same bike but I have found the Anakees to be quite noisy. I am probably stating the obvious but have you checked your tyre pressures? 36/42 is probably about right.

Good advice

I have a 2020 1250 GS and do not experience any of the symptoms you describe

 

[ShakeyGS]

New Anakee adventure tyres can be a bit squirmy until the sprue pips wear off.

 

[10tenmen]

I got rid of the Anakees from my new GS at its first service fitted Pilot road 5s and the difference is night and day,
Even something as simple as pulling out to overtake and crossing the central white road markings caused the back end to step out, also a lot quieter normal service resumed with the pilot tyres.

 

[GoSquirrel]

Hi all,

Looking for some help. After 10 years away from bikes, I picked up a Ducati Scrambler last year to get back into things. This week I upgraded to a 2019 R1250 GS with just under 7000 miles on it.

Unfortunately I'm considering returning the bike, and would be really grateful if someone could let me know if what I'm experiencing is "normal" for the GS. Firstly the back end seems to slip around a lot and doesn't fill me with as much confidence and the Scrambler did. I'm taking it much slower than I would as it feels like the bike could slip at any moment. There is also a loud noise coming up from the front end. It could just be tyre noise that I'm just not used to but the scrambler had 80/20 tyres on and never heard anything from them. BMW has Michelin Anakee tyres on currently.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, I love the bike just concerned as expected it to be more stable from what I had read. Don't want to write off the GS if this isn't normal - if its not might consider returning and buying a new one.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, Jon101k
As others have said, almost certainly the noise up front is from the Anakee tyre - but squirrely rear? that is not normal behaviour, get it checked out and I'm sure there is a remedy!
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
David

 

[Pablo1]

Hi all,

Looking for some help. After 10 years away from bikes, I picked up a Ducati Scrambler last year to get back into things. This week I upgraded to a 2019 R1250 GS with just under 7000 miles on it.

Unfortunately I'm considering returning the bike, and would be really grateful if someone could let me know if what I'm experiencing is "normal" for the GS. Firstly the back end seems to slip around a lot and doesn't fill me with as much confidence and the Scrambler did. I'm taking it much slower than I would as it feels like the bike could slip at any moment. There is also a loud noise coming up from the front end. It could just be tyre noise that I'm just not used to but the scrambler had 80/20 tyres on and never heard anything from them. BMW has Michelin Anakee tyres on currently.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, I love the bike just concerned as expected it to be more stable from what I had read. Don't want to write off the GS if this isn't normal - if its not might consider returning and buying a new one.

Thanks in advance!

Go back and test ride a new bike, tyres alone dont cause what you are experiencing unless they are badly worn or wrong pressures etc, Im assuming you have bought from a BMW main dealer in which case normally you can rest easy as bike will come with a decent warranty.

 

[autogs]

Spoked wheels?

Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

 

[stanley]

It's a bit bigger than the Scrambler. Maybe it will take time to adjust?

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

 

[Engineer]

You do get quite a bit of noise funnelled up through the gap in the fairing that the 'forks' pass through, both engine and tyre noise, tyre noise changes as you change the lean angle. If you wear ear plugs then this is no longer a problem.

Can't help with the 'squirrely' back end other than to say check the tyre condition and pressures.

 

[bosnjo]

My Anakee's have 5000 miles now and the front is still noisy. Just received new Michelin Road 6 tyres but I'm waiting to ware the Anakee's a bit more.

 

[leadfarmer]

You do get quite a bit of noise funnelled up through the gap in the fairing that the 'forks' pass through, both engine and tyre noise, tyre noise changes as you change the lean angle. If you wear ear plugs then this is no longer a problem.

Can't help with the 'squirrely' back end other than to say check the tyre condition and pressures.

This

 

[Bubb]

I hated the annakees my 2019 r1250gs came with…. Noisy and not cOnfidence inspiring.

I now have Continental Trail attacKs on it…. And they are FAR better than the panikees…..

Change the tyres, check the pressures, and hopefully all will be right.

 

[Flipfly]

I’ve racked up a few thousand miles now on my 1250 adv and I am coming to the conclusion that the bike likes a very particular style of tyre.

I have Bridgestone A41 on mine and I’ve had these on my twin cam and the A40 on the 1150adv. I’ve always found the Bridgestone very confidence inspiring and never once found them to be wanting (I’m not doing track days, but I’m not a particularly ‘lazy’ rider either!).

However, the 1250 seems to be at odds with them. Trying to follow Mrs Flip on her pilot 5 shod GS 40th Anniversary had me sweating tbh, the bike seems to want to tip in fast but the tyres are trying to roll in slow and it all gives the feeling of it not being in balance with itself.

I’ve ridden a 1250gsa on the Anakee adventure tyres and found it to be a much better match and offers a better balance than the A41 imho.

I’m considering the Dunlop Trailmax mission tyres as I do like to do the odd lane and they seem to have a more rounded profile than the flatter profile of the A41.

For purely road work I’d definitely say the pilots work well, Mrs Flip has a ton of confidence on them, or the continental trailattack 3 seem to be the other beast of a tyre that get great reviews.

 

[Baked Bean]

If they are the original tyres at 7k miles they're probably fooked. Mine got quite bad at 4k and swaped to conti trail attack 3s and never had more confidence in a bike. Famous last words

 

[Rockred]

Another here for the Conti trail attack 3s, the best road tyres out there imo. The grip is amazing.

 

[Sneldog]

It is highly likely to be the tyres. My GS 1250 feels sublime, as did the previous one. Completely unflappable.

I'd change the tyres straight away, scrub the new ones in gently for 100 miles and after that I am sure you will be pleased with how the bike feels. I would go to the dealer first too as they may feel inclined to sort the tyres out for a very good price (or even at their cost) if the alternative is a returned bike.

In my experience, Roadtec 01's and CTA3's are transformational for the bike. I have never tried the Annakees but the A41's that both my 1250's came with were average at best, at least in my opinion.

 

[leadfarmer]

CRA 3 and CTA 3 are both fantastic tyres with a slight preference for the trail attack

There is also the road attack 4 which has just been released but I’ve not tried them

 

[Jon101k]

Thanks for the replies all, very much appreciated. Tyre wise the tread on them still look decent, the pressures are fine and they're on alloy wheels. It could be swapping them could solve my issues but...

I had a warning flash up on the dash. It only came up once and I can't get it to reappear so not sure if its nothing to worry about or if its related to the squirrely issue. "Spring strut adjustment faulty!" was the message. Anyone seen this before? Like I say, flashed up once and has now disappeared.

 

[Steve24]

Change the tyres, they get called “Panakeey’s” for a reason. I only rode mine home from dealer before changing & could not believe how bad they are especially from a reputable maker.