650 - first impressions - do they all do this?

[dippy]

2011 650, 1000 miles on the clock, 2 previous and clearly cafeful riders, it's in mint condition. so far I'm impressed, plenty of guts and fun to ride.

I've a few observations and questions though if you kind folk wouldnt mind commenting.

vibration through the foot pegs although mainly the right hand one, is that normal?

dipping, what i would call severe dipping, in the front forks when breaking, is that normal?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

2011 650, 1000 miles on the clock, 2 previous and clearly cafeful riders, it's in mint condition. so far I'm impressed, plenty of guts and fun to ride.

I've a few observations and questions though if you kind folk wouldnt mind commenting.

vibration through the foot pegs although mainly the right hand one, is that normal?

dipping, what i would call severe dipping, in the front forks when breaking, is that normal?

Forks are crap

 

[SERVDAVE]

All sounds normal to me. I try and engine break more to keep the front forks a little more settled.

Great bikes, mine has done 45,000 miles and still going strong!

 

[thomo57]

Fit progressive springs and it sorts the dipping out a treat

 

[MikeMike]

Use trail braking to compensate for the shite front end springing.
Check the mounting of your pipe underneath the bike where it "hangs" from a rubber and bolt combination. Sometimes the pipe mounting is the cause of that vibration.

 

[dippy]

Thanks all for the suggestions folks.

Use trail braking to compensate for the shite front end springing.
Check the mounting of your pipe underneath the bike where it "hangs" from a rubber and bolt combination. Sometimes the pipe mounting is the cause of that vibration.

I'll check the pipe mounting thanks but what's "trail braking"?

Fit progressive springs and it sorts the dipping out a treat

eh what now? so I could simply change the springs?

 

[thomo57]

http://hyperpro.com/hyperpro/en/node/21

Thats the way to go..

 

[Dean]

2011 650, 1000 miles on the clock, 2 previous and clearly cafeful riders, it's in mint condition. so far I'm impressed, plenty of guts and fun to ride.

I've a few observations and questions though if you kind folk wouldnt mind commenting.

My F650 GS (in the for sale section) 30,000 miles. agreed great bike but with a few modifications makes it an awesome bike, amongst a few smiles better are what you mentioned.

vibration through the foot pegs although mainly the right hand one, is that normal?

It can be yes but I eliminated 99.9% by fitting Rox risers anti vibration no less, better bar height and no vibes

BTB pegs were swapped for pivot pegz the pivot again reduces the foot tingle

dipping, what i would call severe dipping, in the front forks when breaking, is that normal?

most normal for a standard bike but ..........

Ah the old double dipping

yes and I would imagine the more you weigh multiplied by the speed of the stop, would dictate the severity of the dip. I likened it to a nodding donkey


progressive yacugar progressive fork springs and for the rear an Ohlin with a uprated spring was fitted by FTR then Ta Dah smoother than a smooth thing what a joy to ride OH Emm Gee my best bike mod

More control smooth braking and accelerating in and out of bends a different bike the suspension precise apearing slower controled :cool

 

[Elle]

buy new forks? why didn't BMW put decent ones on in the first place?

had mine for over a year now....
1. you get used to the dip & learn not to apply the front brake more gently and progressively
2. be in a lower gear than you think you should be - it helps obtain a smoother ride on the way out of corners. I still find low speeds (10-20mph) too jerky and have to slip the clutch

 

[MikeMike]

Trail braking with rear is what I should have said. Yes, it will upset some motorcycle instructors to no end, however, it does work to settle the suspension in some cases. Bikes have both front and rear brakes, never be afraid to use both if the situation warrants. Wet weather with a sketchy low traction corner it can help a lot to settle the bike, for example. Works for me.

 

[Smythson]

Vibrations - not sure, though i wear Adv boots that are fairly robust so i'm not sure i'd notice vibes through the pegs (which still have rubbers on) ... rattly water pump (on the right side) - yes. They all do that sir! I've checked with a couple of others and they make a similar noise.

Dipping - it does a bit but you get used to it, as Elle says you just have to leave a bit more in the planning phase. In case you haven't already encountered it we have to be a little careful of braking over speed humps - ABS kicks in quite early which can be a pain.

All that said, i've some progressive springs which will be installed soon enough - hope to eliminate or at least reduce these effects...

Safe travels,

S

 

[dippy]

thanks for all the replies folks, I'm going to look into the fork spring option, i've not played with forks before so should be exciting

Thanks thomo57 for the link