A Massive Tank Slapper......
- Thread starter Callard
- Start date
Another 80 miles or so today, including the bumpy Fen roads between Thorney, Whittlesey and Ramsey - these roads seem to change on a daily basis because of subsidence - used to shake my bones out of their sockets on a Ducati Monster, the GS was sublime 
oh and no twitches, wobbles or tank slappers
oh and no twitches, wobbles or tank slappers Arthurwg
Registered user
Slapper
The only tank slapper I've ever experienced was on my 1982 Honda 750 VFR. Cruising down the highway at 60 mph I hit a pothole and the bars went quickly lock to lock two or three times. Surprisingly the trajectory of the bike did not change at all, nor did I experience any actual instability or discomfort other than the shock of witnessing the event. At the time I chalked it up to the geometry of the front wheel, which was a smaller diameter than the rear, but perhaps it had to do with the adjustment of the head races.
I've never experienced the slightest instability on my 2005 1200GS.
The only tank slapper I've ever experienced was on my 1982 Honda 750 VFR. Cruising down the highway at 60 mph I hit a pothole and the bars went quickly lock to lock two or three times. Surprisingly the trajectory of the bike did not change at all, nor did I experience any actual instability or discomfort other than the shock of witnessing the event. At the time I chalked it up to the geometry of the front wheel, which was a smaller diameter than the rear, but perhaps it had to do with the adjustment of the head races.
I've never experienced the slightest instability on my 2005 1200GS.
But why the "particular interest" ?
Was your TC - "special" ?
Al
It was to me - a great bike even without all the extras
Out of interest, I sent the following email to BMW last week.
Dear Sirs,
I have had some issues with my R1200GS LC 2013 model bike with steering head shake.
I have been reading some forums and hearing about the death of Kevin Ash in an unexplained accident I am worried about the same issue occurring to me and my wife who rides as a pillion passenger.
The new 2014 model has been introduced along with the GSA with a steering damper fitted and I would like to know if this is due to a possible issue.
Other people on forums are asking the same questions and asking if BMW will do a warranty recall on the 2013 bikes. From what I have read they are being fobbed off with the fact that the GS doesn't have an issue but because the GS and the GSA are built on the same production line they use the same components.
I have worked in the motor industry and seen many production lines and know for a fact that if something is not required it would not be fitted, the time required, the cost of the parts would make it a very expensive operation when cost and time saving are both very important issues. If a bike doesn't have cruise control you do not fit the same control to the bike and leave it unused and a GS has a silver frame, silver engine and silver/gold forks whereas the GSA has black so obviously different parts are supplied to the production line.
I look forward to BMW's response on this matter and would like to bring to your attention that you could be playing with our lives!
If the email addresses that I have sent this to are not the appropriate ones to get a response, please forward this on to the correct address.
Dear Sirs,
I have had some issues with my R1200GS LC 2013 model bike with steering head shake.
I have been reading some forums and hearing about the death of Kevin Ash in an unexplained accident I am worried about the same issue occurring to me and my wife who rides as a pillion passenger.
The new 2014 model has been introduced along with the GSA with a steering damper fitted and I would like to know if this is due to a possible issue.
Other people on forums are asking the same questions and asking if BMW will do a warranty recall on the 2013 bikes. From what I have read they are being fobbed off with the fact that the GS doesn't have an issue but because the GS and the GSA are built on the same production line they use the same components.
I have worked in the motor industry and seen many production lines and know for a fact that if something is not required it would not be fitted, the time required, the cost of the parts would make it a very expensive operation when cost and time saving are both very important issues. If a bike doesn't have cruise control you do not fit the same control to the bike and leave it unused and a GS has a silver frame, silver engine and silver/gold forks whereas the GSA has black so obviously different parts are supplied to the production line.
I look forward to BMW's response on this matter and would like to bring to your attention that you could be playing with our lives!
If the email addresses that I have sent this to are not the appropriate ones to get a response, please forward this on to the correct address.
This was their response. Apparently nobody has ever had a problem!!!
Thank you for your return email dated March 4, 2014. I am sorry to learn that you feel there maybe a safety fault with your BMW R 1200 GS LC. I can understand your uncertainty under the circumstances. I also acknowledge that you would like the date on the speedometer setting to the UK format.
I accept that you have carried out some research on the Internet. While this can be a useful tool, it does not always give a dependable representation of a possible situation as it is not a regulated source. BMW collates failure reports, customer feedback and part order records, which are a more reliable source of information, to determine if a fault is inherent to our vehicle range. I have checked our records and the matter you have detailed concerning the steering dampener on your BMW R 1200 GS LC has not been highlighted. No remedial action has, therefore, been submitted in the form of a product recall for a repair to be carried out free of charge. An unrelated quality enhancement has, however, been issued. In order for this and your speedometer settings to be investigated, I would recommend that you visit your local BMW Motorrad Approved Dealer, where they will be able to assist you further. This is as BMW rely on the dealerships within our network to diagnose the concerns our customers are experiencing with their vehicles. I have included a link to the dealer locator on our website for your convenience:
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/find-a-dealer/
In relation to the 2014 model GS and GSA, I can confirm that we are constantly updating components on our vehicles as new technologies are developed. This is natural progression in the motoring industry and not an admission of inherent defect with the original parts. This has also been added in order to guarantee part continuality across the range.
Once again thank you for contacting BMW UK. Should you require any other assistance please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your return email dated March 4, 2014. I am sorry to learn that you feel there maybe a safety fault with your BMW R 1200 GS LC. I can understand your uncertainty under the circumstances. I also acknowledge that you would like the date on the speedometer setting to the UK format.
I accept that you have carried out some research on the Internet. While this can be a useful tool, it does not always give a dependable representation of a possible situation as it is not a regulated source. BMW collates failure reports, customer feedback and part order records, which are a more reliable source of information, to determine if a fault is inherent to our vehicle range. I have checked our records and the matter you have detailed concerning the steering dampener on your BMW R 1200 GS LC has not been highlighted. No remedial action has, therefore, been submitted in the form of a product recall for a repair to be carried out free of charge. An unrelated quality enhancement has, however, been issued. In order for this and your speedometer settings to be investigated, I would recommend that you visit your local BMW Motorrad Approved Dealer, where they will be able to assist you further. This is as BMW rely on the dealerships within our network to diagnose the concerns our customers are experiencing with their vehicles. I have included a link to the dealer locator on our website for your convenience:
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/find-a-dealer/
In relation to the 2014 model GS and GSA, I can confirm that we are constantly updating components on our vehicles as new technologies are developed. This is natural progression in the motoring industry and not an admission of inherent defect with the original parts. This has also been added in order to guarantee part continuality across the range.
Once again thank you for contacting BMW UK. Should you require any other assistance please feel free to contact me.
Had a big one on the rear the other night
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.Thank flick she got off and went home before the wife found out.
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.Thank flick she got off and went home before the wife found out.
alp
Registered user
BMW are spot on with their reply. Please stop this nonsense.
The accumulated miles done by owners of the latest GS must run into many millions by now and if it had a basic problem (I.E NOT A RIDER PROBLEM!) the roads would be littered with them.
I'm by no means the most skilled rider around and my GS looked after me in every situation. Superb bike.
The accumulated miles done by owners of the latest GS must run into many millions by now and if it had a basic problem (I.E NOT A RIDER PROBLEM!) the roads would be littered with them.
I'm by no means the most skilled rider around and my GS looked after me in every situation. Superb bike.
Funnily enough the inquest into the death of kevin Ash is being held this week, and the safety of the BMW 1200GS is expected to be called into question.
This may prompt an answer out of BMW, who have the bike, refuse to let anyone else check it, and have never replied or answered any questions concerning the accident.
God knows as I have thrashed the living daylights out of mine , all types of roads and countries , and never had an issue with it , I admit I have had wobbles when on full tilt over a brow or crest , but any bike will do that , its called rider error / bravado .
A steering damper fitted to the new one is not a bad thing , but if I had the 2014 I would take it off as I think it neutralises the steering too much to suit my style of riding.
I had an issue with a front end wobble but this ended up being the tyres , not the bike. ( Tourance Nexts ....crap)
This wobble started loaded fully , pillion , and was cured when fitted with the Conti Tyres ( bloody great tyres ) , was Kevins bike fitted with the Nexts , I ask as BMW when asked about the Next Tyres were not to helpful or happy to give there opinion to me or my dealer , just replaced the set with my choice.
Maybe the Times. As they've been on a crusade since the accident trying to get answers from BMW but have met with a wall of silence.
They reported the other incidents, including one involving a BMW employee.
The news about this weeks inquest was in the sunday times.
Well I guess they are playing it by the book - it would be wrong to prejudice an inquest by giving out any information in advance.
I am sure his family would like answers and the inquest is the proper forum, that's the whole point of them. I don't know the rules but I am sure a judge could demand an independent expert examination of the bike if they think it is necessary.
normanw
Registered user
There seems to be some information that he was hit by another bike on this link
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/community/forums/categories/topic/?&topic-id=437788
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/community/forums/categories/topic/?&topic-id=437788
PR exercise - to calm the fears of old women that inhabit these sites
Do we honestly believe if there was an issue, BMW wouldn't have recalled the 2013 models for retrofit?
Would they really risk having the streets littered with dead GS riders?
Not sure that would do their image much good ....never mind the lawsuits.
I remember the old days when the steering damper on my Triumph was a big black nob on the headstock that you screwed in as tight as fuck, coupled with a swing arm with a centre bush. Cornered like a 50p piece and tank slappers were common.
when the steering damper on my Triumph was a big black nob on the headstock that you screwed in as tight as fuck, coupled with a swing arm with a centre bush. Cornered like a 50p piece and tank slappers were common.
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