Bike test

[stevie Allen]

well, Im awake at 03.50 with daughter concerns, so decided to distract my brain and burn some candlelight with photoshop.
I merged a 2009GS with the LC 2013 keeping the reported 59.3 inch wheelbases as the same:

For sure, the fork angles are the same, but you can see other changes.

We've all enjoyed paranoia about EWS FPC and FD failures, but I reckon this slapper issue, will do wonders for a good night's sleep

That's very clever that, do you think if I sent you a photo of my misses you could photo shop her back to what she used to look like

 

[Clifton]

That's very clever that, do you think if I sent you a photo of my misses you could photo shop her back to what she used to look like

LOL

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Why didn't you superimpose a decent colour ?

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Why didn't you superimpose a decent colour ?

That is the best colour

 

[Black Dog]

Mav i am buying the new model.Given the recent documented reports i do not believe it to be an unreasonable request to have a statement or indeed some clarification on this issue from BMW.It would take for BMW to consider that there was a problem in the first place before they would comment i guess.So we are back to square one.Over critical/alarmist journos? It will not be the first time that a major car or bike manufacturer has spent time and money on R&D of a new model only for it to have unresolved underlying issues.

I agree. If they kept us informed I'd feel like they were treating us as grown ups. A wall of silence shows a worrying tendency to secrecy - especially as details of the recall are all over the net.

 

[GrinningGSer]

The bits either end are similar, albeit different tyre sizes and it all gets a lot different in the middle because the rear shaft is longer and the new engine/gearbox is more compact. There are reports that the front fork bracing and wishbone are not as robust as in the predecessor. Can anyone verify or refute that

 

[APE]

it all gets a lot different in the middle because the rear shaft is longer

Shouldn't that improve stability

Still think all this tankslapper talk is a load to bollox -

 

[oldnfat]

The bits either end are similar, albeit different tyre sizes and it all gets a lot different in the middle because the rear shaft is longer and the new engine/gearbox is more compact. There are reports that the front fork bracing and wishbone are not as robust as in the predecessor. Can anyone verify or refute that

Transport for Canada have recalled about 50 bike as there is a risk of the fork tubes becoming detached due to bracing bolts potentially coming lose. easy enough to fix.

I think the issue here is that the facts ain't great. 3 recalls issued by TfC for the ASC, oil leak and now the forks.

As reported above, talk of tank slappers may be bollocks but the above is fact. Not a great start for a roughty toughty go anywhere adventure bike. What I would like to know is whether it is BMW alerting TfC or whether it is TfC testing that is finding these faults.

If it is TfC then what does this say for BMW testing? It may be these are the only issues and all easily sorted. I can't say I was about to rush out and buy an LC but if I was I think I would be waiting just a little longer....

I also think the complete silence from BMW is an insult to those who have trusted BMW and shelled out the best part of £15K. If it were me, the joy of owning a new bike would be a little tarnished and BMW owe it to them to restore confidence.

 

[red1]

I also think the complete silence from BMW is an insult to those who have trusted BMW and shelled out the best part of £15K.

So what's new?
They did the same with the 1200 so why change the habits of a lifetime?

 

[APE]

Transport for Canada have recalled about 50 bike as there is a risk of the fork tubes becoming detached due to bracing bolts potentially coming lose. easy enough to fix.

I think the issue here is that the facts ain't great. 3 recalls issued by TfC for the ASC, oil leak and now the forks.

As reported above, talk of tank slappers may be bollocks but the above is fact. Not a great start for a roughty toughty go anywhere adventure bike.

I seem to remember the 1150 was recalled for loose brace bolts as well.

None of these recalls would put me off buying one. ASC is a gimmick I wouldn't spec and must admit am not clear on the oil leak but you'd always get that fixed on the warranty.

The tank snapper debate is different though and if true would be put a lot of people off. I may be missing something but it's only been reported by a couple of bike journos whilst offroading abroad ?

These guys often have an agenda so I wouldnt give it a second thought - life is too short

 

[Mav]

Has anybody experienced any kind of instability during a test ride yet?

Would've thought if there was an issue, someone would've experienced it by now...

 

[red1]

Have BMW issued a legal jobbie against Ride Mag for defamation of product, perverting the truth, lying through teeth or anything else to protect their intellectual property and bank balance?

If not it all must be true!

If I was Mr BMW and some toe rag journo and his mag had told the world that the bike was unsafe I'd have them up in front of a judge before they could go to print!

And if I was Mr Ride Mag I'd be hidden away in some nuclear bunker with 5 years food supply it I'd printed lies!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Has anybody experienced any kind of instability during a test ride yet?

Would've thought if there was an issue, someone would've experienced it by now...

We may have to wait until the summer for that, most of them are discussing what colour to spray the side panels rather than actually getting any miles under their belts

Andres

 

[Engineer]

Have BMW issued a legal jobbie against Ride Mag for defamation of product, perverting the truth, lying through teeth or anything else to protect their intellectual property and bank balance?

If not it all must be true!

If I was Mr BMW and some toe rag journo and his mag had told the world that the bike was unsafe I'd have them up in front of a judge before they could go to print!

And if I was Mr Ride Mag I'd be hidden away in some nuclear bunker with 5 years food supply it I'd printed lies!

There was nothing in ride mag that said it was unsafe.

 

[Engineer]

Has anybody experienced any kind of instability during a test ride yet?

Would've thought if there was an issue, someone would've experienced it by now...

I certainly haven't - it feels nicer than the twin-cam in this respect, especially when heeled over through bends it is far superior!

 

[red1]

There was nothing in ride mag that said it was unsafe.

Apologies, it was Bike mag, but still think this raise some safety issues and that BMW should be suing the arse off them if its not true.

Received April editions bike magazine today. Martin Fitz-Gibbons has tested the new gs. A very worrying report of a tank slapper that resulted in the lock stop snapping from the frame!

 

[Engineer]

Transport for Canada have recalled about 50 bike as there is a risk of the fork tubes becoming detached due to bracing bolts potentially coming lose. easy enough to fix.

I think the issue here is that the facts ain't great. 3 recalls issued by TfC for the ASC, oil leak and now the forks.

As reported above, talk of tank slappers may be bollocks but the above is fact. Not a great start for a roughty toughty go anywhere adventure bike. What I would like to know is whether it is BMW alerting TfC or whether it is TfC testing that is finding these faults.

If it is TfC then what does this say for BMW testing? It may be these are the only issues and all easily sorted. I can't say I was about to rush out and buy an LC but if I was I think I would be waiting just a little longer....

I also think the complete silence from BMW is an insult to those who have trusted BMW and shelled out the best part of £15K. If it were me, the joy of owning a new bike would be a little tarnished and BMW owe it to them to restore confidence.

My joy of ownership has not been tainted one tiny bit by all this internet nonsense - all new products have teething problems, many parts are made by third party suppliers these days rather than made in house (forks, brakes, etc) sometimes these suppliers have quality issues.A manufacturer cannot do 100% inspection of all incoming parts, it simply is not financially possible, especially with just in time manufacturing - one has to rely on the supplier delivering quality parts. Routine sample testing sometimes throws up issues and action then is taken.

 

[red1]

My joy of ownership has not been tainted one tiny bit by all this internet nonsense - all new products have teething problems, many parts are made by third party suppliers these days rather than made in house (forks, brakes, etc) sometimes these suppliers have quality issues.A manufacturer cannot do 100% inspection of all incoming parts, it simply is not financially possible, especially with just in time manufacturing - one has to rely on the supplier delivering quality parts. Routine sample testing sometimes throws up issues and action then is taken.

Enjoy your new bike. And I sincerely hope that all these reports are incorrect.

 

[oldnfat]

My joy of ownership has not been tainted one tiny bit by all this internet nonsense - all new products have teething problems, many parts are made by third party suppliers these days rather than made in house (forks, brakes, etc) sometimes these suppliers have quality issues.A manufacturer cannot do 100% inspection of all incoming parts, it simply is not financially possible, especially with just in time manufacturing - one has to rely on the supplier delivering quality parts. Routine sample testing sometimes throws up issues and action then is taken.

Good, I am happy your enjoyment hasn't been reduced....not trying to rain on peoples parade...quite the opposite. I agree there has been allot of nonsense spoken which is why I have relied on facts issued by a government body whose purpose it is to protect the buying public.

On this issue of supplier failings....I get it. However, the fork bolts are not a supplier issue but a manufacturing one. The ASC not reactivating when you think it has is also not great. Both could potentially cause injury or even death. These are not trivial matters and to treat them as such is irresponsible by the manufacturer...if this were a fuel strip failure then I would agree with your comments.

The other point is that as a consumer I do not go into the purchase of anything with the attitude that it is going to break or not perform to the expected standard. I certainly don't with say a washing machine therefore I am not sure why I should accept below par performance from a product that carries me and my wife down the M4 fast lane.

 

[APE]

However, the fork bolts are not a supplier issue but a manufacturing one. The ASC not reactivating when you think it has is also not great. Both could potentially cause injury or even death.

If you have to rely of ASC to prevent a serious accident there is something wrong with your riding style.