Bike test

[(RIP) Johno23]

By contrast, taken from the ADVRider review:



And in response to the question that BMW should make a statement, what exactly do you expect them to do? They've been through years of R&D, and have even give 5 amateurs the chance to ride the bike on a proper trip. And everyone can test ride it from this weekend to actually allow people to make their own decision.

So what would satisfy you?

Out of interest, are you one of the people seriously considering buying one?

I would expect BMW to comment in some way via a statement or whatever about the comments of 3/4 experienced jounos who have mentioned this potential problem, and at this point it is only a potential problem. I really want this bike to be a huge success as i think it looks great and by all accounts it rides great too, I wouldn't want it to be spoilt by quiet mumblings from people in the future.I would hope if there is a problem it will be a very simple fix,possibly tyres suspension software etc etc .BMW need to give us their view on it.
But to have this number of comments regarding stability, the shit scary experience of the Bike journo plus the unexplained accident on a straight bit of dirt track involving another experienced journo, is quite unusual and will potentially hit sales.I think at least one or two on here have cancelled or will delay their purchase.
I personally am interested in buying the new bike towards the end of the year.I have a test ride booked for the 11th and i'm looking forward to it

 

[Blue Sweeper]

The facts are:

3 people have experienced a tank slapper while testing a new bike.
None fell off as a result of the experience.
1 person died riding the bike off-road - and we will likely never know the reason as no one saw it.
No one has said the bike is unsafe. (Would be interested if anyone can cite a report to the contrary)

Oh really..........

Known for his enthusiasm and in-depth reporting, The Telegraph motorcycling correspondent, Kevin Ash (53), lost control on the gravel road leading from Willowmore through Baviaanskloof towards Patensie and died after crashing his motorcycle on Tuesday evening. It happened too fast for the motorcyclist behind him to swerve out or stop and he collided with Ash, injuring himself as well. The second rider sustained a dislocated shoulder and minor injuries and was discharged from hospital last Friday. After the accident a team of engineers and technicians from BMW in Germany was flown in to investigate the motorcycle for any mechanical defects, the outcome of the investigation is not yet available.

Seems that someone may have seen it when he ran over the fallen rider.

 

[JayC]

Oh really..........

Known for his enthusiasm and in-depth reporting, The Telegraph motorcycling correspondent, Kevin Ash (53), lost control on the gravel road leading from Willowmore through Baviaanskloof towards Patensie and died after crashing his motorcycle on Tuesday evening. It happened too fast for the motorcyclist behind him to swerve out or stop and he collided with Ash, injuring himself as well. The second rider sustained a dislocated shoulder and minor injuries and was discharged from hospital last Friday. After the accident a team of engineers and technicians from BMW in Germany was flown in to investigate the motorcycle for any mechanical defects, the outcome of the investigation is not yet available.

Seems that someone may have seen it when he ran over the fallen rider.

...and is no doubt sworn to secrecy.

 

[blindbill]

I find all this hysteria quite surprising and not dissimilar from the fable 'the emporers new clothes'.

On one hand we have a well established and respected company with a multimillion pound turnover. This company has spent years of research and testing to produce a new motorcycle and will have come across and corrected all major faults. If some of the threads in this post are to be believed then this company either has never come across this tank slapping fault or has come across it and said 'never mind just release the bike, we will always sell because we have a great reputation'. The flaw in this being that they would never risk their reputation as they would lose more future custom than actually fixing a major fault in the first place.

On the other hand we have a journalist who said words to the effect ' I found a fault on this new great bike in that it almost throws you off at 45mph on rutted terrain'. Other journalists, having read this then will do their best to repeat his observations so they too can have a great story. They also put 2 + 2 together to make 5 due to the tragic KA story. I doubt there is a serious fault with this motorcycle but,after all, journalist have to make money too and good stories sell magazines.

 

[Blue Sweeper]

...and is no doubt sworn to secrecy.

Alun Davies of Adventure Riding Magazine is possibly the motorcyclist who was riding behind Kevin Ash at the time of the accident.

 

[JayC]

Alun Davies of Adventure Riding Magazine is possibly the motorcyclist who was riding behind Kevin Ash at the time of the accident.

Yes, I know.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

I find all this hysteria quite surprising and not dissimilar from the fable 'the emporers new clothes'.

On one hand we have a well established and respected company with a multimillion pound turnover. This company has spent years of research and testing to produce a new motorcycle and will have come across and corrected all major faults. If some of the threads in this post are to be believed then this company either has never come across this tank slapping fault or has come across it and said 'never mind just release the bike, we will always sell because we have a great reputation'. The flaw in this being that they would never risk their reputation as they would lose more future custom than actually fixing a major fault in the first place.

On the other hand we have a journalist who said words to the effect ' I found a fault on this new great bike in that it almost throws you off at 45mph on rutted terrain'. Other journalists, having read this then will do their best to repeat his observations so they too can have a great story. They also put 2 + 2 together to make 5 due to the tragic KA story. I doubt there is a serious fault with this motorcycle but,after all, journalist have to make money too and good stories sell magazines.

Hysteria haven't seen any just a reasonable intelligent debate.I have faith that BMW are an ethical company and would not knowingly release a bike with a dangerous fault.R&D on a new motorcycle is dwarfed by that of a new car and yet Toyota the largest car producer in the world have recalled something like 4million cars or something incredible.Due to brake faults etc as have all major manufacturers in recent years.So much for multimillion pound testing Your supposition that journos will read what another has said and try to copy it is exactly that. Supposition
Regarding KA the investigation is ongoing.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The facts are:

3 people have experienced a tank slapper while testing a new bike. I think an Italian journo and a Canadian one recorded it too
None fell off as a result of the experience.
1 person died riding the bike off-road - and we will likely never know the reason as no one saw it. Alun the Ed, from ABR mag was following so presumably saw something
No one has said the bike is unsafe. (Would be interested if anyone can cite a report to the contrary) No.. but it's extremely unusual for the bike press to record this at a new bike launch, in over 25 years on bikes I can't remember reading many bikes that it has happened to

Just to add some 'meat' to your bones and I don't think your facts are facts

 

[blindbill]

hysteria..ok maybe that was a little strong...but supposition that journos read reports of other journos...I think we can take that as fact

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

It's not like you were seriously considering one...

WTF has that got to do with a bit of debate

I am going to ride one and make my own mind up, how the feck do you know what I am going to buy or not

 

[Popell]

1 person died riding the bike off-road - and we will likely never know the reason as no one saw it.
No one has said the bike is unsafe. (Would be interested if anyone can cite a report to the contrary)

It would be telling if both of the steering stops were damaged on KA's bike

 

[roundincircles]

It is worth noting that the new bike has a number of changes that potentially impact handling compared to the outgoing model.

1. The trail is different, by 10mm if my memory is OK
2. Castor angle has changed, only a small amount
3. The swing arm is 50mm longer ?
4. The engine is not a stressed part of the frame or, in other words, the bike structure is now 'conventional'
5. The bikes tested had dynamic ecu controlled suspension
6. The tyres are of a new construction.

So tank slaps are reported, these were not part of the design teams mission. The cause needs to be established ASAP.

 

[red1]

They've been through years of R&D .......

Much the same as the 1200, which if I remember correctly started blowing final drives to bits within days of the launch in 2004.

And continued to have fuel pump and ignition problems for years after.

 

[Rasher]

Two recalls before the first owner has taken delivery is quite poor IMO.

I also had a TL1000S and found it could be a bit flighty on bumpy roads, but the press went to town on it, probably because Suzuki never had the sense to put a double page ad in every magazine issue where one of their bikes was tested as BMW tend to.

The reports seem significant to me, if a few Jorno's noticed it on the launch, and now early press reports are still picking it up - and how much fuss would they have made if the Suzuki had buggered its frame with a slapper.

I don't understand how come BMW's testers never found any issues in their 5 years of extensive development - perhaps it was led by the bloke who spent the last 8 years refining the previous models Final Drive

It won't stop it selling well as many buyers do not read magazines or forums for a start, others don't care if it may slap, and some have a blind faith in BMW that could not be shaken under any circumstances, I think the worst that could happen is BMW maybe lose 5% - 10% of the sales they would have otherwise had.

Just look at the early 1200's, most did not get 50 yards from the dealers before an FPC / EWS / FD stopped them in their tracks, yet bikers were driving by these stranded 1200's in a hurry to buy one themselves, none of them cared, many here love BMW despite having endured many an breadown on their 1200.

I think it's gonna take a lot more to stop the GS being the best seller in its class, or destroy the BMW reputation built up 30 years ago, odd as how most companies are ruined after one cockup, yet BMW seem to be able to keep going with some clever PR and marketing.....

I bet Ewan and Charley are putting on their twatsuits right now and will be along with a DVD to save the day by the Summer sales season

 

[Mav]

I guess we'll find out pretty quickly after the first few courses get through Walters Arena...

 

[Emoto]

I am sure BMW will release a statement about tank-slappers...

...right after they release a statement about final drive failures.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Two recalls before the first owner has taken delivery is quite poor IMO.

I also had a TL1000S and found it could be a bit flighty on bumpy roads, but the press went to town on it, probably because Suzuki never had the sense to put a double page ad in every magazine issue where one of their bikes was tested as BMW tend to.

The reports seem significant to me, if a few Jorno's noticed it on the launch, and now early press reports are still picking it up - and how much fuss would they have made if the Suzuki had buggered its frame with a slapper.

I don't understand how come BMW's testers never found any issues in their 5 years of extensive development - perhaps it was led by the bloke who spent the last 8 years refining the previous models Final Drive

It won't stop it selling well as many buyers do not read magazines or forums for a start, others don't care if it may slap, and some have a blind faith in BMW that could not be shaken under any circumstances, I think the worst that could happen is BMW maybe lose 5% - 10% of the sales they would have otherwise had.

Just look at the early 1200's, most did not get 50 yards from the dealers before an FPC / EWS / FD stopped them in their tracks, yet bikers were driving by these stranded 1200's in a hurry to buy one themselves, none of them cared, many here love BMW despite having endured many an breadown on their 1200.

I think it's gonna take a lot more to stop the GS being the best seller in its class, or destroy the BMW reputation built up 30 years ago, odd as how most companies are ruined after one cockup, yet BMW seem to be able to keep going with some clever PR and marketing.....

I bet Ewan and Charley are putting on their twatsuits right now and will be along with a DVD to save the day by the Summer sales season

Even by your incredibly low standards that post was utter shite..........

 

[Mav]

So the 'Ride' magazine review view on the issue is:

...in nearly 300 miles there was no situation on or off road where the ESA-equipped bike had any moments, aside from one small headshake after hitting a pothole, and I happened to be using just one hand at the time. With a sharper steering angle the GS does feel a little more edgy than it's predecessor, and some riders may prefer to have a steering damper...

 

[Dario]

So the 'Ride' magazine review view on the issue is:

Are you inferring that because this incident was slight that it should be discounted ? In the context of the on going investigation that claimed Kevin Ash's life and the report from the American tester and the Bike magazine incident i think not.

 

[Mav]

Alun Davies of Adventure Riding Magazine is possibly the motorcyclist who was riding behind Kevin Ash at the time of the accident.

And I was under the impression that the gap between them meant he didn't see anything...