First impressions

[Greenman14]

Hello all, just back from bonnie Scotland and a 1300 mile tour on my new GS Rallye. No doubt at all about the bike, I can see me keeping it for a long time but (there's always a but) the engine is not as smooth as the bike I test rode. That one had done similar low miles but was noticably smoother, mirrors were clear at all speeds. Mine has a rough feel to it above about 4500 revs and it seems less willing to rev, on the test bike I found it very easy to reach 3 figure speeds whereas mine feels like it needs to be pushed there.

My mate has a similar mileage GS and he reported the same.

And, compared to the test bike which was on cast wheels, the Rallye seems a bit less willing to turn. Not a big problem and I will get used to it but I did prefer the feel of the test bike.

Right now I'm thinking it might just be down to mileage and it will get better, any other ideas?

 

[Schtum]

It might get a bit smoother as you put on the miles. Mine's similar and it's noticeable in comparison with my previous '09 GS.

The difference in rate of turn is, no doubt, down to the spoked wheels being heavier than the cast alloys.

 

[Giles]

I'm a firm believer in (sensibly ... ) thrashing a bike when it's new. And that's why most test bikes go like shit off a shovel, 'cos they've been thrashed from day one.

Hopefully your bike will loosen up in time and become a bit smoother.

 

[Schtum]

I'm a firm believer in (sensibly ... ) thrashing a bike when it's new. And that's why most test bikes go like shit off a shovel, 'cos they've been thrashed from day one.

In terms of performance, I think that's correct but isn't there a trade-off between that and longevity...?

 

[Giles]

Yes quite possibly. I don't redline it (or go too far near it) when it's new, but I do work it hard as soon as I get it and put it under a lot of load (but as I say .. without excessively high revs).
Always done that with my job bikes, and compared to other identical bikes on the fleet, they've always loosened up and gone like a train.

 

[Schtum]

Yes quite possibly. I don't redline it (or go too far near it) when it's new, but I do work it hard as soon as I get it and put it under a lot of load (but as I say .. without excessively high revs).
Always done that with my job bikes, and compared to other identical bikes on the fleet, they've always loosened up and gone like a train.

I'm sure that's true, Giles. I had this discussion once with a friend of mine about the test results that he'd seen on his company dyno - just a small company called Castrol and he stressed that the performance / longevity balance was a matter of how a bike's engine had been run in. Those results were reached by running lots of bike engines until they went pop.

However, when you read the factory running in recommendations for the twin cam engine they're actually surprisingly aggressive.

 

[Giles]

Trouble is, some of us have been brought up in an era of 'running in' signs in the back window and still think it's the best thing for a new engine.

 

[APE]

Ride it hard it should improve as you rack up the miles. If you prefer the feel of the bike with cast wheels get them swapped- there will be bods on this site willing to do that with some cash your way

 

[T2725]

My TB was as lumpy as shit for the first 500 miles. It has loosened up since and just track dayed it this week at 2000 miles and now runs as sweet as a nut!! Almost a different engine.

 

[Pukmeister]

If you haven't already used super unleaded, try a tank full at next fill up. You may find it improves the smoothness and throttle response.

 

[Greenman14]

Had the front wheel out to fit a fender extender and it did seem heavy, might consider some cast wheels, or more likely different tyres - Roadsmarts or PR3s.

Been working it hard and hoping it loosens up, and will try a tankful of super unleaded. i've had a few new cars but this is my newest bike in ages, it's an ex demo and had 900 miles on it when I bought it and it's now done 2,500. My new cars took 10,000 miles to be their best, hope the GS doesn't take that long!

 

[Devil]

You have to love it, when a thread heads towards the "How to Run it in"

If there was a chart of most discussed items, this would be next to
"The Meaning of life" and what came first, "The Chicken or the Egg"