first ride issues!

[buxtongsman]

picked up my 1st BMW today r1150gs (2000) and rode it 250 miles home still not sure if i like it! can anybody tell me if there should be movement in the top yoke.... looked in the manual and there's a funny bearing (fork bridge angular bearing) only happens under heavy braking... any ideas?

 

[uncle dick]

The actual head bearings are basically fixed but the forks are rubber mounted in the top yoke. As the suspension compresses the wishbone (which the spring/damper mounts onto) has to move in a radius - increasing the wheelbase very slightly. This is what gives the bike its anti-dive feature.

Like any bike of that age there will be work to do. If you're not confident then there are plenty of guys on here who could look it over for you.

I've had my 1100GS on the road for nearly a year now and still tweaking bits here and there. What I do know is that I love it more every time I ride it. Went across Dartmoor last Sunday morning and took about two days to stop smiling.

Stick at it - you'll be glad you did

Dick

 

[raginmund]

picked up my 1st BMW today r1150gs (2000) and rode it 250 miles home still not sure if i like it! can anybody tell me if there should be movement in the top yoke.... looked in the manual and there's a funny bearing (fork bridge angular bearing) only happens under heavy braking... any ideas?

I found the 'loose' feeling of the top yolk disconcerting at first. Unless there is something wrong I'm afraid They All Do That Sir.

Give the bike time, the affection for it may creep up on you..

 

[Sunny Jim]

Had a problem with my '02 1150 which required the head bearing replacing (under warranty at the time - c. 25,000miles)...grab hold of the bars at each end and, if you can move them up/down in a sea-saw fashion, I think you'll have found the problem.

Welcome to the board by the way

 

[Ash]

" still not sure if i like it! "
I think most people who have never riden a boxer engined bike will take a while to adjust to them.
Guzzi's,Harleys etc are the same
give it time and you'll love it. Although some never get the BMW boxer itch.

 

[haydw]

A GS is not a bike you instantly fall in love with on a first ride. It needs a few proper trips out to get comfy, sort the suspension to your liking, get used to the brakes and learn to change gear slowly. Won't even start with indicator switches.

Get to summer, some B roads in the middle of nowhere and I guarantee you will think a GS is the best all round bike you can buy. I am a total convert.

 

[Steptoe]

The top yolk shouldn't move.

You should be able to grip the fork tubes and twist them around in the stanchions, and they are fixed through rubber mounts in the top yolk.

Take the bike off the stand, hold the front brake on hard and rock the bike backward and forward and see if the top yolk moves.

 

[Ash]

A GS is not a bike you instantly fall in love with on a first ride. It needs a few proper trips out to get comfy, sort the suspension to your liking, get used to the brakes and learn to change gear slowly. Won't even start with indicator switches.

Get to summer, some B roads in the middle of nowhere and I guarantee you will think a GS is the best all round bike you can buy. I am a total pervert.

could not help myself

 

[Peltsi]

I had same thoughts about liking this bike or not. Tooked me a whole autumn and now i await summer more than in 10 years.

 

[Wrigsby1]

As BM boxers are so different there is a cross between fascination and "not being sure" for many new owners. You sort of grow into the idea as it all makes sense with more riding. They are real riders bikes rather than posing or standing outside a bike shop talking crap (even though that is popular).

I was bored with all thing Japanese when I bought a BM and didn't want any of the alternatives. Best thing I did and a GS will do almost any syle of riding if pushed. Keep it, ride it and enjoy it

PS GS bars are flexible at the bar end portion and not at bar mount like K's and RT's. Also check your paralever ball for play by lifting the front wheel up when on the stand and feeling for any vertical play. All fixable...

 

[rymus]

I found the 'loose' feeling of the top yolk disconcerting at first. Unless there is something wrong I'm afraid They All Do That Sir.

You'll have to forgive me, I'm a newbie myself. Only picked my 1150gsa up last Friday. By 'loose' feeling, you do mean a slight wobble on the bars? Was into a three hour roundtrip on my first day of ownership and noticed that. Bit of a brown pants moment wondering if the whole frontend was going to crumble any second.