Front suspension - lifting/plunging ???

[rtm]

Im very new to BMW ownership having covered only 250 miles on my bike since buying it. Its a 2008 GS1200 Adventure with 19500 miles.

Now this may just be the characteristics of riding a big trailie bike so please keep me right. The bike is fitted with ESA and it operates (if moves and goes up and down when I change the settings) but heres my question or query. When I accelerate briskly the front nose of the bike lifts under acceleration (I don't mean wheelies) then drops quite a bit when I put it into second and so on and so...

Coming from sports bikes Im not used to that behaviour in a bike and would normally dial it out on the suspension, is this just the way they ride?? Im around 16st and have had the bike set on both comfort and sport with luggage (I dont have luggage) I used this setting as it was suggested it helps with heavier riders.

Basically is this normal for the bike to lift and drop lift and drop as you change gears. I appreciate if you change gears like you've stolen it then this wont happen.

 

[DC]

they do tend to have long fork travel ,esp compared to sports bikes, so I'm sure its a"all in the head thing " does it happen the same in each ESA mode ?

No disrespect but also being a "bigger person" will weight the rear and make the front lighter too ..but you knew that already

I have a 2015 GSA the front goes lighter under heavy acceleration , but not to the point were it is excessive ...

 

[rtm]

they do tend to have long fork travel ,esp compared to sports bikes, so I'm sure its a"all in the head thing " does it happen the same in each ESA mode ?

No disrespect but also being a "bigger person" will weight the rear and make the front lighter too ..but you knew that already

I have a 2015 GSA the front goes lighter under heavy acceleration , but not to the point were it is excessive ...

I need more play time to be honest. I had the bike in sport mode and it was very firm so backed it off to comfort. I suspect the front travel is normal, everything works as it should and its just back from a service at BMW and road test and they gave the bike the thumbs up. It may be something I need to get used to. Just wondered if this was normal. Maybe Im feeling it more after getting of a bike that had rock hard suspensions and very little movement.

 

[mikeyboy]

might be worth getting someone to check the shocks are not buggered as they are not the most reliable things.i have seen them fail at a lot less miles than this.
bounce the back of the bike it should not pogo ,then drop it off the main stand to check the front, if it bounces something is amiss.

 

[Bendy toy]

The double jointed back swing arm is there to stop the back wheel tucking under on acceleration. But I personally believe BMW over did the geometry making the back end dive under power. As Mike says a worn rear shock will exaggerate the effect.
Many of us love our farkles but these bikes have two great upgrades.
Wilbers WESA shocks
Hilltop remap.