gs 1200 Wind buffiting!

[NA1959]

Just test rode a 12ooGS. Was very impresed by the general feal and ride,especially going on the twisty B roads and flows on the A roads.

Had a bit of a scare when comming up behind lorries on Motorway. As air turbulance grew when in the slipstream, the front end shook its head and got worst until past the truck. If behind a truck had to drop back around 50 /60 feet due to head shake. Is this normal or possibly tyre pressure. The bike was also affected by side winds with similar head shake when being hit by side winds , is this common?
The bike had only 200 miles on the clock so I was only in the 60 - 80mph speed bracket.

PS, I also covered the same rouyte on an ST12oo which had none of these problems ,but ran wide on corners and was not in the same class as the |GS. The GS ate its ass in all areas bar the motorway turbulance.

Please advise is need as I'm toren, on to by the GS1200 or look at an older 1150GS!

 

[Engineer]

Just test rode a 12ooGS. Was very impresed by the general feal and ride,especially going on the twisty B roads and flows on the A roads.

Had a bit of a scare when comming up behind lorries on Motorway. As air turbulance grew when in the slipstream, the front end shook its head and got worst until past the truck. If behind a truck had to drop back around 50 /60 feet due to head shake. Is this normal or possibly tyre pressure. The bike was also affected by side winds with similar head shake when being hit by side winds , is this common?
The bike had only 200 miles on the clock so I was only in the 60 - 80mph speed bracket.

PS, I also covered the same rouyte on an ST12oo which had none of these problems ,but ran wide on corners and was not in the same class as the |GS. The GS ate its ass in all areas bar the motorway turbulance.

Please advise is need as I'm toren, on to by the GS1200 or look at an older 1150GS!

There is a bit of noisy buffeting, but it has never caused any instability whatsoever on my bike. I would suspect something else, maybe tyre pressures. My bike is affected a bit by sidewinds when I have the panniers fitted - but it's not bad and I have never had any hint of instability. The 1200GS is my first BMW and it's a very impressive motorcycle. However I never slipstream lorries - a very dangerous practice on any bike!!

 

[Tobers]

The older GS will be worse for buffeting. Standard 1200 suspension is too low at the back reducing weight on the front, making turbulence induced wobbles as you describe quite commonplace. Try another ride, and this time whack up the rear preload with the suitably provided knob and see how much more stable it feels.

Then you can sort the buffeting out

 

[Fanum]

The older GS will be worse for buffeting.

It's one of the downsides of having a lighter bike...they get bashed about a lot more in this sort of HGV triggered turbulance.

Riding an Adv, I've watched 1200 owners being blown all over the place whilst I've felt secure and planted........ask Dahoum about the way back over the moors on Sunday

 

[Wraithwrider]

I had an awful experience in France that doesn't back up Tobers's observations.

Despite weighing only 12 to 13 stone I always have the back end jacked up a few turns past the middle setting as recommended by the magazines and in forum threads. The bike handles superbly on A roads and with the application of deliberate countersteer turns in in an instant.

I was touring solo in the Garmish/Stella trip this year and was loaded with a pair of System panniers, a small Ortleib on the rack and a tank bag. While riding with in company with several 1150's on a busy motorway with very strong side winds and loads of trucks I found myself struggling to stay in my lane. Jim McSharry was riding behind me and he was fairly concerned at the 1200's antics.

In order to increase rake and thereby the stability I wound the rear end right back. The bike was transformed. It still got shaken about by the buffeting but the increased castor effect meant that it took it all in its stride and ploughed on regardless.

Just my own personal experiences.

Peter

 

[Dahoum]

Riding an Adv, I've watched 1200 owners being blown all over the place whilst I've felt secure and planted........ask Dahoum about the way back over the moors on Sunday

Yep. Not being a fat bastard like Bill I found the side winds very 'interesting' at times.

Usually only over 95 following Steppers tho

 

[NA1959]

Chaps

Thanks for the info, I'm over 13 stone and the wind blew me about on the bike. Looks like I'll have to book another test ride and play about with the settings!

Any more advice welcomed!

 

[GSmonkey]

I had the same concerns as you....although it was after picking up my new bike that I found out about these particular problems.

Luckily both 'problems' can be dialled out. First the buffeting can be helped using Tobinators (i'm surprised Tobers never mentioned them ).

Secondly, the instability behind lorries is a factor of % weight over the front wheel. This can be affected by the pre-load or luggage. I moved my topbox to the pillion seat and it was significantly better. It was also better when I upped the pre-load as initially I had it on a low setting to give a low seat height whilst getting to know the bike.

If you really liked all other aspects of the GS, I'd say go for it. Don't get a fat lard bucket of an 1150......this can be easily simulated by filling your panniers with bricks

 

[Tobers]

Wierd isn't it. I had completely the opposite of Wraithrider's experience. I diagnosed the problem only when I was loaded up for the first time. I'd had the "nervous" feeling handlebar wobble as described before, but when loaded & on the motorway, it was much worse.

Using my skill & judgement, I worked out that the only change was more weight on the back of the bike. I then wound up the rear knob thingy and the problem went away completely. Huzzah!

 

[Pukmeister]

I agree with you Tobers, I'm no lightweight myself at 15 stone, and with full luggage plus large touring bag strapped across the pillion seat I had wind and speed induced wandering when 'pressing on' on my 1200. I dialled in a little more rear preload to just over half way and it settled down nicely and became much more confidence inspiring when fully laden at speed.

I have Tobinators fitted but can't seem to find a sweet spot with them so I may purchase a taller screen since I mostly use my GS for touring / longer journeys rather than country blasts and commuting.

 

[blackburnlee]

I've found that as soon as I stick the panniers on or carry a pillion I wind the rear preload up all the way. This seems to work well and I've not experienced any of the weave or wobble that others seem to have.

 

[North]

I was quite surprised at the difference in the buffetting with the panniers on. They act like sails and catch the wind.


North