GSA rear suspension update...

[Gog yn y De]

Had the GSA for a week, and it's ready for it's 600 mile service. At first I thought the harsh ride was due to the roads becoming bumpy in the recent hot weather. Having just done 400 miles over the past two days, there's no way that all those roads have been bumpy. I've been fiddling with the suspension the whole way but to no avail. My bad back didn't help matters either.

Just searched for this topic and see that many have mentioned the harsh suspension and have said that they would be looking into alternative suspension/spings/etc.

I just wondered what the latest is regarding this is? Are there many happy converts out there to a new suspension set up? If I had to change, I would rather take the bike somewhere so that they could set it up for me so that it could be done properly.

I would enjoy the 400 mile round trip on my 04GS. This recent trip on the GSA was shite due to the suspension. I've got TCK's on for the first time (they're coming off at the service pronto) but sure they can't make that much difference to the ride.

 

[The Burpster]

Hummn you might be surprised!

My 05 GS came with 607s on and although I really loved it...... imagine how I feel now having put Battlewings on and can run the suspension softer and with lower tyre pressures! Its more complient and grips better. I have no experince of TKCs on my bike (and I know there are peeps on here that rave about them) but have ridden a GSA with them on. I was more than happy to get back on mine afterwards!


You may find your GSA benefits masively from a new pair of boots and that will allow you to soften things up, which should relieve the pain in your ###se !

 

[runeo]

Had the GSA for a week, and it's ready for it's 600 mile service. At first I thought the harsh ride was due to the roads becoming bumpy in the recent hot weather.

Hi

With a two setup and full packing I use max preload to have a good Bike.
I have the dampening set to about one rev counter clockwise from the max setting. This gives the ADV a limousine feeling.

If I lessen the damping to one and a half turn from full The bike is much more prune to put metal in the tarmac on uneven and bumpy curves.

best wishes
Rune ( not in native langue

 

[paul hughes]

hard suspension

I had a 2004 gs 1200 the rear spring rate was to hard prone to pogo round fast corners and hard as hell I tried all the settings and could not get it right,
then the damn thing went wrong in all sorts of ways so it was returned to bmw , and I bought an 1150 adv.
perfect straight out of the box never touched the suspension since day one.
great in every enviroment.
I mhave ordered a 1200 adv wich arives next month and have only recently ridden one same suspension problem hard!!! it is not the settings I am convinced it is the spring rate.
It has put me right off the bike even considering cancelling my order!

 

[JayGee]

My 05 GS came with 607s on and although I really loved it...... imagine how I feel now having put Battlewings on and can run the suspension softer and with lower tyre pressures! ...

How come? Why can you drop the pressures and what do you do to the suspenders, drop the preload or stiffen the damping? I'm just curious as I have just had the Battlewings fitted, had 607s and road pilots before, i don't really notice much difference to ride comfort but then I use 32F 36R psi and leave the suspension on pre-load towards the top (otherwise the stand grounds out befor the pegs), rear damping about 1 turn from max and front preload one up from min. The handlings good but the ride isn't all that compliant really so if you've got any tips I'd be interested.

 

[Micky]

I wrote to BMW in April about the crap suspension... not even the courtesy of a reply. It's so bloody harsh it throws me out the seat every few seconds. Now done over 10,000 miles... no better!

Would normally fit Wilbers, and that would make it a fab 'bike, but I'm not spending any more money on it... it's going after my Slovenia tour next month

Actually the 'bike is a tad too big for me, so got my eye on an F800GS whenever it comes, and I will put Wilbers on that.

Meanwhile the F650 Dakar (with Wilbers) is a hoot and does everything



www.adventure.gs

 

[Gog yn y De]

I wrote to BMW in April about the crap suspension... not even the courtesy of a reply. It's so bloody harsh it throws me out the seat every few seconds. Now done over 10,000 miles... no better!

Would normally fit Wilbers, and that would make it a fab 'bike, but I'm not spending any more money on it... it's going after my Slovenia tour next month

Actually the 'bike is a tad too big for me, so got my eye on an F800GS whenever it comes, and I will put Wilbers on that.

Meanwhile the F650 Dakar (with Wilbers) is a hoot and does everything



www.adventure.gs

Are you going to Slovenia with Slovenia Moto Tours (Beautiful Balkans Adventure) departing approx 25th August? If so, we may see you there! We're flying out then using one of their GS's.

Anyway, what weight are you? I was wondering whether the GSA is suited more to the heavier rider as so far (600 miles) it appears better with a pillion though still crap. My 04GS was perfect. Looking at alternative suspension, prefably lower too but, as you said, it costs.

 

[The Burpster]

JG...

Mine was a big leap, as with the 607's I was using the harder pressures (for 2 up and luggage 36 +40? ) that Piddies recommended that would be best for me when I picked it up! (they know me well and know how I ride!). I had this before many years ago when I had a Honda VF1000. I put softer tyres on and initially it was poo. So back thgen I learnt when reshodding a bike soften everything off and incrementally increase until it feels right!

Well being a lard arse now (102 kgs) and over 6ft theres no point going back to teh softest so I backed it all right off (preload to teh second line and damping to S on rear, and secnod preload nothc on the front) then went up 1 notch on teh fr preload and 1 line past med on teh rear preloads and one line less than mid way on damping on teh r-shock. Running the tyres at 32 and 36 its a way different bike!

 

[Micky]

Are you going to Slovenia with Slovenia Moto Tours (Beautiful Balkans Adventure) departing approx 25th August? If so, we may see you there! We're flying out then using one of their GS's.

Anyway, what weight are you? I was wondering whether the GSA is suited more to the heavier rider as so far (600 miles) it appears better with a pillion though still crap. My 04GS was perfect. Looking at alternative suspension, prefably lower too but, as you said, it costs.

Flying out

Taking a group... ferry crossing (18th August) fifteen nights evening meal, bed and breakfast... fully booked.

Ride through the Eifels of Germany, along the Mosel, Black Forest, Austria, Alpine passes, Großglockner, hand picked motorcycling roads, to Most Na Soci in Slovenia for four nights.

I'm fourteen stone, and the 'bike certainly handles better with a pillion for sure. Seat comfort crap. Did all the tests re suspension 'sag' etc. and the springs, especially the front, far too hard. The 'sag' should be between 25% to 30% my 1200GS-A was front 5% and rear 16% ... far far too hard!

Hope this helps...



www.adventure.gs

 

[JayGee]

Well being a lard arse now (102 kgs) and over 6ft theres no point going back to teh softest so I backed it all right off (preload to teh second line and damping to S on rear, and secnod preload nothc on the front) then went up 1 notch on teh fr preload and 1 line past med on teh rear preloads and one line less than mid way on damping on teh r-shock. Running the tyres at 32 and 36 its a way different bike!

Thanks Burpster,
I use almost the same settings, but a bit more damping. I'm about 80Kg so maybe I'll slacken off the settings a notch and see if that's better, I guess the damping and rear preload but I don't want to slow the steering which I really like. I've always used 32F 36R or a bit less in the front, even down to 28 but that's mainly for better grip under heavy braking for track days etc (still doesn't make me the fastest though ).