gsa suspension set up

[Jay12329]

I've recently picked up a 02 1150gsa. Coming from a sports bike I find the suspension overly soft. Checked the settings, rear preload is on mid and other adjustment is 1/2 a turn from full H. This rear shock is under a year old with only around 1000miles on it.
Front end is on the lowest preload setting. original front shock now with 58k on it.
The rear seams to lift quite a lot under breaking and the bike weaves at speed and when rolling off the throttle quickly at anything over 90mph.
I also find in corners the bike doesn't fill me with confidence.
I'm 10 stone wet through, and have mainly been riding with half full luggage 1up.
Any suggestions for a good baseline set up before i start playing and kill myself? Or common mods to stiffen up the bike a little?
ta
J

 

[Number 6]

Front end is on the lowest preload setting. original front shock now with 58k on it.
The rear seams to lift quite a lot under breaking J

58000 miles on the original shock??? It's fecked
The rear isn't lifting, the front is collapsing

 

[Hubs]

I've gone from a K1200S with pin sharp brakes and suspension to an 1150GSA.

The GSA is a lot less precise than the K12, but it just requires a different riding style, and one which feels like I should maintain a licence longer. Definitely smiling a lot more now!

Regards

Mark

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Front end is on the lowest preload setting. original front shock now with 58k on it.
J

I've heard that these shocks are only good for about 30K!
Just replaced my rear that was leaking at 32K for an Ohlins. I'm hoping the front will continue on for a while, so I can save up for another Ohlins.
There's a suspension set-up guide on the Ohlins web site I believe or search this forum or Advrider for it. It's there some where. Have a friend on hand to assist.

 

[harry]

I've recently picked up a 02 1150gsa. Coming from a sports bike I find the suspension overly soft. Checked the settings, rear preload is on mid and other adjustment is 1/2 a turn from full H. This rear shock is under a year old with only around 1000miles on it.
Front end is on the lowest preload setting. original front shock now with 58k on it.
The rear seams to lift quite a lot under breaking and the bike weaves at speed and when rolling off the throttle quickly at anything over 90mph.
I also find in corners the bike doesn't fill me with confidence.
I'm 10 stone wet through, and have mainly been riding with half full luggage 1up.
Any suggestions for a good baseline set up before i start playing and kill myself? Or common mods to stiffen up the bike a little?
ta
J

Jay, you have to realise your dampers are probably passed their sell-by but I'd start by putting max pre-load on the rear and hardening the front by a couple of positions. These would be normally v hard settings for your weight and if it's not you need new dampers.
If it does harden up you can soften off the rear and see how she feels.
The front standard setting is, from memory, 2 or 3.

 

[littleredrooster]

The front shock will definitely be past its best. The rear should be OK, but bear in mind that the GS is set up significantly softer than any sportsbike or sports-tourer. Long-travel suspension may take some getting used to!
Winding pre-load on does not make the spring any harder, only raises the ride-height for a given load. Don't raise the front too much or it will have the effect of slowing the steering - it will be reluctant to turn in, and will want to run wide on the way out of corners.

 

[PIGGLET]

Is the rear shock an aftermarket unit or new OE shock? If it's the latter then unfortunately the best way to improve handling is to bin it The front will be past it's best so that will probably need replacing. I'm about the same weight as you and found with wilbers on the bike was transformed and actually rather stiff bordering on harsh when pootling on tarmac. Off-road or pushing on it was spot on though If you've come from a sports bike the riding position has a dramatic effect on handling. If you want to make rapid progress try leaning forward over the bars in an aggressive super moto/MX stylee and you'll find it seems a different bike compared to sitting up/back in the seat
What tyres has it got on? Some tyres can cause the infamous death weave when rolling off the throttle, battle wings and tourances seem more susceptable than others.

 

[Jay12329]

Its a new OE shock unfortunately. THink I might have to save up and get some aftermarket ones made for my weight.
Bike has a set of tourances on it atm. Would 021's prevent the 'death weave'?
Ta
J

 

[Onwalkabout]

You shouldn't get weave with tyres (unless they are also knackered). I reckon Number 6 has it spot on - the shock is stuffed. You are probably getting the weave as you slightly roll off the throttle (if I am not mistaken) as the front is vague. Bin it. You may be okay with the back shock and once you change the front, you will definately have a better picture.
BT021's are not bad for the summer but I haven't been too happy with them in the wet, I find that unless they are nice and warm the grip is not as good as it could be.

 

[PIGGLET]

Yeah, it's a pain in the wallet but aftermarket shocks will transform it, or in the short term a new front will most probably help (new wilbers front now and new rear when funds allow?)
Conti trail attacks are the kiddies,basically a road attack for big trailies. They stick like poo to a blanket in all conditions and give great confidence even in the depths of winter. Much better wear rates than you'd expect too given the grip

 

[PIGGLET]

You shouldn't get weave with tyres (unless they are also knackered). I reckon Number 6 has it spot on - the shock is stuffed. You are probably getting the weave as you slightly roll off the throttle (if I am not mistaken) as the front is vague. Bin it. You may be okay with the back shock and once you change the front, you will definately have a better picture.
BT021's are not bad for the summer but I haven't been too happy with them in the wet, I find that unless they are nice and warm the grip is not as good as it could be.

I had trail wings on on GS that caused a weave rolling off the throttle at around 75 and again at 30, They were only about 50% worn.Changed to conti escapes and it dissapeared. My brother has had issues with a tourance front wearing unevenly causing "interesting" handling as well. Could be either or both.
If you do change tyres stay away from metzeller tourance EXP

 

[Jay12329]

Where do you get wilbers from?> I've had a google and cant find a website for them or a UK re-seller. I'm prob being blind as its been one of those weeks.
J

 

[PIGGLET]

Wilbers website Here

They are sold in the Uk by Every Accessory HERE

Have a look at the wilbers site and get an Idea of what you want/can get then give the guys at every accessory a buzz with your idea's and they'll advise you from there

I personally have not tried the all singing all dancing shocks with the high and low speed damping adjustments. I've just used the standard shocks with remote pre-load and have found them a vast improvement over stock.

 

[Colm Cummins]

Where do you get wilbers from?> I've had a google and cant find a website for them or a UK re-seller. I'm prob being blind as its been one of those weeks.
J

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155713

 

[The Sea Dog]

It's worth just highlighting again, the GSA has L O N G travel suspension and it's going to feel completely different coming from a normal bike, and especially from a sports bike. Mileage will also play a factor in this obviously, but even brand new shocks that have this much travel and are so soft compared to your average sports setup will take a bit of getting used to. However, weird as it may feel, let it get on with it, you'll be amazed at the handling you will get on real roads, and with shocks that are working well they'll keep it well planted with decent tyres on it, depiste how much you feel it's moving.

Good luck and welcome

 

[GhostCav]

My GSA is on 30,000 miles & wobbles about a bit, but only as much as I would expect from this kind of bike. Certainly doesnt hinder progress around corners & the like. Infact after the last bike (03 Fireblade) I actually feel more confident around bends in the real world. After all most country A or B road bends comprise of undulation's, tarmac ripples, potholes & the like. Getting heavy handed with the blade usually resulted in the back end skipping about with the tyre chirping in protest. The big old Stuka of a GSA just sits there wobbles a bit at first, then finds it's feet & hammers around.

I'll change the shocks when the bike sits lower....