Handlbar Shake

[KevinW]

Between 20 and 40 mph the bars on our GSA are shaking quite violently. At 20 it feels like I've got a flat tyre. At about 30 I can't hold them still and my arms are doing a little shimmy. Above 40 and it starts to smooth out. This started after my last service (where they fitted new tyres) and has got worse over the last 3k miles. It seems more pronounced solo than it does two-up with luggage; a fact I only discovered this morning.

The tyre pressures are OK and the wheel bearings seem fine (I would hope so as it's only just over a year old and has done 8k miles). I'm wondering about a deformed tyre although I don't know why that would have got worse.

At the service three weeks ago they told me my front wheel was slightly buckled so I need to get that sorted out but it must have been like that since I bought it with 2k miles on the clock and probably explains the uncomfortable vibration I get through the bars. I can't see why that would suddenly get so bad it shakes the bars from side to side.

Any suggestions? (asks someone who is supposed to be heading to the Alps on it later today.).



An Aside...

Man walks into a BMW main dealer and says "I called earlier this morning to tell you that you supplied and fitted a top box for me about three weeks ago and the lock seems to have stopped working. I'm heading for Germany later today and the person I spoke to said I could pop up with it and you'd have a look. Was it you I spoke to?"

After the employee responds "No, it wasn't me." do you think he followed that up with:

a) I'm sorry you've had this issue and had to come back here. Let me have a look to see if I can resolve it.

Or

b) Did whoever you spoke to say whether they would charge you for this?

In the case of Coopers in Tunbridge Wells the answer this morning was 'b'. It was only when I tried to lock it last night that I discovered it wouldn't work and I really could have down without the 120 miles round trip to Coopers when I already had a full day but I wanted a locking top box. I have to confess I was lost for words at his response and could only stammer "Sorry?" as I was sure I must have misheard.

They did resolve it and I wasn't charged but my request as to whether someone could spare 10 minutes to ride the bike around the block and just give me an opinion as to what the issue with the bars shaking might be in case it's dangerous was met with a shake of the head and "Well I tried" after he re-emerged from the workshop.

I've obviously been spoiled by the excellent service I've received from Alfords in Folkestone over the years because the more I encounter BMW main dealers (with the honourable exception of Rainbow) the more I wonder whether I should have bought the Tenere* despite loving the GSA.

(*Can we just take the "Well why don't you?" responses as read?)

Kevin

 

[heathy]

Well it sounds like faulty front tyre, not a continental trail attack by any chance??

 

[KevinW]

Thanks, it is indeed a Conti Trail Attack! You're either a mind reader or this is not an uncommon problem. I'm guessing the second?

Ah, now I've used the search function I can see similar reports. It hadn't occurred to me it might be the tyre type, I wondered whether I had a faulty one .

Kevin

 

[rodders]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143617&highlight=conti+trail

 

[rodders]

see you've found it,

 

[heathy]

Beggars belief they still have quality problems this long after first identified. Should be easy to get them to change it though. Hope you get sorted in time for your trip.

 

[KevinW]

Just spoken to a pleasant chap at Cumbrian Tyres, the importer, who told me to get it changed. Coopers offered me Saturday of next week which is no good as we'll be out somewhere over the weekend but I was able to get a Thursday of next week appointment.

No good for the Alps this weekend and we're competing in the German Butt Rally so a lot of riding; I guess it'll be 'interesting'. We could take the FJR but we need to test what the GSA is like in rally conditions and there aren't many opportunities to do that.

The main thing is I was assured it's safe 'as long as you're aware of it'.

Thanks all for your help.

Kevin

 

[G5RJO]

Been there done it.

I had two fronts exchanged 12 months ago. Busters sorted it via cambrian tyres.

Guess what...

One of those supplied as an exchange was just fitted and it weaves as well

Just emailed cambrian for an exchange authorisation - again

Roger.

 

[KevinW]

Oh, Cambrian, not Cumbrian.

The first thing the guy at Coopers asked me was how will I know whether the replacement is going to work; I didn't have an answer.

I like to run matched tyres and I'm seriously considering asking them to replace the front with something different and buying a matching rear.

Kevin

 

[Neil W]

Check the run out on the front rim, mine has gone oval for no apparent reason in the last 2000 miles

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Thanks, it is indeed a Conti Trail Attack! You're either a mind reader or this is not an uncommon problem. I'm guessing the second?

Ah, now I've used the search function I can see similar reports. It hadn't occurred to me it might be the tyre type, I wondered whether I had a faulty one .

Kevin

Mine does that but only if I have too gentle a grip on the the bars

Despite this I still like Trail Attacks

 

[oyster]

snap

yep i noticed recently that i had wobbly handlebars, Dealer told me there is a problem with my front Tyre, at the Annual Service, Cont Trail Attack, 8,000 miles, thanks for bringing this 'common' problem to my attention, good tyre but i'm sure the vibes will affect me or the bike with prolonged use. the search begins for a suitable replacement.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Conti's aren't the only fronts that do it, been a common trait for the last 10-15 years on GS's

A new tyre might be exactly the same

Don't worry about it & take the bike to Germany

Happened to me on a brand new 1150 GSA in 2005 & in 2003 on another GS

Solution - increase front tyre pressure by 10 psi to about 45 psi

The symptoms will disappear & the bike will be fine

Handling will be fine too, wet or dry - both times it happened to me I toured 3000 miles round Europe & it was fine

Pump up the tyre & ride it

 

[heathy]

Conti's aren't the only fronts that do it, been a common trait for the last 10-15 years on GS's

A new tyre might be exactly the same

Don't worry about it & take the bike to Germany

Happened to me on a brand new 1150 GSA in 2005 & in 2003 on another GS

Solution - increase front tyre pressure by 10 psi to about 45 psi

The symptoms will disappear & the bike will be fine

Handling will be fine too, wet or dry - both times it happened to me I toured 3000 miles round Europe & it was fine
H
Pump up the tyre & ride it

With the greatest respect..........what utter 8ollocks

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

With the greatest respect..........what utter 8ollocks

With the greatest respect........................it worked for me and therefore cannot be utter bollocks

In 2005, it was on brand new bike, with a Metzeler tyre fitted at the BMW factory

I was going to Garmisch BMW event and the Metzeler technicians were in attendence, so they examined the 800 mile old tyre, by taking it off, putting it on another wheel, balancing it and the re-fitting to my wheel and re-balancng it and increasing the pressure to about 44psi in the front

Took it for a spin and all was well

They said the BMW recommended pressure of 36psi in the front is too low, in thier opinion

Now I always run 40 psi in the front all the time and 46psi in the rear on Tourances, solo

Been riding GS's for 16 years on Metzeler tyres and since 2005 I've always run those pressures and I don't ride like a fanny, as some will testify

Works for me and has done for me twice with the '40 mph front wobble' factor and with respect, I will listen to the guys who work for Metzeler

Caveat - if you are unsure of your abilities, don't try it (I ride different bikes, some with tyres inflated from only 2psi or 14 psi, up to mid 40's psi, on the road - so I tailor my riding accordingly)

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

The Conti Tech at Garmisch told me that in Germany they advise the fitment of a 'W' rated tyre

When back in the UK Dave from Cambrian Tyres said he'd never heard of such a thing

Either way at 19,000 miles I reckon my front is about due for change

 

[rocky burns]

I have the same problem on my 06gsa.. rang cambrian yesterday and spoke to a nice chap.. He said take it to your lcoal dealer order a new tyre and send the other one back( all should be hunky doory)
Thank u Cambrian


Oh and it will not cost you anything

 

[Beemerman59]

I didn't like the CTA's on my 1200GSA....and this just adds to the liklihood that that opinion's not going to change any time soon.

 

[heathy]

With the greatest respect........................it worked for me and therefore cannot be utter bollocks

We are however discussing a different tyre (CTA) with a known fault acknowledged by the manufacturer and will be changed at no cost. Why would you inflate above recommended pressure, presumably then compromising ride comfort, grip and a insurance cover, in the event of accident, when you can just get the problem sorted. With as much respect as I can muster, I would respectfully decline the advice from the man from Metzeler when discussing a different tyre.

Caveat - if you are unsure of your abilities, don't try it (I ride different bikes, some with tyres inflated from only 2psi or 14 psi, up to mid 40's psi, on the road - so I tailor my riding accordingly)

Hmmmm, not sure exactly what your saying here, but my interpretation is "just ignore what I said previously"
Hmmmm,

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hmmmm, not sure exactly what your saying here, but my interpretation is "just ignore what I said previously"
Hmmmm,

I'm saying, if you get a wobble/shimmy, through the bars @ 30-40mph (which if you did a search has been well documented here), irrespective of tyre brand - a cure that worked for me was to up the psi in the front tyre

This trait isn't just particular to CTA, you can also get it with a Tourance

When it first happened to me in 2003, it was more an annoyance than a danger and I was stuck in Europe on a dockside and I had little choice of exchange at the start of a 3 week tour, so I did a logical thing and experimented with front tyre pressures and by increasing the psi, it cured it and had no other adverse effect on handling

When it happened again in 2005, the psi debate was confirmed by Metzeler and I've since had a shimmy with other tyre brands too

However as with a lot of things, you have to be comfortable with your actions and ride to your abilities

I ride a Trials bike with 2-3psi in the rear tyre, on the road when doing a road trial, you may not be comfortable doing that

So, Heathy do you think it's wrong to add some more air to your front tyre than is recommended by the bike manufacturer and would you think it would adversely affect the handling/braking/steering of the bike

My Caveat to this advice is....................do what you think you're comfortable with, after all we are all over 18 and adults, so we can make a reasoned, rational decision

Make your own minds up, but the OP was looking for information

If Continental are offering a swap out, then you'd be advised to take up their offer, however as others have said the replacement may or may not exhibit the same symptoms

So Heathy, I was offering my own experiences as to my own solution, whether you listen is up to you and from your tone - you won't and think i'm talking out of my @rse

G'day to you