Handling

[jack.pe]

I used to have a 1150 GS and I think it used to handle better than my current 04 1200 GS which feels much softer.
It seems the 1200 is much more wallowy than the 1150 which used to feel rock solid and not really move about much, either under braking or acceleration.. has anyone else come across this? One thing I have noticed is that the bike handles a lot better with the seat in the low position but unfortunately I hate riding it this way as it scrunches up my legs.
Also, I seem to remember getting more feedback from the 1150, particularly the front end..

 

[Schtum]

You haven't said how many miles are on the bike - assuming it's on the original shocks. Nor have you said how much preload you're running front and rear and how much damping on the rear shock.

If you want more feel from the front end run lots of preload on the rear. If the shocks are past their best, fit good quality aftermarket ones. Even if they're not past their best, a set of Ohlins would make a significant difference.

 

[jack.pe]

You haven't said how many miles are on the bike - assuming it's on the original shocks. Nor have you said how much preload you're running front and rear and how much damping on the rear shock.

If you want more feel from the front end run lots of preload on the rear. If the shocks are past their best, fit good quality aftermarket ones. Even if they're not past their best, a set of Ohlins would make a significant difference.

18000 miles, the same as my previous 1150..so comparing like with like.

At it's service the BMW dealer did point out that the rear shock or "Strut?" as they refer to it was leaking but I have looked at it very closely and can see no evidence of leaking, also it appears to have loads of damping in it just by pushing it up and down (not very scientific I know).
Front prelod is set as per manual, i.e three "teeth" from lowest position, rear preload is in between medium and hard. Rear damping adjuster is as per manual.
I know Ohlins would improve it but I don't much fancy shelling out £600 -£800, I was just expecting it to handle at least as well as the 1150. I took that (1150) on a track day and it aquitted itself very well, would not feel confident doing the same on the 1200.

 

[Schtum]

18000 miles, the same as my previous 1150..so comparing like with like.

You're not really. Were both bikes ridden from new by the same person in the same manner on the same roads with the same loads, from new? Even if they were, the shocks are different. That iteration of R1200GS came with WP shocks. I don't believe that the 1150s did.

At it's service the BMW dealer did point out that the rear shock or "Strut?" as they refer to it was leaking but I have looked at it very closely and can see no evidence of leaking, also it appears to have loads of damping in it just by pushing it up and down (not very scientific I know).

If it is leaking then it's not going to be doing its job as well as it should; especially when it heats up and that's when the damping is likely to disappear.

Front prelod is set as per manual, i.e three "teeth" from lowest position, rear preload is in between medium and hard. Rear damping adjuster is as per manual.

Unless you're more than 13 stone I reckon the second click from fully soft on the front is about right and as I said if you want more feel from the front and want a decent rate of turn you need to run lots of rear preload, almost it not completely on max., with a corresponding increase in the amount of damping you have dialled into the rear shock - and that's when it's one in good condition.

I know Ohlins would improve it but I don't much fancy shelling out £600 -£800, I was just expecting it to handle at least as well as the 1150. I took that (1150) on a track day and it aquitted itself very well, would not feel confident doing the same on the 1200.

My experience is that the 1200 doesn't feel quite so "planted" as the 1150. The 1200 just about tells you the size of the pea gravel you're riding over while the 1150 smashes the road under its wheels like a Panzer tank. I did one track day at Knockhill on my old '04 1200 and it handled well enough to ride around the outside of a guy on a GSXR1000 at one point. It sounds like the suspension on yours needs some TLC.

 

[GSband]

The first batch of R12GS came with WP suspension. My 2007 GS unfortunately came with Showa suspension, not nearly as good as the WP setup. Now done 30000km and GS is waltzing around inspite of trying different setups.

Have ordered Wilbers.

 

[RickG]

With 50,000+ miles on my 06 1200 I don't have any wallowing issues that can't still be cured by a little extra damping adjustment. My complaint would be that it doesn't feel at all planted in slow speed corners like tipping into tight roundabouts. On fast sweeping bends I think it's fine and does feel well connected even at center stand scraping angles. Compared to my 1150's the handling is superior, mainly due to the lack of wieght as it's way more flickable. Riding the 1150 fast was like driving a fully laden transit van - it was fine as long as you set up for the next bend well in advance, preferably sometime the previous day. If you did this right it would track like it was on rails but surprise it with anything like a mid course correction and you could really tell it wasn't happy. Still loved it to bits though

 

[Pukmeister]

Done 10,000 miles on my Wilbers. Handling is still excellent.

I'm a very satisfied customer

 

[lloyd]

Weird animals these 1200's . They seem to handle superbly but I cannot fathom why. Feedback seems to be lacking , especially in tight slow corners but I can ride it faster when the going opens up than any other big trailie I have owned.
Maybe the stable behaviour leads to more confidence
As for feeling a pea under the front wheel, there seems like a distinct lack of any feedback , especially comparing it to a sports bike

 

[lloyd]

Done 10,000 miles on my Wilbers. Handling is still excellent.

I'm a very satisfied customer

Do you notice more feedback, better grip or stability in comparison to the standard shocks ?

 

[Pukmeister]

Yes, yes and yes.

In my case, the stock front shock (WP) had too stiff a spring and too harsh damping for smooth control of the front tyre. The rear shock (also WP) needed a lot of preload to make the bike handle suggesting a weak spring rate, plus fairly ineffective damping. The preload and damping had to be wound up a lot to make the bike feel stable mid-turn but this affected ride comfort plus having a short inside leg it made the bike slightly too tall for my liking.

In comparison, the Wilbers were built to my weight (14 st) for luggage and fast road use. As soon as I tried them, it felt like my local road had been resurfaced and the bike seemed to glide smoothly over undulating surfaces. When pushing hard, the grip levels are excellent and the bike feels very stable and reassuring. I've ony ever ran my GS on Tourances and can grind the pegs without fear that the tyres will lose grip.

Also, the damping adjuster actually makes a big difference with even one click (unlike the stock units) suggesting good positive control over oil flow within the shock itself.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Unless you're more than 13 stone I reckon the second click from fully soft on the front is about right and as I said if you want more feel from the front and want a decent rate of turn you need to run lots of rear preload, almost it not completely on max., with a corresponding increase in the amount of damping you have dialled into the rear shock u

+1

Andres

 

[MartinL]

How 'bout tyre condition / make / type / size / pressures before worrying 'bout those expensive strut thingies? Also the basics like bearings / ball joints / bushes?

 

[lloyd]

Just because someone mentions suspension changes does not mean they have ignored everything else

 

[Sgt Bilco]

You can just change the springs and not the whole shock for about £70 a spring.

I put Hyperpro springs on my 1200GS-A and the transformation was very noticable, it`s a lot firmer and no wallowing!

 

[Slowdown]

jack.pe

There's loads of places who sell shocks that aren't anywhere near Ohlins prices.
Hagon, for instance.....

But I found exactly what you found with the OEM shocks and I went with aftermarket ones which cured all of the problems (after I'd got them set up properly )