Interestingly BMW admitted they have seen this problem on a fair few 2010 boxers but all are GSA's. Go figure
Crashbars and Panniers frames increasing resonance
I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes - vibration!
- Thread starter Mightytharg
- Start date
Crashbars and Panniers frames increasing resonance
Mightytharg
Registered user
Was your K100RS really that bad?
Im on my 4th and have never really found them uncomfortably vibey
My memory may be failing me but I seem to recall that with the K100RS it was super smooth and flexible low down and being so narrow too it was fantastic at filtering through the traffic on my way into Bristol.
But, at sustained high speeds (motorway+) it was a bit harsh and buzzy.
They fixed that problem on the K1200RS by rubber mounting the motor producing a super smooth machine.
My K1100RS is a bit buzzy at 60mph in fifth, so I just ride faster as its super smooth at all other speeds/gears.
When I first got my 1200GSA I did get a few numb fingers from the vibes but those went a long time ago, probably down to having put more than 20K on the engine plus I have grip puppies. I also have the rubber inserts for the footpegs but took them off for the winter as they were too slippery. They are going back on for the summer.
When I first got my 1200GSA I did get a few numb fingers from the vibes but those went a long time ago, probably down to having put more than 20K on the engine plus I have grip puppies. I also have the rubber inserts for the footpegs but took them off for the winter as they were too slippery. They are going back on for the summer.
Mightytharg
Registered user
Thanks for all the responses guys,
To follow up on a few of your thoughts:
I have already fitted footrest rubbers - just as well as my boots were in danger of getting worn through! They certainly do help but the buzziness is still noticeable.
In terms of riding position/grip on the bars - I believe I always ride with a relaxed posture, leaning forward into the bars with elbows bent and my feet taking some of my weight onto the footrests. I don't grip the bars tightly at all - whilst just cruising my finger tips are usually resting close to the back of the brake/clutch levers.
I don't believe I'm overly susceptible to vibration - I grew up on single cylinder British bikes (350cc - 650cc) and had an A65 Spitfire for a while!
My bike has 7.5k miles on it and the vibes were not noticeable in the early days - they've gotten worse over time.
Apart from my own 1100s and 1150 I've also ridden a bunch of other 1100, 1150 and 1200 boxers and amongst all of these my 2010 GSA is the worst in terms of vibes.
And no I don't want a Honda.
Interesting to note the idea that it could be due to a dodgy Lambda sensor - on inspecting mine the outer wiring sheath has come adrift a little at the top of one of the sensors, exposing the wiring underneath and presumably allowing water and general road-crap in. Presumably, simply disconnecting both and seeimng how the bike ran might be a useful test.
To follow up on a few of your thoughts:
I have already fitted footrest rubbers - just as well as my boots were in danger of getting worn through! They certainly do help but the buzziness is still noticeable.
In terms of riding position/grip on the bars - I believe I always ride with a relaxed posture, leaning forward into the bars with elbows bent and my feet taking some of my weight onto the footrests. I don't grip the bars tightly at all - whilst just cruising my finger tips are usually resting close to the back of the brake/clutch levers.
I don't believe I'm overly susceptible to vibration - I grew up on single cylinder British bikes (350cc - 650cc) and had an A65 Spitfire for a while!
My bike has 7.5k miles on it and the vibes were not noticeable in the early days - they've gotten worse over time.
Apart from my own 1100s and 1150 I've also ridden a bunch of other 1100, 1150 and 1200 boxers and amongst all of these my 2010 GSA is the worst in terms of vibes.
And no I don't want a Honda.
Interesting to note the idea that it could be due to a dodgy Lambda sensor - on inspecting mine the outer wiring sheath has come adrift a little at the top of one of the sensors, exposing the wiring underneath and presumably allowing water and general road-crap in. Presumably, simply disconnecting both and seeimng how the bike ran might be a useful test.
ecowarrior
Registered user
The rubber foot pegs of the GS 800 bolt straight on and make a major difference only £15 Regards EcoI find this strange. I can ride 3 hours non-stop on my 2010 GSA with no trouble, whereas the 2005 GS I had was shocking. It seems as though the characteristics vary a great deal from bike to bike
With any twin you will get a cetain amount of vibes though, and not sure how you'll correct it. Some say rubber footpeg inserts help with vibes through the feet on the GSA.
I've just recently noticed the vibration on my 2010 GSA (7.5K miles) increasing - nice and smooth until 65 mph and then the vibrations increase significantly. I'm aware that they all vibrate around the 4-4.5K RPM mark, but this is a noticeable change.
Some interesting discussion on this topic at the following URL:
http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/2010-r1200gs-vibration
Regards,
P.
Some interesting discussion on this topic at the following URL:
http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/2010-r1200gs-vibration
Regards,
P.
Mightytharg
Registered user
Well I found a way to distract me from the vibes, by getting new tyres fitted but not properly balanced.
The hammering through the bars at motorway speeds is sufficiently annoying that I almost didn't give the vibes a thought. Almost.
Back we go for another shot on the tyre balancer.
The hammering through the bars at motorway speeds is sufficiently annoying that I almost didn't give the vibes a thought. Almost.
Back we go for another shot on the tyre balancer.
Mightytharg,
Just got my back from the dealers today - similar issue. Recently changed to Roadsmart tyres on my GSA and have noticed more vibration on the motorway following the tyre change.
Dealer was very helpful and checked the tyres for me. They are perfectly balanced but there is some lateral movement in the wheel - 1.5mm, which is within BMW's tolerance of 1.7mm.
I'm guessing that I didn't notice this lateral movement before as the standard tyres used softer rubber, at least that's the current theory. It's disconcerting to look at, not to mention the additional vibes on the motorway.
Regards,
P.
Just got my back from the dealers today - similar issue. Recently changed to Roadsmart tyres on my GSA and have noticed more vibration on the motorway following the tyre change.
Dealer was very helpful and checked the tyres for me. They are perfectly balanced but there is some lateral movement in the wheel - 1.5mm, which is within BMW's tolerance of 1.7mm.
I'm guessing that I didn't notice this lateral movement before as the standard tyres used softer rubber, at least that's the current theory. It's disconcerting to look at, not to mention the additional vibes on the motorway.
Regards,
P.
Mightytharg
Registered user
Thanks for the input - something else to watch out for.
However, took the bike back and they checked the front wheel - and told me that yes for some reason the balancing was way out but they were having difficulty correcting it possibly due to additional complications with the added weight of the tyre pressure sensor and a heavy spot on the tyre.
So they turned the tyre a bit further on the rim and had another go and reckoned they'd not quite got it spot on but couldnt add any more weight to where it's needed.
Net result it's a hell of a lot better with no pounding through the bars.
My vibe issues remain but these are only really evident clutch out with the motor under load - freewheeling at motorway speeds is quite smooth.
However, took the bike back and they checked the front wheel - and told me that yes for some reason the balancing was way out but they were having difficulty correcting it possibly due to additional complications with the added weight of the tyre pressure sensor and a heavy spot on the tyre.
So they turned the tyre a bit further on the rim and had another go and reckoned they'd not quite got it spot on but couldnt add any more weight to where it's needed.
Net result it's a hell of a lot better with no pounding through the bars.
My vibe issues remain but these are only really evident clutch out with the motor under load - freewheeling at motorway speeds is quite smooth.
skywalker
Guest
Watch this space but I think lambda sensors are the culprit plus the odd porous manifold thrown into the mix
skywalker
Guest
JB - you'll never have one while ever you've got a hole in your ass 
JB - you'll never have one while ever you've got a hole in your ass
You've made my mind up
torq
Registered user
Lo Tharg mate.
As you know, I bought the Triple Black edition in February and the thing was silky smooth to 600 mile service. Get the bike back after service and vibes are so bad, both arms and legs had major pins and needles after only 35 min commute.
Took the bike back to Cotswold who said the only thing slightly out of kilter was Throttle Body controllers, so they synched em up and tbh, it did seem slightly better afterwards.
A week or so later the vibes got really bad again. I stuck with it and in the last week (with no further adjustments to the bike), the vibes have almost gone again completely. I'm kind of hoping that it's just the bike bedding in and at around 6k it will be completely silky smooth thereon.
The trip to Garmisch at the end of the month will give me a solid opportunity to test the vibes long distance though and see if the problem returns.
Shame you had to pull out bud, but hope you can join us for the Fort William run later in the year.
Cheers.
As you know, I bought the Triple Black edition in February and the thing was silky smooth to 600 mile service. Get the bike back after service and vibes are so bad, both arms and legs had major pins and needles after only 35 min commute.
Took the bike back to Cotswold who said the only thing slightly out of kilter was Throttle Body controllers, so they synched em up and tbh, it did seem slightly better afterwards.
A week or so later the vibes got really bad again. I stuck with it and in the last week (with no further adjustments to the bike), the vibes have almost gone again completely. I'm kind of hoping that it's just the bike bedding in and at around 6k it will be completely silky smooth thereon.
The trip to Garmisch at the end of the month will give me a solid opportunity to test the vibes long distance though and see if the problem returns.
Shame you had to pull out bud, but hope you can join us for the Fort William run later in the year.
Cheers.
