Improving LC Front End Handling?

[Padge]

Looking for suggestions to improve front end handling on LC. Feels like it's slightly washing out at the front.
I've ridden the LC ADV and found the front end much better. Much more confidence inspiring at low and medium speed.
The specs show the steering head angle is steeper on the ADV which is probably a contributing factor.

Had considered trading for an ADV but it'll be hassle when commuting.

Any suggestion to improve front?

 

[Tractors are go]

Looking for suggestions to improve front end handling on LC. Feels like it's slightly washing out at the front.
I've ridden the LC ADV and found the front end much better. Much more confidence inspiring at low and medium speed.
The specs show the steering head angle is steeper on the ADV which is probably a contributing factor.

Had considered trading for an ADV but it'll be hassle when commuting.

Any suggestion to improve front?

Eat more pies, or raise rear end, your choice.

What you really want to hear from the posse is, yes get the GSA.

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[Warlord]

+1 Raise the rear end. plus get better tyres.

 

[Padge]

+1 Raise the rear end. plus get better tyres.

Tyres ain't the issue (was my first port of call).

With the electronic suspension, is it possible to raise the rear independently form the front?
I can't see a way to raise it unless someone makes an adjustable paralever top arm.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Heavier rated shock on the rear job done..............as the bigger tank on the ADV might be helping, and obviously depending on tyres you have on the bike, I find my A3,s tend to move a tad at the front every now and again, but only when fully loaded and 2 up hence weight on rear lifting front a tad.

 

[Spareparts]

Looking for suggestions to improve front end handling on LC. Feels like it's slightly washing out at the front.
I've ridden the LC ADV and found the front end much better. Much more confidence inspiring at low and medium speed.
The specs show the steering head angle is steeper on the ADV which is probably a contributing factor.

Had considered trading for an ADV but it'll be hassle when commuting.

Any suggestion to improve front?

You find the front end washing out at low-medium speed? Is your GS a MY18 or with the self levelling suspension? Are your front tyres bald?
How heavy are you? If over 100kg and you have non-self-levelling suspension, I’d set it to 1+luggage.

 

[Padge]

You find the front end washing out at low-medium speed? Is your GS a MY18 or with the self levelling suspension? Are your front tyres bald?
How heavy are you? If over 100kg and you have non-self-levelling suspension, I’d set it to 1+luggage.

Late 14 bike. Tyres and pressures perfect. The 1+Luggage was one of the first thing I tried and it doesn't inspire and more confidence.
It's a feel thing rather than actual wash out and I'll admit part of the problem is in my head but I find the ADV version way more confidence inspiring in the front. And knowing improvements are possible has me looking to try something.

 

[harry]

Late 14 bike. Tyres and pressures perfect. The 1+Luggage was one of the first thing I tried and it doesn't inspire and more confidence.
It's a feel thing rather than actual wash out and I'll admit part of the problem is in my head but I find the ADV version way more confidence inspiring in the front. And knowing improvements are possible has me looking to try something.

I routinely use ' 2up' bike turns in noticeably faster.

 

[Geekay]

Tyres ain't the issue (was my first port of call).

With the electronic suspension, is it possible to raise the rear independently form the front?
I can't see a way to raise it unless someone makes an adjustable paralever top arm.

On the LC , the front doesn’t raise - it doesn’t have any preload adjustment capability as standard. The single helmet / helmet and luggage / toe helmets only changes the rear preload.


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[Warlord]

How old are your tyres? If not brand new, check the sidewall dates.

 

[the woodster]

Trouble is........once it's in your head....................This is exactly how I ended up with two new GSs in 18 months...............happy to report that I'm happy with the second!!

A lot of people new to the paralever front end report lack of feedback etc but quickly get used to it, as I did.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Just buy the GSA

 

[fred_jb]

Trouble is........once it's in your head....................This is exactly how I ended up with two new GSs in 18 months...............happy to report that I'm happy with the second!!

A lot of people new to the paralever front end report lack of feedback etc but quickly get used to it, as I did.

I'm obviously not a very demanding rider (not meant sarcastically, just true) because I've never noticed any issues or lack of feel from the GS front end, just a very comfortable ride and the lack of dive under braking.

BTW, on the RT, GS, and GSA the front suspension is called Telelever and uses a single wishbone attached to fork-like sliders. The dual wishbone type Paralever arrangement as far as I know is now only on the K1600, and the now out of production K1200/1300

 

[kurienp]

Change to 21 front?

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[The Burpster]

C’mon guys....... I am not even a BMW anorak and even I know that the current Front set up is called Tele lever.

ParaLever is the set up in the rear swing arm to minimise angular differences whilst the suspension deflects.

The front system using multiple links was/is called DUO LEVER.

To the OP Wunderlich made an adjustable ParaLever arm (I had one on my R1100s) but not sure if they still do and if it’s applicable to the newer 1200s....

 

[squibb34]

2014 bike, mileage? ........ have the front shock checked out - could be loss of damping affecting the tyre contact patch.

Usually ends up cupping the tyre if pushed into the bends.

 

[fred_jb]

C’mon guys....... I am not even a BMW anorak and even I know that the current Front set is called Tele lever.

ParaLever is the set up in the rear swing arm to minimise angular differences whilst the suspension deflects.

The front system using multiple links was/is called DUO LEVER.

The the OP Wunderlich, but not sure if they still do and if it’s applicable to the newer 1200s....

Yes - you are quite right, and I knew that the other front end was DuoLever, so don't know why I said Paralever. Old age brain fade I guess!

 

[sven]

I reckon it's the tyres. I had the same feeling on the first GS LC demo I rode which had Michelin Anakee tyres fitted. The front felt like it was going to wash out in slower corners e.g. going into/out of roundabouts.

My 2014 GS LC came with Conti Trail Attack tyres and handled perfectly. The other tyres I used were Tourance Next and PR4's, again with no issues.

My 2019 R1250GS came with horrible Anakee Adventure tyres and the feeling has returned. They'll be changed soon for Tourance Next's as I feel they suit the bike perfectly, even when pushed hard on a twisty road

 

[sven]

Yes - you are quite right, and I knew that the other front end was DuoLever, so don't know why I said Paralever. Old age brain fade I guess!

It's a Telelever front end on the GS LC

Duolever is the Hossack style front end on the later K-series bikes (e.g. K1200S) and that really does lack feedback.

 

[fred_jb]

I reckon it's the tyres. I had the same feeling on the first GS LC demo I rode which had Michelin Anakee tyres fitted. The front felt like it was going to wash out in slower corners e.g. going into/out of roundabouts.

My 2014 GS LC came with Conti Trail Attack tyres and handled perfectly. The other tyres I used were Tourance Next and PR4's, again with no issues.

My 2019 R1250GS came with horrible Anakee Adventure tyres and the feeling has returned. They'll be changed soon for Tourance Next's as I feel they suit the bike perfectly, even when pushed hard on a twisty road

I think it is the odd profile on the Anakees. My 1250 came with the Anakee Adventures, and I replaced them before 1000 miles with Roadtec 01s. The Anakees give an odd and disconcerting feeling once you start to lean into a bend, as if they are falling into the bend and making you lean over more than you want, to the point where I found I was having to correct and stand the bike up a bit mid-bend, and was particularly noticeable on roundabouts.

Comparing the profiles I think I can see why. The Anakees are relatively gently curved over the middle part, but curve more sharply the closer you get to the edge. This is probably more pronounced on the rear but I think the effect would still be felt at the front in the steering anyway, where the more you lean the more it seems to exaggerate your inputs to the steering. I can't imagine why they are like this, unless it is something to do with giving them a modicum of off road ability.

In contrast, the Roadtecs have what appears to be a completely uniform slope across the whole tyre so you get a predictable response to your steering inputs which, unlike the Anakees, does not vary depending on how far you lean.