Windblast
Registered user
I need a sanity check!!
Bought a new GS a couple of months ago (6th - first one bought in 1989) and on riding it after collection noticed the front end wasn't straight. When riding in a straight line the left hand grip was further forward and slightly higher than the right (It will be higher than the right if out of alignment i.e. further forward, because of the steering head angle). It is not something that you can see stationary, only moving, because it is only then that the front wheel tracks relatively straight (gyroscopic etc.). It was one of those things that is only slight but once you notice - bugs you like knowing your wife has your credit card and the PIN.
Brought this to the attention of the dealer and asked for it to be rectified at first service - thinking it was just the bars or something simple. At the first service the Dealer (a different one to where I bought the bike) replaced the bars (said they were bent) and gave it back to me.
The bike was still not straight. The dealer agreed and tried to rectify. They spent a day (in consultation with BMW technical at Bracknell) adjusting the front end. This mostly involved undoing clamps; twisting fork tubes and re-clamping; then test riding it. They told me it was sorted and I picked it up. The bike was still not straight.
Since most of this work was being done under warrantee, that dealer was probably getting pissed off with me, and any big claims need to be through the dealer you bought it from - I took it to the original dealer. They test rode it and agreed it was not straight. They decided to replace the headstock frame (the bit that connects the top of the steering to the engine). This was done, the bike proclaimed straight and that the frame had been out of true.
I test rode it and still felt the front was not straight. Left bar still slightly forward of the right. Still noticeable in a straight line and most noticeable going around very gentle left hand curves when the handle bars still appear to be pointing right!!
Finally getting to the point and my ultimate question. As a sanity check I rode 2 demonstrators from supplying dealer and one from the first dealer and.................. they appeared to have exactly the same steering issue!!!!!!!!!!! This means that:
1. I'm mad.
2. I'm getting twisted in old age.
3. There is a visual illusion with the front of the bike (caused by the odd placement of the clocks etc.)
4. All new or recent GS's have bent front ends.
Bike is a 11 plate, full options, Triple Dark GS. (Weird name - looks great!)
I'd be really grateful for comments from anyone who has an 11, 10, 09 bike whether they feel their bike is similarly afflicted. Particularly I would be grateful if next time you ride it (when in a straight line) you note the position of the bars against fixed points on the front fairing (try not to look at the clocks as they do screw with your perspective) and if when tracking straight whether the fork uprights appear to be parallel.
Bought a new GS a couple of months ago (6th - first one bought in 1989) and on riding it after collection noticed the front end wasn't straight. When riding in a straight line the left hand grip was further forward and slightly higher than the right (It will be higher than the right if out of alignment i.e. further forward, because of the steering head angle). It is not something that you can see stationary, only moving, because it is only then that the front wheel tracks relatively straight (gyroscopic etc.). It was one of those things that is only slight but once you notice - bugs you like knowing your wife has your credit card and the PIN.
Brought this to the attention of the dealer and asked for it to be rectified at first service - thinking it was just the bars or something simple. At the first service the Dealer (a different one to where I bought the bike) replaced the bars (said they were bent) and gave it back to me.
The bike was still not straight. The dealer agreed and tried to rectify. They spent a day (in consultation with BMW technical at Bracknell) adjusting the front end. This mostly involved undoing clamps; twisting fork tubes and re-clamping; then test riding it. They told me it was sorted and I picked it up. The bike was still not straight.
Since most of this work was being done under warrantee, that dealer was probably getting pissed off with me, and any big claims need to be through the dealer you bought it from - I took it to the original dealer. They test rode it and agreed it was not straight. They decided to replace the headstock frame (the bit that connects the top of the steering to the engine). This was done, the bike proclaimed straight and that the frame had been out of true.
I test rode it and still felt the front was not straight. Left bar still slightly forward of the right. Still noticeable in a straight line and most noticeable going around very gentle left hand curves when the handle bars still appear to be pointing right!!
Finally getting to the point and my ultimate question. As a sanity check I rode 2 demonstrators from supplying dealer and one from the first dealer and.................. they appeared to have exactly the same steering issue!!!!!!!!!!! This means that:
1. I'm mad.
2. I'm getting twisted in old age.
3. There is a visual illusion with the front of the bike (caused by the odd placement of the clocks etc.)
4. All new or recent GS's have bent front ends.
Bike is a 11 plate, full options, Triple Dark GS. (Weird name - looks great!)
I'd be really grateful for comments from anyone who has an 11, 10, 09 bike whether they feel their bike is similarly afflicted. Particularly I would be grateful if next time you ride it (when in a straight line) you note the position of the bars against fixed points on the front fairing (try not to look at the clocks as they do screw with your perspective) and if when tracking straight whether the fork uprights appear to be parallel.
