It’s not the tyres I’m tellin you..!

[Rodeo Ron]

On T’s and Roadsmarts, me old 05’er gripped like a good’n and felt like it, all the way down to the pegs getting close to the black stuff but since the 2010 came along 7k ago things have changed.

The new one whether on the original EXP’s or as now on regular T’s loses all sense of feeling from just over half lean onwards. Totally that is! I thought a tyre change at 5k would sort it but as it hasn’t I’m wondering now of it’s the ESA option to blame? To be honest it feels awful, like you have just steered onto some ice or diesel. The grip is still there I suppose or the dry stone walls would have got me by now but its a matter of total trust and should the surface grip fade half way round the bend I know wouldn’t get any warning.

Dealer is flummoxed and I’m not doing well at getting used to it. Anybody had the same? And if so solved it?

 

[Fanum]

On T’s and Roadsmarts, me old 05’er gripped like a good’n and felt like it, all the way down to the pegs getting close to the black stuff but since the 2010 came along 7k ago things have changed.

The new one whether on the original EXP’s or as now on regular T’s loses all sense of feeling from just over half lean onwards. Totally that is! I thought a tyre change at 5k would sort it but as it hasn’t I’m wondering now of it’s the ESA option to blame? To be honest it feels awful, like you have just steered onto some ice or diesel. The grip is still there I suppose or the dry stone walls would have got me by now but its a matter of total trust and should the surface grip fade half way round the bend I know wouldn’t get any warning.

Dealer is flummoxed and I’m not doing well at getting used to it. Anybody had the same? And if so solved it?

How about stop leaning over 'half lean onwards' in places where you will hurt yourself badly on the dry stone walls if the grip fades?

From the sounds of it, you're not exactly leaving yourself much margin to cope with the unexpected

 

[Rodeo Ron]

How about stop leaning over 'half lean onwards' in places where you will hurt yourself badly on the dry stone walls if the grip fades?

From the sounds of it, you're not exactly leaving yourself much margin to cope with the unexpected

I hope your 30 odd thousand other replies were more helpful and wish you the same in future.

 

[C-J]

I hope your 30 odd thousand other replies were more helpful and wish you the same in future.

yeh you tell em. !!

I hate the dual sport tyres... Had Road Attacks on an older GS and now on Roadsmarts....

I think we're going to have to sort out a Road riders only Clique.. To enter you have to ride in a one piece leathers with knee sliders.. No peaked helmets allowed.. Oh and no big tin boxes strapped to the back.

Oh.. I can only imagine that the ESA, with its set adjusments just isn't letting you do the fine tuning that you require...

For some people, Top Middle and Bottom just isnt enough.... Try one without ESA and see what you think...

 

[Tarka]

I hope your 30 odd thousand other replies were more helpful and wish you the same in future.

You can`t half tell when you`re in the 1200 Forum.




Bothered to experiment with tyre pressures or owt ?

 

[Engineer]

Probably all that new ESA stuff - my standard suspension 2010GS feels fine when compared to my old 2005 model.

 

[oblertone]

If ...

... by 'half lean onwards' you mean past 45 degrees of bank, then I think you're on the wrong bike and should really heed Fannies advice and back off a bit until you get it sorted. Alternatively you could try exploring 'counter steering' as the GS 'type' bike ie tall and relatively narrow shod really benefit from it.

 

[E. Buygum]

On T’s and Roadsmarts, me old 05’er gripped like a good’n and felt like it, all the way down to the pegs getting close to the black stuff but since the 2010 came along 7k ago things have changed.

The new one whether on the original EXP’s or as now on regular T’s loses all sense of feeling from just over half lean onwards. Totally that is! I thought a tyre change at 5k would sort it but as it hasn’t I’m wondering now of it’s the ESA option to blame? To be honest it feels awful, like you have just steered onto some ice or diesel. The grip is still there I suppose or the dry stone walls would have got me by now but its a matter of total trust and should the surface grip fade half way round the bend I know wouldn’t get any warning.

Dealer is flummoxed and I’m not doing well at getting used to it. Anybody had the same? And if so solved it?

Quite a few threads on related issues. No consensus, of course, but quite a lot of people seem to have benefited by setting tyre pressures at 36/42 (2,5/2,9) and setting weight load to rider plus luggage even with no luggage. This works for me.

 

[bod]

I run with Wilbers/Technoflex & Bridgestone Battlewings - Razor sharp in all conditions!

Don't want to sound patronising, but lack of confidence in a bike is a mysterious thing? I suffered this on a GPz750 many years ago after gobbing it on diesel on a roundabout. I knew what caused the crash, but never had any confidence in that bike again - I rode it like a twat!

Try getting a second oppinion - let a mate take it for a rip!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Too many variables

I’m wondering now of it’s the ESA option to blame? If I were you I would set everything up in a central/ neutral position and tyre pressures according to the book & ride like that for a bit and RELAX.. You are thinking too much about all the possible combinations; In fact it is unlikely that you are riding consistently anywhere near the bike's limit.

 

[Number 6]

On T’s and Roadsmarts, me old 05’er gripped like a good’n and felt like it, all the way down to the pegs getting close to the black stuff but since the 2010 came along 7k ago things have changed.

The new one whether on the original EXP’s or as now on regular T’s loses all sense of feeling from just over half lean onwards. Totally that is! I thought a tyre change at 5k would sort it but as it hasn’t I’m wondering now of it’s the ESA option to blame? To be honest it feels awful, like you have just steered onto some ice or diesel. The grip is still there I suppose or the dry stone walls would have got me by now but its a matter of total trust and should the surface grip fade half way round the bend I know wouldn’t get any warning.

Dealer is flummoxed and I’m not doing well at getting used to it. Anybody had the same? And if so solved it?

I know exactly what you mean I can push my 1150GSA to the limit and the feedback is perfect. The harder I push it, the more it squirms and chatters and lets me know that it's working hard and is getting to the point where 'enough is enough'.

The 2010 GSA (on Tourance EXP) gives zero feedback. It could be gripping to the max or on the point of letting go big style, I just can't tell I also find the EXPs very slippy in the wet, I'm hoping a change to standard Tourances will provide more 'feel'.

My 1200 has the ESA option and I have to say that it's fantastic on Sport mode, the ride and handling are spot-on, I just can't feel the tyres working.

 

[snerkler]

I suffered this on a GPz750 many years ago after gobbing it on diesel on a roundabout. I knew what caused the crash, but never had any confidence in that bike again - I rode it like a twat!

I know what you mean, I had a similar experience in my Scooby, spun it on diesel in the wet going round a roundabout. Never had confidence in the grip after that, needless to say i don't have it anymore (although do have a newer scooby )
Strange thing is I am always a bit more cautious on that roundabout now whatever I'm driving/riding.

As to the OP's original question, I have the ESA on a GSA and find the feedback fine. Although I never push a bike close to it's limit and don't know how far I've leant it over in terms of degrees etc (difficult to measure when you're riding the thing). I just know I have just under a 1/4 inch fanny strip left on the edges of my rear tyre

 

[snerkler]

I know exactly what you mean I can push my 1150GSA to the limit and the feedback is perfect. The harder I push it, the more it squirms and chatters and lets me know that it's working hard and is getting to the point where 'enough is enough'.

The 2010 GSA (on Tourance EXP) gives zero feedback. It could be gripping to the max or on the point of letting go big style, I just can't tell I also find the EXPs very slippy in the wet, I'm hoping a change to standard Tourances will provide more 'feel'.

My 1200 has the ESA option and I have to say that it's fantastic on Sport mode, the ride and handling are spot-on, I just can't feel the tyres working.

Just food for thought but could it just be that the limit of the 2010 bike is harder to reach and you haven't reached it yet? Perhaps when you get close to it it may "squirm and chatter" similar to your 1150

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm far from slow on any bike, but my sphincter usually wants to let go before the tyres do.

Can't fault the ESA on my current bike, had Wilbers set up properly on my old bike. Maybe the 'feel' will come to you with more time in the saddle/more wear on the tyres?

 

[Number 6]

Well I'm a lot happier today Despite being assured by the dealer that 'we've set the tyre pressures' when I collected it last Saturday, I checked them myself today. 40psi front and 50psi rear
I now have them at 32/36 and it's much better
Those Elephants days are numbered

 

[Rodeo Ron]

Well I'm a lot happier today Despite being assured by the dealer that 'we've set the tyre pressures' when I collected it last Saturday, I checked them myself today. 40psi front and 50psi rear
I now have them at 32/36 and it's much better
Those Elephants days are numbered

Thanks No.6 - Your first thread gave me a clue of sorts i.e. I wasn't the only one with the issue but if you have sorted it by reverting to standard pressures - where mine usually are - it seems it might just be my bike. There have been some issues with the ESA shocks and BMW are still in discussion with the manufacturers...It could be that my rear one is out of spec.

My dealer is letting me ride another for comparison and a non ESA bike for the same purpose. If I get a good one I will need to retest with my wheels and tyres for confirmation.

In response to other threads - the replacement standard T's have nearly 2k on them now - i.e. thoroughly run in and no chicken strips, so if the feel was due to come to me it should be there by now. Just to be clear to the few showing interest- the grip is obviously there... it's even lit up the ATC the odd time or two - it's just a feel issue.

My money is on the shock at the moment - if not then it has to be the nature of the tyres I suppose

In extremis I can feel a carry on regardless coming on.

 

[Rodeo Ron]

Well I'm a lot happier today Despite being assured by the dealer that 'we've set the tyre pressures' when I collected it last Saturday, I checked them myself today. 40psi front and 50psi rear
I now have them at 32/36 and it's much better
Those Elephants days are numbered

Thanks No.6 - Your first thread gave me a clue of sorts i.e. I wasn't the only one with the issue but if you have sorted it by reverting to standard pressures - where mine usually are - it seems it might just be my bike. There have been some issues with the ESA shocks and BMW are still in discussion with the manufacturers...It could be that my rear one is out of spec.

My dealer is letting me ride another for comparison and a non ESA bike for the same purpose. If I get a good one I will need to retest with my wheels and tyres for confirmation.

In response to other threads - the replacement standard T's have nearly 2k on them now - i.e. thoroughly run in and no chicken strips, so if the feel was due to come to me it should be there by now. Just to be clear to the few showing interest- the grip is obviously there... it's even lit up the ATC the odd time or two - it's just a feel issue.

My money is on the shock at the moment - if not then it has to be the nature of the tyres I suppose

In extremis I can feel a carry on regardless coming on.