Light Front End

[Uncle T]

Looking for some advice on suspension settings.

2007 1200 GSA standard shocks.

Me 18 stone ...ish

Her in doors 9 1/2 stone

Touratech panniers and top box - full of winter clothing - tent - sleeping bags - air bed - strapped on top of panniers plus tank bag with various necessaties.

I know I know over weight with just the rider - but light for a Tosser

Pre load has been wound up, from when delivered - about ten clicks and damping a couple of turns - front end left alone.

Front end doesnt feel stable - in a straight line or conering - light - wheeling if accelerating hard.

Any basic settings to start with much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Ali-bear]

I had a light front end just yesterday. Rolling along in 1st, plenty of throttle and up she comes wahey! Luckily I was in a deserted office building car park at the time

Well I did practice some emergency stops and a few low-speed figure-of-eights as well ...

 

[John Armstrong]

Wind the rear pre-load up to max?

 

[billynomates]

Looking for some advice on suspension settings.

2007 1200 GSA standard shocks.

Me 18 stone ...ish

Her in doors 9 1/2 stone

Touratech panniers and top box - full of winter clothing - tent - sleeping bags - air bed - strapped on top of panniers plus tank bag with various necessaties.

I know I know over weight with just the rider - but light for a Tosser

Pre load has been wound up, from when delivered - about ten clicks and damping a couple of turns - front end left alone.

Front end doesnt feel stable - in a straight line or conering - light - wheeling if accelerating hard.

Any basic settings to start with much appreciated.

Cheers

Hi UncleT
Just got back from North Devon 1st trip away on my GSA fully loaded panniers and top box and misses front end very light was lifting in 3rd overtaking on the return trip fully wound the preload and set rebound at 2 clicks from max and heavier items in tank bag and lightest in top box.
although a lot better front still a bit vague may try winding the preload on the front as well.
May consider fitting a harder spring on the rear? or a divorce.
ian

 

[Uncle T]

Hi UncleT
Just got back from North Devon 1st trip away on my GSA fully loaded panniers and top box and misses front end very light was lifting in 3rd overtaking on the return trip fully wound the preload and set rebound at 2 clicks from max and heavier items in tank bag and lightest in top box.
although a lot better front still a bit vague may try winding the preload on the front as well.
May consider fitting a harder spring on the rear? or a divorce.
ian

Ta for that, even without the deadweight the bike still feels vague, some tweaking needed...................

cheers

 

[Carl]

buy an 1150... much heavier and not enough power to lift the front end

 

[Schtum]

See all that lead hung under the beak......

 

[D6]

buy an 1150... much heavier and not enough power to lift the front end

hmmmm?uv not had one then

 

[Uncle T]

I knew it......................all the tosser replies

But good to read

Might as well join in.

It was like this............................

 

[deaninkl]

I knew it......................all the tosser replies

But good to read

Might as well join in.

It was like this............................

Uncle T, for a change I thought the tossers were quite restrained, especially after posting the weight of you and the missus on here. You got away very lightly... just like your front end.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Uncle T

Without being too personal, I should think with you, your good lady and all the gear on, the bike is up to it`s max all up weight. If you just stand and look at the fully loaded bike you will note how most of the weight will be over the back wheel. Even with the engine, full fuel tank etc transferring weight to the front end, it will still be rear heavy and light on the front.

Never known a bike with pillion and luggage ever be not light on the front. Makes wheelie`s easy though

I`ve fitted Hyperpro compression springs on the standard shocks and found the suspension much stiffer so maybe this is an answer? Makes the bike much more settled even without pillion or luggage.

Got my springs from www.calsport.com in birmingham and the service is excellent. They`ll fit the spring on the shock F.O.C and if you say you are a tosser, they give 10% discount making the springs around £65 each!!

 

[Nate]

 

[iangough]

Uncle T

Without being too personal, I should think with you, your good lady and all the gear on, the bike is up to it`s max all up weight. If you just stand and look at the fully loaded bike you will note how most of the weight will be over the back wheel. Even with the engine, full fuel tank etc transferring weight to the front end, it will still be rear heavy and light on the front.

Never known a bike with pillion and luggage ever be not light on the front. Makes wheelie`s easy though

I`ve fitted Hyperpro compression springs on the standard shocks and found the suspension much stiffer so maybe this is an answer? Makes the bike much more settled even without pillion or luggage.

Got my springs from www.calsport.com in birmingham and the service is excellent. They`ll fit the spring on the shock F.O.C and if you say you are a tosser, they give 10% discount making the springs around £65 each!!

Thanks for the info. It's this link though...(was thrown a little off track with the .com version

Will give them a call.

http://www.calsport.co.uk/

Cheers !

 

[Felters]

According to the manual...

According to the owners manual for my 1200GS it has a maximum payload of 200kg. You and SWMBO will be 175kg in the buff... plus clothing and panniers you'd be way over. I fully appreciate that the payload on an Adv may be higher - and before anybody flames me I'm not claiming the moral high ground on this.

I've had a number of health issues over the years - anorexia has never been one of them

 

[Uncle T]

Thanks folks and will try the spring route.

Had a 1100 GS before the 1200 ADV same weight same panniers gear etc and the front never felt like the 1200.

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

Rebound damping

Pre load has been wound up, from when delivered - about ten clicks and damping a couple of turns

fully wound the preload and set rebound at 2 clicks from max and

Sure you are going the correct way with damping rebound aduster?

Standard setting is one and a half turns OUT from fully IN.

Clockwise=IN=harder=more rebound damping.

Anti clockwise=OUT=softer=less rebound damping.

No clicks on BMW damping adustment as it is infinitaly variable.

If you have the preload wound fully up you should be increasing the damping adjustment by turning the adjusting screw clockwise (IN).

Dont be tempted to go fully clockwise as you may end up being over damped and end up with the rear not being able to return quickly enough, pumping down .
This situation will also give you a light front end.