Mirror Vibrations?

[Besti]

Hi all, quick question.
Does anybody else find the mirrors on the GS12 useless at motorway speeds?
Mine's not been built yet, so it's possible it was just the demo bike that'd been abused (not by me, honest! front wheel stayed earthbound the whole time! )
Just wondering if i'll need to invest in some stable aftermarket ones when my bike arrives.
Cheers
Besti

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Whilst it seems like an eternity ago that I rode the bike on an m/way (try to avoid them anyway), ISTR that they are OK. Or at least that one is better than the other. Which implies that I need to get the spanners out, but that I can't really be bothered.

Your list of desired accessories and aftermarket parts should contain other priorities methinks.

Kai

 

[birdseye]

No, they are OK. Not as good as my previous Pan but acceptable nevertheless. Mind you motorways are not the forte of the 1200GS - too much wind blast.

There are very few problems to address stright off - ignoring bling like extra lights and loud exhausts. Probably worth fitting the mudguard extender at the front and some sort of method of avoiding the rear wheel flinging mud and filth onto the back of your left leg. I did a DIY job for that but others have used huggers. Otherwise, just buy yourself a 4 litre can of engine oil and enjoy the bike.

The seat is hard but softens with use. Horn is a bit feeble. BMW alarm is crap.

Above all (and I didnt believe it when people told me) the bike really does need a long run in and improves constantly over the first 10k or so. We have got used to cars and Jap bikes not really needing running in but the 1200GS isnt like that.

 

[JFC]

yes - everything's a blur

 

[Besti]

Otherwise, just buy yourself a 4 litre can of engine oil and enjoy the bike.

In what context? Do you mean they burn a lot? or is it something more obscure/something so blatant i can't see it
Sorry, probably bein thick but hey, when you have no shame left like me u don't mind lookin like a dunce!
So far the mirror results look like an even spread. By the sound of it nothing a spanner wouldn't sort.
So, carrying on the theme, what other niggles has everyone found from new? being Beemer I was expecting relatively plain sailing...
Cheers all

 

[birdseye]

No dunce at all! Yes, by modern standards they do burn a fair bit of oil though (allegedly) that does reduce as the engine ages a bit. No problem to someone who is expecting it AND CHECKS LEVELS EVERY RIDE, but can be a shiock if you are used to Jap bikes.

Niggles? few really. The indicators are an aquired taste but like the rest of the bike they even start to seem better than Jap after a while. Gearbox a bit balky but improves markedly with use. Muck thrown up from wheels as previously mentioned. hard seat is a pain in the a..... Fuel guage accurate at full and empty but not much use in between. Weakish headlight. Quiet horn and bloody confusing horn switch / indicator switch placement. Watch this latter one because its real easy to think you are blowing your horn at some dumbell sat at a left side junction only to find you are indicating a left turn and could actually cause him / her to pull out on you.

But all these are trivial really - you could come up with a similar list on every bike made. As far as I'm concerned, and after 18 months ownership, this is the best bike I have ever had and a bl**y good ride.

 

[Besti]

lol Yeah, I blew my horn when turning left 3 times om the test ride, got a few dirty looks!
You cant call the TLR a normal jap bike anyway! mad as a fish, and for some reason drinks clutch oil. hmmm... anyway, means i'm used to doin the pre-ride checks. (and then sayin "ah fuggit, it'll be reet" and goin anyway lol )
Thanks for the heads up, great help. glad i went for the panniers option, somewhere to keep the oil!

 

[Emoto]

I find two things that affect the mirror vibration: How firmly they are torqued down, and the state of throttle body synchronization.

Torque: If you experiment with varying how tight or loose you make the mirrors, you will find that you can shift the buzzy and clear times around some within the RPM range.

TB Synch: The better your TB synch (performed at running rpm, not idle) is, the clearer your mirrors will be.

As a final note, the mirrors seem to be clear at low to medium speeds, then have a bit of a buzz, then clear up again.

I have considered putting R1200ST mirrors on mine just for a slightly wider field of vision.

 

[Bob's yer uncle]

Speaking about the horn

. Quiet horn and bloody confusing horn switch / indicator switch placement. Watch this latter one because its real easy to think you are blowing your horn at some dumbell sat at a left side junction only to find you are indicating a left turn and could actually cause him / her to pull out on you.

has anybody tried to move the horn switch? where to? and maybe post a how to?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Blurred Mirrors

I always knew it was a big 'F650GS', they do it as well

 

[GSmonkey]

...if you're used to sportsbike mirrors, the 12GS is fantastic. Minor problems with vibration at speed, nothing to worry about.