MOT woes

[rttim]

Hi guys,

looking for a bit of non-GS (but BMW!) help/advice.

Just had my Dads' 1998 R850R for its MOT. Same garage as last year, but a different tester.

He grumbled about the 'front end being a bit stiff' and failed it for 'inadequate damping on front suspension'. I couldn't really argue the point about this. My Dad doesen't use the bike much and the front shock may have seized since the last test. No signs of leakage etc. Anyway, we replaced the front shock and resubmitted the bike for retest.

Tester grumbled again about 'front end stiffness' (stop giggling at the back ), but reluctantly passed it. He roadtested the bike and said that it felt 'no different to before'. Then said that he could 'hardly turn the bars'. We then realised that he was talking about the steering damper, not the front suspension. He demonstrated that if the bars were turned sharply, then they became stiff, but had a smooth, full lock-to-lock movement range if operated slowly.

Questions:
Is the tester a clueless moron, who doesn't know the difference between suspension damper and steering damper?

If the bike was no different to previously, why did he pass it? Shouldn't he have failed it again?

Surely, this is the way a steering damper is supposed to operate - reacting to sudden jerks but allowing smooth movements?

Next year, should we take the steering damper off for the MOT, then replace it afterwards?

Anyway, lesson learned, I'll try a different garage next year

 

[northengit]

Hi guys,

looking for a bit of non-GS (but BMW!) help/advice.

Just had my Dads' 1998 R850R for its MOT. Same garage as last year, but a different tester.

He grumbled about the 'front end being a bit stiff' and failed it for 'inadequate damping on front suspension'. I couldn't really argue the point about this. My Dad doesen't use the bike much and the front shock may have seized since the last test. No signs of leakage etc. Anyway, we replaced the front shock and resubmitted the bike for retest.

Tester grumbled again about 'front end stiffness' (stop giggling at the back ), but reluctantly passed it. He roadtested the bike and said that it felt 'no different to before'. Then said that he could 'hardly turn the bars'. We then realised that he was talking about the steering damper, not the front suspension. He demonstrated that if the bars were turned sharply, then they became stiff, but had a smooth, full lock-to-lock movement range if operated slowly.

Questions:
Is the tester a clueless moron, who doesn't know the difference between suspension damper and steering damper?

If the bike was no different to previously, why did he pass it? Shouldn't he have failed it again?

Surely, this is the way a steering damper is supposed to operate - reacting to sudden jerks but allowing smooth movements?

Next year, should we take the steering damper off for the MOT, then replace it afterwards?

Anyway, lesson learned, I'll try a different garage next year

Ring VOSA explain it to them, at least you air your views to them and it does help to keep the mot stations on there toes , vosa enquiry line re mots has helped me out a few times.
He may have been confused by the modern techology.

 

[Colban]

First guess is that the tester is a cretin who has failed to grasp the fact that Telelevers work in a completely different way to conventional forks and you cannot compress them to any degree by pushing down on the bars.
And you right about the steering damper.
An appeal and a whinge to the MOT authorities might be in order.

 

[Straypuss]

Exactly the same happened to my pals R850R. I explained to the tester that if he didn't hold on the front brake and try the fork damping a la Jap forks he would see that the forks were not "siezed"and the suspension worked fine.

 

[davegs]

MOT's

I took my K1100LT in a couple of years ago, as on these the bars are mounted in rubber (cheap way of stopping vibes) he said "these are dangerous", when I pointed out this was the way they were designes he admitted he knew notyhing about BMW's and he passed it but not happy.
Went elsewere next time no hassel. But he likes the GS and loves the Hid
headlight so he can't be all bad!.
dave gs.

 

[Gordon]

He grumbled about the 'front end being a bit stiff' and failed it for 'inadequate damping on front suspension'. I couldn't really argue the point about this. My Dad doesen't use the bike much and the front shock may have seized since the last test. No signs of leakage etc. Anyway, we replaced the front shock and resubmitted the bike for retest.

Tester grumbled again about 'front end stiffness' (stop giggling at the back ), but reluctantly passed it. He roadtested the bike and said that it felt 'no different to before'. Then said that he could 'hardly turn the bars'. We then realised that he was talking about the steering damper, not the front suspension. He demonstrated that if the bars were turned sharply, then they became stiff, but had a smooth, full lock-to-lock movement range if operated slowly.

Got a 1996 R850R that could be described as you have done . Difference is that my MOT Station Tester loves German technology, cars and bikes and is highly knowledgeable on BMW bikes. The steering damper obviously makes a difference in lock-to-lock movement. Try a different or more knowledgeable testing station. Bike never failed an MOT.

Cheers