Motorway Vibration

[Zigo]

Body sync?

Have you checked the throttle sync at 4000 RPM? The boxer engine is sensitive to throttle imbalance, which can cause vibrations. Dealers would normally only check and adjust syncronisation at idle, using the workshop computer. I use the Twinmax sync meter, holding the throttle open at 4000-5000, then adjusting imbalance turning the right (or left, but only one of them) throttle cable adjusting screw carefully until the meter reads zero. Recheck after locking the adjusting screw. Some prefer to check sync under load, driving with the Twinmax attached to the throttle bodies, but for me it didn't make any difference from the static check.

Regards
Zigo

 

[JFC]

I still get the tingling fingers thingy - it goes after a while (or it goes numb, i get used to it etc) found cooking my hands with the heated grips seems to help.

Oil consumption seems to be pot luck from what I've read. Cant say I agree that any consumption is acceptable. Mine has done 1.5 litres over and above servicing in 30k miles.

 

[cocokid]

Yep,my 07 gsa is harsh and a little vibey at motorway speeds,(3000 miles) my old 36000 mile 1150 was smooth as silk,---hoping its still running in and nothing to worry about

 

[davegs]

I have the tingling fingers/hand problem. Had it almost all the time I was learning to ride last year on my DAS. I kept being told to relax my grip and it would go away. It didn't

Bought a gs just after passing my test. Have done just shy of 6k miles, tingles almost all the way, nearly to the point of not being able to brake properly . I tried neoprene grip wraps to try to cushion my hand and o rings to increase the diameter of the grip, no joy

Today a revelation. I changed the way I grip the throttle when the tingling started and they went away

I tried moving the bars on my 1150 (70000 miles) into a higher positon as a tryout, got severe tingling in the hands (serious). This made my hands go dead, moved them back to the original position and low and behold all was well!. So give it a try my problem was cause by a small movement and it made all the difference.
Dave gs.

 

[Harry H]

Thanks to you all for your replies. Certainly tyre pressures and suspension are ok. Re the throttle balance afraid that is out of the bounds of my understanding. I turn the key and press the button that is about it but thanks for the thought. I have tried altering my grip which does give some relief and also the heated grips. It is obviously a common occurrence.
At least I am reassured that it is not just my machine. I will try and rack up as many miles as I can as quickly as I can and hope it improves.

Thanks again

Harry

 

[gfspencer]

The vibration I have been experiencing at 75 mph with my 08' GS is NOT normal. I had an 05' GS and it was pretty smooth.

 

[D6]

i use a throttle rocker for long distance, that stops it, hard to get used to though, more padded gloves help too

 

[lewisjohn]

vibration

I have a 2006 1200GSA,i have suffered with pins and needles since the bike was new,i also noticed a sort of resonance in the tank side panel at motorway speeds.I have just fitted a set of tyres,and when the front wheel was being balanced the tyre fitter pointed out runout of around 2mm side to side.I rang customer support,who put me in touch with my local dealer Bristol Motorrad.I was told by the service manager that the factory tolerance is 1.7mm,which to me seems a lot.I have checked the wheel tonight with a dial test indicator and found the wheel to be out about 1.7mm to 1.8mm.I am convinced that this runout is the cause of my discomfort and am going to try and get something sorted with the dealer.

 

[D6]

your allowed up to 2mm runout on cast wheels for the mot, so i doubt you,ll get anywhere (4mm for steel rims/spokes), i really dont think this will be the cause

 

[Ruadh08]

I have just taken delivery of a new 2008 GS, and notice a lot more vibration at just above 4k revs, than my 2005 model. Especially noticeable at motorway speeds.

Hopefully it will lesson as the bike gets run in, but will wait and see!!

 

[HeatedGrips]

It's my understanding that you can't use a Twinmax on the 1200 for anything other than idle settings. Postings elsewhere on the forum say the injectors are operated by stepper motors so any changes you may make at 4,000 rpm will not be effective.

Is that correct, or can you actually carry out a mid-range balance with the Twinmax?

 

[gfspencer]

I have just taken delivery of a new 2008 GS, and notice a lot more vibration at just above 4k revs, than my 2005 model. Especially noticeable at motorway speeds.

Hopefully it will lesson as the bike gets run in, but will wait and see!!

I had an 05' GS. It was a vibration free bike but the vibration on my 08' is so bad that it is now at the dealership where they are trying some "fixes". So far . . . the rear wire wheel is out of round, the front shock is leaking and the front forks are sticking.

As a side note, they gave me an R1200R to ride while my bike was being fixed. The R1200R (with only 2,000 miles) is as smooth as silk. Why can't the R1200GS engine run like that?

My dealership is great! They are doing all that they can to make the bike right. But I am frustrated with BMW.

 

[Zigo]

It's my understanding that you can't use a Twinmax on the 1200 for anything other than idle settings. Postings elsewhere on the forum say the injectors are operated by stepper motors so any changes you may make at 4,000 rpm will not be effective.

Is that correct, or can you actually carry out a mid-range balance with the Twinmax?

Yes you can! The stepper motors works only at idle. They can also be disconnected for idle check, though idle balancing have to be left to the dealer. Jim Von Baden have written nice instructions with pictures: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17496
Check it out

 

[HeatedGrips]

Excellent and thank you! I had it the wrong way round! I'm going to balance mine this weekend as it is simply terrible at around 5,000 rpm in top on the motorway.

 

[gfspencer]

I have just taken delivery of a new 2008 GS, and notice a lot more vibration at just above 4k revs, than my 2005 model. Especially noticeable at motorway speeds.

Hopefully it will lesson as the bike gets run in, but will wait and see!!

Right now my '08 is in the shop. It's been there going on two weeks now. I took it in because of high speed vibration (much more than my '05). The shop found that the front shock was leaking. When they took the shock off they found that the front forks were sticking. Now they are waiting on parts.

As I think back on my first few weeks with the bike I recall that the ESA never seemed like it was doing anything. Maybe the new shock and forks will fix that.