My BMW 650GS 2008 model "drags"?

[mcbikerider]

Sry about my english here - what I am trying to say is that when I ride my 650GS in 60mph and let go of the handlebars, the bike "drags" / "drifts" towards my left. Does this seem right? Could it be a result of the 650GS only having one exhaust pipe?

And for the sake of good order: this happens everytime I try, the bike has only 2000km.

 

[boxer]

In the unlikely event this is a real question..........don't take your hands off the handlebars.

 

[mcbikerider]

Sure, it's a real question I am not trying to adapt to a new "hands-off" riding style, but after trying I started wondering if there was something wrong with my bike. When I see other riders do this, their bikes seem to go in completely straight lines.

 

[boxer]

In that case...........if the bike feels ok when ridden normally then I shouldn't worry.

 

[Sooty09]

I see people riding along with no hands on the bars adjusting gloves etc, Its illegal in that you are not controlling he bike. However I sometimes lift my hand lightly of the bars to see what happens. My F800 drifts to the left, all my bikes have drifted to the left. I have been told I sit to one side on the bike, I don't know Im doing it but its probably the reason for the drift.

 

[everywherevirtually]

have you had your wheels balanced / checked? If you adjust your seating position does it behave differently? As you ride on the right I am assuming the camber of the road slopes off to the right also?

 

[popeyethesailor]

Yes I was the same as you but when you look at it the weight is on the left hand of the bike , the exhust on the left , and a larger part if the tank sits on the left hand of the bike also, if you hold the bike upright you will see to make it balance it is leaning to the right, I can ride it with no hands but I have to adjust my seating position to the right, shame but it causes no harm!

 

[paramaniac]

My 2008 650 does it too, there's nothing wrong.
If you are used to a sports bike it's a bit strange, but just a characteristic of the GS.

 

[Klanky]

Sorry to piss on everyones bonfire, but mine (800GS) doesn't drift at all.

I can let go of the bars and steer with my arse no problem at all. it balances perfectly.

Bear in mind that those of you replying from the UK will have the camber making you drift to the left, hence the 'left' bias when you let go of the bars. So camber would be an issue if our friend was living here.

However, MCBikerider 'lives' on th opposite side of the road. So maybe checking equal fork height through the yokes and equal tension/adjustment of the rear wheel may be in order?

Put it this way, I can steer my 800 with no hands on, without any bias, left or right with no probelms at all.

[edit] Sorry, just realised this is about the 650....

 

[popeyethesailor]

The bike is without a doubt heaver on the left then the right there for is not haveing a camber falling to the right hence driveing on the right counter
balanceing it! Allowing the bike to go in a straight line with no weight shift! I'm sure the 800 has this along with the 650

 

[smaytum]

I noticed the same when I was riding my F800gs with panniers. I shifted the weight in my panniers to see if it would make a difference and to my surprise it still drifted to the right, no matter how much weight I shifted (within reason).

I then tried the same without panniers and it still drifted right.

Now try this... When riding at 60 without hands, give the bike a good kick to the left. Now the bike will start drifting left and will not steer back to the right.

What I concluded is that it's difficult to steer an f800gs with body weight along and that the drift is simply determined by the initial state of the bike when you let go. So there is nothing wrong

All those who panic about this thread... "yep, we already know"

Rgrds
Steve

 

[Klanky]

Mine's still going in a straight line...should I take it back to the dealers?

 

[smaytum]

No. You're just a good rider with good balance.

If ya do take it back to the dealer to complain that it goes in a straight line when ya let go at 60mph, do tell me what they say?

 

[Klanky]

No. You're just a good rider with good balance.

If ya do take it back to the dealer to complain that it goes in a straight line when ya let go at 60mph, do tell me what they say?

I already had that telephone conversation running in my head when I read this thread:

"Good Morning. Calterdon BMW Service department, how can I help you?"

"I've got a problem with the handling on me 800GS."

"OK Sir...what's the symptoms?"

"Well, when I let go of the bars it travels in a straight line."

"Pardon?"

"When I let go, it travels in a straight line without drifting off to one side."

"Errr, I think you'll find that it's designed to do that, Sir".

"No it ain't."

"How no?"

"None of my mates 800GS's do it, they all drift to the right or left, there's definitely summat wrong with my bike...have I missed a recall?"

"No sir, you haven't missed a recall."

"So how come mine's different? I bought this bike brand new and I've not buggered about with it - so it must be a factory fault. I want it sorting out so it's the same as everyone elses. This is typical shoddy BMW service if you ask me. I'd expect this to be sorted under warranty."

"Sir, there is nothing wrong with your bike, I assure you. it's not a warranty job as there isn't a fault to rectify."

"Oh, I see! Not a warranty job? Bloody typical! If you think I'm going to pay to have my bike sorted you've got another thing coming, sunshine. I haven't just come up the Great Glen on a teatray, pal. There's no way I'm paying to get the handling sorted. And another thi-"

click...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"Oy! I haven't finished yet! Hello? HELLO?....damn.........fuggin' BMW, fook 'em.....I'm off to buy a Harley"

 

[GunZenBomZ]

I occasionally ride a little section of rode, without holding onto the bar's. Really not clever on public-road's & my bike will slightly drift to the left, check your allignment of the rear tyre.

If you want to be abused in the real world go & wag a finger @bmw due to crabbing