Nervous/twicthy front end - 1250GSA

[TheStammeringBiker]

Hi all, in the first 14 months of so on the 1250GSA I covered about 5000 miles on the original Bridgestone A41's, loved them in the dry, thought they were lethal in the wet. Had them changed in February for Metzeler Roadtec 01's when it went in for it's service.

Since then I've only ridden it a handful of times due to work etc but everytime I have the front felt vague, unsteady and at motorway speed quite unsettled and vibey. I put it down to the fact that straight after the service I fitted bar risers so I removed them but it's no different.

I've just come back from doing 675 miles in Scotland and I'm convinced something doesn't feel "right". Anything above *cough* 70mph and I get alot of vibes and the front is really twitchy, the slightest weight from me on the bars and it's trying to wobble quite noticeably. If I brake from high speed I even feel the vibes through the brake lever at first then as the speed drops it calms down.

It's difficult to describe it but the thing is tramlining all over the place and mid corner even in the dry it feels like someone is lifting the front wheel slightly like it wants to "let go". It almost feels like all the suspension/steering components are loose even though that sounds ridiculous.

I got a friend to ride it (who also has the same bike and same tyres) and didn't tell him what my issue was and he got back and said "that feels f*cking awful to ride mid corner, the front just wants to wander and let go".

Given that these tyres don't seem to be known for this issue can anyone think of anything else I can check or have looked at? I've tried the pressures at the BMW recommended 36/42. I even tried going down slightly on the front and also up but it doesn't seem to make the slightest difference. I was considering taking the wheel out and having my local place check the balancing on it just in case.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tanneman]

Tyre pressures checked - ok
Tyre mounted the right way around, ie directional?
Wheel balance?
Wheel axle clamps -19Nm?
Wheel axle - 30Nm?
Play in the wheel bearings?
Play in Telelever ball joint?
Lower fork clamps?
Upper fork clamps?
Steering head bearings?
Handlebar clamps?

 

[CPJS]

It does sound unusual, as you say, get it checked. If it is still wrong contact the supplying garage, get a new one fitted, if this fixes it get the old one sent back to Metzeler.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

The first thing i would say is that if it is the front end that feels wobbly then the problem is often with the rear ....

Roadtec 01 in my experience do not do this and are a cossetting ride with loads of grip and feel and as shown by your mate with same bike and tyres so i doubt it is the tyres

Balancing would not give you the feeling of unstable and letting go in corners

Pressures but youve checked and adjusted

My initial thoughts would be something at the rear or a suspension issue somehow

 

[stick]

The first thing i would say is that if it is the front end that feels wobbly then the problem is often with the rear ....

Roadtec 01 in my experience do not do this and are a cossetting ride with loads of grip and feel and as shown by your mate with same bike and tyres so i doubt it is the tyres

Balancing would not give you the feeling of unstable and letting go in corners

Pressures but youve checked and adjusted

My initial thoughts would be something at the rear or a suspension issue somehow

No , Road Tech 01 have an awful feeling when pushing from the front , the tyre is a wet tyre that seems to suffer from movement due to the sipes (cuts) , it just moves around when it gets hot. S Still worth a workshop visit if there is anything other , but i found them awful , changed back to CTA's problem solved.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

No , Road Tech 01 have an awful feeling when pushing from the front , the tyre is a wet tyre that seems to suffer from movement due to the sipes (cuts) , it just moves around when it gets hot. S Still worth a workshop visit if there is anything other , but i found them awful , changed back to CTA's problem solved.

Yes we all know your views on Roadtec

You are in a minority of just you though

 

[stick]

Yes we all know your views on Roadtec

You are in a minority of just you though

Well I do push hard , but I tried two sets , first set on a Euro trip two up which almost ruined it, second set after as I wanted an answer to sort out the issue , I could not so sold the second pair on after pressure changes , bike checks etc etc after 600 miles. Sorry to post my opinion but I do test and push tyres to find the best out there for me , that is why I run 2 sets of wheels to compare.
Why can I not point out things I have found and others as well , oh its a forum , i forgot lol... To add its a new bike so still worth a dealer visit but don t mention the Roadtech they may hit you..

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

Thanks all, all components I can easily reach/adjust are at the recommended torque but checking for suspension play might be tricky with my technical skills so I might have to get it booked in to be looked at.

Suspension over bumps etc doesn't "feel" any different but I know that doesn't mean diddly in reality, plus my ability to notice is probably limited also.

One thing I have just noticed (and I don't remember if it's normal or even relevant) is that the Machine Art Moto Mudsling (genuine one) seems awfully close to the back wheel. I can just about slide a sheet of A4 between it and the tyre and I don't remember it being like that when I fitted it, although that was a year ago.....

 

[harry]

Thanks all, all components I can easily reach/adjust are at the recommended torque but checking for suspension play might be tricky with my technical skills so I might have to get it booked in to be looked at.

Suspension over bumps etc doesn't "feel" any different but I know that doesn't mean diddly in reality, plus my ability to notice is probably limited also.

One thing I have just noticed (and I don't remember if it's normal or even relevant) is that the Machine Art Moto Mudsling (genuine one) seems awfully close to the back wheel. I can just about slide a sheet of A4 between it and the tyre and I don't remember it being like that when I fitted it, although that was a year ago.....

There's a clue there, shirley

 

[stick]

Thanks all, all components I can easily reach/adjust are at the recommended torque but checking for suspension play might be tricky with my technical skills so I might have to get it booked in to be looked at.

Suspension over bumps etc doesn't "feel" any different but I know that doesn't mean diddly in reality, plus my ability to notice is probably limited also.

One thing I have just noticed (and I don't remember if it's normal or even relevant) is that the Machine Art Moto Mudsling (genuine one) seems awfully close to the back wheel. I can just about slide a sheet of A4 between it and the tyre and I don't remember it being like that when I fitted it, although that was a year ago.....

Did you check pressues again etc , have they fitted the tyres the correct way round . Re the Mudsling , would not think that would have anything to do with the front more a check to see if its fitted in the slot.

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

There's a clue there, shirley

And that clue isssssss what?

(And don't call me Shirley)

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

Did you check pressues again etc , have they fitted the tyres the correct way round . Re the Mudsling , would not think that would have anything to do with the front more a check to see if its fitted in the slot.

Yep, although I don't check the accuracy of the TPMS I've been keeping an eye on the reading and how much it fluctuates, which is by about 1psi at most when hot. And yep tyres fitted correct way round.

 

[Slipperyeel]

You mentioned it went in for a service straight after fitting the tyres. What was done in the service? It's it possible something was altered? Though I can't think what might have been done to cause your symptoms.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

You mentioned it went in for a service straight after fitting the tyres. What was done in the service? It's it possible something was altered? Though I can't think what might have been done to cause your symptoms.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Just annual service plus brake fluid and a tracker fitted. That's all. Not sure what they do during the service but I suspect fluids and a quick check before they hit you with the bill if it's anything like Triumph.

 

[littleade]

Is yours fitted with the standard 01's or the HWM version for heavier bikes. As the GSA isn't exactly a lightweight if you have the standard version that might be the problem?

 

[Mr Bean]

Yes we all know your views on Roadtec

You are in a minority of just you though

I find them good, along with the Road 5's.

 

[stick]

I find them good, along with the Road 5's.

Road 5 great tyre set but don't last over 1500 miles Spain or 2500 ish uk but uk they square fast , Spain the edges go first. They did not suffer with the squirm like 01 did , well they moved around a bit but felt good and the grip was excellent . Bring on the new M9rr , soon to be realesed.

 

[Boxerlust]

Peejay the front tire is not balanced right...Or you got a bad front tire which can happen one in 10000...

 

[Arsey]

Peejay the front tire is not balanced right...Or you got a bad front tire which can happen one in 10000...

1250GSA is WELL KNOWN for having twitchy front end.It is a fault INHERENT with the design of the TELELEVER.
I would advise the OP to sell the bike and get a KTM 1290.
READY TO RACE, not READY TO WOBBLE.

 

[stick]

1250GSA is WELL KNOWN for having twitchy front end.It is a fault INHERENT with the design of the TELELEVER.
I would advise the OP to sell the bike and get a KTM 1290.
READY TO RACE, not READY TO WOBBLE.

Drunk again.......................