Poor rear suspension or over loading?

[siholley]

I have started to go away camping with my other half, all loaded up on the faithful GS. The problem is I'm finding that with both of us on the bike (me 15.5 stone and her 12 stone) plus all the luggage, we are having to set maximum pre load but still the bike feels reall unstable and pulling away is a total wheelie fest!
I can't believe a bike made for this sort of thing and big German people stuggles so bad.

Please can anyone advise me of the best solution (other than lose weight you fat git!). Would I be best changing the totaly rear suspension or just an up rated spring? If so any advise to which and cost and where to get etc etc?

Any advice welcome please?

Also, does anyone know of a comfy seat alternative? I have moved from a GSXR 1000 to 2007 1200GS but have found the gixxer seat much more comfy on long rides!

 

[Coolcarbon]

Payload is shown as 200kgs on the spec sheet....http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_1200.htm

draw your own conclusions...

 

[Schtum]

Payload is shown as 200kgs on the spec sheet....http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_1200.htm

draw your own conclusions...

That should leave with them with 25 Kg leeway for luggage and bike clothing.

I had a 17 stone friend on the pillion of mine last weekend. So with me at c. 13 stone kitted up that's getting a bit closer to the maximum payload.

However, the obvious answer is for them both to lose weight. The myth that you have to be fat to ride a GS is just a feeble defence mechanism perpetuated by the bloaters on this board......

 

[Dennis the Menace]

If you are happy with the bike suspension two up without camping equipment and luggage. Then I suggest you look at your camping equipment.i.e. weight and size I am sometimes amazed when I see how people have loaded their bikes up and the size of the bags which they attatch onto the back of their bikes. Even sometimes equipment strapped on top of top boxes. Then when they stop and start to unload, you find they are carrying things like a double rubber airbed which are heavy, cold and uncomfortable and probably the last thing you should be sleeping on. Cheap fold up chairs which are heavy and bulky. Cheap none down sleeping bags which are cold and bulky and mini frame tents.
If you want to travel light while camping you are going to go for top qualitity stuff which means expensive but cared for properly will last for years. Which means a visit to good qualitity hiking/moutaineering shop.
Or go to a Motor Cycle Camping Event GS Club prefferably and look how to and how not to load your bike up and whats being used.

Trail and error we have all been there and all done it. You pay for experience.

Best of luck

 

[looney]

You may want to adjust not only preload but also rebound damping on the rear shock (RTFM on how to do this).
For me, riding with luggage means +1/4...+1/3 turn clockwise; riding with passenger plus luggage somewhere between +3/4 ... 1 full turn clockwise.
The idea is to get about the same riding experience loaded as if riding solo.

HTH.
Stefan