rear end wallow at low speeds - rider modes effecting suspension damping at the back

[botus]

I now notice a lot of wayward rear wallow - that I've never noticed on their demo bikes....

does anyone else detect significant rear end undesirable movement below say 40 mph at the rear end - because the damping (compression and rebound) is wound off way to far ?

I know dynamic pro suspension damping is "active" AKA it changes with speed / riding style.... but what I now find is crazy unwanted movement causing undesirable wallow affecting bike control

I stopped and wound damping from +1 to maxed out +2 and initially I thought it tightened it up - but as the road caused me to slow to 10 to 30 mph round some undulating bends for half a mile or so the back of the bike was doing exactly the same - huge unnecessary and undesirable movement - as you take it to 60mph the bike gets substantially stiffer and behaves OK - but I'd say only giving a level of soft squidgy low speed comfort you might want for a gentle tour - and as you slow again its almost dangerously all over the place adding nothing helpful - yes, comfort wins a tiny bit but rideability is totally missing - as the bike ties itself in knots at low speed trying to recover from up to 4" in either direction so 8" of pointless movement - as if the damping back out far too much - below 20 mph the damping is effectively removed - where non active other make bikes it would be the opposite, in control but with a bit of a harsh ride

I can see if I was in enduro mode that suppleness would be sensible of slow offroad section - But thats not the mode I've even tried - seems very faulty to me

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Affecting ……your enjoyment?

 

[grantmac]

If its faulty take it back of write to BMW…….
Never noticed it….but then I am one of those 1300 Adevture owners who really doesnt notice the bike rising or lowering when in ASA mode…..unless of course its stopped where it has a big benefit even for my 6’2” frame…

 

[gateway77]

No - never experienced that or any 'undesirable movement' whatsoever - Sounds like you should get it checked.

 

[grantmac]

I now notice a lot of wayward rear wallow - that I've never noticed on their demo bikes....

does anyone else detect significant rear end undesirable movement below say 40 mph at the rear end - because the damping (compression and rebound) is wound off way to far ?

I know dynamic pro suspension damping is "active" AKA it changes with speed / riding style.... but what I now find is crazy unwanted movement causing undesirable wallow affecting bike control

I stopped and wound damping from +1 to maxed out +2 and initially I thought it tightened it up - but as the road caused me to slow to 10 to 30 mph round some undulating bends for half a mile or so the back of the bike was doing exactly the same - huge unnecessary and undesirable movement - as you take it to 60mph the bike gets substantially stiffer and behaves OK - but I'd say only giving a level of soft squidgy low speed comfort you might want for a gentle tour - and as you slow again its almost dangerously all over the place adding nothing helpful - yes, comfort wins a tiny bit but rideability is totally missing - as the bike ties itself in knots at low speed trying to recover from up to 4" in either direction so 8" of pointless movement - as if the damping back out far too much - below 20 mph the damping is effectively removed - where non active other make bikes it would be the opposite, in control but with a bit of a harsh ride

I can see if I was in enduro mode that suppleness would be sensible of slow offroad section - But thats not the mode I've even tried - seems very faulty to me

judging from your thread does this mean you have now acquired one.....?

 

[Barnoe]

does anyone else detect significant rear end undesirable movement below say 40 mph at the rear end - because the damping (compression and rebound) is wound off way to far ?

if crawling in traffic at 1-2mph Dynamic seems more stable than road but its only slightly noticeable IMO

 

[Martin GSA UK]

What bike is this? I thought you believed these bikes were only for people with money to burn and ego problems.

On the faint chance the enquiry is genuine, no I do not experience what you describe. The opposite is true. I have 3 other bikes. None have the ride and handling performance to match my GSA. I do think my previous 2019 1250GS was very slightly more planted, but I think that's the additional height and travel of the GSA. I never rode a 1250GSA, so can't compare. It's not just my biased opinion, road testers generally agree, the latest generation are an improvement on what was already excellent and as good / better than the competition for mixed road riding. The bike you describe needs looking at.

Dealers can check the calibration of your suspension. Takes a couple of minutes, your latte won't even be cold. They can show you a print out of your results and adjust it, if necessary. Simple. Or you can complain about it for years to come, to strangers on the internet, whichever makes you happiest .

 

[botus]

this 1300GS has the very rare option S0547A Sport Suspension (bringing the same travel as the GSA bikes) - but strangely sport brings another set of suspension units - its not just getting GSA units front and rear

so there's 1" more travel to play with than a stock GS, but the wallow is huge and unhelpful - I think its a fault - but its already been back for errors on the suspension and a full software update - and this "feature" is there - I'm not confident it was like this before it first threw suspension errors

ride height went mental sitting I guess 3" higher than std at the back radically altering the way it tipped into corners when it first threw take to workshop suspension failed messages - I do wonder if they've now set ride height for a std GS not a sport GS ?

if you told me they took two clicks out the damper settings in both directions and run a 50nm softer spring than needed, I'd believe it

 

[Martin GSA UK]

Why did you choose the 'sport' suspension for road riding?

Ian (Big Rock Moto) has the Sport set up and seems happy: Big Rock Moto 1300GS With Sport Suspension

When I first got my GSA, I was concerned the difference between 'Road' and 'Dynamic' wasn't as pronounced as on my 1250s. My dealer has a lead tech responsible for customer liaison. He sat down with me to explain how the suspension works in the different modes and tested and recalibrated mine. As a result, I'm very happy with it. If you sit down with the lead tech and go through your experience, they will listen and test ride it, give you a view on what you're saying. Go in with the right attitude and you could well be surprised how patient and attentive they are.

My dealer is Sycamore, at Witham, Essex. I've used them for 7 years now. I'm happy with them. Yes, the routine servicing stuff can be a bit conveyor belt, but if I've ever had a problem or question, they've listened and resolved it in a friendly, informative manner. TBH, we pay a premium, so I'd expect it. They meet expectations. Your dealer should be no different.

 

[botus]

Why did you choose the 'sport' suspension for road riding?

BMW configurator - The spring rates, specially tuned for sporty use, optimise traction, both on the road and off the beaten track. Includes Dynamic Suspension Adjustment

As is - in dynamic pro rider mode +2 on the damper (or any other of those damper tweaks) - the bike makes significant automatic adjustment at low speed which is unnecessary and unhelpful - it would be far better to leave what it does at 60 mph for round town use and ideally add two more clicks from 60 mph

its either faulty or incompetent

 

[grantmac]

this 1300GS has the very rare option S0547A Sport Suspension (bringing the same travel as the GSA bikes) - but strangely sport brings another set of suspension units - its not just getting GSA units front and rear

so there's 1" more travel to play with than a stock GS, but the wallow is huge and unhelpful - I think its a fault - but its already been back for errors on the suspension and a full software update - and this "feature" is there - I'm not confident it was like this before it first threw suspension errors

ride height went mental sitting I guess 3" higher than std at the back radically altering the way it tipped into corners when it first threw take to workshop suspension failed messages - I do wonder if they've now set ride height for a std GS not a sport GS ?

if you told me they took two clicks out the damper settings in both directions and run a 50nm softer spring than needed, I'd believe it

Again, I repeat my question and in the light of the first line of Martin´s earleir post......are you now the proud owner of a new 1300 GS/A...otherwise where are these questions coming from?

 

[botus]

not proud,

the pictures of the error codes I got were posted nearly a year ago - if a bunch of weird people make up their own minds not based on facts is down to them - I don't need to pander to their peculiarities - and either way - if I ride any bike I'm as entitled as anyone to comment on what I find

 

[grantmac]

then why own or have one...or are you just a Bot who is trolling other 1300 GSA sites especially in the US for faults to air on here....
...and I can see you´re not even a paid up member......

 

[grantmac]

What bike is this? I thought you believed these bikes were only for people with money to burn and ego problems.

I think this point speaks volumes....

reference the above from BOTUS....
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinions, that's the magnificence of this forum and there are many on here that have big ´´ego´s´´ about what they ride. I am happy to listen to good advice on any bike especially if its one I currently own but the sort of comments like ´´wallows like a stuck pig or the the one above on egos and too much money don't contribute in my mind. Real experiences with feedback to me is always welcome and my ´´ego´´ is not so big as not to listen.
I can even tolerate our resident Capt. @Arsey who loves to berate the 1300 or push the magnificent Honda but to belittle people who own something not in line with another's tastes or experience is in my mind not really helpful.
I am referring also to another of your post on a previous thread.

Now to the above point and to get back on topic of your OP, If you have serious concerns about the suspension in low ride mode then my recommendation is to get it checked out as there could well be a fault.
I have the ASA on my GSA and set to ´´auto´´ mode which means it rises and lowers according to speed. I cant say I notice the rise or drop whilst riding. I do like it in low mode when stopped as I can move the bike around a lot more easily. I am not sure about your points on ´´wallowing´´...I don´t notice it but then I am a fair weather old fart tourer who really wouldn't have a clue anyway...