Rear Suspension problems??

[Rabbit Leader]

My recently purchased 2004 GSA (4k on the clock) feels really light on the front, at anything over 70mph. I rode from Worcester to Dent (Cumbria) last wekend, and although it was a bit windy, I was really being blown about.. the Pan's and even a Harley with me were not affected.

I weigh 14 stone, had the BMW aluminium panniers/top box fitted and filled (Not heavy, just tent/sleeping bag etc) with nothing attached on top of them.

Tyre pressures were 34F 38R (between the recommended settings for solo to 2 up)

Front set to No1

Pre load was halfway between Std and Hard (given I was solo with not much kit)

Damping set to half a turn from hard or three turns from soft.

I stopped North of Manchester and re set the preload to hard, this improved the blowing around, but was not much better.

My friend had a new GS1100 and had the rear shock changed under warrenty, being faulty..... anyone else heard of this?

Does anyone know the sag measurements for the GSA?

Please help as I love the bike but my Honda dealer is rubbing his sweaty hands together in glee!

 

[Ming]

What tyres do you have fitted??

 

[Rabbit Leader]

What tyres do you have fitted??

Metzler Tourances just fitted, covered about 400 miles prior to starting out for Dent...

 

[Ming]

Front tyre may not be bedded in yet .

may be the rear shock though always remeber the tail wags the dog!!!

perhaps a softer set up on the rear??

Have a fiddle with the set up just remeber to make a note of the settings you start with

 

[Mzokk]

I have found that my GS blows about in the wind a lot more than my GSXR The bike is tall and slabsided especially the tank so catches the wind . The adventure is taller still so may be worse in this respect. I especially notice this with the topbox fitted. Removing the topbox alleviates a lot of the wayward behaviour in crosswinds.

 

[Mzokk]

Oh yeah! Check your paralever bearing is not sloppy. I'd to nip mine up at 11,000. Put the bike on the centre stand rear wheel off the ground and give it a wiggle.......it shouldn't move!!

 

[Bill]

This, I'm afraid, is just another of the quirks of this great bike!
If I ride in a group and it's windy, I'm the only one that's affected.
Small price to pay for an otherwise fantastic package!!

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Try a ZZR11 in a sidewind...... then change yer underpants....

 

[Rabbit Leader]

My recently purchased 2004 GSA (4k on the clock) feels really light on the front, at anything over 70mph. I rode from Worcester to Dent (Cumbria) last wekend, and although it was a bit windy, I was really being blown about.. the Pan's and even a Harley with me were not affected.

I weigh 14 stone, had the BMW aluminium panniers/top box fitted and filled (Not heavy, just tent/sleeping bag etc) with nothing attached on top of them.

Tyre pressures were 34F 38R (between the recommended settings for solo to 2 up)

Front set to No1

Pre load was halfway between Std and Hard (given I was solo with not much kit)

Damping set to half a turn from hard or three turns from soft.

I stopped North of Manchester and re set the preload to hard, this improved the blowing around, but was not much better.

My friend had a new GS1100 and had the rear shock changed under warrenty, being faulty..... anyone else heard of this?

Does anyone know the sag measurements for the GSA?

Please help as I love the bike but my Honda dealer is rubbing his sweaty hands together in glee!

Thanks for all your answers.... It was the rear shock, possibly a seal gone? Clarks are replacing it under warranty...nice!