RT LC handling

[dmilne]

I've had my new RT for 10 months and 9,000 miles. Previous bike was a twin cam which I sold when I had done 32,000 miles on it.

Of late I've been increasingly concerned about the handling compared to the Twin cam. It's set to "SOFT" but still crashes over bumps and is much less comfortable than the twin cam. I'm sure it wasn't this bad when I first got it.

However I took it on a track day at Castle Combe (courtesy of BikeSafe) yesterday. Last year, the Twin Cam was great, smooth and planted.

The LC, once I had got going was rubbish. On the fast section it was weaving about like a 1970's Kawasaki. Up until then I had not had the chance to drive it fast on a corner. Normal road speeds it was OK, but 90 plus (not sure of the speed..) it was decidedly bad.

Suspension was set to Hard, One helmet and one bag, and the tyre pressure were standard 2.3/2,9.

Anyone else had problems like this?

I'll be speaking to my dealer tomorrow

Thanks

Dave

-speed was 110 according to the downloaded sat nav track

 

[busy builder]

I would be interested in your findings re dealer. I am also of the same opinion that the handling is not the same or as good as the previous RT TC.

I can't get to a dealer as I have fallen out with my 'local' dealer and next one is 160 odd miles away.

 

[degsey]

I think there's another thread knocking about on here about the new RT LC boneshaker

 

[richardbd]

Probably not a particularly helpful comment but after the first 4,500 miles on my RTLC I've found it WAY superior to the RTTC. To be fair, I never owned the TC, just demoed it for a weekend but my mates reckon I'm quicker on the RT than I was on my Multistrada - and we tend to ride "progressively".

I don't find the RTLC vague at all - although I suspect a set of PR4s when the Metzlers are dead will help. The only thing I do (just like I did with the MTS) is always ride with the pre-load one step above what it should be - 1+luggage for solo; 2 for 1+ luggage etc.. To me it's just a question of learning a new bike.

One thing's for sure, I'd never have bought an RTTC. I found it way too asthmatic to follow the MTS - a bike to respect but not to love. The RTLC makes me laugh every time I ride it. How a bike so big and heavy can be such a hoot to ride, I'll never really understand!

My bet is there's something wrong with your suspension - or your tyre pressure monitors don't work and the boots are flat...

 

[Karlread]

Tyre pressure monitors can be as much as 5PSI out. Front tyre recommended pressure is 2.5 not 2.3

 

[dmilne]

Tyre press

Tyre pressure monitors can be as much as 5PSI out. Front tyre recommended pressure is 2.5 not 2.3

Finger trouble, TP's are 2.5 front, checked on my guage as well as TPM.

Rgds

 

[Yonkyo]

I was also at Castle Combe on Sunday (but didn't go on track, as i've crashed two superbikes there..).

The Combe is a very fast and bumpy track, which demands careful suspensions setup, and low tyre pressures ( 32F/34R Psi ).

I think your problem was due to your shock and tyre settings. 2.9bar is way too high for a warm track, when combined with the Hard shock setting.

My RTLC has 8k+ miles on her now, and she still handles beautifully (i've never used the Hard setting, as its just too harsh).

So, I'm inclined to think that your problems were due to your bike being set-up wrong for that nasty gnarly track.

BTW, were you there when the Chief inspector binned and wrote-off their new S1000RR...

 

[Fluffmeister]

Mine is running Z8's from the factory and I'm running slightly lower pressures on the road. I've only had it since the end of May but have got just short of 5k miles racked up now. The Z8's are ok, but again like the PR4 GT's to stiff in the side wall imho, so I'm running 2.4 / 2.8 (Checked with TPG) and Suspension in the Rider plus luggage.

I was going to say all was well, and it has been, but last night for the first time it caused me to clench my buttocks. I was on smooth dual carriageway, was "probably" over the NSL (Clear road, 1am heading to Cardiff) and out of nowhere just went into a gentle high speed weave. It's been perfect up to now, and this is my first arse clencher on the RT but it woke me up. I'm putting it down to going a bit to quick, maybe hitting a bit of overbanding setting it off (Only travelling with panniers, no top box).

I'm due a new rear soon as the Z8 has a Stop n Go plug in it, and is squaring off, but will be interested to see how it pans out after a Tyre change.

2 up around the Nuburgring earlier this year, at a more leisurely pace than usual as I had my son on the back, it behaved impeccably.

 

[DC]

i dont think you can make a handling comparison for a big tourer on std settings on a track !

You would lower the tyre pressure to begin with , has a hot tyre will affect suspension badly . Leave track bikes for track and road bikes for the road.

I rode 300 miles around NW wales yesterday and was closing sports bikes down in the bends on my RTlc. not had any handling issues at all .Superb bikes

 

[Troppo]

Me too, mine is fine, no probs.

 

[dmilne]

Just seen by dealer.
Rear shock needs replacing- at 14,000 miles.... new one will come from Germany in about 10 days.
Take a loan bike they say.. OK thank you, I didn't really want a 1600gt! but I'll live with it. Not too comfortable with the weight and tank range but i will manage.
Just means an extra fuel stop on the way down to the S of France.

Ahhh, you can't take it abroad they say.

So they now have less than 6 days to get me on the road again.

Watch this space.

 

[Karlread]

Surely they can source a shock from the unsold bikes sitting at Thorne.....

 

[dmilne]

Give us a clue? Thorne Where?

Ta
D

 

[oldnfat]

I and a few others have had this issue with GSA's. Suspension starts off fine but gets worse. First they replaced the rear shock..a bot better but quickly got worse. They then decided that the front and rear shock weren't talking to each other so replaced the front shock....better but soon deteriorated back to a crushingly hard ride. They then decided that it was the seperate ecu that combines the shocks with the bike and that they were out of sinc meaning that the ride would be ok once re set but would get worse as it gets out of sinc over time. They had BMW UK then Germany on this who confirmed the problem.

New ECU fitted and much better...back to how I remembered it when new.....BMW stated they weren't aware of other bikes with this issue which is rubbish as I know of at least two others who had the same problem.

whilst I loved the motor I lost confidence in the bike and went back to a TC....much better ride and better long distance euro touring machine IMO.

That's not to say that you have to same problem, I hope the new rear shock does the job but if not eel free to come back to me if you want to pursue through the dealer and need some info. I have to say that my dealer Vines was excellent through the whole process.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Electronic suspension wizardry - doncha just love it eh! Just something more complicated to go wrong. Glad I have reverted back to a non-ESA bike, it's a lot simpler to twist a preload knob and turn a damping screw.

Hope they get it sorted for your hols.

 

[Karlread]

Thorne is near Doncaster, it is a holding pen for all of the squeaky new BMW cars and bikes that come into the country.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

it's a lot simpler to twist a preload knob and turn a damping screw.
)

No thanks, done my time at that, I'm happy pushing a button

 

[oldnfat]

Gotta say I am with Lord Snooty on this one. IF I could have found a 2013 GSA TC without ESA I would have had it.....I am done with the electric suspension m'larky after my last experience. Still maintain the best handling GS I had was my 08 GS with Wilbers....sublime...right up until I threw it down the road after losing an argument with a deer.

 

[busy builder]

Mine squirms over bumps and raised white lines. I was convinced it was the tyres being squared off, but they've only done 3000 miles and after checking them, they don't appear to be squared off.

I've tried suspension on all different settings, the bike does seem better on normal road setting, and in fact seems better some days and worse on others, I can't seem to pin it down so may have to take it to the dealers.

I'm off out with some fast lads on Saturday to Applecross so may ask one of them to give it a go.

 

[Troppo]

Mine has been perfect. I need a new front, as I have been pushing it hard in the twisties....