Running in

[neilflash]

Hi i am still running in my very first gs1200 i just want to know if they are always a little bit snatchy when you change up or down or is it me putting gas on to quickly or does the snatchyness go away after run in ???

 

[Dellis]

Hi i am still running in my very first gs1200 i just want to know if they are always a little bit snatchy when you change up or down or is it me putting gas on to quickly or does the snatchyness go away after run in ???

Sounds like you to be honest but you'll get used to the bike and they do smooth out with the miles.

Dave

 

[dogman]

I have a new GSA which feels a bit agricultural, particularly around town, but it's what they do I believe. Me is hoping it smoothes out as well!

 

[RickG]

It makes so much difference what bike you had before as you now have 2 big pistons that make a 2 big bangs at the tiniest of throttle openings and transfer a dollop or torque to the rear wheel resulting in a lurch forward. The engine braking when you shut the throttle will make it jerk in the other direction. If you've been used to a multi, especially a small sports one you will have been used to opening the throttle a bit from tickover and nothing much happening apart from a bit more noise out the back.

Yes a new GS bike can be jerky, as will any big twin, especially if the throttle balance is off and this will be more common with a new bike until the cables and whatnot settle down and a throttle body rebalance lasts longer than a 2000 miles or so.

In essence you need to:

1) develop sensitive throttle control at low speeds in low gear
2) be patient with the bike until it's done a few thousand miles
3) keep the throttle bodies balanced
4) do the TPS reset once in a while (do a search)
5) get used to running in higher gears than you may normally think of using in traffic, you can plonk along in 3rd or 4th at 2000 rpm or less with no problem which will lessen the effects of sudden small throttle changes

 

[Pathologic]

Like what he said but run it in first.

It makes so much difference what bike you had before as you now have 2 big pistons that make a 2 big bangs at the tiniest of throttle openings and transfer a dollop or torque to the rear wheel resulting in a lurch forward. The engine braking when you shut the throttle will make it jerk in the other direction. If you've been used to a multi, especially a small sports one you will have been used to opening the throttle a bit from tickover and nothing much happening apart from a bit more noise out the back.

Yes a new GS bike can be jerky, as will any big twin, especially if the throttle balance is off and this will be more common with a new bike until the cables and whatnot settle down and a throttle body rebalance lasts longer than a 2000 miles or so.

In essence you need to:

1) develop sensitive throttle control at low speeds in low gear
2) be patient with the bike until it's done a few thousand miles
3) keep the throttle bodies balanced
4) do the TPS reset once in a while (do a search)
5) get used to running in higher gears than you may normally think of using in traffic, you can plonk along in 3rd or 4th at 2000 rpm or less with no problem which will lessen the effects of sudden small throttle changes

This is all true, but your new GS needs a little bit of tough love at the moment. Wait until you have had the first service and done a few more mile before plonking along at 2000 revs in 3 or 4 gear.

I am running a GS at the moment, and I know opinions vary. The middle ground seems to be rev it freely up to 4-5 k and occassionally, as the miles go by over 5k. Even the manual says don't do lots of motorway miles and don't let it labour at low revs. They say find some twisty hilly roads, which is a great place to learn how it behaves in its natural environment.

GS'es are an acquired taste. Try putting a little pressure on the gear lever before pulling in the clutch. That seems to smooth things out. If it is of any comfort, the 2009 bikes are considered to be the smoothest ones ever (from new - I am sure some R80 G/S with 90 squillion miles on it is smooth too. OK).

You can never be too careful on this site.

Ride safe,

Path.

 

[GSmonkey]

.......I think it's the rider that needs running in. As said above, the GS is an acquired taste, but after a few thousand miles everything will be smooth with you and the bike.

Either that, or you'll throw your toys out of the pram, say how shite the GS is and do a flounce!!

Enjoy the GS

 

[SJPB1982]

I have just finished running mine in and can honestly say that it is smoother than mycar. My car is a Honda civic though

 

[gavin@iow]

.......I think it's the rider that needs running in. As said above, the GS is an acquired taste, but after a few thousand miles everything will be smooth with you and the bike.

Agree, mine's beginning to loosen nicely now, only taken 5 years and 14,000 miles!...(i don't get out much)

 

[ncpierce]

Try putting a little pressure on the gear lever before pulling in the clutch. That seems to smooth things out.

Falling that clutchless upshifting at around 4k is also a good bet - takes a bit of practice though.

 

[Engineer]

Just over 4 years and nearly 41,000 miles and my 1200GS feels as though it is just about run in

 

[El-Stoopido]

Falling that clutchless upshifting at around 4k is also a good bet - takes a bit of practice though.

I am a big fan of the clutchless upshift: Apply slight pressure to the gear change lever, blip the throttle closed and open and away you go (doen't work for downshifts though!)

Also, if you use your bike mostly onroad, try stiffening up the suspension slightly from the standard settings; it won't smooth out the engine any, but the bike won't waddle about so much after a change.