Suspension Again

[Russ]

Ok does anyone else find their 12 is a 'hard' in the suspension dept.?

The handling seems to be sorted in the twisties, and once cranked over it's rock solid, but;

If the front wheel hits a bump it seems to leave the ground for a fraction of a second and if this happens whilst braking the ABS kicks in, with the inevitable sloppy stopping!

The rear when under medium to hard acceleration load seems to buck on similar dips in the road, i'm, talking slightly sunken drain covers here, not road humps, and when cranked over it causes the rear to slide before it regains grip (fun but annoying)

It all seems a bit too stiff, are they all like this or did mine come specially configured out the crate.

If the suspension is like this i'd dread using the thing off-road it's liable to take off!

Superb bike otherwise.

 

[Dutchman]

Suspension

Hi Russ

My first 1200Gs had rock hard suspension from the start which only became more pliant after 2-3000 miles.....most of which were done with a pillion & full luggage. Became even worse with adjustment.

My current 1200GS had much more pliant suspension when it was delivered and has remained much the same after 4500 miles (all solo) and responds well to adjustment.

Not sure if they've altered the spec of the shocks or whether I had a duff one.......(in more than one respect!)

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Deleted Member MM]

Re: Suspension

My first 1200Gs had rock hard suspension from the start which only became more pliant after 2-3000 miles.
My current 1200GS had much more pliant suspension when it was delivered
Not sure if they've altered the spec of the shocks or whether I had a duff one.......(in more than one respect!)

Georgia took delivery of her 1200 in April, I got mine in Sept.
Found the same as Dutchman, mines much more compliant.. the front if anything is a little soft.
Does make you wonder if the Suspension spec has changed.
Chris.. mines an Aug build, what's yours?

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Re: Suspension

Chris.. mines an Aug build, what's yours?

Colin

Mine's a July build....

Cheers

Dutch

 

[laughingBob]

Mine seems just about right. I have turned up the preload on the back but, not by much. I tested mine at the weekend and with fully loaded panniers and wife on back I hardly notice the extra weight. The bike didn't suffer from any of the grounding out that some riders have reported. Mine is a week old.

 

[JayGee]

Mine is a July build and has always seemed a bit soft at the back but the front is about right. The front is on the standard setting (3 from minimum preload), the rear is 9 on the preload (or 19 when two up) and the rebound is one turn off max (1/2 a turn off max for two up).
If it's skipping after dips in the tarmac then a bit less rebound damping might make the wheel sink into the dip quicker on the other hand if it's bouncng out of the dip a bit more rebound might reduce this tendancy. I find too little rebound makes it feel a bit bouncy especially when coming to a halt.
I certainly would classify the suspension as soft but maybe it's a matter of what one is used to. I've not noticed any jumping about in fast bumpy bends and I'm more than happy with the handling.
Cheers John

 

[Capsize]

Lets face it these bikes have to be designed to cater for a wide variety of rider and luggage weights; so the suspension will inevitably be a compromise.

Effective suspension is a function of many inputs from static loads, to unsprung weight to the surface travelled and apart from initial spring rate, is tuned by adjustability of spring preload, compression and rebound damping.

I have to admit that I was a little surprised at the lack of adjustability of the 1200 suspension and I am struggling to find a setting that I am really happy with. (11.5 st rider only 20st rider +pillion)

I will keep trying settings a click at a time to see what difference it makes and if I really cannot find a good setting then may consider replacement shocks.

 

[Russ]

Funnily enough i got on it today and the suspension seemed more complaint

Either i'm used to it, or its getting used to me (all 14st and a errr bit)

This bike just gets more sublime as each day goes buy.

I gave up keeping it under the 4K limit ages ago, and have been exploring the 6-7K region (not regularly, but once in a while)...I have found a power step at around 5ishK rpm, and anything over 100mph FEELS like its over 100mph...bonkers fun

 

[SQD8R]

suspension doesn't break in until a significant number of miles are covered. It stands to reason that it will be stiff initially. Personally I feel it has more than enough adjustment. We aren't racing Moto GP afterall.

 

[Capsize]

suspension doesn't break in until a significant number of miles are covered.

It's not 'breaking in' your noticing as time goes on and it gets softer; it's wearing out


Capsize

Sometimes a whinge is as good as a rest

 

[Deadskin]

Suspension

Had my second go on the CW's demo,
roundabouts are a nightmare the bike understeers,
the fronts on the softest setting and the rears the hard side
of standard.
I had ohlins on my last GS but it's an expensive option
that i'd rather not do.
or maybe i could carry some ballast