Suspension settings

[Tim Mitchell]

Have had my new R1200GS for three weeks and covered 1200 miles. I am finding it top heavy and dropped it when I stopped at a road junction recently because my leg was not long enough to cope with the road camber. Have bought the lowest seat but get bum ache after only 50 miles so have replaced the standard seat (on low setting) and reduced the front suspension preload from 2 (as delivered) to 1 and the rear from 10 (standard) to 1 in an effort to reduce the ride height. What is the downside, if any, to doing this? Has anyone else had this problem and how have you overcome it? I am beginning to lose confidence which is a shame as it is otherwise such a great bike.

 

[Deadskin]

Tim
I'm in the same boat as you,
with the low seat and the rear suspension set below standard,
i have both feet flat on the floor.
Unfortunately the handling tends to suffer,
Heres a pic of Wraithwrider machine with a Wunderlich low ergo seat on which is slightly lower than the low bmw seat and a lot
more comfortable,
I think there about £250

 

[ag1s]

Have had my new R1200GS for three weeks and covered 1200 miles. I am finding it top heavy and dropped it when I stopped at a road junction recently because my leg was not long enough to cope with the road camber. Have bought the lowest seat but get bum ache after only 50 miles so have replaced the standard seat (on low setting) and reduced the front suspension preload from 2 (as delivered) to 1 and the rear from 10 (standard) to 1 in an effort to reduce the ride height. What is the downside, if any, to doing this? Has anyone else had this problem and how have you overcome it? I am beginning to lose confidence which is a shame as it is otherwise such a great bike.

if you are prepared to spend a bit of money, then call a good suspension dealer (technoflex, hyperpro) and order a shorter suspension unit for the front.

 

[JAY]

The only downside Tim is that the handling may possibly suffer but then that's a very individual thing. If you are riding it with the preload right off and it feels ok, then stick with it. Is the low seat uncomfortable because it cramps your legs or that the padding is too thin? If the latter it may be cheaper to get it re upholstered with a gel insert.

Good luck and persevere with the bike. Three weeks is not long to get use to the problem of getting your feet down.

John

 

[sjwb]

As long as you adjust both ends to the lowest (comfortable) setting the handling will NOT suffer; only ground clearance.
Do check that the damper setting at the rear is not set too stiff - too much rebound damping can be detrimental in extremis.
I am in Coventry if you need any help - email me.

 

[Tim Mitchell]

Thanks to you all who replied to my question. I am finding no problems with both suspension units set to minimum and the rear damping set to 2½ turns out. Now I can get my feet firmly down!
I fear the spill might have bent the left end of the handlebars as full lock is now nearer the tank. Are the handlebars that soft? Any easy fix?

 

[Steve B]

Tim

I believe you are trying to contact sjwb (his website name) regarding this issue but I have received a message from BHT requesting I contact you. I think you've got me confused with this Steve B.
Now I'm confused.

Steve B (my website name)

 

[sjwb]

One would have thought that sjwb and Steve B were far enough apart to avoid confusion
However, as is evident, our signatures are somewhat similar.
Perhaps I will change my signature as my initials were given to me by my parents and I am rather fond of them.
Here's to transparency in communication

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Dropping your GS

It is not too difficult to drop your bike when low speed turning and I would say it is more often due a lack of experience (with the 'bike) than leg length. I dropped my 1150GS about 3 days after I had it, in front of a group of friends - and my feet will easily touch the ground. Be careful which way to tilt it when stopping if there is a camber. Anyway if you have a decent pair oif 'crash bars' fitted with luck only your pride will suffer. My 1200GS has remained upright when stationary since September - but I would never ride it, even just moving from the garage, unless wearing 'proper' motorcycle boots. It is a wonderful machine and you will soon get used to it. Best wishes, Brian