The Sound of GSA LC...

[Madsplash]

The GSA LC has arrived and I managed to contain my excitement before I exploded!
And what better way to kick off 2017? A cracking day riding my new pride and joy.

I downloaded a track from ABR and off I went. Soon it became apparent that it was the wrong day and the wrong track!
Temperatures were very low and treacherous patches of ice were spotted here and there. Soon the track went from a B road to country farming track. A one point as I rode over the brow of the track my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as in front of me as the track descended the water that usually runs over the track was completely frozen!
Too late to turn around, beside the track, a mud and grassy verge was too slippery for the tyres to get grip. I stopped and studied the options, well the option really. And that was to keep the front wheel on the centre where some grip was still possible while watching the back wheel slip side ways as it came into the ice.
Slowly the back wheel continue to slide till came in touch with the grass where it stopped sliding sideways.

The effort I put to avoid what looked the inevitable was enormous and with my tail in between my legs I returned to the 1st B road I came across with and continue the day ride but this time in a more relaxed way.

I wasn't ready to drop it on my first date!

Now one thing I found compared to the Hexhead was that at low revs it has a sort of a growling sound coming from the engine and noise coming from the cockpit. A kinda noise as if 2 parts were rubbing against each other but sounded like coming through air flow on the cockpit.

Could this cockpit noise be the one described by others from the Anakee III?

And with regards to the engine noise... Is this normal on this engine and me not being used to it?

Looking forward to hear your inputs

Thanks and regards

Madsplash

 

[batman1]

Yep, The Anakees do sound like that and the engine does sound like that!

Welcome aboard!

However, when the roads are drier and maybe a bit warmer, and you are using most of the revs available in Dymanic mode it's all gonna come together and sound just fine

 

[Madsplash]

Great to hear that, very re-assuring!
Thanks batman1!

 

[kurienp]

Congratulations madsplash! Enjoy the bike.

I am one of them, who on a.cold Jan morning, many years ago, took out his new bike and dropped it on black ice on day 1

Yeah, the noise will get getting used to. Ride it, enjoy it, and give it time and you'll come to love it.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Madsplash]

Thanks kurienp,

I love the bike, the gear changing is smooth with no "clanking" and the response is nippy! Love the handling and I'm sure there will be great day ahead enjoying this machine.
I just wanted to make sure that all this noises were part and parcel of the new bike and not another issue as so many have been here described.

Will definitely change those Anakee III tyres... Don't really like them that much.

 

[charliehorse]

I am new to the GS and I was wondering about that howling noise too.
Gets more obvious if you look down the front forks.
I suspected the Anakee III's.
I found a patch of road with different surfaces and found that the note changed if I changed from one surface to another.
Riding on a white marking was also quieter so sure enough it was the tyres.
They have a reputation for being a bit noisy.
Enjoy the new bike

 

[vRSG60]

The note does change on differing surfaces. I had Anakee IIIs on and now have PR4s.
They howl too but not as much.

 

[Nutty]

I've got a set of Avon Trailriders waiting to go on my bike, when I man up and brave the cold weather to ride over and get them fitted.

 

[DottyDog]

It's interesting that you comment on the Howel of the tyres. I've gone from a TKC70 to a PR4 and have a horrible noise coming from the front now between 20mph and 50mph. Almost sounds like it's rubbing on the mud guard. Noise is so bad bike is going back to the dealer on Friday to have a look. Really hoping it's not a tyre characteristic. Surely PR4 is quieter than a TKC70 - or maybe they just broke my bike fitting the tyres....


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[Madsplash]

Hi DottyDog

I have exactly that same feel with regards to my GSA and the Anakee's 3. I get that same rubbing noise and it comes from the same area as others have described above. A mate has confirmed that the howling noise in indeed from the Anakee's tyres.

Now what I'm curious about is how did you find the TKC 70? I've heard that they are a bit noisy but how noisy and what did you think of the handling in dry and wet?

Regards

 

[stick]

Conti Trail Attacks ... no noise just grip

 

[DottyDog]

Hi DottyDog

I have exactly that same feel with regards to my GSA and the Anakee's 3. I get that same rubbing noise and it comes from the same area as others have described above. A mate has confirmed that the howling noise in indeed from the Anakee's tyres.

Now what I'm curious about is how did you find the TKC 70? I've heard that they are a bit noisy but how noisy and what did you think of the handling in dry and wet?

Regards

They came with the bike so I didn't choose them per-say. I ride 365 so having only got the bike within the last couple of months thought I'd "put up" with them over the winter and then swap them in the spring. I read loads of bits on the net about how terrible they were and how at motorway speeds they create a wobble.

However, I have to say, I liked them. I didn't find them noisy, I do about 10miles of my commute blasting down the M56 and never experienced any wobble or anything that made me have a brown pant moment. They gave me extra confidence on wet roads, tram lines and gravel on roads. Oh and I think they look better on a GSA . It's probably worth noting that I'm no Rossi - I've had the bike on Rain mode for the last couple of months for instance.

If BMW say on Friday that the howel or drone or whatever it might be is a tyre thing I will be seriously tempted to swap back. It will be an expensive mistake that's for sure. They're could be some cheap brand new PR4's coming up for sale soon!


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[octatonic]

Anyone tried the PR4 Trail?
I was thinking of giving them a go when the noisy Anakee 3's wear out.

 

[Skid06]

good earplugs are the only solution, i never bothered till i bought my first LC

 

[Madsplash]

They came with the bike so I didn't choose them per-say. I ride 365 so having only got the bike within the last couple of months thought I'd "put up" with them over the winter and then swap them in the spring. I read loads of bits on the net about how terrible they were and how at motorway speeds they create a wobble.

However, I have to say, I liked them. I didn't find them noisy, I do about 10miles of my commute blasting down the M56 and never experienced any wobble or anything that made me have a brown pant moment. They gave me extra confidence on wet roads, tram lines and gravel on roads. Oh and I think they look better on a GSA . It's probably worth noting that I'm no Rossi - I've had the bike on Rain mode for the last couple of months for instance.

If BMW say on Friday that the howel or drone or whatever it might be is a tyre thing I will be seriously tempted to swap back. It will be an expensive mistake that's for sure. They're could be some cheap brand new PR4's coming up for sale soon!


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Thanks for your view on the subject. I think my choice will be between the TKC 70 and the Michelin Anakee Wild although the Wild are more offroad that than the TKC 70.
Please keep us updated with the results from the dealership.

 

[batman1]

Anyone tried the PR4 Trail?
I was thinking of giving them a go when the noisy Anakee 3's wear out.

The PR4's also drone around 45/50mph but are fine once you get a move on. It seems as though the characteristics of the bodywork and beak etc guide the noise up through the gap between the instruments and the headstock.

I always ride with earplugs so it's not a problem for me.

I'd be interested to know if the new Scorpion trails drone?

 

[DottyDog]

Thought I'd just update you on my road noise complaints having dropped the bike back with Williams this morning. No surprises really, they can't find any fault so simply put it down to tyre noise. Really disappointing. £276 fitted to swap back to TKC70's which I can't justify at the moment. I'll do another tank of fuel on the PR4 Trails and then reassess. Interestingly though Williams said that the PR4's are the quietest tyre and many of their customers are switching to them from the Anakee's. Bummer dude....


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[crotchrocket]

May i suggest you get a noisy exhaust to drown out the tyre drone

 

[Nutty]

Thought I'd just update you on my road noise complaints having dropped the bike back with Williams this morning. No surprises really, they can't find any fault so simply put it down to tyre noise. Really disappointing. £276 fitted to swap back to TKC70's which I can't justify at the moment. I'll do another tank of fuel on the PR4 Trails and then reassess. Interestingly though Williams said that the PR4's are the quietest tyre and many of their customers are switching to them from the Anakee's. Bummer dude....


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Make sure you get a decent tyre plugging kit, and compressor if you move to PR4's!

 

[Madsplash]

Thought I'd just update you on my road noise complaints having dropped the bike back with Williams this morning. No surprises really, they can't find any fault so simply put it down to tyre noise. Really disappointing. £276 fitted to swap back to TKC70's which I can't justify at the moment. I'll do another tank of fuel on the PR4 Trails and then reassess. Interestingly though Williams said that the PR4's are the quietest tyre and many of their customers are switching to them from the Anakee's. Bummer dude....


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Thanks DottyDog for the update.
I'm sticking to the Anakee's for now as they are brand new and I can't justify the change at this stage but will definitely consider the TKC 70 and the Anakee wild. Unless someone brings some serious advise against any of them.

Rgds