Traction and wheelie control

[jimbo]

BWM kindly replaced my rear drive and swing arm yesterday and lent me a newish R1200R.

The main thing I noticed was that if the throttle was used to lift the front wheel on the r1200r, the power was gently reduced and the wheel touched back down. Really smooth and nice.

On my 2014 GS bike, the same input produces a reaction much like the ignition wire has been cut - the the front bang down down with the subtly of a dropped brick.

Is this just 2 years of BMWs development to improve things, or should I be ask BMW to check for issues or can they update the software.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

My GSA was the same once it kicked in it slammed the front down as like you say the ignition has been cut.

The XR is very different it allows smooth anti wheelie and lets the front wheel float along ( at some very silly speeds)

Different bikes and newer or upgraded systems seems the answer.

Of course it is all worked from the ABS/traction control, which was IMO very intrusive on the GSA LC i had whereas hardly noticeable at all on the XR but that could be down to different frame / suspension and tyres

 

[crotchrocket]

The R1200R can be spec'd with dynamic traction control which is a more refined system than the GS. I think the GS just uses the wheel speed from the ABS sensors for the traction control. no measure of acceleration etc

 

[ChazzyB]

I'm a wheelie virgin (and have no real desire to be otherwise). Just how far up does the front come before this happens? I've had the front end get a shade light and flappy when nailing it in 2nd and 3rd, but don't *think* the wheel has left the ground. I'm usually in Dynamic mode (unless it's wet, when I use Road).

 

[GS TRV]

I doubt this feature gets much use on GS barges

 

[thumperbob2002]

On the GS you have to switch off the TC- its so easy just one button and the best thing about it is it REMEMBERs !! Try that on a KTM.

With the XR being basically a higher up S1000R the Wheelie control is so much better- in dynamic pro you can wheelie for ages with the TC on( but not at the balance point ) I had the S1000R which was a true wheelie monster. The GSA I have however is a better wheelie bike- in Road mode very smooth and controllable- looks great too as the bike is so huge.

 

[telbenj]

On the GS you have to switch off the TC- its so easy just one button and the best thing about it is it REMEMBERs !! Try that on a KTM.

With the XR being basically a higher up S1000R the Wheelie control is so much better- in dynamic pro you can wheelie for ages with the TC on( but not at the balance point ) I had the S1000R which was a true wheelie monster. The GSA I have however is a better wheelie bike- in Road mode very smooth and controllable- looks great too as the bike is so huge.

Do you clutch your bike to wheelie or of the throttle, 1st or 2nd I've tried mine in 2nd using the clutch in Dynamic but it seems to come up to violently,
Shall have to try road mode.

Terry

 

[crotchrocket]

Front end comes up under throttle in 2nd no need for the clutch. Regarding the TC switch, the TC does stay off after you turn the bike off / on again but only with the coding key inserted (For Enduro Pro mode) Otherwise its just always set to 'on' when you turn the bike on.

 

[DaveS]

BWM kindly replaced my rear drive and swing arm yesterday and lent me a newish R1200R.

The main thing I noticed was that if the throttle was used to lift the front wheel on the r1200r, the power was gently reduced and the wheel touched back down. Really smooth and nice.

On my 2014 GS bike, the same input produces a reaction much like the ignition wire has been cut - the the front bang down down with the subtly of a dropped brick.

Is this just 2 years of BMWs development to improve things, or should I be ask BMW to check for issues or can they update the software.

Yes I felt the same. Moving from the super tenere which is nice and smooth, on the GSA you can face plant the clocks if you're not ready for it.

 

[wildoat]

Do you clutch your bike to wheelie or of the throttle, 1st or 2nd I've tried mine in 2nd using the clutch in Dynamic but it seems to come up to violently,
Shall have to try road mode.

Terry

Using the clutch to wheelie a bike does even more damage/causes more wear to components in the drivetrain than wheeling just off the throttle. For what it's worth wheelies are a bit over rated, especially if you have any sort of mechanical sympathy for your bike!

 

[jimbo]

Yes I felt the same. Moving from the super tenere which is nice and smooth, on the GSA you can face plant the clocks if you're not ready for it.

I am suspicious that the 2016 model with the corner ABS may have sorted the brutality of the anti-wheelie. I rode a 2016 model and in Dynamic it seemed to feather the throttle to just gently low the front, whereas on my 2015 it's, as you put it so well, face plant time. I was hoping that there might be a software update....

 

[thumperbob2002]

Using the clutch to wheelie a bike does even more damage/causes more wear to components in the drivetrain than wheeling just off the throttle. For what it's worth wheelies are a bit over rated, especially if you have any sort of mechanical sympathy for your bike!

Don't know about that pal. Never ever had any problems with the clutch on any bike and have been using this technique for about 40 years. It's not about being rough with the bike. A wheelie is simply a way of transferring the weight of the bike to the back. The gentler the better.


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