Vague Front End

[Chapperz]

Hi all,
I have a 2011 GS1200. Could anyone tell me if it is my bike or are all GS`s a bit light at the front end when reaching speeds of 120mph + (carried out on a track) of course No panniers on the bike, just a topbox and I am only 11 and a half stone. No pillion and the rear shock set at midway. The handlebars at speed feel like they are detached from the bike. Any ideas anybody? Obviously there will be the usual pisstakers, but if anybody can give any genuine help or advise it would be much appreciated. Thanks. P.S The bike is all standard with no ESA.

 

[Blackal]

I came to the conclusion that it was the screen which was making my 1200 GSA a bit vague above 95ish............

May not be that, of course

How stable are you expecting it to be at 120mph?

Al

 

[Schtum]

Remove the topbox and increase the rear preload.

I once saw a genuine 122 mph on the GPS on my first '04 GS with full panniers and a Laminar Lip on the screen. From memory it was pretty stable but I always ran close to max preload on the rear shock to get the bike to turn more quickly.

 

[Nutty]

They all do that Why do you want to go so fast anyway, there's no hurry

 

[Chapperz]

Thanks for the replies Blackal & Schtum. I have the screen set on the highest so I will drop it down but even now I do get quite a bit of buffetin even tho I am only 5ft 8".I will also put the tighten up the rear shock to max preload and see if makes any difference. I know its not a sportsbike and isnt really built for speed but it just feels a bit unsafe when gettin a move on. Cheers.

 

[Schtum]

Thanks for the replies Blackal & Schtum. I have the screen set on the highest so I will drop it down but even now I do get quite a bit of buffetin even tho I am only 5ft 8".I will also put the tighten up the rear shock to max preload and see if makes any difference. I know its not a sportsbike and isnt really built for speed but it just feels a bit unsafe when gettin a move on. Cheers.

I just found a pic from the weekend of the 122 mph on the GPS. I was chasing that, now sadly deceased, hooligan on the RSV Factory and my son on the VFR and MJS on the late hooligan's Honda CB500S pedalled it very hard to keep in touch.

If you want to lessen the buffeting, you could do worse than try a Laminar Lip and a pair of Adventure winglets, like the ones on my bike in the pic.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

No it's Bollox, mine is stable well past 140.............tosser

 

[grumpy ol git]

vageness

Top Box Mate. Top Box. That's why BMW Write in the Riders Manual. An advised Max Speed with any luggage equipment fitted. Side cases do the same thing. Triumph have tried to cure the problem by making there cases on a Floating system. that don't work either.

 

[Daffy]

Top Box Mate. Top Box. That's why BMW Write in the Riders Manual. An advised Max Speed with any luggage equipment fitted. Side cases do the same thing. Triumph have tried to cure the problem by making there cases on a Floating system. that don't work either.

Agreed, on the few times I have done it mine seems to get into a gentle weave at about 120 with the top box fitted that I could handle, i would normally expect to ride through it but I tried for a top speed run in Germany last year and didn't have gonads big enough to get past the 125 mark.

Take the top box off and try again although the words about suspension settings and screen position are correct I think you will see a difference.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Mine got really horrible at 120mph last week in the strong winds. GS screen set fairly high, Givi topbox and big old bar muffs fitted.

 

[Tonibe63]

Top box, my 2007 has done it for 5 years at motorway speeds+a bit.
It just becomes normal with no nasty surprises.

 

[pistolpete]

2006 1200gs with top box at 120mph with no real dramas, wilbers rear shock with a lot of preload and MRA vario screen make a big difference I think, I had the givi sail on for a while and it felt dangerous on the motorway even at normal speeds, the front end will feel slightly vague on the gs as there are no aerodynamics to speak of, try a busa at 120 and you will think your doing 60

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Ditto winding up the preload and maybe a smidgen of extra damping.

Also, consider the tyres - my experience has been that dual sport tyres are not quite as stable as pure road tyres at very high speeds, especially when loaded up.

Andres

 

[cookie]

the cure is to go a bit slower down roads that are a lot windier

 

[Mr K]

Check your front tyre pressure.
I once went to Ireland and back and was annoyed that the bars were wagging though corners...... I had 15psi in the front tyre....

 

[Chapperz]

Thanks all for the replies. Tyre pressures were set right, so I will tighten up the rear and drop the screen to lowest + remove the vario topbox and let you know how I get on. I do realise that with this type of bike it will never feel 100% planted at high speeds but hopefully I can get it so it feels like the front end is still attached to the bike. Cheers.

 

[Bendy toy]

If it had "normal" forks I would say check the steering head bearings. Any knotchyness will cause a speed weave because the steering is being over corrected due to steps in the bearing races. But its not a normal tele fork so the head bearings might not be such an issue.

Otherwise, check wheel bearings and put the screen way back - its less turbulent like that. Top box can aggravate things.

 

[Fluffy Bridges]

120 mph! Christ, it's a tourer fer Chrissaakes..

Hi all,
I have a 2011 GS1200. Could anyone tell me if it is my bike or are all GS`s a bit light at the front end when reaching speeds of 120mph + (carried out on a track) of course No panniers on the bike, just a topbox and I am only 11 and a half stone. No pillion and the rear shock set at midway. The handlebars at speed feel like they are detached from the bike. Any ideas anybody? Obviously there will be the usual pisstakers, but if anybody can give any genuine help or advise it would be much appreciated. Thanks. P.S The bike is all standard with no ESA.

Mrs Fluff won't let me go over 80, leastways not till she's asleep on the back. I have to tell her what speed I'm doing so she can tell me off...

Believe that and pigs will fly...

 

[Bendy toy]

If the screen is pulled down to a low angle it might lift the front end when speeds go high enough. Air over faster than air under = low pressure wing effect.