Vibration at 5000 rpm - 2014 GS TE

[FBF]

May be advisable to find a friend who's got a GS as the GSA is considerably less vibey than the GS so a GSA owner may not be able to give you a fair opinion.

 

[madmartin]

Ive been following this thread with interest... .Bought a set of genuine bmw engine bars off ebay recently and promptly fitted them myself no problem dead easy. Thought nothing of it. Left the bike in the garage until 2x weeks later when i got to ride it.
Was'nt until about 30 or so miles into the ride when holding steady at about 4k revs i notice a rumbling vibe through the whole bike.. again didnt think to much of it,but now this has got me thinking the bars could be the culprit.
Gonna pull em off and see how it goes.
My lc previously was pretty smooth and just the usual flat twin rumble. Anybody else similair?

 

[DING-DONG]

Are you sure youre not being all totally ocd, its a motorbike, they do vibrate a bit, there may be tiny differences due to manufacturing tolerances. Good luck.

But the loan bike he had did not vibrate and his still does ! not sure thats being OCD, why should they be different, then again the dealer told me every wc bike seems to be different in some mechanical way, but this should not be the case .

 

[DING-DONG]

I feel for this fella, I've been in the same situation, BMW and steve bellars said my shite gearbox was acceptable and the magic word they like to use, characteristics of the gs, needless to say my other WC did not share the same awful characteristics.

Andy Cook is the man @ BMW you need to discuss your issues with, they are pretty good tbh and I'm sure they will honour the previous deal, they did for myself when i was not happy with a new engine, infact they offered several options, but then i was a pain in the arse they needed to get shot of and they had noted all my posts on this forum.

Good luck fella.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

No, not OCD Si. The bikes not right, never has been. I've now ridden a number of these, so know mines worse than those I had a go on.

Its better than it was, but I wouldn't want to use it as a daily.

I fully understand the vibration on bikes, flat / V twins etc, I've been riding for over 30 years, I'm 47 now.

I'm going to ask my mate Rich to have a go on it. He's owned GS's and currently had a GSA.

The week long lone bike idea is a good suggestion as well.

Have you tried your bike minus the engine bars/guards? Do you know why it was for sale in the first place?

You seem to have been more than patient so i think i would be looking to cut lose from the bike, either with a different one youve perhaps tried for a week etc or ask the dealer to return of your funds. must have put a real downer on the whole experience.

All the best with it pal, you will get there soon i'm sure!
Si.

 

[Billy Big Roy]

Have you tried your bike minus the engine bars/guards? Do you know why it was for sale in the first place?

You seem to have been more than patient so i think i would be looking to cut lose from the bike, either with a different one youve perhaps tried for a week etc or ask the dealer to return of your funds. must have put a real downer on the whole experience.

All the best with it pal, you will get there soon i'm sure!
Si.

Thanks Si. Your right, its has put a real downer on it. Decided today I just want shot of it. I want to buy a new one so I know the history, I can run it in, and fingers crossed, it will ride as it should ride for a £14k + bike.

When I first took it back to be looked at, they removed the bars and I noticed no difference, hence I found it strange Steve from BMW did when he rode it, and thus they decided to replace them.

I think the engine mount re torque has made the minor improvement, but will it return after a few miles once the mounts shift / re settle? Who knows, but I don't want to be owning it if / when that happens.

Thanks again to everyone for your support. Hopefully should have a "plan" by Monday night re replacement / sale.

 

[Billy Big Roy]

I feel for this fella, I've been in the same situation, BMW and steve bellars said my shite gearbox was acceptable and the magic word they like to use, characteristics of the gs, needless to say my other WC did not share the same awful characteristics.

Andy Cook is the man @ BMW you need to discuss your issues with, they are pretty good tbh and I'm sure they will honour the previous deal, they did for myself when i was not happy with a new engine, infact they offered several options, but then i was a pain in the arse they needed to get shot of and they had noted all my posts on this forum.

Good luck fella.

Thanks Mate.

Yeah, I've heard the "thats the characteristics of the bike" and thats how the "GS's rides" excuse a few times.

My reply, why didn't the demo bikes ride like that then...?

 

[Engineer]

The problem with issues like this (gearbox, vibration, clutch, suspension) is that they are all very subjective, so what one person thinks is unacceptable is perfectly ok to another - modern manufacturing process mean that every bike should be almost identical - so apart from ones that are obviously 'broken', the remainder must be in the eye (mind) of the beholder.

 

[DING-DONG]

My reply, why didn't the demo bikes ride like that then...?

That was exactly my argument, my 14 bike did not replicate the same issues and neither did the 13 bike that had a dodgy frame !! and was also returned, my dealer was on my side and even admitted every wc seems to be different, obviously some in a good way and some not so good.

Just hang in there, be patient there's light at the end of the tunnel fella.

 

[DC]

I was offered a replacement bike or a new one (me paying the difference), but decided to let them fix this one .

your back to square one in reality cos they have not fixed it ! take another one of the options they gave you …if you have your heart set on a Blue GSA ..go for it …..tell them this is the road you want to go down and are prepared to wait till next delivery of those machines ….it maybe that there stock does not have a blue one but they can order one from the dealers "internal list" ….if that dont happen just give yours back use there demo till March …I'm sure they will oblige, they seem to have been very decent with you and will want your future custom

 

[DING-DONG]

The problem with issues like this (gearbox, vibration, clutch, suspension) is that they are all very subjective, so what one person thinks is unacceptable is perfectly ok to another - modern manufacturing process mean that every bike should be almost identical - so apart from ones that are obviously 'broken', the remainder must be in the eye (mind) of the beholder.

I somewhat agree with you there, because it depends on what bike you have come from, being spoilt by a silky smooth inline-4, then straight onto a gs can be a shock ! and nothing alike, plus you can be sucked into reading all the issues on here, on your nxt ride out you think that's not right.

But for some they have issues ! And for some they put up with the issues as they know no difference.

 

[Nutty]

Chris, as they've offered a refund or replacement previously, tell them that as they haven't fixed the initial fault, you want to go down this route. You won't have a problem with Bahnstormer, as Dean wants to keep you happy, and will look at the long term picture.

Get the blue GSA ordered, or get a white one and put the blue seats on (will look like the original SE).

 

[pistole]

vibrations and noise : very subjective.

your dealer (bless them) seem to be treating you very well. BMW as well.

good luck and perhaps a new Adventure is in the horizon for you. Keyless ... and in Blue ....

 

[WindyChuffer]

Enough is enough.

You have been admirably patient.

Time to start again.

Dean is a sound chap and willl do you proud. I know him from his SPC days when he worked for the fraudulent midget (another story) and watched his career blossom.

End of.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Dean is a sound chap and willl do you proud. I know him from his SPC days.

Just notice a name Dean.

I have know Dean since he was very small, hes worked on my bikes since he was 16, and an aprentice at Thruxton Motorcycles Andover, under old school merchanics and boss`s.

Before I jump to his defence theses things are a motor in a frame riding alone a road, I WOULD need to ride, but mine vibrates and when I rode the NEW type you have it didn`t vibrate enoghf for me so I kept my year old old style.

If theres anybody in the whole of BMW that would sort it its Dean, hes 101% BMW, I have offered him many times backing to go out on his own, in the way a bank wouldn`t, but he has BMW written though the middle like a stick of MAIDENHEAD rock.

So if hes offered you the World which I am sure he would have take it, or YAMAHA do great bikes too, you may even concider KTM.

 

[pistole]

what ?

 

[GS_or_bust]

As I said in an earlier post. There are instruments (and even phone apps) to measure vibration. Use one of these to get some actual comparative figures. Try it on a rolling road and see if you can produce the same vibration as it will be easier to measure if someone can stand beside it and measure at different points on the bike. Turn it from a subjective complaint to an objective complaint.

 

[Ianchelt]

Vibration... Mine too!!

Hi . I have one of the first 1200GS TE (Water Cooled) to hit these shores back in March 2013. And guess what it has shown the same vibration characteristics displayed in these posts. 4500-5000RPM. Not only that, two of the demonstrators I tried before buying, had the same fault as well! However, one of them didn't. Anyway I was so "sold" on the new bike concept I traded in my faithful 2010 GS in the hope that mine would be ok. It wasn't. It was back in workshop under BMW GB instructions for examination but after days of inspection, no conclusion was reached. BMW GB's official response was... wait for it.... "it is a characteristic of the GS" Humph. Anyway I have had no real choice but to persevere over the last 2 years and have had to avoid travelling at my favourite touring speed 5000rpm (82mph). The good news I have to offer is that after the bikes 12500 mile service the vibration has retreated somewhat and the ride at those revs is now bearable. However, after 8 trips to the agents of other warranty claims... mainly to do with switches and full dashboard replacement, I have decided to trade in a year early for the 2015 model. Why you may ask? Well when it's running the bike is just fantastic.... just hope the next one can stay out of the garage.. fingers crossed...

Hi all, I picked up a June 2014 GS TE just over a week ago with 948 miles on it. I didn't test ride my bike as it was in the showroom, so test rode 3 other GS TE's just to make sure I was making the right choice as I had wanted a S1000R as a daily commuter. 2 were from the same dealer, the 3rd from another.

I picked the GS over the R as it seemed a great all round bike and perfect for my daily 126 mile commute, and I was very impressed with the demo bikes.

On riding home from the dealers, I noticed the bike would vibrate badly at 5000 rpm, with the vibration starting to come in at 4500 rpm. Its so bad you can feel it through the seat and frame. I thought this may be because I had some accessories I had purchased in the top box.

By the time I had ridden the 44 miles home, I couldn't feel the finger tips in my left hand, and my backside was numb, almost to the point I was in pain.

I removed the panniers the following day, then didn't use the bike for a few days. I went to visit my parents, but they only live a few miles away from me. The bike did feel better, but I didn't managed to get it up to speed on that journey due to traffic and the weather.

Two days later, I made the dummy run to my office in Hemel Hempstead. 126 mile round trip. The bike vibrated so much, at 75 - 80 mph you couldn't see out of the rear mirrors they vibrated that bad. The seat and frame felt like I was having a mild electric shock put through my body. It would be impossible to ride the bike daily, covering those miles with the level of vibration.

I took the bike back to the dealers and was told "thats what a GS rides like". I asked why the demo didn't ride like that then, or the other bikes I had rode, but got no real explanation. I pointed out that I did not feel BMW would design a "world touring" bike that costs over £14k to ride the way mine does. Again, no real explanation.

I felt totally fobbed off, so booked the bike in to my local dealer. I drop it off later so it be looked at tomorrow.

Since I booked the bike in to another dealer, the suppling dealer asked me to take the bike to them yesterday to be looked at, so I spend nearly 3 hours there yesterday.

We tried a number of things, first thing was to remove the engine protection bars as this I was told my impacted on the harmonics of the frame. They did this, I then took it out on the road. No change at all, so they were put back on.

Next was to fit wheels and tyres from another bike on to mine. These were fitted with Conti tyres. I must admit, these did help, but only slightly. Below 3500 rpm, it felt smoother, and it moved the point the vibration comes in up by 300 rpm to 4800 rpm. It didn't totally cure it though.

Next was to complete a full bike reset, setting all the parameters back to factory. The saleman then took the bike out, and came back saying the vibration had gone! I was chuffed to bits, so suited up, thank them for all there effort and support and left for the ride home.

The vibration is still there. No change what so ever...Nothing. Totally gutted and disappointed.

I totally understand the bike has a BIG flat twin, and these aren't the smoothest of motors. I didn't purchase a Ducati as it wasn't for me.

NONE of the 3 demo bikes I rode vibrated like mine. If they had, I wouldn't of purchased a GS, I would of gone for the R, my original choice.

I'm not sure what to do? Reject the bike? Change the tyres?

The dealer is trying to resolve the issue, but if I'm honest, I do still feel like I'm not being taken seriously.

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Nutty]

I've had an update from Chris, and a solution has been reached. He's asked me to update the thread as his laptop is knackered (something to do with vibrations!).

The bike is going back to the dealer for a full refund, and a new blue GSA TE is coming on 1st March.

I'll not post details of the deal, suffice to say that Dean at Bahnstormer has done an incredible deal, and Chris is very happy.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've had an update from Chris, and a solution has been reached. He's asked me to update the thread as his laptop is knackered (something to do with vibrations!).

The bike is going back to the dealer for a full refund, and a new blue GSA TE is coming on 1st March.

I'll not post details of the deal, suffice to say that Dean at Bahnstormer has done an incredible deal, and Chris is very happy.

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