Vibration on 1150GS Adventurer

[Anthonypowell]

High I have a BMW 1150 GS AD and is it normal to have vibration onwards from 3000 revs upwards, It is not so bad as to affect the mirrors but the tingling comes through both the Handlebars and foot pegs and reaches it maximum above 5000 revs. Travelling at 80mph in top after a period of time causes pins and needles in the throttle hand.Is there a solution to this or is it inherent in this model. I come from riding a vfr800 for 3 years with little vibration. and wonder if this vibration is normal on opposed twin,

thanks tony

 

[Stewart H]

Valve clearances and throttle body synch can make these bikes rough if out of spec, I recently made a manometer to synch the throttles and it really has made the bike smoother.
Stewart

 

[Anthonypowell]

Hi
how does a manometer work and what does it do

Thanks tony

 

[DaveGSCymro]

Hi
how does a manometer work and what does it do

Thanks tony

It can be as simple as water in a tube and it measures vacuum

 

[RickG]

As they said, throttle sync', absolutely essential to minimise the vibes. However, it will never get close to the smoothness a VFR (I've got both a GS and a 750VFR ) so 'fraid just have to live with some buzz, though it shouldn't get so bad as to give you pins and needles.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Is it a twin spark? Mine's got a duff coil pack - vibrates like crazy above 4k.

 

[PW Cymru]

Have you checked that there's no brackets fractured etc.

Engine bars come to mind as the first port of call.

 

[Colban]

High I have a BMW 1150 GS AD and is it normal to have vibration onwards from 3000 revs upwards, It is not so bad as to affect the mirrors but the tingling comes through both the Handlebars and foot pegs and reaches it maximum above 5000 revs. Travelling at 80mph in top after a period of time causes pins and needles in the throttle hand.Is there a solution to this or is it inherent in this model. I come from riding a vfr800 for 3 years with little vibration. and wonder if this vibration is normal on opposed twin,

thanks tony

The GS will never be as smooth as a VFR,but at least it doesn't take a degree in engineering to cure it.As has been said,do the valve clearances/rocker end float (do a search) followed by the throttle body balance (vacuum guages or manometer).It will also run quieter and stronger.

 

[guzzimag]

If you've come from a VFR then you'll probably just need to adjust to the new bike. The nature of the boxer engine layout means they vibrate to an extent and feel rougher than a V4 with it's perfect primary balance. If you're worried maybe whip it into your local dealer or a friendly tosser off this site who can confirm it's either perfectly normal (most likely) or needs some attention.

I wouldn't worry about it too much unless your fillings start to drop out

 

[BigyellowGS]

My 03 1150gs (single plug) started vibrating like crazy after 3k revs.. Then after about another 1000 miles developed a missfire.. (see my thread about it)

A new set of plug leads cured the miss-fire and the vibration... Might be worth checking yours if you havn't already?

Also steptoes "cat code plug" mod helped further smooth out my bikes vibes...