vibrations

I also get this problem, and it also affects my L hand. In my case I'm certain it's due to Vibration White Finger Syndrome. I used to get it occasionally on other bikes. It's worse in the cold weather, hence heated grips and heated gloves and the Touratech wind deflector ( which works for me, if not for others ) The condition is associated with some other diseases and is essentially due to impaired blood flow to the digits. The OK medical term is Raynaud's Phenomenon. A purely descriptive title It is not Raynaud's disease unless all other medical causes of which there are too many to enumerate here, have been eliminated. The problem can be made worse as in my case by the taking of B Blocker medication. Noticeably if I relax my grip in the bars the problem definately eases. I would have to disagree with Mouse about Raynaud's phenomenon being able to cause gangrene. Severely impared circulation can definately occur, but it's due to the underlying disease causing the Raynaud's phenomenon.
I'm not sure about the carpel tunnel syndrome as a cause. Extension of the wrist is certainly likely to cause stretching of the median nerve as it runs through the canal, but this would explain why some peeps seem to have a problem which resolves when the position of the wrist is changed ie different bars, and why others get relief when using devices enabling them to hold the bar more lightly ie throttle control devices.
 
Throttle lock

is a solution but not in towns!!
Enables relief on hands :thumb
(of course, in the wrong circumstance, can leave you powering on over a cliff too! :D )
 
Bar risers/pull backs good for seating position and the old trick of wedging a small roll of lead up the end of each bar to dampen vibrations :thumb
 
Vibrations, tingling, numbness....

........I've never had any of these on the GS - unless I use ordinary unleaded! I know what numbness is - I used to have an FJ1200A, which always made my fingers go numb; my previous bike, a Ducati ST2, used to make my fingers go numb if I stayed at one speed, but on the GS, it's quite the smoothest bike, right up to the rev limiter, I've had in a long time, and that's over 31 years. The worst it gets is a slight blur on the mirrors at around 4500 rpm. I've done 4000 miles on mine, and am going to Norway on it next week, and looking forward to it!

From new, I have used Optimax (and I don't work for Shell) where at all possible, and when I didn't, there was a tangible difference in smoothness and performance. It could be all the reasons that have been stated, but no-one's said what fuel rating they've been using...... :spitfire
 
Numb fingers

I'm glad its not just me. I have been using morrisons unleaded (@93.9p/L) . I will try the optimax for a while and report back Thanks.
Will any 98 doo ?

JC :hogroast
 
Vibrations

I believe Optimax is the only 98 RON unleaded, BP Ultimate being 97. Try a tankful of Optimax and see how you get on - as I say, the bikes are the same, but I've only noticed smoothness......... :rob
 
CaptainBBQ said:
I'm glad its not just me. I have been using morrisons unleaded (@93.9p/L) . I will try the optimax for a while and report back Thanks.
Will any 98 doo ?
There was an article written about the effects of different fuels a couple of years ago on another forum (about different bikes). I'll try to find it as it was very good given the author's technical knowledge and the fact that he works for one of the big oil companies.

ISTR that he said that you need to be careful about always using supermarket petrol as it doesn't include many of the cleaning agents etc. that the main petrol companies include. So you may find that simply using BP / Shell / Esso etc. may be better.

I'm not convinced about using a super unleaded in the GS. However, I understand that other BWM 1200s such as the ST and S do require that you use it all of the time.

Kai
 
I'm so glad I found this thread - i was beginning to think it was just me going mad! Add me to the list, my bike also has bad vibrations over 4000rpm - only noticed after the first service at 600 miles: I'd kept it below 4000 before then as per the running in guidance.

I've also noticed that the bike is more prone to doing it when its warmed up - it still seems to be smooth when cold (although I don't really cane it until its warm). Its interesting to hear the hypothesis regards the fuel quality - I had suspected it might be running rich... perhaps somehow related to the new fuel mapping that BM introduced recently.

If it is solely down to what octane rating of fuel you use, I'd have to say I'm disappointed - having to look for a Shell station every time you fill up is a pain, especially on a bike that's designed for long-distance/RTW work. I can't remember what the sticker says on the tank but I'm sure its 95 RON... if it does then the bike should run the same on both types of juice regardless :(
 
The ST I had ran perfectly well on 95RON - trying to get hold of 98RON sometimes was a pain in the arse. Very smooth engine - smoother than my new GS's.
 
bad vibes

Had mine 9 months and had enough,numb bum syndrome from 4000rpm onwards,makes touring impossible!!! 55plate red gs for sale 2200miles on clock....
going back to jap fours...
sorry guys ,great bike for a half hour under 70mph,after that no joy at all(tried gel seat too)
 
Bad vibes - Fillis

Funny isn't it. I've had all sorts of engine configurations over 31 years, including jap fours (loads), english triples(Thunderbird), jap two strokes, british parallel twins, and the only bike that hasn't imposed it's inherent vibration on me is the GS.
Arrived on a Ducati for test ride at Wollastons, Northampton, :) before purchase, drove GS in monsoon conditions, :eek: and splashed past cars at a ton with more confidence than I'd had in years. :bounce1 Had no vibration on test bike, and have had none on mine since buying a year ago. Numb bum? There's something seriously wrong with your bike mate! :nenau And your impressions are at odds with all other reports about the GS. :ymca
Nowt as queer as folk..... You'll just have to get on without me - I'm happy! :beerjug:
 
BiG DoM said:
Go to:

http://grip-tek.com/detail.aspx?ID=36

and order the GCM 4.25 fits bar sizes 1.25" to 1.45"

The product is top rate - it covers your existing grips with a high density vibe reducing rubber that does not effect heated grips. It helps alot and transforms the thin OEM grips. (Probably not right if you have very small hands though.)

If someone wants to post pics for me PM me and I will send them.

As requested - here are the grip pictures mentioned by BiG DoM

Pic 1
 

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And pic 2

Thanks for sending them DoM - now about sponsorship........ ;)
 

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Well just to be different, I find i get a numb left hand. Especially on motorways at about 5000 rpm... :D

The other thing I noticed coming back down through england last week was that my left mirror is crystal clear yet my right mirror is really fuzzy... :eek:

Any one else have this problem? :nenau
 
Big DoM

Those grips look really good, so much so that I got as far as the online checkout on the site only to find that the cheapest shipping option is USD75 by UPS! :eek: :rob I emailed the company and (fair play, they came straight back) and they have no other international shipping option.

Did you pay this or did you find another way?

Anyone else interested in these, and possibly a joint order? PM me and I'll take a view on whether one would be worth my while.
 
Yoda said:
Those look the dog's dangly bits. Excellent. I've always preferred thicker grips.

Can you confirm that the heated grips still work OK?

Heated grips still work fine, may take a bit longer to trasmit the heat on switching on ... (have also found that the GSA HG's are not as hot due to the alu bars not conducting as well I guess).
 
Gonzo said:
Big DoM

Those grips look really good, so much so that I got as far as the online checkout on the site only to find that the cheapest shipping option is USD75 by UPS! :eek: :rob I emailed the company and (fair play, they came straight back) and they have no other international shipping option.

Did you pay this or did you find another way?

Anyone else interested in these, and possibly a joint order? PM me and I'll take a view on whether one would be worth my while.

I got some samples of a variety of their products for resale and they were mailed normal (regular in US lingo!) airmail. These things are really light and will fit in a padded envelope ... I would ask them to mail regular air mail - USD 75 is OUTRAGEOUS!
 
Nate said:
The other thing I noticed coming back down through england last week was that my left mirror is crystal clear yet my right mirror is really fuzzy... :eek:

Any one else have this problem? :nenau


YES! I thought it was only me! My right mirror is nigh on useless after 70mph, wheras the left is fine.
My hand/wrist problems have been reduced hugely by changing to Renthal bars, and I use a rocker for long m/way trips so that I can waggle my fingers about a bit. Can't get my head round a throttle lock though.
Mark
 
Just asked my Gp for a referall due to the numbness problem, thought it was something from my rugby days so is a great relief to read this
 


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