What happens if you don't increase preload for a pillion?

[Hamslay]

Hey guys.

I've got 29" inside leg so my GS is the standard model but with the low seat for a little extra peace of mind. I've done 13000 miles with the bike now with no topples and I'm used to the bike when I'm on my own. I'm more confident at low speed on lower bikes, but the taller GS doesn't worry me like it did.

I've recently started taking the wife on the back of the bike, and that's a different kettle of fish. With the ESA put up to rider+pillion, the height jacks up just enough to be a bit much. Add in the extra weight, and I feel a comedy tumble can't be far away.

If my wife climbing on the bike doesn't compress the rear suspension such that the ride height is back to where it is on the rider-only setting, doesn't that mean that the extra preload for a passenger is a little much for my 55kg wife? If that's the case, maybe I can keep the ESA on rider or rider+luggage and keep the height down. If I do this, what am I risking? Apart from potentially bottoming-out the rear shock, does this potentially cause issues for the shaft drive? I'm sure I've read something about transmission noise or premature wear if angles of alignment are not correct due to wrong preload settings? Or did I dream that?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

If it's too high for you, try her on the back without adjusting the preload.
You'll not do any harm especially if she's only 55kg.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

If it's too high for you, try her on the back without adjusting the preload.
You'll not do any harm especially if she's only 55kg.

^^^^^^^ This

You may find the steering a little slower at a push but otherwise don't worry about it.

Or, go for the higher setting and learn to put one leg down 'off road' style where you slide one leg down a bit by sliding one arse cheek off the seat a bit.

Andres

 

[pootle]

Can you adjust the suspension after your wife gets on and is seated?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hamslay]

Thanks for the reassurance guys.

One of my other bikes is an XT660R so I'm used to judging the camber, pot holes and gravel when stopping and putting the best foot down in the circumstances. I'm just concerned that without a firm footing with the wife on the back, any slight slip on a stone or damp is going to be impossible to catch.

I'm happy to try with rider or rider+luggage settings, but I could just hear the mocking on ukgser if I posted next week that I'd taken a pillion without increasing the preload and knackered my transmission joint.

I'll have a play and see what ESA setting, with the wife onboard, comes out closest to the ride height with just me with the rider-only setting.

 

[crotchrocket]

Im sure its fine in the single rider mode. Don't forget to adjust the headlight with that white lever, as with softer preload i imagine its gonna dip down on the rear a bit.

 

[littleade]

My manual says not to increase the preload in cold weather with the pillion on board, so might be worth doing it while the bike is on the centre stand to avoid straining the ESA?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I never adjust the preload in heavy rain as it makes the bike higher & the pillion seat more slippy
I find this makes my pillion slide off the seat, whilst mounting the bike, as she slides off the other side & ends up in a heap

So it's best not to jack up the preload, as I get less grief

 

[tanneman]

My missus is the same albeit a bit less weight. I can have it on solo rider + luggage or 2 up, but with 2 up I'm on the limit with what I'm comfortable with having a 31'' inside leg. I found the GSA suspension a bit harsher in 2 up so I drop it to solo + luggage with her. The shock will bottom out if you take bumps at stupid speed riding 2 up in that setting but then again you shouldn't ride like that. Putting it in comfort mode dampens the harshness in 2 up I should add.

Not going to teach you to suck eggs but effective use of the rear brake helps tremendously in slow speed manoeuvring, more so if the bike is loaded. Gives you time to relax, settle the bike, plan your approach and come to a stop without bumping helmets. Easy peasy putting the leg out and spotting where you want to place the foot. Yes I know the rear pads wear quicker than the front ones but it is a wear item

 

[Neil W]

Nope according to dealer and BMW UK the lc ESA will not lift the bike with pillion onboard as it is not designed to do so.

Can you adjust the suspension after your wife gets on and is seated?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dave hendy]

I have a 29 in inside leg, weigh about 11.5 stone and use my GS TE in rider only for myself or with my wife who weighs about 10 stone. When we are fully luggaged up I put it on rider plus luggage, this works very well for me. Putting it on 2-up makes the bike too tall.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[sven]

I use the rider + luggage setting and it firms the bike up without significantly raising the seat height

 

[snaponphil]

I use the rider + luggage setting and it firms the bike up without significantly raising the seat height

Same..

 

[Hamslay]

Thanks very much guys. Great advice.