What is a 1200gs/a like at motorway speeds?

[Deleted account 190419001]

I'm new to the GS, but my 05 has been fine. I had more issues with buffeting so fitted an airflow screen, now its perfect cruising at 90 and seemingly vibe free. However, as stated earlier I'm new to the GS so have nothing to compare mine to.

 

[trainman]

interesting letter on p23 of this months Bike magazine on this, the author quotes hearing an FJR and GS go past him at speed and the FJR sounding much more at ease than the GS ('laboured'),
he then talks about the S1000XR (13.5mph per 1000 revs) and wonders if switchable gear ratios would help, he doesnt say what he rides of course

not saying its right and not saying bike cannot be made a lot smoother than stock if looked after

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I have not suffered significant vibes on any of my five GSAs. Three of them were run in carefully by myself and all are dealer serviced, misbalanced throttles won't help but your problem could also be the wheel.

Motorway speed limit is a piece of cake on the 1200s and three figures (and way beyond) should also be fine, unlike my 800s which were a little vibey but nothing I couldn't easily live with.

If you are used to four cylinder jap bikes you will notice the engine working but it's character and I much prefer twins. My day to day steed is a '92 R100R and that will pull to its max speed without the problems you describe.

Try and test ride other examples ro compare.

Good luck.

 

[Blowzorn]

For motorway riding on the 1200 I have always found it smoother (and incidentally more economic) to ride in 5th. Revs are higher but less vibey and you have instant pick up if you need to accelerate. I only use 6th when it is clear open road with no traffic. I used to average 46.3mpg across the board. If I did motorways in 6th then the mpg always dropped below 45mpg.
All this is irrelevant now it's a 1350. All the lighter parts mean there is next to no vibes at all at motorway speeds, however, mpg does not go above 38.

 

[MattW]

My 8000 mile old TC is very smooth at motorway speeds.
Before it had its valve clearances checked (two shims changed) and throttle bodies rebalanced at its last service, it wasn't as smooth or as quiet (especially at low revs but also at motorway cruising speeds). Read into this, what you will...

I had an 800R loaner at this last service and bloody hated it - horrible, vibey and poor torque.

 

[haditlowered]

At 70 75 it should be really smooth, 4000 rpm. From there on it gets vibey. That's for a single can Hexhead anyway. You don't say if your single or twin cam, they are different.

1200 Hex Twin Cam - smooth as silk all the way up to a ton, i regularly do Hereford to Exeter on the M5 (Full akro, de-flapped - EDIT: with cast wheels) if that make a difference to the standard Hex twin cam on the motorway

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine has always been vibey at motorway speeds and I've always found the OEM BMW handlebar uncomfortable. The large sweep angle is ok when bars are turned well back but I feel like the "steering" is in my lap and I don't like sitting bolt upright. The obvious solution, to roll the bars forwards, solves the bolt upright riding position but puts strain on my thumb joints.

Look here for what I did http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/407331-Alternative-handlebars

I used some previously made up bar clamp blocks (hence the redundant bolt holes) to slightly lower the bar height, but the setup would work with standard GSA mounts.

PS: I have cast and wire spoked wheels but notice no difference in use. Wires can get out of true and cause vibration.