Why won't my GSA handle?

[Andy B]

As someone with limited experience of on road riding I'm struggling with the handling on my 08 GSA. It is specific to low speed cornering - roundabouts, junctions, hairpin bends.

It just doesn't want to turn in. When the bike was new I didn't notice anything, but there was an element of getting used to a GSA as opposed to my old 05 GS. It seems to be getting worse with age.

I'm running standard-supplied Battle Wings and the bike's done about 4,500 miles now.

Anybody got any thoughts?

 

[haga lout]

FIT A 17 INS F/WHEEL I HAVE NOW TURNS BRILL

 

[Shep]

They are quite sensitive to tyre profiles perhaps your tyres are getting a little flatted?

Check tyre pressures and make sure the rear suspension isnt set to soft or low, the damper may need a quarter of a turn in every 5k miles(mine does) and its tempting if you are short of leg to to keep the preload on the soft side so check that as well.

Back the front shock off to its minimum.

All this mean bollocks if you have ESA

The GSA will never be razor sharp, especially fully fueled, but it can/should still pick up its skirt and run a bit if needed.

Shep

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Ditto what Shep says

I reckon your rear Battlewing would be shagged by 4,500 miles (mine only lasted 4,000 miles).

Andres

 

[jez]

Mine had been going the same way for a short while understeering at lower speeds etc and I checked the front tyre pressure when out on a ride with Pog only to find 20psi in the tyre. Filled it up and totally transformed the bike . Then missed the fact that Pog had broken down (thought He'd taken a different route) and went on to Tan Hill only to not find him there so I called him and then had to ride 8 miles or so back to find him. But I had a great ride doing so.
So try tyre pressure first

 

[Andy B]

I've had the presures a bit harder of late - mainly due to threads here suggesting that Bridgestone recommended a couple of psi higher than BMW. So 25psi in the front and 29psi in the back.

The back is getting a bit squared off. For my benefit, would the handling dynamics of the front turn in be affected by the rear tyre squaring off?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've had the presures a bit harder of late - mainly due to threads here suggesting that Bridgestone recommended a couple of psi higher than BMW. So 25psi in the front and 29psi in the back.

Try 36 / 42................. I think we may have solved your problem

Andres

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Try 36 / 42................. I think we may have solved your problem

Andres

+1

 

[Shep]

The back is getting a bit squared off. For my benefit, would the handling dynamics of the front turn in be affected by the rear tyre squaring off?

Yes, very much so IME

 

[John Armstrong]

+1

And a set of new tyres will help as well.

 

[conncarr]

2.5 bar and 2.9 bar might work well (about 36psi and 42psi)

 

[Peak Rider]

One more step. Andres has provided the correct tyre pressures. A wee bit of investigation shows that you have likely confused bar (metric) with psi (Imperial). 2.5 bar (front) is 36 psi. 2.9 bar (rear) is 42 psi.

 

[Slowdown]

Another vote for the tyre manufacturers recommended tyre pressures. BMW's are fine if you're on gravel, but squirm too much for me on tarmac.

And square tyre profiles are to avoided like the plague!

 

[Budweiser]

My rear looks a bit square though there is pleanty of tread left - should I change it

 

[Andy B]

Me did mix Bar up with PSI !

Sorry guys!

 

[ebbo]

My rear looks a bit square though there is pleanty of tread left - should I change it

If the tyres legal and your happy with the handling leave it

________________________________
Martin Ebdon, England, R1200RT
Portugal & Spain 2008 trip report

 

[John Armstrong]

If the tyres legal and your happy with the handling leave it

But if you like going round bends, whats £200, or less, for the bike handling how you want / expect and has the right amount of rubber on the road in the corners

 

[ebbo]

But if you like going round bends, whats £200, or less, for the bike handling how you want / expect and has the right amount of rubber on the road in the corners

“Meanwhile, back at the tyre shop, Sid picks up the discarded tyre chuckling to himself and adds it to the pile ready for ebay…”

But seriously, if I had a real handling issue I'd replace the tyre, but ordinarily I can’t afford to throw away £100 worth of part worn tyres.

 

[Jonny_L]

Have you fiddled with the suspension at all? I can't remember which way I adjusted mine on the front, BMW suggest 3 clicks for normal roads, I turned it down to 2, which I think is softer but I really can't remember right now (sure someone will!)

Anyway I was having problems with initial turn in at low speeds, changed that and it's much better now. Another thing you can do is up the rebound on the rear, which will jack the bike up a little bit, meaning a steeper steering angle, and so easier turn in again.

I'm really no suspension expert (I can't even remember which way I turned the front spring ), but that seems to have worked for me.

 

[Richard M]

I also have 2008 GSA (with ESA) and have exactly the same problem as Andy B .
I have done 5000 miles and am not impressed that the tyres now resemble a 50 pence piece, especially as I had Trailwings on my Vstrom 650 and got 10,000 miles out of them.
Time for a different tyre!