That front end..

[JoeyDeacon]

Been about a week of ownership and haven't ridden it as much as I would have liked but been out once or twice so far. Now that front end set up - weird. I had to grab handful of front brake yesterday as some blue rinsed mong decided to turn right after indicating left and nothing much exciting happened other than I stopped quickly - outstanding - liked that a lot. However, what I have noticed is that larger bumps in the road are soaked up well but with smaller ones I get a sharper 'knock' (for want of a better word) through the bars, is this normal for the telelever set up? It all still feels a bit odd so I'm not entirely sure what I should be expecting.

Given that this bike is 12 years old it still feels streets ahead of the nineT that I test rode the other week.

[boxerscott]

Been about a week of ownership and haven't ridden it as much as I would have liked but been out once or twice so far. Now that front end set up - weird. I had to grab handful of front brake yesterday as some blue rinsed mong decided to turn right after indicating left and nothing much exciting happened other than I stopped quickly - outstanding - liked that a lot. However, what I have noticed is that larger bumps in the road are soaked up well but with smaller ones I get a sharper 'knock' (for want of a better word) through the bars, is this normal for the telelever set up? It all still feels a bit odd so I'm not entirely sure what I should be expecting.

Given that this bike is 12 years old it still feels streets ahead of the nineT that I test rode the other week.

Should not be getting any sharp knocking from the front suspension, how many miles has it covered? Presume it is the 1100s you are talking about?

[JoeyDeacon]

R1100S, 34k. It's not a knock as such but more that over smaller imperfections in the road the suspension seems stiffer and the bump is felt more acutely through the bars whereas if you go over a speed bump it feels more softer. I've done a bit of googling and it seems others have experienced it as well. 7th post down: http://www.r1200rforum.com/forum/bmw-r1 ... pension-5/

[Corvus]

R1100S, 34k. It's not a knock as such but more that over smaller imperfections in the road the suspension seems stiffer and the bump is felt more acutely through the bars whereas if you go over a speed bump it feels more softer. I've done a bit of googling and it seems others have experienced it as well. 7th post down: http://www.r1200rforum.com/forum/bmw-r1 ... pension-5/

Maybe you have play in any of the various ball joints or bushes. But your description matches how I perceived my r1200r. It was brand new, so no play. Kevin ash (respect) described the phenomenon on his website. If it is the thing you're talking about then basically it is because, although the forks have rake, the front wheel actually travels pretty much vertical, in fact on some models (if not all) it travels slightly forwards. So the wheel spindle does not travel back at the same angle as the forks. Kevin reckoned that this action made the forks feel harsh at certain times as the wheel responds to bumps by going even further into them, as opposed to away from them.

Having said that I'd definitely put an hour aside and check the ball joints, especially the heavily loaded bottom one.

IMO it is this vertical wheel travel that gives the front end the anti dive characteristic. Feels weird at first doesn't it. Even pushing the bike and then grabbing the brake you can feel the difference.

[JoeyDeacon]

Kevin ash (respect) described the phenomenon on his website. If it is the thing you're talking about then basically it is because, although the forks have rake, the front wheel actually travels pretty much vertical, in fact on some models (if not all) it travels slightly forwards. So the wheel spindle does not travel back at the same angle as the forks. Kevin reckoned that this action made the forks feel harsh at certain times as the wheel responds to bumps by going even further into them, as opposed to away from them.

Having said that I'd definitely put an hour aside and check the ball joints, especially the heavily loaded bottom one.

IMO it is this vertical wheel travel that gives the front end the anti dive characteristic. Feels weird at first doesn't it. Even pushing the bike and then grabbing the brake you can feel the difference.

Got you. This makes sense, thanks. I'll have another look today as well and make sure nothing's amiss.

[Boxered]

Also check your front wheel bearings, knackered bearings give this effect at slow speeds too, don't ask me how I know

Steve

[JoeyDeacon]

Also check your front wheel bearings, knackered bearings give this effect at slow speeds too, don't ask me how I know

Steve

Cheers, will do!

[Grip Fast]

I had a similar problem with my R1200S (with sports upgrade) when I first got it. Bumps were absorbed fine, but slow speed riding over slightly rough road surfaces resulted in a feeling like I was running on wooden wheels. It felt rough through the bars, but couldn't really decide which end was at fault.

Much playing with settings made no difference, so took it to suspension specialists who discovered a fault in the the rear Ohlins shock. A tiny blemish on the surface of the internal shaft had worn through bushes (if memory serves).

The bike has felt brilliant since they fettled both ends.

If all else fails, it might be worth getting the shocks checked. Good luck with it.

[JoeyDeacon]

I had a similar problem with my R1200S (with sports upgrade) when I first got it. Bumps were absorbed fine, but slow speed riding over slightly rough road surfaces resulted in a feeling like I was running on wooden wheels. It felt rough through the bars, but couldn't really decide which end was at fault.

Much playing with settings made no difference, so took it to suspension specialists who discovered a fault in the the rear Ohlins shock. A tiny blemish on the surface of the internal shaft had worn through bushes (if memory serves).

The bike has felt brilliant since they fettled both ends.

If all else fails, it might be worth getting the shocks checked. Good luck with it.

Spooky, just got back from a quick 30 mins on the bike and it actually felt as if it was coming from the rear rather than the front but I'm not 100%. Steve Jordan is only 30 mins away from me, I think I'll take it down there and see what they think. Cheers.

[JoeyDeacon]

Booked him in for 9 Sep. Given the weirdness of the set up generally it could just be me but I've got that nagging feeling..

[Fw190]

given the age of the bike I'd suggest getting the shocks serviced, it's something very few people do, but the damper oil lives in a pretty harsh enviroment and if you imagine the heat that builds up in a unit over a 2 or 3 hour ride on a normal road, with the oil under pressure from the nitrogen and then being forced through a piston and shim assembly.. it soon gets pretty contaminated.

most shock manufacturers recommend yearly service to keep the dampers performing as they should, doesn't matter if it's Ohlins, Showa or whoever.

My 12's is on 20,000kms, it was sold in 08, (I bought it earlier this year)with the Ohlins shocks as standard, they've never been serviced (but will be at the end of October) and freshening up the oil and seals etc doesn't cost that much when you consider the value of the units themselves. plus the benefit of having the bike handle as it should is a huge bonus!

Ty