Terry Somehow my comment didn't stick yesterday. But...My friend and I went to a local BMW Demo Day last week. Yeah, they watched me show up on my 2023 Tiger GT Explorer. First question was "Are you looking to trade up?". I was already loaded for bear with Snappy comments but, I simply asked, "Is this the place offering Demo rides today?". They said yes and asked if I would like to ride one. My first thought was to ask where the Coffee and Donuts were so we could be on our way but, I said, "Yes". While they were getting our bikes out and ready, my friend and I rode our bikes across the street to a restaurant's parking lot and walked back to the dealership to our waiting demo bikes. First question was, "Where are the motorcycles you rode in on?" My friend said they're at a safe place up the street. 🤣 We chose the RS120GS and they were waiting and ready to go. First, the bikes looked beautiful and we got to ride them un-escorted for about a 10 mile loop. On the road, typical smooth BMW boxer vibes. Riding and just looking at the bars and general cockpit, it was beautifully laid out but would be a stretch to customize without BMW specific parts. The bike was very comfy to ride but felt disconnected. There was very little feedback. It was almost "Boat" like with slight delays in the handling with very little feel of the front tire. I agree with you, the suspension is crap. I think the "Tele-lever" is the real killer. They should offer the bike without this thing as an option. Compared to the new Tiger, it was a Slug in the handling and Horsepower areas. It was a beautiful bike to ride gently without trying to get "Sporty". Very predictable and suited for gentle well mannered type riding. It is a wonderful bike but in the end it's not a TIGER!
That is a common complaint TTRGUY, the lack of front end feedback from the telelever. I would love to try a GS with conventional forks but they have convinced enough people the lack of excessive fork dive is a game changer. To me your forks only dive if you brake excessively, how often do you do that?
I kinda miss happy Terry. Riding round on his Tiger 1200 with that awesome suspension. 😁 I won’t take my Tiger’s semi active suspension for granted any more.
Ha ha ha, yes, I'm a grumpy old git now! 😥. The fact that you can choose any one of nine levels of damping in any rider mode on the Tiger is awesome flexibility, greatly missed.
Tiger now has had a software update where you can drop the suspension by holding the home button. It resets when you go over 80km. See ya on a GT Pro shortly then Terry 😂
I have the same bike and the lowers chassis version. I don’t have any issue whatsoever, in fact quite the opposite. To my mind (I have had over 30 bikes) the GS is for me the most perfect bike I have ever owned.
Totally agree. I've just measured Front static sag on my similar bike. Fully extended it is indeed 158mm on front. Off stand, static sag measures 85-90mm, which means it has a static sag of 158 minus 85mm, so static is a huge 73mm. That's very nearly 50% of the entire travel of front suspension. That's clearly an error by BMW for this low chassis. If the standard height GS (210mm travel) had 73mm sag, it would be about 35%, so slightly soft but not too bad. However, I simply cannot understand why BMW thinks it should put the same weight spring on our Low chassis bikes when the static sag is so far wrong at 50%. I welcome a reply as somehow this needs attending to. Thanks
Thanks for the measurements. It's an odd one and makes you feel the low suspension on the front was just a massive compromise. This is a very similar situation on my Honda CB1100EX, the rear SAG is perfectly normal and easily adjustable for a variety of loads. But it blows through it's front stroke to similar levels on bike SAG alone. Raise the front preload to try and address and it becomes a chopper and steers like a dog.
Hi again. Ive just measured the rear sag. Im 88kg so apparently in line with bmw calcs. It makes a difference in either the High or Low setting, so ive measured both. And both sag measurements on the rear are oddly judged by BMW. Here's the numbers. In High setting - static sag is literally 0, it measures 170mm on the stand and 170 mm when off the stand. A bad start! With rider on, the High setting sag becomes 30mm, or 18%. That's very firm. Maybe it will read better in Low mode? In Low, static sag is 25mm or 15% so reasonable BUT with rider on the bike this becomes a wopping 85mm of sag. This is 50% rider sag, which incidentally is what the front sag is, too. So, woefully firm in High, which means very harsh: or woefully soft in Low. No amount of damping will improve these. I am surprised, nee disappointed. I am sure they wont help me fix this but i will be asking. Btw, front sag is unaltered by Low/High/Auto, and is circa 50% with rider, so not good unless there's some extra element for the telelever? Ps- it's the same readings in either Road or Dynamic mode. Basically, in setting options it's either far too firm/harsh or far too soft/spongy. So IMHO, this is all to do with incorrect adjustment Sag settings by BMW. Just used Auto - it seems that sag finished at about 35% on rear so that's actually ok. Maybe it's the predetermined low/high that's badly judged? I will be testing some more in dynamic, later. Front is still 50% of course.
Great vid as always Terry, a GS isn't ever on my horizon but still good to see an honest review of a bike you've paid for! One comment - HOLY HANDGUARDS 😂 They're HUGE!
Their straight from the Bat Cave! 😀. They are the best of the muff like hand-guards without being a Muff! Barkbusters would you believe, brilliant in the rain. But yes, a bit baffled looking 😬.
Interesting video. I'm a similar profile to you (age, weight etc) and my recent bike history is 2019 R1250GS (standard height) for 25k miles, 2022 Tiger 1200 GT Explorer (for 11k miles) and a 2023 R1250GS low (for 6k miles so far). I swapped the Tiger for the GS because I was fed up with the low-speed manners of the Tiger (erratic stalling issue, too much clutch feathering required just to get it to roll at low speed in traffic etc) and I also found the rider geometry not quite right. My low GS (with standard seat set in the high position) is my perfect bike. Yes, the suspension can be a bit soft or a bit hard in some conditions but the rest of the riding experience easily compensates for that small negative. I'm sure I'm less sensitive to the suspension issue than you are, but overall I'm quite happy with the bike, having just returned from a 2.5k mile trip across to Austria. I found it relaxing and easy to cope with a few long days on a variety of roads - especially some poor surfaces in Belgium.
Yes, the clutch is well improved on the new Tiger over the old but I do think it is a weak point alright, quite a short bite point Vs the GS's progressive feel. Great the LC is working well for you, yes, I am just going to have to live with what I have . Do you find the bike "surges" when backing right off the throttle and slowing right down?
@@terrycox529 I was referring more to the gearing on the Tiger, rather than the clutch itself. The Tiger wants to run at about 18mph at idle in first. That's just a pain on a road bike as it involves too much clutch feathering on slow manoeuvre. The fuelling on my GS is spot-on perfect. No surging. It's absolutely predictable and smooth. Better than i remember on my 2019 GS (which I think was EU4, rather than the current EU5).
You are so right. I have the same bike , exactly, and it’s beginning to annoy me - 4000 miles from new and it’s settled into a bouncy castle or a bone shaker. It basically fails, as you say. If I set the preload to high it’s slightly better but of course you have to be stationary to do that and a shorter rider, High is too high for comfortable foot down.
On dry days try auto preload and Enduro mode on rougher and more undulating roads. It’s still bouncy but the bike allows more compression travel but the rebound seems more controlled. Careful on wet days as traction control is reduced. I must admit I did expect much better.
Yes, you gotta be careful in the choices, the few you have. A little damping control would let you keep that Enduro setting compression travel and sort out that rebound, shame.
It is not the fly wheel. The fact that a bike like the GS has quick shifter is actually engineering miracle at its best. Here is why: the way the power transmits from the engine to the rear wheel, you see, quick shifting just stops the fuel injection for a split second and there are so many parts still in motion you can't get that smoothed out.
Great video! One question: auto-preload aside, what does ESA exactly adjust in OEM BMW-Sachs suspensions? Hi/low speed compression and rebound damping, or just rebound damping? Third party (high performance, expensive) suspensions allow user to fine tune these 3 parameters, but I guess BMW original suspension, even with "ESA" blackbox, does something rather simpler, if we look at its poor results. Thanks!
Good question and I concur with your thinking! I can't see this being as sophisticated to have separate high/low speed circuits being controlled by the system. It is making a considered adaptation based on input from the IMU by all accounts and is doing a lot more than most electronic suspension but only within the limits of what that hardware can achieve.
I got a 1250GS low yesterday. Road mode is like riding a rocking horse. I'm not sure if the GS owners that tell you that the GS is the best bike ever are like the parents that tell you that having kids was the best thing ever... Will ride a couple of my favourite routes for comparison with my 2011 DL650 which handles the crappy UK roads much better IMO. Really wondering what all the GS fuss is about. But I've only ridden it twice, once with a pillion. My mind is still undecided. Maybe some stiffer springs would help or a complete Tractive suspension upgrade to std height, but that will cost £3-4k - is it worth it? Might just give the bike back and get a KTM SAS or Triumph Tiger 1200 - we shall see...
I have a low GS 2023 model. I am also finding it transmits all every bump from the road. I traded it in from a 2021 model which should have be exactly the same. I don't remember feeling anything on that bike. It's weird. Like you I've asked the dealer & they said they've taken it for a test ride and reloaded the SW, and they say it's fine. Have you made any progress? I'm thinking of taking it to a suspension specialist and getting an independent experts view.
No progress at all. I have decided I will just have to live with it while I own the bike. The cost to change to third party suspension is fraught with 1) the expense 2) seeing as it is already the low model aftermarket options with an ESA bike seem very limited, if at all available and 3) May end up causing me warranty issues down the road? The new 1300 with the adaptable ride height looks very promising though but I'll hold my judgement until I ride it.
I've just had 5 days in Portugal with Off Road Skills on a 1300 with adaptive height. It stays as put in Enduro, so I had it on low off road, but on road I switched to road mode & the adaptive height control was seamless. I guess it was when I got back and rode my GS I realised how bad it was. It's just the cost of the 1300 that is off putting.
I am curious, did you test ride this version before you bought it? I am wondering is this issue exclusive to your bike, why did'nt the one you test ride, put you off from buying. You must of liked it at the time in order to purchase it? I am only making this comment as i'm considering this version, ive only test ridden the standard version which was fine, but for my height the low version might be more suitable, but not if they all have this issue.
not sure if it is the same on a low F750 GS i don t have the dynamic thing so not sure if that works the same as playing with the preload and damping manual helps or not :) wanna try my bike ? It does vibrate less that the F 700 GS
I think the low speed damping is down to the Telelever setup which the 750 doesn't have of course. Preload I am OK on, that works well. You have the benefit of being able to alter the rear damping on your F750GS and I bet you could get a more controlled & comfortable ride over the Wicklow Mountains. I wouldn't like to trash your F750GS, far too much grief but appreciate the offer 👍.
I have the regular HP GS, and I've no issues with the suspension, but coming from a T100. Do you know what changes are possible in the non esa bikes? You are right on the quick shifter. Whoever signed off on it should be tried for crimes against humanity 😂
The manual suspended 2023 GS has a rear preload and a damping adjuster as you would expect. More rear preload for a heavier load. Generally when loading up you would also add more damping to control that extra movement of the suspension. My user manual (for the manually suspension version) has suggested settings for solo or two up riding, worth checking to make sure yours is in the factory position and then start from there.
Not a suspension expert-but I understand the basics, after several GS’s I’ve never had a problem..in my defence, I am insensitive to seat comfort. I also agree with the road setting, feeling floaty. But other than that I don’t get it. I ridden hard over many a crap road! You can’t avoid em round here!
I have just come off a 68 plate Tiger 1200 XCA and onto a new 1250 GSA I find the suspension much better than the Tiger. I guess you have had it checked at BMW ?
I have, they say all is good. It appears the low chassis GS suspension is a lot poorer than the std height GS according to owners who have had both. I found the WP suspension on my Tiger 1200 brilliant, especially the high speed damping compared to this GS and the fact that you can choose any one of nine different damping levels in any rider mode on the Tiger. The ROAD and DYNAMIC levels on the GS are very limiting. The new 1300 allows you to modify the levels now I believe, plus they have dispensed with the low chassis so all may be well on the new model?
Terry. Go back to the dealership and test ride one off there gs 1250 and see if there bikes ride like that because my 2019 bike doesn’t ride like that at. All mate
Steve, I rode a R18 and the suspension was better! :-0 I have had a lot of feedback on my initial video on this bike. The overwhelming consensus from owners who have had both the lowered chassis and the regular chassis is that the lower chassis is a compromise and this is too blame. I think the new ride height feature on the 1300 will probably solve the issue in its entirety.
Terry you have said the unspeakable, all the motorcycle journalists say it's brilliant suspension, thousands of previous and current owners thought it was a magic carpet ride. Then you come along and blow the gaff?!
@@anto687 The great "Lamb Chop Rides" (I do like his channel) mentioned in his agreement to borrow bikes from Kawasaki for tests you couldn't say anything bad unless you passed it by them first?
I went on a ride and the quick shifter was working superbly i usally dont use it i couldnt believe how easy it was upshifting and down shifting and smoothly is it always like that no but i only have 4,000 miles on the bike so far i think it was a combination of road conditions rpm and throttle position in others word learning how the bike likes to be ridden no how i want to ride it
Try a Suzuki or Triumph QS, you can do it with your hands off the bars the change is that imperceptible. The QS on these is OK 3 to 6 and back if used correctly but still a bit clunky. I still find after 12K km that it often just point blank refuses to change down from 4th to 3rd. I am used to it now so just live with it. Can't complain your whole life! :-)
I don't own a BMW R1250 GS but, I maybe soon will do so, I've watched very close to half a million review vids on the bloody thing &, I have to say that you are the 1st I've come across to mention this severe of an issue. I've not seen anybody claim that the GS suspension is perfect however, no one else seems to have the level of phuktness you say you have. Maybe you should contact BMW & see if they have a solution or, you may have an issue somewhere with the preload adjuster or some other aspect. I'm not sure you're being particularly fair in making a video prior to contacting BMW or having the thing checked by BMW. Since you haven't had the suspension checked, I see no reason at the moment to consider your complaint as anything other than unwarranted.
Asking the dealer if there's a problem that's not obviously visible is akin to asking a salesman to list all the problems with the shit he's trying to flog. I don't think it unreasonable to dig a bit deeper with this one. Besides, asking a dealer isn't the way I'd handle the situation. I would be insistent that there is a problem & demand that the suspension components be removed & tested or at very least that the bike be converted to original setup for a comparative test. @@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff
With the suspensions. You are also wrong. I have no idea where you got that information from. GSA low suspension has a longer travel than the standard gs. Before speaking, check better
I totally think you should switch to another brand instead of complaining so much. I honestly don't know how well you drive or what kind of experience you have. Apparently you need more road to be able to talk like this about this motorcycle or another motorcycle in particular. I imagine that a Ducati would be better for you? But from what you're talking about, maybe you would like it too. The best thing would be to buy a Triumph and spend a lot of money on the repairs. Greetings
I'd say you've fallen into the same old trap many before you have when it comes to the mighty GS, in as much as confusing "best selling" bike in the world with "best bike" in the world. Now I'm sure you'll burn in hell for saying something negative about it, its just not the done thing! (How much extra for thet paint job? lol)
Terry
Somehow my comment didn't stick yesterday. But...My friend and I went to a local BMW Demo Day last week. Yeah, they watched me show up on my 2023 Tiger GT Explorer. First question was
"Are you looking to trade up?". I was already loaded for bear with Snappy comments but, I simply asked, "Is this the place offering Demo rides today?". They said yes and asked if I would like to ride one. My first thought was to ask where the Coffee and Donuts were so we could be on our way but, I said, "Yes". While they were getting our bikes out and ready, my friend and I rode our bikes across the street to a restaurant's parking lot and walked back to the dealership to our waiting demo bikes. First question was, "Where are the motorcycles you rode in on?" My friend said they're at a safe place up the street. 🤣
We chose the RS120GS and they were waiting and ready to go. First, the bikes looked beautiful and we got to ride them un-escorted for about a 10 mile loop. On the road, typical smooth BMW boxer vibes. Riding and just looking at the bars and general cockpit, it was beautifully laid out but would be a stretch to customize without BMW specific parts. The bike was very comfy to ride but felt disconnected. There was very little feedback. It was almost "Boat" like with slight delays in the handling with very little feel of the front tire. I agree with you, the suspension is crap. I think the "Tele-lever" is the real killer. They should offer the bike without this thing as an option. Compared to the new Tiger, it was a Slug in the handling and Horsepower areas. It was a beautiful bike to ride gently without trying to get "Sporty". Very predictable and suited for gentle well mannered type riding. It is a wonderful bike but in the end it's not a TIGER!
That is a common complaint TTRGUY, the lack of front end feedback from the telelever. I would love to try a GS with conventional forks but they have convinced enough people the lack of excessive fork dive is a game changer. To me your forks only dive if you brake excessively, how often do you do that?
I kinda miss happy Terry. Riding round on his Tiger 1200 with that awesome suspension. 😁 I won’t take my Tiger’s semi active suspension for granted any more.
Love the adjustability of my Tiger RP 🍻
Ha ha ha, yes, I'm a grumpy old git now! 😥. The fact that you can choose any one of nine levels of damping in any rider mode on the Tiger is awesome flexibility, greatly missed.
Tiger now has had a software update where you can drop the suspension by holding the home button. It resets when you go over 80km.
See ya on a GT Pro shortly then Terry 😂
@@tonycallanan3078 will do! 🤣
I have the same bike and the lowers chassis version. I don’t have any issue whatsoever, in fact quite the opposite. To my mind (I have had over 30 bikes) the GS is for me the most perfect bike I have ever owned.
If it works for you 👍
Totally agree. I've just measured Front static sag on my similar bike. Fully extended it is indeed 158mm on front. Off stand, static sag measures 85-90mm, which means it has a static sag of 158 minus 85mm, so static is a huge 73mm. That's very nearly 50% of the entire travel of front suspension. That's clearly an error by BMW for this low chassis.
If the standard height GS (210mm travel) had 73mm sag, it would be about 35%, so slightly soft but not too bad. However, I simply cannot understand why BMW thinks it should put the same weight spring on our Low chassis bikes when the static sag is so far wrong at 50%. I welcome a reply as somehow this needs attending to. Thanks
Thanks for the measurements. It's an odd one and makes you feel the low suspension on the front was just a massive compromise. This is a very similar situation on my Honda CB1100EX, the rear SAG is perfectly normal and easily adjustable for a variety of loads. But it blows through it's front stroke to similar levels on bike SAG alone. Raise the front preload to try and address and it becomes a chopper and steers like a dog.
Hi again. Ive just measured the rear sag. Im 88kg so apparently in line with bmw calcs.
It makes a difference in either the High or Low setting, so ive measured both. And both sag measurements on the rear are oddly judged by BMW. Here's the numbers. In High setting - static sag is literally 0, it measures 170mm on the stand and 170 mm when off the stand. A bad start! With rider on, the High setting sag becomes 30mm, or 18%. That's very firm. Maybe it will read better in Low mode? In Low, static sag is 25mm or 15% so reasonable BUT with rider on the bike this becomes a wopping 85mm of sag. This is 50% rider sag, which incidentally is what the front sag is, too. So, woefully firm in High, which means very harsh: or woefully soft in Low. No amount of damping will improve these.
I am surprised, nee disappointed. I am sure they wont help me fix this but i will be asking.
Btw, front sag is unaltered by Low/High/Auto, and is circa 50% with rider, so not good unless there's some extra element for the telelever?
Ps- it's the same readings in either Road or Dynamic mode. Basically, in setting options it's either far too firm/harsh or far too soft/spongy. So IMHO, this is all to do with incorrect adjustment Sag settings by BMW.
Just used Auto - it seems that sag finished at about 35% on rear so that's actually ok. Maybe it's the predetermined low/high that's badly judged? I will be testing some more in dynamic, later. Front is still 50% of course.
Great vid as always Terry, a GS isn't ever on my horizon but still good to see an honest review of a bike you've paid for!
One comment - HOLY HANDGUARDS 😂 They're HUGE!
Their straight from the Bat Cave! 😀. They are the best of the muff like hand-guards without being a Muff! Barkbusters would you believe, brilliant in the rain. But yes, a bit baffled looking 😬.
Interesting video. I'm a similar profile to you (age, weight etc) and my recent bike history is 2019 R1250GS (standard height) for 25k miles, 2022 Tiger 1200 GT Explorer (for 11k miles) and a 2023 R1250GS low (for 6k miles so far).
I swapped the Tiger for the GS because I was fed up with the low-speed manners of the Tiger (erratic stalling issue, too much clutch feathering required just to get it to roll at low speed in traffic etc) and I also found the rider geometry not quite right.
My low GS (with standard seat set in the high position) is my perfect bike. Yes, the suspension can be a bit soft or a bit hard in some conditions but the rest of the riding experience easily compensates for that small negative. I'm sure I'm less sensitive to the suspension issue than you are, but overall I'm quite happy with the bike, having just returned from a 2.5k mile trip across to Austria. I found it relaxing and easy to cope with a few long days on a variety of roads - especially some poor surfaces in Belgium.
Yes, the clutch is well improved on the new Tiger over the old but I do think it is a weak point alright, quite a short bite point Vs the GS's progressive feel. Great the LC is working well for you, yes, I am just going to have to live with what I have . Do you find the bike "surges" when backing right off the throttle and slowing right down?
@@terrycox529 I was referring more to the gearing on the Tiger, rather than the clutch itself. The Tiger wants to run at about 18mph at idle in first. That's just a pain on a road bike as it involves too much clutch feathering on slow manoeuvre.
The fuelling on my GS is spot-on perfect. No surging. It's absolutely predictable and smooth. Better than i remember on my 2019 GS (which I think was EU4, rather than the current EU5).
You are so right. I have the same bike , exactly, and it’s beginning to annoy me - 4000 miles from new and it’s settled into a bouncy castle or a bone shaker. It basically fails, as you say. If I set the preload to high it’s slightly better but of course you have to be stationary to do that and a shorter rider, High is too high for comfortable foot down.
On dry days try auto preload and Enduro mode on rougher and more undulating roads. It’s still bouncy but the bike allows more compression travel but the rebound seems more controlled. Careful on wet days as traction control is reduced. I must admit I did expect much better.
Doing this ATM, thanks. It's still not a good set up tho. I've also commented on the front sag in a different message
My standard height 2022 R1250GS suspension is the same as you describe. In Enduro Pro, the lack of rebound damping is actually dangerous.
Yes, you gotta be careful in the choices, the few you have. A little damping control would let you keep that Enduro setting compression travel and sort out that rebound, shame.
I agree. It’s too bouncy in road and to harsh in dynamic. I would ask BMW to calibrate the ESA. That has helped other people
It is not the fly wheel. The fact that a bike like the GS has quick shifter is actually engineering miracle at its best. Here is why: the way the power transmits from the engine to the rear wheel, you see, quick shifting just stops the fuel injection for a split second and there are so many parts still in motion you can't get that smoothed out.
Yes, its a definite struggle. I wonder if the Goldwing is easier because its power delivery from the 6-cyl is more sympathetic too it?
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff or maybe all engines except boxers move in the direction of the wheel.
@@ogoshikimura5621 😀👍Golding is a flat 6
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff go and buy one. ☝️
Ive also heard that the regular chassis with the low seat is the fix
Great video! One question: auto-preload aside, what does ESA exactly adjust in OEM BMW-Sachs suspensions? Hi/low speed compression and rebound damping, or just rebound damping?
Third party (high performance, expensive) suspensions allow user to fine tune these 3 parameters, but I guess BMW original suspension, even with "ESA" blackbox, does something rather simpler, if we look at its poor results.
Thanks!
Good question and I concur with your thinking! I can't see this being as sophisticated to have separate high/low speed circuits being controlled by the system. It is making a considered adaptation based on input from the IMU by all accounts and is doing a lot more than most electronic suspension but only within the limits of what that hardware can achieve.
I got a 1250GS low yesterday. Road mode is like riding a rocking horse.
I'm not sure if the GS owners that tell you that the GS is the best bike ever are like the parents that tell you that having kids was the best thing ever...
Will ride a couple of my favourite routes for comparison with my 2011 DL650 which handles the crappy UK roads much better IMO.
Really wondering what all the GS fuss is about. But I've only ridden it twice, once with a pillion. My mind is still undecided.
Maybe some stiffer springs would help or a complete Tractive suspension upgrade to std height, but that will cost £3-4k - is it worth it?
Might just give the bike back and get a KTM SAS or Triumph Tiger 1200 - we shall see...
Now you know you are not allowed to say such things! :-)
Its funny, The Smoaks Vlog said the same thing about the low chassis version. And he works on them for a living
I have a low GS 2023 model. I am also finding it transmits all every bump from the road. I traded it in from a 2021 model which should have be exactly the same. I don't remember feeling anything on that bike. It's weird. Like you I've asked the dealer & they said they've taken it for a test ride and reloaded the SW, and they say it's fine. Have you made any progress? I'm thinking of taking it to a suspension specialist and getting an independent experts view.
No progress at all. I have decided I will just have to live with it while I own the bike. The cost to change to third party suspension is fraught with 1) the expense 2) seeing as it is already the low model aftermarket options with an ESA bike seem very limited, if at all available and 3) May end up causing me warranty issues down the road? The new 1300 with the adaptable ride height looks very promising though but I'll hold my judgement until I ride it.
I've just had 5 days in Portugal with Off Road Skills on a 1300 with adaptive height. It stays as put in Enduro, so I had it on low off road, but on road I switched to road mode & the adaptive height control was seamless. I guess it was when I got back and rode my GS I realised how bad it was. It's just the cost of the 1300 that is off putting.
@@ChrisPrice-n3m I know, very expensive 😬.
Everyones arguing when all you need is a proper spring. If you want air ride then a tractive setup is where its at
Not an air ride necessarily, just better and with more control, like some other bikes I have ridden.
I am curious, did you test ride this version before you bought it?
I am wondering is this issue exclusive to your bike, why did'nt the one you test ride, put you off from buying.
You must of liked it at the time in order to purchase it?
I am only making this comment as i'm considering this version, ive only test ridden the standard version which was fine, but for my height the low version might be more suitable, but not if they all have this issue.
Unfortunately there was only the std bike to test drive. Many owners of both commenting here they found them quite different.
not sure if it is the same on a low F750 GS i don t have the dynamic thing so not sure if that works the same as playing with the preload and damping manual helps or not :) wanna try my bike ? It does vibrate less that the F 700 GS
I think the low speed damping is down to the Telelever setup which the 750 doesn't have of course. Preload I am OK on, that works well. You have the benefit of being able to alter the rear damping on your F750GS and I bet you could get a more controlled & comfortable ride over the Wicklow Mountains. I wouldn't like to trash your F750GS, far too much grief but appreciate the offer 👍.
I have the regular HP GS, and I've no issues with the suspension, but coming from a T100. Do you know what changes are possible in the non esa bikes? You are right on the quick shifter. Whoever signed off on it should be tried for crimes against humanity 😂
The manual suspended 2023 GS has a rear preload and a damping adjuster as you would expect. More rear preload for a heavier load. Generally when loading up you would also add more damping to control that extra movement of the suspension. My user manual (for the manually suspension version) has suggested settings for solo or two up riding, worth checking to make sure yours is in the factory position and then start from there.
Not a suspension expert-but I understand the basics, after several GS’s I’ve never had a problem..in my defence, I am insensitive to seat comfort. I also agree with the road setting, feeling floaty. But other than that I don’t get it. I ridden hard over many a crap road! You can’t avoid em round here!
Std or Low chassis?
Thanks for the reply Terry, standard sussies mate.
@@benkelly2190 Ah OK, a lot of owners of the std not having these high speed damping issues so that's great. Enjoy Ben 👍
Cheers Terry, you too mate. Keep up the good work.
I have just come off a 68 plate Tiger 1200 XCA and onto a new 1250 GSA I find the suspension much better than the Tiger. I guess you have had it checked at BMW ?
I have, they say all is good. It appears the low chassis GS suspension is a lot poorer than the std height GS according to owners who have had both. I found the WP suspension on my Tiger 1200 brilliant, especially the high speed damping compared to this GS and the fact that you can choose any one of nine different damping levels in any rider mode on the Tiger. The ROAD and DYNAMIC levels on the GS are very limiting. The new 1300 allows you to modify the levels now I believe, plus they have dispensed with the low chassis so all may be well on the new model?
Terry. Go back to the dealership and test ride one off there gs 1250 and see if there bikes ride like that because my 2019 bike doesn’t ride like that at. All mate
Steve, I rode a R18 and the suspension was better! :-0 I have had a lot of feedback on my initial video on this bike. The overwhelming consensus from owners who have had both the lowered chassis and the regular chassis is that the lower chassis is a compromise and this is too blame. I think the new ride height feature on the 1300 will probably solve the issue in its entirety.
Hi Terry, am looking to drop you an email but the one linked your your youtube account isn't working. How can you be contacted?
this is up and running, it was suffering some glitches early on. terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff@gmail.com
Terry you have said the unspeakable, all the motorcycle journalists say it's brilliant suspension, thousands of previous and current owners thought it was a magic carpet ride. Then you come along and blow the gaff?!
You are spot on with traveling everywhere in dynamic. Road mode wallows like an underfilled waterbed
It's almost like they won't get invited to the next launch if they slate it! 🤐
@@anto687 The great "Lamb Chop Rides" (I do like his channel) mentioned in his agreement to borrow bikes from Kawasaki for tests you couldn't say anything bad unless you passed it by them first?
@@Beans672 Yes, and I am an ex sailor, you'd think I would be used to it by now?
Rain Mode Minimum preload. Try that. yOURE WELCOME
I went on a ride and the quick shifter was working superbly i usally dont use it i couldnt believe how easy it was upshifting and down shifting and smoothly is it always like that no but i only have 4,000 miles on the bike so far i think it was a combination of road conditions rpm and throttle position in others word learning how the bike likes to be ridden no how i want to ride it
Try a Suzuki or Triumph QS, you can do it with your hands off the bars the change is that imperceptible. The QS on these is OK 3 to 6 and back if used correctly but still a bit clunky. I still find after 12K km that it often just point blank refuses to change down from 4th to 3rd. I am used to it now so just live with it. Can't complain your whole life! :-)
"Boing" said Zebedee. Those cyclists probably had a smoother ride. Do you think you'll keep it longterm Terry?
till the warranty is out, I don't want to take a bath on it yet :-(
I don't own a BMW R1250 GS but, I maybe soon will do so, I've watched very close to half a million review vids on the bloody thing &, I have to say that you are the 1st I've come across to mention this severe of an issue.
I've not seen anybody claim that the GS suspension is perfect however, no one else seems to have the level of phuktness you say you have.
Maybe you should contact BMW & see if they have a solution or, you may have an issue somewhere with the preload adjuster or some other aspect.
I'm not sure you're being particularly fair in making a video prior to contacting BMW or having the thing checked by BMW.
Since you haven't had the suspension checked, I see no reason at the moment to consider your complaint as anything other than unwarranted.
It has had its first service before this video, dealer said there is nothing wrong with it.
Asking the dealer if there's a problem that's not obviously visible is akin to asking a salesman to list all the problems with the shit he's trying to flog. I don't think it unreasonable to dig a bit deeper with this one. Besides, asking a dealer isn't the way I'd handle the situation. I would be insistent that there is a problem & demand that the suspension components be removed & tested or at very least that the bike be converted to original setup for a comparative test. @@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff
Do software upgrade and calibrate suspension at authorized dealer. This will go away
It is a 2023 bike, serviced not too long ago, dealer says their is nothing wrong with it.
With the suspensions. You are also wrong. I have no idea where you got that information from. GSA low suspension has a longer travel than the standard gs. Before speaking, check better
check again
I totally think you should switch to another brand instead of complaining so much. I honestly don't know how well you drive or what kind of experience you have. Apparently you need more road to be able to talk like this about this motorcycle or another motorcycle in particular. I imagine that a Ducati would be better for you? But from what you're talking about, maybe you would like it too. The best thing would be to buy a Triumph and spend a lot of money on the repairs. Greetings
Oouch. It is my experience, that is all, I do say it may not be yours.
I'd say you've fallen into the same old trap many before you have when it comes to the mighty GS, in as much as confusing "best selling" bike in the world with "best bike" in the world. Now I'm sure you'll burn in hell for saying something negative about it, its just not the done thing! (How much extra for thet paint job? lol)
I know Mark, I'm toast!
Just as you said 🤣
my humble opinion. Lots of motorcycle for you. cheers. Try something more for beginners. cheers
Thanks, will do! Not that humbler though? I'll probably go for something like a CVT Scooter on your recommendation.
do you really know how to ride a bike or just taking for short spin? what ever your saying doesnt make ...
Not at all, absolute beginner, just off a Suzuki AP50.