R1200 GSA Pre-Load

[Adventure170]

All,

I am the happy owner of a 2007 R1200GS Adv with 3K on the ticker so far. I absolutely love the bike but have a few complaints that have yet to be resolved so I figured I'd share them here:

1. My front wheel is not true. I had a new one sent under warrantly and it arrived out of tolerance as well; another wheel is now on its way from Germany. Anyone else have this problem? Noticeable wobble and slight shake at speeds above 35, 50 and 70.

2. My rear pre-load adjustment does not appear to work. No matter where I set the pre-load knob at (from full left to full right) I do not notice any difference. The rear end is way too spongy.

3. My trip computer fuel quantity indicator and range feature are highly inaccurate. The fuel indicator decrements slowly, then rapidly, then slowly again. The range feature decrements up to 5 miles for every mile traveled at times, and then actually starts to climb once it hits ~100 miles to empty. My local BMW dealer tech said that they are notorious for this...my reply is 'than what am I paying for?'

The rim is the largest concern and hope to have it fixed soon. Anyone else suffer from any of these issues? I have voiced my concerns to BMW but have yet to get resolution.

[Ted Shred]

The rims are never really true but you shouldn't notice this. Hopefully the next one will be good.

You rear shock is shot if it's spongy like that. I've seen this before on nearly new shocks/bikes. Make sure they warranty this.

The trip/fuel computer should work much better than that. It is not a common problem or something you should have to live with. The dealer should warranty the bad componants (sensors, display etc...)

[Texas42]

There is a known fix for your fuel gauge problem, the dealer should be able to order the part, and install updated software, I have been supposed to take my bike in a get it fixed but I just keep riding it instead.

[tmgs]

All,

I am the happy owner of a 2007 R1200GS Adv with 3K on the ticker so far. I absolutely love the bike but have a few complaints that have yet to be resolved so I figured I'd share them here:

1. My front wheel is not true. I had a new one sent under warrantly and it arrived out of tolerance as well; another wheel is now on its way from Germany. Anyone else have this problem? Noticeable wobble and slight shake at speeds above 35, 50 and 70.

2. My rear pre-load adjustment does not appear to work. No matter where I set the pre-load knob at (from full left to full right) I do not notice any difference. The rear end is way too spongy.

3. My trip computer fuel quantity indicator and range feature are highly inaccurate. The fuel indicator decrements slowly, then rapidly, then slowly again. The range feature decrements up to 5 miles for every mile traveled at times, and then actually starts to climb once it hits ~100 miles to empty. My local BMW dealer tech said that they are notorious for this...my reply is 'than what am I paying for?'

The rim is the largest concern and hope to have it fixed soon. Anyone else suffer from any of these issues? I have voiced my concerns to BMW but have yet to get resolution.


The GSA shock is much more spongy than the GS shock was on ours (we own both a GS and GSA)
The GSA has much more travel is designed for rougher terrain the first part of the travel is designed like this for that reason
Your preload will only change the ride height by stiffening the spring, you can see the change at the top of the spring as you tighten the preload adjuster it should cause a gap between the spring and the preload carrier (for lack of the correct term)

have you tried adjusting the shock dampening with the flat blade screw on the bottom?

it made a difference on mine quite a bit (I also have 3k miles on my '07 GSA)


The wife’s GS (with spoke wheels) had a out of round front wheel, it is getting replaced under warranty


as far as the fuel gauge, I have yet to figure it out, I also have the computer option on mine so I get all the goodie info which like the LT is not perfectly accurate but darn close, in fact much closer then my lt

My gauge when showing miles range through the computer sits around 100 miles to empty for probably 100 more mile before it starts seriously dropping, what I have found though is when it shows about 15-30 miles to walk it's real darn close as I have put 8.0-8.4 gls in this bike not long after it showed that

Interstate speeds (80-85) will suck that tank down QUICKLY one time 285 miles was over 8 gls of gas to fill it back up
I now will not pass the 300-mile mark without fuel. Next addition is an aux tank on it

Tom

[Adventure170]

The GSA shock is much more spongy than the GS shock was on ours (we own both a GS and GSA)
The GSA has much more travel is designed for rougher terrain the first part of the travel is designed like this for that reason
Your preload will only change the ride height by stiffening the spring, you can see the change at the top of the spring as you tighten the preload adjuster it should cause a gap between the spring and the preload carrier (for lack of the correct term)

have you tried adjusting the shock dampening with the flat blade screw on the bottom?

it made a difference on mine quite a bit (I also have 3k miles on my '07 GSA)


The wife’s GS (with spoke wheels) had a out of round front wheel, it is getting replaced under warranty


as far as the fuel gauge, I have yet to figure it out, I also have the computer option on mine so I get all the goodie info which like the LT is not perfectly accurate but darn close, in fact much closer then my lt

My gauge when showing miles range through the computer sits around 100 miles to empty for probably 100 more mile before it starts seriously dropping, what I have found though is when it shows about 15-30 miles to walk it's real darn close as I have put 8.0-8.4 gls in this bike not long after it showed that

Interstate speeds (80-85) will suck that tank down QUICKLY one time 285 miles was over 8 gls of gas to fill it back up
I now will not pass the 300-mile mark without fuel. Next addition is an aux tank on it

Tom

Thanks,

I'll have to take a look wrt the the spacing on the top of the shock as well as using the flat spacer tool.

As I get used to he bike, these things will become more apparent I am sure. i love the bike, just want to get through the niggling issues before I conquer some IBA rides starting in February. Longest trip so far is 450 miles from Montgomery, AL to Orlando, FL.

Jon

[tmgs]

Thanks,

I'll have to take a look wrt the the spacing on the top of the shock as well as using the flat spacer tool.

As I get used to he bike, these things will become more apparent I am sure. i love the bike, just want to get through the niggling issues before I conquer some IBA rides starting in February. Longest trip so far is 450 miles from Montgomery, AL to Orlando, FL.

Jon


My longest so far on it is from here in Ga to Mel right at 600 miles, then I rode across the state to see some friends in tampa area. the seat sucked but only (ok I think only) because I was sitting too far forward to be able to reach the bars, ( I couuld use longer arms) than I could sit back further on the flat part of the seat all the time

Tom

[Adventure170]

My longest so far on it is from here in Ga to Mel right at 600 miles, then I rode across the state to see some friends in tampa area. the seat sucked but only (ok I think only) because I was sitting too far forward to be able to reach the bars, ( I couuld use longer arms) than I could sit back further on the flat part of the seat all the time

Tom
Tom,

I should have many more miles on the bike, but I am currently at a military Command and Staff College in Alabama so my time is limited to say the least. I also have a family in Seattle with all the associated responsibilities, so it is quite mind-boggling juggling it all. Luckily, my wife is familiar with work related separations like this (two 1-year remote assignments, 10+ deployments, and countless TDY's).....ain't military life great! I keep telling her that I am going to retire and work changing motorcycle tires somewhere.

WRT the bike, I try to frequent rides to Orlando to see family when I can although the ride is hideously boring. If you are in Georgia, maybe we could hook up to exchange war stories re: the GSA's. I also plan to hit the motorcycle show in Atlanta this February with my riding buddy who currently is stationed in south Florida (also a GS rider). As mentioned, I am in the Montgomery, AL area.

[tmgs]

Tom,

I should have many more miles on the bike, but I am currently at a military Command and Staff College in Alabama so my time is limited to say the least. I also have a family in Seattle with all the associated responsibilities, so it is quite mind-boggling juggling it all. Luckily, my wife is familiar with work related separations like this (two 1-year remote assignments, 10+ deployments, and countless TDY's).....ain't military life great! I keep telling her that I am going to retire and work changing motorcycle tires somewhere.

WRT the bike, I try to frequent rides to Orlando to see family when I can although the ride is hideously boring. If you are in Georgia, maybe we could hook up to exchange war stories re: the GSA's. I also plan to hit the motorcycle show in Atlanta this February with my riding buddy who currently is stationed in south Florida (also a GS rider). As mentioned, I am in the Montgomery, AL area.

I've only had my GSA for a very short time (what about a month I guess now, so I have no war stories about it

I'm not far from you in Dahlonega GA, I know good places to eat and ride in the surrounding area's.

I'm retiring so my wife won't have to next year.

I'm actually just sick of riding to fl to work! ARRGH you have no idea just how boring every sinlge road is back and forth to Fl after doing it for three years!

I'll post a lunch ride after the first up here in the Southeast forum

Tom