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2013 R1200GS head shake

Pjohnson387

New member
I purchased a new 2013 R1200GS a few weeks ago. Upon leaving the dealership and up through 500mi everything seemed great. I took the bike in for 600 mi service, added vario siade and top case and now have a somewhat violent head shake between 40-55 mph. According to service there are no recalls for my motorcycle but I will be dropping it off in the morning so this can be fixed somehow! Really concerned that this may be a design flaw!!!
 
Since you didn't mention having the issue before the bag installation I would operate on the assumption that it is somehow connected to that, or something else that was done during the 600 mile service.
 
Earlier this year when the wethead GS was released to journalists for reviews, there were some reports of front-end instability. Here's an example. There was a very negative comment in UK's Bike by its very experienced tester; I can't find that review online. Another author wondered if journalist Kevin Ash's death at the bike's intro might have been caused by this instability.

Since then, reviewers have not mentioned the issue. As usual, BMW remains mum.
 
Last edited:
There is something wrong with Pjohnson387's bike. Since he did not experience the issue before adding cases that's where I'd start. From experience with other bikes I'd first remove the top case and see if the problem persists.

David, there may be further info about the "lock-to-lock" head shake reported from the press introduction. It is (rumor?) that the rider/reporter who experienced that forgot to mention that when it occurred he was on a dirt road doing about 60 MPH while standing on the pegs with his arms flapping in the wind instead of having hands on the grips.

There was an official response from BMW after the police investigation that the Kevin Ash accident had nothing to do with bike mechanical issues. As far as I know there still hasn't been any official report from police or BMW as to what did happen.

This is what Jimmy Lewis has to say about R1200GS stability.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SkDPMLxAZP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
I purchased a new 2013 R1200GS a few weeks ago. Upon leaving the dealership and up through 500mi everything seemed great. I took the bike in for 600 mi service, added vario siade and top case and now have a somewhat violent head shake between 40-55 mph. According to service there are no recalls for my motorcycle but I will be dropping it off in the morning so this can be fixed somehow! Really concerned that this may be a design flaw!!!
Welcome to the forum! The guys have given you some great advice to check on your bike. I can add a couple more.
Once you have it in your mind that this is happening, it's easy to get sort of "hypersensitive" and therefor loosing some objectivity as to the goings on.
Have someone you ride with regular (and consider a real good rider) take it for a spin. This works better without any prompting of the problem.
I'm kinda in the tire pressure as something to check and adjust.
Good Luck. OM
 
Marc,

Jimmy is certainly reassuring, and for sure he knows about about riding these machines. I don't have any of that experience. "Looking where things were last changed" is good advice.

Still, I was particularly struck by the review in Bike, whose experienced tester (before letting my subscription lapse, I read him for years...now I forget his name) I imagine would not be riding the dirt waving his arms around. His ride had a scary moment. With the mystery around Ash's death (Ash wasn't a hotdogger either), it seemed possible that some combination of weighting or tire inflation or stacking of tolerances or lack of a steering damper might yield too much instability.
 
Head shake

Welcome to the forum! The guys have given you some great advice to check on your bike. I can add a couple more.
Once you have it in your mind that this is happening, it's easy to get sort of "hypersensitive" and therefor loosing some objectivity as to the goings on.
Have someone you ride with regular (and consider a real good rider) take it for a spin. This works better without any prompting of the problem.
I'm kinda in the tire pressure as something to check and adjust.
Good Luck. OM

Thanks for the head up!! This happens while riding on pavement. If I am doing 60 and let go of the gas and handlebars, the bars start to shake back and forth, as my speed gets slower through 55 it gets much worse, almost to the point that I have to grab the bars to keep from losing control. The effect is less with the vario cases off the bike but I should not experience any head shake on this bike???
 
There is something wrong with Pjohnson387's bike. Since he did not experience the issue before adding cases that's where I'd start. From experience with other bikes I'd first remove the top case and see if the problem persists.

David, there may be further info about the "lock-to-lock" head shake reported from the press introduction. It is (rumor?) that the rider/reporter who experienced that forgot to mention that when it occurred he was on a dirt road doing about 60 MPH while standing on the pegs with his arms flapping in the wind instead of having hands on the grips.

There was an official response from BMW after the police investigation that the Kevin Ash accident had nothing to do with bike mechanical issues. As far as I know there still hasn't been any official report from police or BMW as to what did happen.

This is what Jimmy Lewis has to say about R1200GS stability.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SkDPMLxAZP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Notice how stable the bars are on his bike. If I took the same video from same angle you would see my bars shake back and forth a lot!!!
 
Notice how stable the bars are on his bike. If I took the same video from same angle you would see my bars shake back and forth a lot!!!

:nod

I did say there was something wrong with your bike. Even the shake went away when removing the bags and top case there would still be something wrong with your bike. Given that it is a new bike I'd let the dealer sort it out and not accept the bike back until the issue is resolved. Don't let your desire to ride your new bike make you accept anything other than a properly operating vehicle.
 
:nod

I did say there was something wrong with your bike. Even the shake went away when removing the bags and top case there would still be something wrong with your bike. Given that it is a new bike I'd let the dealer sort it out and not accept the bike back until the issue is resolved. Don't let your desire to ride your new bike make you accept anything other than a properly operating vehicle.

Something else to do... do a demo on the exact same year and model if at all possible. Equipped with same accessories as the panniers and the top box. If not remove your panniers and top box and see if the problem goes away. You need to make sure you're comparing apples to apples. I agree with a previous post here. If you have issues get them addressed immediately and refuse to take the bike until repaired if required. If financed through the dealer make the dealer hold up on the submittal if at all possible. That will give you more leverage and therefore protection. If the finance deal is a done deal make sure you continue to make payments in a timely manner as your credit will be affected whether the bike is good, bad or indifferent. Act immediately.

The fact that the same thing may have happened in the video is potentially a bad sign. Investigate thoroughly before others start making excuses as to why you have no problem. Make sure they are correct if it gets to that point.
 
my.02 worth

Here's a thread I chimed in on over at ADVRider..


Quote:
Originally Posted by atwoodtja
Its smoother at around 75 mph than 80, fwiw, but not sure if this changes as the breakin smooths things out.

The steering is also very light at highway speeds, lighter than any bike I've ridden. I used to think my multistrada was a bit light at the front end at 70, but it feels like a model of heavy-steering stability by comparison. The GS recovers fine, but is easily moved by light steering inputs and road deflections. This doesn't really bother me since I usually avoid highways like the plague, but highway touring types might want to think about a steering damper, IMHO, just to be able to relax a bit more. I'm not sure how knobbies will feel, either. My bike came with Trail Attacks.

This thing just rails thru 30-50 mph corners. Haven't done enough sweepers to have an opinion there yet.


Hello atwoodja

This YOU TUBE video has been bouncing around.. demonstrates the VERY LIGHT Steering you refer to.
I test rode a couple WC, very light, like nothing I've ever owned.

Curious, I tried the same sort of HITTING THE GRIP/BAR END, as seen on the video while riding my 650 Vstrom and my 2003 K1200GT. The Vstrom has a "go cruise" throttle lock, and of course the K12GT has electronic cruise control, like the WC. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS.

The Vstrom is no where near as affected by HITTING the GRIP/BAR END.
Seemingly, nearly unfased in fact. The Vstrom has no steering damper.

My 2003 K1200GT, well, seems like you'd have to hit it with a sledge hammer to get it shudder. The GT has a steering damper. The GT is reluctant to change direction even when pushing it around in my garage. You gotta muscle it around. Tiring really.

My .02, I'd bet you'll see that lightness firmed up a bit in years /models to come. Either with a damper or steering geometry tweeks...

Don't get me wrong.. I like the bike... might buy one someday
d'milan
 
Here's a thread I chimed in on over at ADVRider..


Quote:
Originally Posted by atwoodtja
Its smoother at around 75 mph than 80, fwiw, but not sure if this changes as the breakin smooths things out.

The steering is also very light at highway speeds, lighter than any bike I've ridden. I used to think my multistrada was a bit light at the front end at 70, but it feels like a model of heavy-steering stability by comparison. The GS recovers fine, but is easily moved by light steering inputs and road deflections. This doesn't really bother me since I usually avoid highways like the plague, but highway touring types might want to think about a steering damper, IMHO, just to be able to relax a bit more. I'm not sure how knobbies will feel, either. My bike came with Trail Attacks.

This thing just rails thru 30-50 mph corners. Haven't done enough sweepers to have an opinion there yet.


Hello atwoodja

This YOU TUBE video has been bouncing around.. demonstrates the VERY LIGHT Steering you refer to.
I test rode a couple WC, very light, like nothing I've ever owned.

Curious, I tried the same sort of HITTING THE GRIP/BAR END, as seen on the video while riding my 650 Vstrom and my 2003 K1200GT. The Vstrom has a "go cruise" throttle lock, and of course the K12GT has electronic cruise control, like the WC. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS.

The Vstrom is no where near as affected by HITTING the GRIP/BAR END.
Seemingly, nearly unfased in fact. The Vstrom has no steering damper.

My 2003 K1200GT, well, seems like you'd have to hit it with a sledge hammer to get it shudder. The GT has a steering damper. The GT is reluctant to change direction even when pushing it around in my garage. You gotta muscle it around. Tiring really.

My .02, I'd bet you'll see that lightness firmed up a bit in years /models to come. Either with a damper or steering geometry tweeks...

d'milan

I think people are getting confused with what I am talking about. The bike is perfect in every way, love this machine...but if I am going 40-60mph and take my hands completely off the handlebars the handlebars start to shake badly to the point I need to grab ahold or I might go down......
 
Update

So I have dropped the bike off to my local dealer. First thing BMW told them to try is a new set of tires. Bike only has 1120mi on it. I'll keep everyone updated as I know something!!
 
First of all, I do not know if there is anything wrong with your bike. Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. I don't know.

What I DO know is that taking your hands off the bars is improper operation. This question came up at a Honda motorcycle mechanics school I attended, and that was the answer, and it is correct, because a motorcycle chassis is inherently unstable while decelerating, so when you take your hands off the bars and let go of the throttle, most bikes will (sooner or later) start shaking their heads, so to speak. Some worse than others. Various things can be done to minimize it, but the best thing is to keep your hands on the bars.

I'll bet you a beer that if you are set on cruise control and let go (so the bike doesn't decelerate), it does not happen.
 
I think people are getting confused with what I am talking about. The bike is perfect in every way, love this machine...but if I am going 40-60mph and take my hands completely off the handlebars the handlebars start to shake badly to the point I need to grab ahold or I might go down......

I know nothing about this particular model but it's not uncommon for a bike to shake the bars if you let go. Were you the gentleman bringing it back to the dealer to have them check it out? If so, did you?
 
First of all, I do not know if there is anything wrong with your bike. Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. I don't know.

What I DO know is that taking your hands off the bars is improper operation. This question came up at a Honda motorcycle mechanics school I attended, and that was the answer, and it is correct, because a motorcycle chassis is inherently unstable while decelerating, so when you take your hands off the bars and let go of the throttle, most bikes will (sooner or later) start shaking their heads, so to speak. Some worse than others. Various things can be done to minimize it, but the best thing is to keep your hands on the bars.

I'll bet you a beer that if you are set on cruise control and let go (so the bike doesn't decelerate), it does not happen.

Just 1 beer? I have set my cruise at 50 and taken my hands off the wheel and it does the same thing!! I just rode the wifes 2009 E1200R to work and it does not have any head shake at any speed whether accelerating or decelerating and neither did my R1200RT. My wifes new Ducati Hyperstrada is smooth as well. I have ridden dirst bikes for years and am used to some amount of head shake on them but then again the tires and rims are not balanced on the bike. Trust me EMOTO, there is something wrong with my new GS. I would have much rather been riding it today than have it in the shop!!
 
Ok, I owe you a beer!





















but it is still improper operation to take your hand off the bars while riding. :brow
 
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