Not to split hairs, but that's a factual observation of your opinion.... If we were to restrict these forums to observations supported in factual evidence with licensed engineering support only, we could cut the threads down to, oh....three?
Personally I can see not reason to have any restriction on the steering, but this is my view. On another blog the reason for fitment was given that BMW wanted a standardized production line and was fitting to all new WC R models, who knows but this would explain. I just can't understand the hype though, this bike handles well, this from a Ducati MultiStrada rider , does not show signs of ill manners , why do so many go on about it . Is it that they want to find an issue, is it they can't ride , what is it that so much brain power is spent on a non event. I mean I've owned bikes that were dead set dangerous and needed fixing, Suzuki 1150 EFE , Kawasaki 1300 , to name two this bike handles dirt , bumps and smooth very well . I haven't ridden with boxes so this might make a difference but have been two up , wet dry and gravel and at speed no issue.
I had read many different reviews before I bought my new GS and at least two of the reviewers experienced some form of speed wobble. Kevin Ash was the reviewer who was killed during his press ride. I haven't heard what came of the investigation or if it is even complete yet. I'll say the GS doesn't NEED a steering damper as standard equipment, but personally, I doubt it would hurt. The GS has extremely light steering in my brief experience with it (I've only had mine about a week now.) I trust my riding skills and my bike, but the bad press comes up in the back of my mind sometimes. I'm looking forward to HyperPro's damper that is supposedly coming out in August.
Coming from an 07 GS to the 13 GS was an experience that at first pointed me into the direction of a Damper due to the difference in the feel of the front end, very light and nimble compared to the old girl. But after getting used to the feel I have all but put the idea of a damper onto the back burner. With some 3000k on the bike now (mostly on gravel) I feel pretty comfortable without the aid of a damper. It will be interesting to see how it feels with the narrow rear wheel (150/17) and the 21 on the front. Might be the damper comes make to the foreground. Will be interesting, the 21 made the world of difference to the bike.
I posted a vid of 'some' ossilations in the steering wheel. This was caused by a badly balanced front wheel. For me it doesn't need a steering damper. But I only use mine onroad.
Saying the bike doesn't need a steering damper because you haven't experienced a problem is like saying you don't need property insurance because your house has never burned down. The London Sunday Times ran an article in May concerning Kevin Ash's death while riding the R1200GS-W. The article stated that the circumstances of Ash's death were unknown but mystifying--he was a careful rider that went down on a gravel road under circumstances (60 mph, straight) well within his capabilities. That alone would not mean much. But the article stated that BMW sent its engineers in from Germany to do an accident investigation and test the bike, but will not release the results of that investigation. BMW simply denies that there was a problem with the bike. Then the article went on to cite at least three reviewers including Kevin Duke and Martin Fitz-Gibbons of Bike Magazine who suffered violent tank slapping incidents while testing the bike and of course lived to tell about it. Maybe its a German thing, or maybe a BMW thing, but BMW has been anything but transparent, and then out of the blue announces the addition of a steering damper as of MY2014, and no one wants to connect the dots. BMW could have added the damper because it wants to contain a potential litigation problem fearing a perception of a design flaw arising from the negative press. Or BMW could have added the damper because there is an actual design flaw. Either problem is addressed (at least in part) by adding the damper. One thing I think is certain is that BMW did not add a damper because it thought it was just a cool feature for the bike. The other thing I think is certain is that know one on this forum knows why--unless they work for BMW--and if you do work for BMW, please tell us, and specifically, please publish that report. As is probably apparent, I don't like the way BMW has handled the Ash investigation and in my view raises a serious concern about the bike. tlw
Is there a thread or some other place to read about how they've handled the investigation? I'd like to read that.
I think the case you make would be verified if BMW offers this as a free retrofit for all the 2013 bikes as well. But if they were to do that, it would be just like openly admitting to an inherent design flaw. On the other hand, adding dampers to the 2014 model-year bikes alone will certainly not do anything to eliminate their liability exposure so long as there are thousands of damper-less '13 models out there roaming the terrain/streets, susceptible to tank slappers . All this, in my humble opinion, puts BMW between a rock and a very hard place.
I had a situation........ turrned in behind two vehicles turning left and gave her in 1 st gear shifted into 2nd as I was beside the second car and hit a rather smal imperfection on the paved road.....the front tire went nuts......scared the shit out of me for around 2 seconds ....I kept the throttle on and the front tire came out f the wobble.......the whole thing lasted less than 3 secounds........went back to the spot numerous times since and can not make it happen again.....????.......if the wobble would have been worse I could have found myself scraping up the side of that second car....... ..so when a damper is available im gonna try one out....
No - that's not what I'm saying at all. If BMW decides to include a factory-installed damper on a brand-new design less than a year after the model's launch, this may be viewed as such on the GS. They have never been in the business of adding extra features as standard equipment in the past so why start now? Just a thought...
My LC without damper drives much easier than my previous F800 with a damper. And I don't feel that it has lost stability.
Good to hear you made it through that head shake without serious incident. The situation you describe, with regards to irregularities of the riding surface is one of the situation where a damper will be beneficial. I suspect those here who are the nay sayers ride mostly smooth, straight pavement and with out sudden throttle change. On my R12R I have felt the effect of the damper a few times while riding hard and hitting irregularities when in a corner..... Yep, saved my butt. But if ya ride slow and straight, like an old lady, you'll probably be OK. Regards, Paul
This is speculation, but, I suspect big $$$ went from BMW to Ashe family survivors for their silence. What do you guys think? Regards, Paul
I thought the same thing whilst reading the title of this thread... I'm sure BMW was very concerned by the high study fees in GB and assured a great future to both kids...
Do remember that lots of companies to prefer to pay out certain persons cause the pay-out is cheaper than possible damage to the image might be. So they pay a 'settlement' even though they might not be at fault. But I have no idea what really happened there.