G650 X-Country tankslapper ?

[CourtFisher]

[email forwarded from MOA website contact page; please reply here and directly to email sender, (who is probably not on this Forum):]

from: Ian Mac Lachlan <imaclachlan@kentz.com>

Comments:
I bought the X Country for my wife at the beginning of January. On 17 Feb, she
had a terrifying accident on the new bike (Only 600Km's on the clock). The
accident happened on a dead straight, tarred road, with a couple of rolling
bumps in it. I estimate the speed to be in the range of 100 to 120 km/h, when
the bike developed a CATASTROPHIC wobble of the front end (Tank Slap), after the
bumps in the road. Has anyone else experienced this type of behavior from the X
Country. A BMW representative investigated the incident, on a new bike, set up
exactly as the wife's bike was at the time. He experienced the start of the
wobble, at a lower speed and was able to correct it. He is also at least twice
the weight of my wife. He refused to try the bike at a higher speed as he got
quite a fright at what happened. My thoughts are, that the bike just does not
agree with that particular piece of road. Maybe it starts to resonate(Flexing)
at that particular speed. Has anyone heard of any su
ch theory ? The BMW guy that tested at the crash site, failed to include in his
report, that he experienced the wobble. Makes me wonder if there is not a cover
up by BMW This is hopefully a one off thing and all X country riders should be
warned about what the bike could do under seemingly normal riding conditions. I
say this, because I was in front of the wife on my 2006 Dakar 650, and it had no
problems. My E_mail is: imaclachlan@kentz.com. I will appreciate it, if any of
your members could let me know if the have experienced similar handling
problems. Thanks, Best Regards Ian Maclaclan

[tburt1969]

Thanks for the heads up, I just brought my new 09 home yesterday. I ran it over some rough pavement at 70-75mph with some bumps and the bike was rock stable, however if anything similar happens I'll forward it along.

[XCountryTod]

I just put 2k miles on my '09 and so far it hasn't showed any signs of that behavior (thank god). I have had it off-road, super slab, twisties and and New York City traffic. Other than it being a bit fatiguing while maintaining 75-80mph in the wind, I give the bike high marks for stability.

I hope she wasn't hurt and I'll report any kind of instability that I experience. Thanks for the heads up!

Tod

[beemergirl]

I have an '07 F650GS and it had quite the front end wobble at freeway speeds when it was new. I was terrified and didn't want to ride it. I considered selling it.

I took it in several times for the dealer to look at it (multiple dealers actually). I had my tires rebalanced, steering head bearings tightened, etc. The thing that really took care of the problem was increasing the inflation of the tires. I run 36 psi in front and 38 in the back. This is significantly higher than what BMW recommends.

The bike has 21K miles now....doesn't wobble if I keep the tires inflated.

I realize I don't have an X-country....but I thought this might help.

[AKBeemer]

I posted this over on the ADV Riders forum for Ian. There are some responses posted you X Country riders may want to see. He says his wife was in intensive care for awhile but appears on the mend to full recovery. The thread over at ADV Riders is: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449784

[tburt1969]

XCountryTod,

I installed the BMW OEM windscreen on my '09, and it makes a real difference on the highway. It takes the windblast off my chest at freeway speeds, and I no longer have to hold on for dear life.

[XCountryTod]

Hey Tburt,

I got the OEM windscreen on mine too, but when the winds are gusting 25-30 mph, I have to crouch to comfortably maintain highway speeds. I'm thinking a taller touring screen might be in order for longer than 100 mile trips.

My guess is it's at least twice as physically taxing to ride a Xcountry 100 miles at 75mph than a 1200 GS. So my quest is turn it into a more comfortable adventure touring bike, more similar in appearance to the original R80GS than to the contemporary R1200GS. So far it is mainly stock.

My farkles/Mods so far: Peeled the sticker off!, Handgaurds, OEM screen

On Order: Acerbis Supermoto front fender (Black), Xchallenge Fork guards, Hepkco & Becker Engine Guards and Luggage Racks, Fender Delete kit http://www.adventumgear.com/, PIA caged rally lights (Mounted on engine guards) 37litre Gobi Panniers and Hot Grips.

Future Upgrades: Taller Windscreen, Bash Plate powder coated black http://www.adventumgear.com/, TKC80s with extra set of rims for easy switching and a Remus aftermarket pipe.

Anyway, I'm sorry I got off topic, everybody stay on the lookout for stability issues related to our Xcountry and ride safe.........My prayers go out to Ian's wife for a speedy and complete recovery.

Tod

[rgarden]

I have the 2009 version, and have run it up to 95 mph with no problems. Steady as a rock.

[kpinvt]

The only thing I could think of. I've never had a bike do this but I did have a front wheel car years ago that developed a back end wiggle from a broken belt in one of the rear tires. I hope your wife is doing well.