Suspension Set Up?

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
User avatar
David.
Subscriber
Posts: 8342
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
Been liked: 395 times
Great Britain

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by David. »

For the GS, which "is" the better bike, looks like BMW have got it spot on.

User avatar
David.
Subscriber
Posts: 8342
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
Been liked: 395 times
Great Britain

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by David. »

Randyjaco wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:02 pmMy weight with gear @200 lbs, Saddlebags with contents @35 lbs.
The above video is based on a rider being 80 kg (176 lbs or 12.5 st). It would suggest that the pre-load should be set at Rider + Luggage for 235 lbs.

It also seems to confirm that the BMW weight guidelines for a rider of 8 - 13 st are realistic.
User avatar
Randyjaco
Posts: 225
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2021 3:18 am
Location: Friendswood, Texas, USA
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 2017
Has liked: 53 times
Been liked: 46 times
United States of America

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by Randyjaco »

Thanks again.
So my take on this thread is:
Unless you are anorexic or a major lard ass, BMW has you pretty much covered with the ESA.

I was interested in his comment about preferring to ride hard on the two-up setting. I am going to have to give that a try :o
User avatar
smileymiley
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:24 am
Location: Grantham
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 17MY
Has liked: 6 times
Been liked: 11 times
Great Britain

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by smileymiley »

That's a very interesting video David, many thanks.
I've found that riding solo, rider + luggage is good for me, 13 1/2 stone, but the most compliant setting is when Mrs smileymiley and I have been touring . Fully loaded with top box & kitchen sink! the 2 rider setting is spot on. Very plush & smooth.
Vini, Vidi, Velcro....... I came, I saw, I stuck around.
User avatar
David.
Subscriber
Posts: 8342
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
Been liked: 395 times
Great Britain

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by David. »

Randyjaco wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:40 pmI was interested in his comment about preferring to ride hard on the two-up setting.
Although solo riding, this guy tried the max. pre-load (two-up) setting on an R1250R.

Last edited by David. on Mon Mar 27, 2023 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
David.
Subscriber
Posts: 8342
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
Been liked: 395 times
Great Britain

Re: Suspension Set Up?

Post by David. »

Randyjaco wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:02 pmSo do I just assume that some guy at the BMW factory provided the optimum set up for me and my gear.
No, not unless you have an R1250RT with Dynamic ESA set in "Auto" mode.
Post Reply