Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Hi Carl

What tyres do you have fitted and what condition are they in?  Also, under what conditions to you experience the wobble?  A few years ago someone complained about this on a GSA, fully laden and with pillion, doing 160+ with knobblies that were only rated to a maximum of 160km/hr.

I believe Stan can help you - he had a steering damper fitted to his 800.

I bought the bike with a Kenda (can't remember the model) on the front and a Bridgestone Trail Wing on the rear. Looking at the tread pattern on the front it has quite a "block" pattern (see picture). 

I get this coming down the M3 on the way to work (1 up no luggage) - when changing from 5th to 6th at around 130-140km/h (overtaking speed). Happens on normal tar surfaces (haven't hit that speed on gravel yet  so can't comment on that). How do others find the 800s when they start to move up beyond the 130/140kmh mark? Am I just experiencing tyre limits (and will setting a more road tyre tighten this up?)

Mine did the handle bar wobble at 140kmh when it was time to change the head bearing. Stop by Donford and ask them to check your head bearing for you. Might also be wheel balancing, are there any smileys in the rim?

Thanks Lance and Charles. I've got to pop into Donford for a few parts and I'll chat to them there. There are no smiles in the wheel and a I think it could be a combination of tyres and balancing. At the price of a steering damper I think it would be a good idea to do tyres, balancing and possibly even head bearings first ;op 

Besides all the other stuff mentioned here, suspension settings can also lead to a nervous front end. How far is your preload dialed up at the back.

I see allot of folks who have the preload all the way up, which makes the bike lower at the front, which makes it brilliant at cornering but it could then be nervous at high speed.

Check your SAG measurements.