Bike feeling a bit soft and unstable

[Kradmelder]

I guess this is a really fuzzy issue and it is hard to describe unless you 'know what i mean'. Like the front end feels like mush. Not like a vibration with a worn knobblie or bad balancing, but like loose.

My BMW 1200 GS, as you probably know, is a rock solid stable bike at all speeds. But lately it feels a bit edgy. Not cornering or anything, just in a straight line even at mid level speeds.

Now i figure, ball joint? I have only 45 000 km on it and the ball joint shouldnt go, but I do a lot of very bad off road. Could it need retorqueing?

tyres: front is a TKC with plenty of knobblie still on. Been running front TKC forever and never had a problem


Figure a rear that doesnt hold the road could also give that feeling. rear is a Mitas E-10. First mitas E-10 on the rear. Worn but well above the minimum. I heard a front mitas can be very squirrely. My KTM runs front karoo knobbly and rear Mitas E-07. Had the BMW up to 160 kmh plenty with this combination and no problem. But even going over a wet white lines the rear doesnt seem as planted now as it used to be.

I checked tyre pressure and they were 2.1 front and 2.5 rear. a bit softer than what i usually run on tar, but OK for gravel roads. I pumped them up a bit. Maybe I should up the preload a bit as well?

Maybe I am just getting a bad dose of KTM fever and the BMW just doesnt have the same rugged suspension. But hell, Iv been riding both bikes for a while.

Or maybe i just need to take it at on a high speed run and blast away the nervousness. or have a friend ride it and tell me if he thinks it also doesnt feel right.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Skudd]

Usually the vague feeling comes with suspension issues, as your bike has been used in a dry enviroment in bumpy areas I would say that all parts of the suspension system, ball joints and all would need looking at.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Kradmelder]

[Kradmelder]

Think I found the problem. Put the bike up and saw the rubber seal around the upper ball joint is torn. Grease leaking out. I guess sand and dust must have gotten in there riding off road and worn out the joint. Our hot dry weather and rutted roads hard on bikes.

I hope it is just that. R1800 for a new one. F..k shit kak bliksem poes. And must bleed brakes. Friend of mine is an ex bmw mechanic and said he will do it for R600. Need that tool to remove the joint and a 230 nm torque wrench to refit.

R2500 gone.

That is why you need 2 bikes.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Kradmelder]

cause of the problem. I guess the sand you see around the joing must have got in there and worn the ball joint

https://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m270/hvandermerwe62/IMG-20120910-00386.jpg

Part from BMW arriving today or tomorrow
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS