Jump to content

GS/GSA Fork Stanchion Problems


Recommended Posts

  • Administrators

This has been becoming a bigger problem every day it seems.  I first saw this last November at LAB2V as it happened to Dennis Godwin's GSA (for the second time).   Another GS riding the event had a complete failure and separation. Then I've been hearing about it and seeing it more and more since.  Seems like kind of a big deal.

But I would like to point out that it does support what I've been saying for about four years now and that is the new liquid cooled GS/GSA is NOT more suited to dirt than the oil head generation.

 

17952644_10208165525646434_2950905148850794979_n.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

There's actually a group on Facebook started to follow this issue and as of now there are 201 likes and 240 people following it.

And let's not forget the issue with the first year and a half models that had the head tube cracking.  At least they fixed that one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
33 minutes ago, 556baller said:

In situations where the part failed, was it under "normal" conditions? Meaning, could some of the riders exceeding the limitations of their bikes stock hardware? Or is did BMW make a change in the fork design that resulted in compromised front fork tubes? 

Yeah they changed the design.  I beat the heck out of my '11 GSA off road and never had an issue with the forks.  I wish I knew more about when they made this change because I didn't hear about the problem until last November.  One might assume they've had these same forks since '13 but I could be wrong.

9k reach on Facebook!  Seems like kind of a big deal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
  • Administrators

This Facebook page dedicated to the stanchion problem (now at about 491 followers) is reporting that BMW's going to issue a recall shortly and send some type of clips to the dealer to perform a modification of the fork caps.  Stay tuned for BMW's official announcement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

More recon work on this from other forums and discovered a few tidbits...

Interestingly, either BMW and/or their dealers (BMW Denver) seem to be nullifying warranty claims on this if the rider had risers and/or scratches on their crash bars (basically blaming the rider).  Of course we all have seen how the bike are marketed (GS Trophy, BDR, etc...)

Very interesting speculation on the reason why they changed the fork design was to save weight.  Seems to be plausible.  Save money too though?  Perhaps.

There's a "fix" being marketed for this problem called the BT Cycles Stanch Clamp.  Link here.  $147

And a graphic from inmate Brokein2 that offers his explanation for the forces causing the failure:

Captureeee (1).JPG

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Interestingly, either BMW and/or their dealers (BMW Denver) seem to be nullifying warranty claims on this if the rider had risers and/or scratches on their crash bars (basically blaming the rider).  Of course we all have seen how the bike are marketed (GS Trophy, BDR, etc...)
Very interesting speculation on the reason why they changed the fork design was to save weight.  Seems to be plausible.  Save money too though?  Perhaps....


I typically don't nose around in the BMW camp but saw Eric's post of FB and having friends who have GS models, took a look. Looks like they are safe, none are LC motors.

Has any of these riders mentioned noticing any warning signs before they let loose like a clunking?

Scratches on a crash bar? Sounds like the dealer didn't want to process it. KTM and Arctic Cat have great warranty service, especially goodwill warranties. I've been asked to warrant some sketchy stuff over the years but my guess would be the fork caused the scratches, as in a loss of control. Besides, crash bars are meant to be scratched! BMW should have threaded those like the lowers of a traditional fork. Those bikes aren't exactly svelte. Be interesting to see what the fix is.

Marketing has been the topic for this weekend's dual sport. Guys new to the Adv scene are wanting to ride our east coast dual sports, which are run on true enduro single track trails, on GS's with 50/50 tires. BMW and KTM do an awesome job of showing us what their beasts can do in the hands of a pro. It's not really fair to the consumer who finds out 30 yards down a muddy dingle track, just how difficult it is to ride an XL Adv. I'm a fairly confident rider/racer and my 640Adv is pushing the limits on those particular trails, it'd have to be bone dry to ride my 950. In fact, I'm opting to ride my 250 Sunday with all the rain today.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

I wrote this yesterday in my blog section after an anonymous source came forth saying that the crimping of the forks was just a band aid for a previously flawed design outlined in a service bulletin dated April 2013 (just weeks after the fatal accident of Kevin Ash at the GS launch).

I had read the crimping solution was designed from the get-go as a way to reduce weight (and cost?) but it seems it was to cover up another bad design.

In hindsight, BMW probably should have redesigned the forks but the cost, retooling, redesign with possible new geometry could not derail their launch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

Another anonymous tip just received...

An anonymous fried of mine (here in Southern California) called me just now to report that...

  • A service tech at his dealer told him "not to ride your LC GS/GSA" until this fork issue is resolved.
  • Service technician also says it's his belief that BMW Motorrad USA on Monday will release a statement of recall
  • This recall says they are not to sell ANY new or used  inventory until this issue is resolved
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

Let me point something out here.  Not to toot our own horn but have you heard anything about this issue from any of the usual motorcycle press?

Didn't think so, but I Googled "BMW Fork Stanchion" to see and found NOTHING from any of the press.  Why would they bite the hand that feeds them?

However, I did see us in the #2 spot!  That's called "credibility."

Screen Shot 2017-06-24 at 9.51.37 AM.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

Not necessarily a correction but updated info on the blog post I did yesterday about this so-called "confidential" April '13 recall...

Turns out it was publicly available information.  I just found it this morning

Article from Motorcycle USA

"BMW has issued a recall for its redesigned 2013 R1200GS. The recall concerns a loose locking bolt for the front fork. The defect potentially affects 15 units shipped to BMW dealers.
Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration state BMW discovered a potential issue in late January 2013. A BMW endurance riding test showed a loose locking bolt on the company’s proprietary telelever front fork, with the torque determined to be below spec. Subsequent tests in January and Februrary revealed the extent of bolt loosening – concluding that “an insufficient seal between the locking bolt and fork tube would cause the bolt to loosen over time.” 

2013BMWR1200GSFirstRide14.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Reply with:

XL Adventure Motorcycle Community

Register a new account Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...