Straight Line Running Problem
 

During the last ride, I experienced that after letting go of the handle bar approaching a traffic light that the R1100S does not run in a straight line (it wonders of to the right side). It is impossible to balance the bike without touching the bars. I have owned many bikes and never experienced such a problem. The only think I can come up with, is, that the front and rear tire are not in perfect alignment. Does anyone know what can cause such an in-balance and how to correct it?

------------------

It's a BMW, they all do that sir. The reason is there is a large shaft rotating in a clockwise direction driving the back wheel.

Malc

Stop drinking?

No need to be so extreme CarlosT!

Remove some of the sole from your right shoe, or maybe try some of those leg-weight thingies on your left leg? Might balance you right out.......

Go back to this location where your problem occured and look closely to see if the road is sloped toward the right. Most roads have a slight right slope so the rain will run off the road. Actually the S does not track perfectly straight like most motorcycles. The rear wheel is off set slightly (I think 2mm). This is not enough to feel.

No need to be so funny guys. If you are unfamiliar with a beemer this is a perfectly normal question. I have to admit that 'stop drinking' came up in my mind as well...

(*_*)

You guys crack me up.
I had the same thing happen when I realized the boxer is not a symmetrical machine. No worries you get used to it and never think about it after a while.
hahaha stop drinkin' hahahah

Good! It's working...the loosening up part.

Perhaps you should try dressing left.

I find my thighmaster excercises mitigates this problem. I probably squeeze my thighs together a bit more than most when I'm light on the bars.

BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Now that was REALLY funny.... My face hurts... http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/biggrin.gif

"PTTR"*


* "Pulls To The Right" (tm) 1993-2001 BMW.

My Guzzi doesn't do this, nor does my ST1100 or my Subaru.

-AR

Strange cause I don't have any problem with it. At least not in any significant way I can easily influence it far more than any "torque effect by very minor weight shifts...

Says the guy who can drive his "s" hands free for quite long distances... For instance while adujsting/putting on his gloves. (While using a throttle lock type cruise control.)

Perhaps the deceleration is also affecting this more than at steady speed.

Another trick that really works: KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE BARS.

Hope you've got a sense of humour BMWKUH.

going right? Does this happen on the move (wondering), or is it while sitting at a light, stop etc...(swaying)? The swaying is normal for boxer and in time you will welcomed the feeling while sitting at a light. The wondering does occur but also shouldn't be extreme. The rear wheel is off set by 2mm. If you feel the wondering is more than is should be take it to a tech.

I think the best thing would be to find some flat parking lot and see what the bike does at slow speeds.

other questions:
Is the bike new or used or even a demo?
Is this your first Beemer?

------------------
Matthew

I dress over the shoulder or down the pant leg into the boot.

------------------
RW
LI, NY

the rear wheel on the S IS OFF-CENTER by 4mm. this is a part of the design. the offset is 4 mm to the right and is consistent from bike to bike according to GMD Computrack who measured my bike and did a chassis alignment.

JPF

JPF sure you can't wack it a little to the left with a hammer or sumpin'?