New R1200GS - buzzy handlebars?

[GypsyWriter]

I just purchased a brand new R1200GS Rallye on Friday and am having a blast putting some miles on her. I've been playing around with the seating and suspension options but something that's really giving me issues are how my hands go numb from the buzzy handlebars. I've always heard how smooth these engines are but at highway speeds (60-80) my hands go numb within 15 minutes. Now admittedly she has very few miles on her (got to 160 today) so is this something that'll go away once I break in the engine? Are there handlebar options that could help with this? The Rallye came with hand guards and what look like bar end weights but would getting seething even weightier for the tips of the bars help? As much as I love this bike I'm a little nervous about this particular issue so any thoughts or reassurances would be much appreciated, thanks!!

[James Bond]

It is likely that you have a tendency to have carpal tunnel, you will need to get risers on the bars and take the pressure off of your ulnar nerve in your palm. I have the same thing myself and had to get into a more upright riding position to relieve the pressure. there have been many posts relating to this conversation. I would search the threads for all of these conversations and what individuals have done to resolve this issue.

[GypsyWriter]

No carpal tunnel, the bars buzz such that my hands go numb. I'm going to look into a throttle lock as an early farkle to allow my throttle hand a break but after hearing so much about the "smoothness" of the engine I'm hoping this is just a new bike thing and not something I'll be looking forward to from now on.

Still, risers might be a good idea as I feel myself leaning forward a bit especially since I raised the seat to the higher setting to give my knees a break. I'm wondering what the Adventure seat would feel like but I'm still getting my body used to the new ergonomics so don't want to go too drastic yet. These buzzy bars though could be a proverbial deal breaker - maybe more substantial bar end weights?

[Beemer Rob]

Check the run out of your wheels, actually run out of the tires,
You may have excess run out causing the vibration @ speed.
Get it up to the speed you feel it most & pull the clutch in & see if you still feel it.
This eliminates the engine and lets you feel the wheels.
Might be time for a trip to Woody's Wheel Works?

[WeazyBuddha]

Originally Posted by Beemer Rob

Check the run out of your wheels, actually run out of the tires,
You may have excess run out causing the vibration @ speed.
Get it up to the speed you feel it most & pull the clutch in & see if you still feel it.
This eliminates the engine and lets you feel the wheels.
Might be time for a trip to Woody's Wheel Works?

Beat me to it, I was going to point this out. BMW GS wheels are known to have issues. Besides run out the boys in Germany putting together the wheels seem to get too aggressive with the grinder and some wheels (like mine) end up with gouges/divots that play havoc on the ability to balance them. Link to a thread on the subject.

['05Train]

Try a pair of Beemer Buddies. They give you some cushion on the grips, and also make the circumference of the grips larger. This tends to help keep your hands more relaxed, which should help prevent numbness.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by '05Train

Try a pair of Beemer Buddies. They give you some cushion on the grips, and also make the circumference of the grips larger. This tends to help keep your hands more relaxed, which should help prevent numbness.

I was about to recommend this too. +1 for the Beemer Buddies.

[kindofblue]

Grip puppies from Cal Sport Touring also do the trick. $12 shipped. I've used them for years.
http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/mo...s/GRIPPUP.html

Originally Posted by El Gato

I was about to recommend this too. +1 for the Beemer Buddies.

[drmajor]

I like to set the Throttle Body Sync while the motor (hot) is at the RPM I stay at most. Usually for me- 4300-4500rpm. At 70mph it is pretty darn smooth.

I know when it gets out- vibrates at other RPM- usually lower. Sync the TB...

I made my own Throttle Body sync-er with a long clear plastic tube the inside diameter slightly smaller than the vacuum point on the TB. Mounted that on a 1x2 with hash lines, and filed with auto trans fluid. works great. Found info to do this on this sight.

[JBADV]

Get some miles on it and have the first service done.Let the dealer know it seems rough.You just might need to get the engine run in for it to smooth out.When your bike is at the dealers test ride another one and see how it feels.

[RidingAgin]

I have a 08. R1200GS. And never buzzy handlebars even with scalloped tires... I also have a F650GS that I put knobbies on.... Buzzy for the first 80 miles till I got some wear including dirt. Still buzzy compared to dual sport tires, Do you have knobbies?

:-D

[mattjw916]

relax the death-grip on the bars, get a cruise control device of some sort, get comfy gloves...

unless you're doing 100+ I don't see how anyone could call a GS "buzzy"

[SkiFly01]

Originally Posted by mattjw916

relax the death-grip on the bars, get a cruise control device of some sort, get comfy gloves...

unless you're doing 100+ I don't see how anyone could call a GS "buzzy"

Most likely the death grip, I got a kaoko and eventually replaced the worn OEM grips with some Pro-Grips and I now have a loose grip and don't get dead hands after a ride.

[GypsyWriter]

I'm headed out for a ride so I'll check the buzzy engine vs. tires deal. I honestly wanted to avoid wider grips but agree they may help and cushion my hands a bit. The tires I believe are the stock Tourance and I never had problems with those buzzing on my Wee but could they need to be balanced? At the rate I'm going I'll be taking my bike in early this week for its first service and will ask then but it's good to have as much info as possible. I talked to them Saturday and they said I was probably too high RPMs but even in 6th whenever I go 60-80 I get buzzed out.

Always nice to have an excuse for a nice ride. Yay for having the day off!!!

[GypsyWriter]

Nope it's definitely not the tires. Took her for a quick spin and figured out its the engine buzzing not the tires. Which stinks.

I'm going to give her miles to break in before I get truly disappointed but as I do mostly highway commuting this will probably be issue #1 I'll want to address. Pooh...