BMW’s water-cooled R 1200 GS Adventure and RT will come with a steering damper as standard.
In recent tests, I commented that the rejigged steering geometry made the GS feel a little flighty under acceleration. Read my review here.
Another motorcycle journo had experienced the same thing and he was told by BMW they suspected the Metzler Tourance tyres.
However, it now appears that BMW is admitting there is an issue that has been highlighted in the development of the water-cooled GS Adventure and RT.
In an American BMW magazine, BMW Motorrad communications manager Rudi Probst says that during development of the GSA and RT they used a steering damper “to improve the handling of those vehicles”.
“The design of the steering damper improves the dynamics of the steering precision and accuracy,” he says.
While he doesn’t admit there is a steering issue with the current GS, he does say it also benefits from the use of a damper.
The steering damper was supplied by Muller-Prazision and developed in-house.
It will be made available as an aftermarket accessory for the current water-cooled GS and it will come standard with the 2014 GS, GSA and RT.
BMW Motorrad Australia product communications manager Scott Croaker says it is “possible” to retrofit the BMW steering damper to the existing water-cooled GS, but does not yet have a cost for the item.
“The 2014 (GS) model will be offered with a slightly different base price and specification, mainly in regards to the riding modes. However, this will not affect the most commonly ordered, full-spec price,” Scott says.
