Head shake will happen (or the slight movement that initiates the head shake). I have experienced it many many times. On old and new GS's. And KTM's. And Honda's.
Conditions dictate when it happens. And bike set-up and the way you ride also come into play - obviously. There is unfortunately no scientific cure. When it happens, you have to ride it out. If you are going to panic - chances are you will close the throttle or brake and that makes it worse. Experience is the best weapon here.
Just a few things:
- I have never pumped a tyre to 2.8 bar ever. I think it will only be needed if my pillion is heavier than me and we load all our furniture.
- 2.0 bar to 2.2 works - OK traction, and you don't easily bend rims. I used to be at 1.8, but with the rims going softer, I have now standardized on 2.0.
- Why pump the rear harder than the front? That is where you need traction. I can see the front being a little harder - smaller tyre profile and at the leading edge for impact. I use the same pressure for both, if one has to be slightly harder, it would be the front.
- Confidence is what drives you through a dodgy situation. Hesitation, panic, closing the throttle and stuff like that are the biggest contributors to changing a slight lateral movement into a proper oscillating shake. Ride it out. With confidence.
- I often encounter people who have seen one or two shakes, and then fear causes initiation of more violent future shakes.
- Make sure that you fully understand the fundamentals of riding the bike. Suspension settings, tyres, body posture, cornering technique, acceleration, deceleration, (hard) braking and the like. The better the understanding, the more fun the ride.
- "It is like dancing. It sadly lacks power if you have not mastered the fundamentals." Bruce Lee
I am not trying to solve the problem raised in the first post. I am just sharing some personal perceptions formed over time by looking carefully at many riders from the side-line. Including myself.....
