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I was out riding last weekend and inadvertently got to find out what the maximum lean angle is on a BMW R1200 GSA.

I habitually have the camera on the bike, as I use it when commuting “just in case” I am part of a SMIDSY moment.
It is mounted on the right hand crash bar, tucked right up next to the indicator.

We were just about to part company, with me turning South back home, and my mates heading East and homewards.
It was going to be my last good corner of the day, so I thought that I would make the most of it.
As I passed the first bike, a waved a good long goodbye and tipped in to the corner of the roundabout, and kept tipping.
When I got to the position in the photo, two things happened at the same time. The edge of my boot made contact with the tarmac (I am a toes turned in rider), and the back end started to slip out from under me.

The immediate reaction was to turn the bars into the slide, having the effect of making the bike start to stand backup. You can see this in the vid at about the 27 second mark.
The back tyre then re-gained grip and all continued as normal.

When I got home, I took a look at the rear tyre and could see that for at least half the tyre the dark black colouring suggested that I had slipped on to the wall.

I just wish I had a photo from behind, as a mate said it looked pretty mad, as a “huge” BMW R1200 GS Adventure bike leaned over to an impossible angle.
I think it is time that I learnt to hang my arse of the seat and keep the bike more upright.
But, at the end of the day, for me, it is not about the speed the corner is taken, but how low you can go ๐Ÿ™‚

At some stage, I may try leaning the bike over to see what sort of angle it was, though I won’t be able to simulate the the down force being applied to the suspension.
In the meantime, just imagine how far you will need to lean the bike over to get the side of your boot to touch the ground.

The vid below shows how it all transpired.

4 Responses to “Maximum lean angle of a BMW R1200 GS Adventure”

  1. […] Maximum lean angle of a BMW R1200 GS Adventure | Easy-IT […]

  2. Alvaro says:

    I saw in a spanish website that the maximun lean angle for a gs oc or lc is 45 degrees.

  3. Dave Thompson says:

    I think your slide was caused by the white lines (painted markings).

  4. admin says:

    Good shout, that could have contributed, though it was very dry.

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