2022 July Puzzler: "Twitchy Steering"

[wildbears]

The BMW R1300GS release has been delayed until next year. Two of the test riders have found an issue with the steering being so twitchy as to be unnerving.

This problem was first noticed on the test track by Hans and to be worse at lower speeds. Greta observed that the problem decreased when she joined Hans as pillion.

The Bavarian engineers, over a lunch of pretzels and beer, came up with a list of possible solutions:

A. Increase front tire pressure.
B. Increase front wheel diameter.
C. Change the steering tube to a more relaxed angle.
D. Decrease the amount of fork rake.
E. Increase the length of the fork.

Greta figured out which of the above would help stabilize the steering.

You?

[Kneedragger]

F. None of the above...

[955i]

Try C. and E. and see what happens.

[wildbears]

C and E will work. Any others?

[wildbears]

Makes sense that a fellow bicyclist would figure out part of the answers. Small changes in bicycle dimensions are readily appreciated by a rider.

[wildbears]

Disclaimer: The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this puzzler are fictitious. No explanation for the ugly design of the BMW R-GS motorcycles, past or present, due to the consumption of beer or other alcoholic beverages by BMW engineers, is intended or implied.

[955i]

They spent all their time figuring out how to make a GS even "less attractive." No time left over for technical design improvements?

[wildbears]

HINT: It's all about "trail".