1200GS ALTERNATOR PROBLEM!!

[kennybleep]

JUST ANOTHER LITTLE PROBLEM WITH MY FRIDAY BIKE- -
THE ALTERNATOR PACKED UP TODAY.

AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDARD!!

NOW ON ORDER FROM GERMANY.

THOUGHT BM RECOVERY WAS GOING TO BE NEEDED AGAIN BUT WAS SAVED BY A FRIENDLY GOLDWING RIDER.

ANYONE ELSE SUFFERED WITH THIS?

ALSO I THINK THE CLUTCH IS ON IT'S WAY OUT,,CLUTCH SLIP WHEN RIDDEN HARD AND STRONG SMELL OF BURNING FRICTION PLATES.

HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY PROBS WITH THE CLUTCH ON THE 1200GS?

 

[Paul Mac]

Re Clutch - Yes my clutch smells like it's going to give up at any time. The bike has 1,000 miles on it (1200 GS new Oct 2004) and the clutch stinks in normal use - ie just setting off on the flat no slipping. On a hill start it's even worse. Having said that there is no slipping - but it doesn't inspire confidence. WHY do BMW have to try and save the world with some new friction material when the old stuff worked just fine. I have never experienced this with any other BMW bike that I have owned.

 

[Max_Kool]

please stop shouting please (Capslock). No need to. We'll read your message anyway.

 

[Dave Price]

I've noticed that the headlight dims slightly when the brakes are applied, but I've put this down to the servo drawing current.
I've certainly not had charging problems, even with heated grips on etc.
Clutch doesn't stink so much now (6 thou miles), however, it's not the first BM I've ridden where you can smell the clutch. As different to most other designs the clutch is dry and open to the atmosphere.
Honda VFR/Pan Euro clutches don't last longer than about 15K from new if used hard.

 

[Jimb]

Jesus Kenny, More bad luck, if you didn't have bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all, how many times is this now, Martin's has broke down and had to be recovered 3 times now, Richard's had the rear shock and some other stuff replaced.
Hope you get it fixed soon.

 

[kennybleep]

Eyup Jim.

To be quite honest I’m considering getting rid of this Friday bike and probably going back to the Yamaha.

Of all the years I have had a Jap bike I’ve never had the problems that I’ve had with the BM.
I could write a book with the things that have gone wrong with this bike.

One can only take so much.

the words straw and camels back spring to mind.

£10k and it’s a worry whether it’s actually going to get you where you’re going to or even start in the morning.

I have realised now why BM give you 2 years breakdown recovery, that’s because even the bods at bm don’t have faith in there own machines.

Don’t get me wrong though I do love the bike when its running ok but the reliability is the big downfall.

 

[RobC]

I have realised now why BM give you 2 years breakdown recovery, that’s because even the bods at bm don’t have faith in there own machines.

I thought all manufacturers offered at least a two year warranty? If the manufacturer did not have any faith in its products then it would offer no warranty at all. All warranty work costs the manufacturer money. I believe in this day and age (bloody hell I sound like my Dad) a two year warranty is pretty crap. I have a five year warranty on one of my cars which includes cover for things like the exhaust system and all bulbs!

 

[Jimb]

Kenny

I don't think your'e alone, just a thought, there's a mint '03 1150 GS in sunny yellow with 2150 miles on it in Rainbow, you might be able to just about do a straight swop, might even get some change.

 

[Emoto]

Re: Kenny

I don't think your'e alone, just a thought, there's a mint '03 1150 GS in sunny yellow with 2150 miles on it in Rainbow, you might be able to just about do a straight swop, might even get some change.

Good idea. After all, we've never heard of a single failed final drive or failed transmission on an R11xxGS...

 

[TerryM]

Sorry to hear your tales of woe, I have had a geargox replaced but will be interested to know the details of your clutch problem.

Does it slip in all gears or just the lower 3 or whatever and at what revs?

What happens if you give it a big handful at 4000rpm or so in sixth gear, does it slip badly then?

I would like to have a good diagnostic if you can help.