2013 GS TE 700 miles , engine "Lumpy and clanky" at steady speeds.

[mrtee43]

After testing a 2014 with 38 miles on the clock from Rainbows in Rotherham, I bought a September 2013 model, with 500 miles, privately. It had its first service at just over 600 miles and having been out yesterday and today, I can't help notice that at slow speeds around town, the engine seems lumpy and not wanting to keep a steady even speed. If I try and hold a steady 2000 rpm (for example) in neutral, the engine refuses to maintain it.

I constantly seem to be changing between 2nd and 3rd to maintain some mechanical sympathy. At steady speeds, any steady speed, I am also aware of a noise not unlike a rattling camchain.
Now I have read various threads about noises and advice to just ignore them but the question is , is this normal ? and yes, I always wear earplugs.

This is my first BMW motorcycle of any kind and after testing the 2014 model I was smitten, but this one just doesn't seem as "smooth" as the 2014 model.

I should add that I have no issues with the gearbox, yes it clunks into 1st but every bike that I have owned (Japanese) has done the same.

Is there something wrong with it ?

 

[MikeO]

If you're 100 miles out from a service - take it back to whoever serviced it and ask them to fix it. It sounds like 'surging' to me...

 

[Engineer]

Probably not, if you have never had a BMW boxer engined bike before it may take a while to adapt - but if in doubt take it back to the dealer and ask their mechanic to ride it.

 

[madmartin]

If this is your first bmw/boxer twin then you'll need to get used to the strange mechanical noises from these engines as "engineer states". These engines have been called agricultural many times in the past.they are not jap smooth. Get a ride on an older boxer twin and ride yours back to back and you'll think your riding a rolls. These new bikes are much better than old.

 

[roundincircles]

Remember these engines were originally designed for Tractors and the 600cc cylinders pulse with a big thump at low revs......that's their nature. However you should take the dealer demo out and compare or ride a friends bike. If these other bikes are smooth then yours is likely surging and needs attention.....but I suspect you just may need to get used to a boxer BIG twin.

Also try running in 6th at constant throttle and see if it surges......your valve clearances may need adjustment if it does.

 

[mrtee43]

Don't get me wrong, I really like riding this bike, but in all the reading I did before purchasing mine, I don't recall anyone commenting about this not being able to ride at a steady speed without this engine hunting.

My mind also goes back to a thread I read somewhere about an owner who had a "noise" that was dismissed as normal, but he later posted pictures of his camchain that had been rubbing against something.

I think a trip to the dealer is in order, if nothing else but to allay my fears.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Nutty]

Take it in to a main dealer and make sure it has all the latest software updates.

 

[MikeO]

Don't get me wrong, I really like riding this bike, but in all the reading I did before purchasing mine, I don't recall anyone commenting about this not being able to ride at a steady speed without this engine hunting.

My mind also goes back to a thread I read somewhere about an owner who had a "noise" that was dismissed as normal, but he later posted pictures of his camchain that had been rubbing against something.

I think a trip to the dealer is in order, if nothing else but to allay my fears.

Thanks for the comments.

Have a read through a couple of these threads and see if they ring any bells...

 

[madmartin]

Tractors? Dont ya mean aeroplanes.

 

[mrtee43]

Mike O

That link(s) does not work.

 

[MikeO]

Mike O

That link(s) does not work.

Weird - it did last night

How about this one?

 

[pistole]

the engine seems lumpy and not wanting to keep a steady even speed. If I try and hold a steady 2000 rpm (for example) in neutral, the engine refuses to maintain it

that is not normal . The water GS engine does sound pretty agricultural , but it does not surge and holds her speed if asked to.

perhaps have her plugged in at the dealership to see whether any software updates are required. Then work from there.

.

 

[Wapping]

Weird - it did last night

How about this one?

Still no good.

You are trying to display the results of your searches. It's not working. Either find the specific threads and make a shortcut to them or leave the bod to do a search,

 

[MikeO]

Still no good.

You are trying to display the results of your searches. It's not working. Either find the specific threads and make a shortcut to them or leave the bod to do a search,

I'm sure that used to work - hey ho.

Here's a thread to read - but doing a search for 'surging' will bring up a host of others...

Mike

 

[mcinlb]

My 2013 GS does not like to run / hold low revs at steady speeds , starts to hunt slightly. I've always just dropped a gear and all's well.
I.E. 4th at 30mph , drop into 3rd

It does not make any untoward noises though..............

 

[batman1]

Sounds like it's running a tad too lean, they are a bit borderline as standard in a bid to get good emissions and mpg figures, this can make the motor 'hunt' a bit at low rpm. Seems to improve with more miles on the clock as the motor loosens up.

 

[mcinlb]

Sounds like it's running a tad too lean, they are a bit borderline as standard in a bid to get good emissions and mpg figures, this can make the motor 'hunt' a bit at low rpm. Seems to improve with more miles on the clock as the motor loosens up.

Agree..............

 

[Sooty09]

Try running in Rain mode. My 2014 LC averages 62 mpg in Road mode but only 55 in Rain mode, so considering the engine is giving less power and torque I suspect it must be running a bit richer. The rain mode gives a nice relaxing feel but nothing like the exciting get up and go of road mode.

 

[Daxaar]

Mine is exactly the same. I posted this post last year about my new 2013 LC and it's still the same to this day, very disappointing.