2014 WC Rough Idle - Is this the normal GS idle?

dcwsco

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Good Morning.

I'm happy to say I have been a GS owner now for 3 week previously coming from Jap sports bikes. Decided that fast got boring and I actually wanted to enjoy riding bikes instead.

I have noticed however that the idle is not very regular. at idle it sounds like it misfires sometimes and also metalic clunks.

So should the GS have a nice regular idle?

I took a couple of small videos of mine and mashed them together. you can hear a couple of the clunks at 31s & 56s..... It was taken with my phone/camera so the sound quality is not the best.

I asked this on another GS forum but I'm from the UK so started reading this one too.

http://youtu.be/eFcktEKfc2Y

- David
 
I can tell you without even watching the video that it's "normal". Idle and low speed fuelling on the LC is pretty poor. But just to confuse things someone will be along in a second to declare it as perfect closely followed by a dozen people telling you to take it back to the dealer. :rolleyes:
 
normal.

if you're coming from jap inline 4 engines , its a shock. You'll think the GS's engine was broken.

still , it goes like hell and corners even better.

.
 
Cant be far off what you experienced your test ride?

Sounds good to me, refined and agricultural - does make me wonder why Nippy Normans don't sell stethoscopes, they'd be flying off the shelves as new kit.

Enjoy your week end - all will be well :thumby:
 
dcwsco said:
Good Morning.

I'm happy to say I have been a GS owner now for 3 week previously coming from Jap sports bikes. Decided that fast got boring and I actually wanted to enjoy riding bikes instead.

I have noticed however that the idle is not very regular. at idle it sounds like it misfires sometimes and also metalic clunks.

So should the GS have a nice regular idle?

I took a couple of small videos of mine and mashed them together. you can hear a couple of the clunks at 31s & 56s..... It was taken with my phone/camera so the sound quality is not the best.

I asked this on another GS forum but I'm from the UK so started reading this one too.

http://youtu.be/eFcktEKfc2Y

- David
Click to expand...
David, that sounds quite normal to me. Difficult listening over a phone recording but I heard enough to settle my mind. Boxers are so far away from jap in-line fours. Nothing to worry about matey, just enjoy :thumb I am sure if you run it down to your dealer, they will tell u the same. If you are concerned, why not run it down there, that's what they are there for. Welcome to the mad world of the GS :thumb2
 
I have watched the video - seems ok to me.

I would not let it idle for long periods though (see the manual) - the engine is only partially water cooled so the bike still needs some air flow for most effective cooling and to avoid overheating. I tend to no let it warm up for more than a minute max before riding away, and take it easy until the engine is fully up to temp, say 80C.
 
Gossy said:
Cant be far off what you experienced your test ride?

Sounds good to me, refined and agricultural - does make me wonder why Nippy Normans don't sell stethoscopes, they'd be flying off the shelves as new kit.

Enjoy your week end - all will be well :thumby:
Click to expand...

I have a engineer's stethoscope, don't EVER put it on a boxer engine!!:eek:
 
Well it sounds like I'm worrying over nothing then. Guess I should tell BMW that if they get back in touch about the idle.

Regarding the test ride. The engine was so different to anything I have used before I had no reference to anything. Getting used to being so high up in the turns was my main challenge. Felt like I was on top of a double decker! But none the less I quickly found my GS legs and enjoyed the rest of the test ride.

So rough idle..... fine. Sluggish at low revs.... Fine.

Last point then, Engineer (post above) said not to let it idle for long times. I understand it is only partially water cooled but what if you get stuck in traffic. Yesterday for example I was stuck for a good 30 minutes rolling along. A mix of nerves filtering with the beast and lorrys squashing out that third lane.

So I've just had my 600 mile service out the road and I guess the sky is the limit...... Actually it was the limit when I took it through the Cairngorms and ended up in the clouds :-)

I9GBOaY.jpg
 
It'll be fine in traffic, just don't start it and leave it idling in the garage etc. Start it, get on it and ride away :thumb ( or if you prefer , get on it , start it and ride away ;))
 
dcwsco said:
...................Last point then, Engineer (post above) said not to let it idle for long times. I understand it is only partially water cooled but what if you get stuck in traffic. Yesterday for example I was stuck for a good 30 minutes rolling along. A mix of nerves filtering with the beast and lorrys squashing out that third lane.

.......................
Click to expand...

You may well get a load of theoretical, pedantic arguments over this one but in the real world, don't worry about it. Boxers just get noisier when very hot :D

Andres
 
The noise of a boxer is one thing, yes, they have a little more clatter to them, that is normal. That metallic "clunk" "click" "clank" noise that happens when warm is supposedly something to do with decompression releases. Some say that is ok, some said they had their entire engines replaced over the noise. I have this "click, clank clunk" noise on my '14 and I do NOT think it should be making that noise. I have complained about it once to my dealer, no resolution. I will be going in for second service and will reiterate my dissatisfaction in a stronger manner this time. It seems some bikes make this noise, other bikes do not. And, it never happens when cold.
 
miked said:
I have a engineer's stethoscope, don't EVER put it on a boxer engine!!:eek:
Click to expand...

I have one too. It's a piece of 2x2 wood that I was taught to use in the days of proper V8 engines. Trouble is, when I use it now all I can hear is the wife moaning and nagging:augie
 
It was quite a bonnie day yesterday actually.... Before it rained that evening!

I'm going to see what BMW say about the noise etc but going from all the responses I'm much happier that my engine is indeed healthy and normal sounding. It will just take me a bit to get used to it I think.
 
At 55 seconds I heard a clunk and saw the revs dip - I've also heard it a few times on the demo bike I tried (380 miles on clock) so think it's normal but I wondered if it was running lean and starting to stall.

I picked my own bike up on Saturday and it actually stalled completely while idling in traffic so guess it's just a characteristic of the engine fueling being lean. My Ducati Diavel also used to stall occasionally until I got a richer map flashed.
 
Shamone,

I notice that it idles perfectly when cold with none of these noises. Just a perfect, regular idle. It is only when you have been going it for a few miles and it's nice and warm that these noises start. Don't know if you found the same. Not had it stall on me apart from self inflicted!

Also congrats on the new bike too :-)
 
RideTheWind said:
I have one too. It's a piece of 2x2 wood that I was taught to use in the days of proper V8 engines. Trouble is, when I use it now all I can hear is the wife moaning and nagging:augie
Click to expand...

You're obviously using it wrong ;) A piece of 2x2 round the back of the head and the nagging noises will stop :D
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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