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

Engineer said:
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.
Click to expand...

Normal stop go traffic is fine - but if you are stuck in a long non-moving queue in hot weather you will find the fan running continuously - been there done that in toll queues in France - when it gets to this stage I switch off - I haven't let it run long enough to see the temp go over 100 for any length of time, common sense really.

The one thing you should never do, as others have said, is to leave the bike idling in the garage while you have breakfast!
 
Never seen it over 100. Sitting in traffic it gets to 100 and the fan comes on until around 92-94.

So why did BMW not water cool the entire engine then? I gather it would increase the weight of the bike. Also did anyone else bash their shins off the cylinder head the first few times they put their leg down to stop? A bit off topic I know!
 
dcwsco said:
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 :-)
Click to expand...

Yep, just the same - only when hot.
 
Just a quick update. The bike went in the garage today and I got a loan bike back. Both idle like a tractor and pretty much identical so my mind has been settled that my GS idle is just perfect in a not so perfect way!

My bike however surges a lot when trying to hold a steady low speed. 2nd & 3rd gear trying to hold 30-40mph is fun. The loan bike I got does not surge what so ever. It feels like a new bike in comparison. I made a point of going round the roundabouts twice just to make sure but every time at low speed it was smooth..... unlike my one.

I asked the garage to keep it for a day or two because this was still in my initial complaint. I'm pretty sure they are going to pop it on their machine, test ride it and come back to me tomorrow to say there are no issues and all is well. I'm then going to query why this demo bike drives with no surging whilst my one does, argue a bit and then collect my bike without a resolution.

I have a deep mistrust of garages clearly!
 
My 2013 model used to 'surge' / hunt if I dropped to low revs in a high gear, just changed down.

But I now notice that with miles on (9000 +) there is a lot less tendency to do this( surge / hunt that is)........
 
Same low speed, low gear 'surge' here. Can't wait to hear what they say. Thanks for keeping us posted!
 
I can't wait to hear either. The demo bike I have just now has been amazing. Roundabouts and commuting today were a joy.... a very smooth no lurch joy..... Unlike my own GS which lurches around. On roundabouts especially this can be really akward.

No word from Garage yet today so another day on their bike it seems.
 
So I finally called the garage and they say they can't find a problem with the bike. I'm a bit miffed of course considering the demo bike they gave me is the exact same one and does not surge..... So they are waiting for BMW to get back to them (tomorrow now I guess).

No doubt they are going to call me tomorrow, tell me there are no issues and to come pick up my bike and then the battle starts huh.

Yup, deep mistrust of garage reenforced
 
Does the demo you are riding make the same click, clang, clack at idle when warm?
 
Yeah. It has really put my mind at ease about the idle. Mechanic also said the water boxers were far more noisy than previous ones. The demo makes all the same noises as my one. It's just a normal idle for it clearly :-)
 
I know it sounds bloomin' obvious but the biggest aural difference between riding a bike with a boxer engine and an inline 4 is that the cylinders stick out of each side, so when you're sitting on the bike you can hear a lot more of the engine than an inline 4 bike, where the cylinders are hidden under a tank (and often behind fairings). This is the first bike I've owned where the noise is more engine than end can, and that I absolutely have to wear earplugs, even for short journeys. It's seriously loud! I particularly like the angry snarl when you start it - almost as if it is demanding to be revved and ridden hard (oo-er).
 
I love the sound of the engine. Even on the motorway I really do like the sound it makes. What I don't like right now is how my one hunts and surges in low RPM, the demo bike does not and the garage say there are no issues. That is really annoying and killed my buying experience. It makes slow speed and filtering a pain.... Unlike this morning on the demo bike where filtering was easy and enjoyable. Where is that emoticon with the huge wide eyes.
 
dcwsco said:
I love the sound of the engine. Even on the motorway I really do like the sound it makes. What I don't like right now is how my one hunts and surges in low RPM, the demo bike does not and the garage say there are no issues. That is really annoying and killed my buying experience. It makes slow speed and filtering a pain.... Unlike this morning on the demo bike where filtering was easy and enjoyable. Where is that emoticon with the huge wide eyes.
Click to expand...

I have just returned. Back from 2700 mile french trip & mine is exactly the same!
Surging & noisy poor idle I put it down to different french fuel but after filling up at folkestone yesterday it is still the same, the demo I rode was perfect if I knew what I know know would of possibly gone for the explorer triumph :( feeling a little disappointed
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom