Another 1200 gearbox/clutch seal gone

[Eunuch]

Couldn't have more pleased 2 weeks ago picking up a spanky new 1200GS and couldn't have been more gutted when they called today to say there was a problem when doing the 600 mile service. New clutch will be 7-10 days waiting on parts from Germany. Clutch infected with oil.

I went from a VFR to the 1150 2 years ago but it wasn't for me (shortarse, weak & ginger), but it was reliable at least for the 5 mths/5K miles I had it. Please please please don't make me have to go back to a Jap bike again....

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Have you considered rejecting it as unfit for purpose, and getting another one elsewhere?

 

[Eunuch]

Have you considered rejecting it as unfit for purpose, and getting another one elsewhere?

I'd take that line if it turns out to be a real lemon. Suppose you'd expect to see a brand new bike last a littl longet than 2 weeks before it needed a new clutch, and from what I read I'm surprised they didn't issue a recall earlier on for slightly older bikes AND fix the problem for new supplied bikes. They admitted they've had a bunch of these failures.

 

[Pukmeister]

When my early '04 model developed a leak like this, I thought "fair enough, teething problem, I'm sure they will sort this on the later build bikes". I'm surprised that quality control on this seems poor and people are still suffering through seal failures, especially on new bikes two years later.

Perhaps they aren't being lubed on installation and wear badly on first start up ? A thin smear of silicon grease on installation needed perhaps during assembly ? Surely the gearboxes and engines arrive at the assembly line ready-built for fitting after the "in house" assembly as sub-components for the drivetrain.

 

[Jimb]

 

[Eunuch]

Was the VFR the excellent 750 ?

No, was the excellent 800. In fact I've had 3 VFR's and done a whole bunch of miles on them, all over Europe. 5 mths with an 1150 that wasn't me and 2 weeks on a 1200 that is me but is broken. Kinda takes the shine off spending that much on a new bike.

I didn't mind yesterday but now I feel deflated.

 

[Jimb]

Sad

 

[BBB61]

I know exactly what you mean, BMW GB's attitude toward me when I had a problem out of warranty took the pleasure out of owning the bike to the point I sold it and am now back to Honda.

Maybe the problem was your attitude towards BMW GB? Looking at your posts on here I can quite believe that.

 

[Dahoum]

You should have known better, there are enough warnings here and elsewhere, now your'e stuck with a BMW turkey and when you try to get rid of it you'll take an enormous loss.

 

[Deadskin]

 

[Eunuch]

So I have the bike back and it seems OK, though I've only ridden it home straight from the shop.

Was a bit disappointed with the attitude of SPC. Considering I had a 2 week old bike have to go back for a new clutch, didn't kick up a fuss nor push for a loan bike it was simply sign here and give me my key back. My bike was filthy (they had added 30 miles to it by the looks of it in the rain), I got shite answers when asking about reving it post 600 miles ('Just increase it slowly up to 6000 miles' ... so what does that mean, how many and when .. 'just do it slowly') and got charged £4.99 for a ltr of Castrol 20/50 coz I know they're good 'ol oil burners for a while. Even saying 'Please, just take the oil for free .. we feel bad about having to replace the clutch so soon' would have made the world of difference. It was mid-week so they didn;t even have th excuse of being busy.

Positively deflated from the whole experience.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Perhaps they aren't being lubed on installation and wear badly on first start up ? A thin smear of silicon grease on installation needed perhaps during assembly ? Surely the gearboxes and engines arrive at the assembly line ready-built for fitting after the "in house" assembly as sub-components for the drivetrain.

Lack of factory lubrication is the theory expounded by SLM. I had my seal replaced, then a year or so later (due to an unfortunate offroad mishap) I had a new gearbox fitted. A short time later, the seal went with the new gearbox.

Tim

 

[minkyhead]

So I have the bike back and it seems OK, though I've only ridden it home straight from the shop.

Was a bit disappointed with the attitude of SPC. Considering I had a 2 week old bike have to go back for a new clutch, didn't kick up a fuss nor push for a loan bike it was simply sign here and give me my key back. My bike was filthy (they had added 30 miles to it by the looks of it in the rain), I got shite answers when asking about reving it post 600 miles ('Just increase it slowly up to 6000 miles' ... so what does that mean, how many and when .. 'just do it slowly') and got charged £4.99 for a ltr of Castrol 20/50 coz I know they're good 'ol oil burners for a while. Even saying 'Please, just take the oil for free .. we feel bad about having to replace the clutch so soon' would have made the world of difference. It was mid-week so they didn;t even have th excuse of being busy.

Positively deflated from the whole experience.

sounds lousy to me who are they spc what does it stand for expand alittle so others can avoid
commiserations they reallyshould have eliminated this by now ??
still no excuse for crap service though is it

 

[JohnC]

So I have the bike back and it seems OK, though I've only ridden it home straight from the shop.

Was a bit disappointed with the attitude of SPC. Considering I had a 2 week old bike have to go back for a new clutch, didn't kick up a fuss nor push for a loan bike it was simply sign here and give me my key back. My bike was filthy (they had added 30 miles to it by the looks of it in the rain), I got shite answers when asking about reving it post 600 miles ('Just increase it slowly up to 6000 miles' ... so what does that mean, how many and when .. 'just do it slowly') and got charged £4.99 for a ltr of Castrol 20/50 coz I know they're good 'ol oil burners for a while. Even saying 'Please, just take the oil for free .. we feel bad about having to replace the clutch so soon' would have made the world of difference. It was mid-week so they didn;t even have th excuse of being busy.

Positively deflated from the whole experience.

Running in post 600 - let it warm up and give it the beans Rev it as you like on occasion over a varied rev range (B roads are great for this) but I'd avoid red lining it or hiting the limiter unless necessary, just try not to load the engine, either through the gears, up hills or when two up.

Just let it rev freely and it'll be fine.

 

[Eunuch]

who are they

SPC are the BMW dealer (near Alton, Hampshire) I bought the bike from. Up to now they have been fine (I bought a GS1150 off them too) and generally the Sales service has been fine, but I'm quite disappointed the first time I've felt I really needed a good service from them.

I take some pride in the way I treat my customers at work and always go that extra mile if its needed. Pity everyones not the same.

 

[Droopy Dick]

SPC are the BMW dealer (near Alton, Hampshire) I bought the bike from. Up to now they have been fine (I bought a GS1150 off them too) and generally the Sales service has been fine, but I'm quite disappointed the first time I've felt I really needed a good service from them.

I take some pride in the way I treat my customers at work and always go that extra mile if its needed. Pity everyones not the same.

They've gone the extra mile for me a couple of times, although on the last occasion I did have to stamp my foot and insist there was fault.

I'm wondering if they have a staffing/morale issue in the workshop? That being said, both Steve and Jody are first class and ever-helpful.